FOURTH GENRE STEINBERG ESSAY PRIZE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Fourth Genre will seek the best creative nonfiction essay for its annual Fourth Genre Steinberg Essay Prize. Authors of previously unpublished manuscripts are encouraged to enter.

The winning author receives $1,000 and the winning entry will be published in an upcoming issue of Fourth Genre. Runner-up entry will be considered for publication.

Submissions that do not comply with these guidelines will be recycled unread. Please read all of the following carefully prior to submission. Complete entry fee checks fully and correctly; include with submissions.

Submission Guidelines

• Reading period: January 1–March 15
• Submissions must be postmarked on or before March 15
• Reading fee: $20 (U.S.) per entry
• Make checks payable to “Michigan State University Press”
• Multiple submissions accepted; include $20 entry fee for each individual submission
• Include in cover letter (one page limit): name, address, phone number, email address, title of piece, and word count
• The author’s name or contact information should appear nowhere in the manuscript, including headers, footers, and title  pages. No names should appear in the manuscript that could be used to identify the author or the author’s affiliations.
• 6,000 word limit (Longer submissions will not be read)
• Winners will be announced on the Fourth Genre website
• All manuscripts recycled

Eligibility

• Current Michigan State University students, faculty, and staff are not eligible to enter
• Electronic submissions will not be considered

Replies

• For manuscript receipt confirmation, include a self-addressed stamped postcard
• Contest status queries will not be accepted
• Winner and runner-up (if applicable) announced at the end of April

Send submissions to:
Fourth Genre Steinberg Essay Prize
434 Farm Lane, Rm. 235
Dept. of Writing, Rhetoric & American Cultures
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824