I encourage members of my workshops to enter contests–especially regional ones that do not have as many entries as, for instance, Writer's Digest contests that receive thousands of entries.

The California Writers Club Poetry and Short Story Contest accepts entries from Sept. 15, 2009 through Jan. 15, 2010. Entry fee is $15 per short story (max 4000 words) and/or $5 per poem.  Top winners receive $500.  For more details: http://www.centralcoastwriters.org/2010-contest-rules.htm

Memoirs, Ink Element Writing Contest.; http://www.memoirsink.com/contests  Due by April 15, 2010: Submit a short, personal essay, 750 words, max. Entry fee, $10; Prizes $500, $250, $125.  Subject matter must pertain to air/wind/space.

I hear complaints about fees to enter contests.  I know for a fact that the California Writers Club contests (15 branches) are nonprofit.  The money taken in as fees pays the prizes and the minor expenses of the contests.  Nobody gets a salary nor are judges paid.

–Willma