Please read these guidelines carefully and follow them closely. Then (and only then!) click on the link below to submit work. Thanks!

The editors of Deep Wild: Writing from the Backcountry invite students currently enrolled in graduate studies to submit work for our 2024 Graduate Student Prose Contest. Submissions will be accepted from October 15 through March 1.

We seek work, either fiction or nonfiction, that conjures the experiences, observations, and insights of backcountry journeys. By “backcountry,” we mean away from paved roads on journeys undertaken by foot, skis, snowshoes, kayak, canoe, horse, or any other non-motorized means of conveyance. We are open to a wide spectrum of carefully-crafted work,from the personal to the political. By “personal,” we mean work that not only relates the experience of backcountry journeys but also in some way reflects upon the journeys. By “political,” we mean work that, while maintaining a backcountry perspective, addresses and confronts the social, economic, and environmental issues of our times.

Send us your best single essay or short story of up to 3,000 words that is backcountry-infused and inspired. Up to three pieces will be chosen for publication in the June 2024 volume of Deep Wild Journal, and the authors will receive cash awards and five copies of the journal. Each entry will be read by two outside judges, to be announced. The 1st Place prize is $200, 2nd Place $100, and 3rd Place $50. Judges may also select a number of other pieces for Honorable Mention, and if so, the writers will receive a copy of the journal and possible publication online or in the journal.

Submissions should be made using your private email account from the college or university, or if you do not have such an account, inform us in the cover letter box on Submittable, The cover letter should also give your name, school affiliation, program of study, expected graduation date, and contact info (phone, email, permanent address). Writers whose work is chosen will be required to confirm their student status.

Entries must be submitted anonymously. This means your name should not appear either in within the file or in the file name.

There is no fee to enter the contest.

  • Again, only one submission per student. Multiple submissions will be disqualified.
  • Once you submit a piece, you cannot recall or revise it, or substitute another in its place.
  • Please do not exceed the 3,000 word limit. Shorter, fully realized pieces stand just as good a chance of winning as longer ones.
  • Formatting: Entries should be typed, double-spaced, in 11- or 12-point font.
  • Finishing: Tightly written entries that are error-free and that have already benefited from feedback and revision will stand the best chance. However, be assured that a few typos or minor errors will not affect our decision. We will work with authors of winning entries to revise their work as needed for clarity and correctness.

We strongly encourage students to familiarize themselves with the kind of writing published in Deep Wild Journal by purchasing an issue at the Educational Rate of $10 (see deepwildjournal.com/studentsandteachers/) or by reading excerpts from previous issues on our blog (deepwildjournal.com/blog)

Address any questions to deepwildjournal@gmail.com. Thanks, and good luck to all!

To submit work to the Deep Wild 2024 Graduate Student Poetry Contest, click on the link below: