Virginia

Virginia carries a long literary heritage, and its contest scene reflects that history alongside a modern, active writing community. The state's respected university creative writing programs support a range of contests for students and emerging authors, while regional writers' groups and historical societies run competitions that often draw on the state's rich colonial and Civil War-era history for thematic inspiration.

Beyond the university towns, Virginia's public libraries and arts councils frequently sponsor smaller regional contests, giving writers across the state, not just those near major cities, a chance to enter and be recognized.