The Walter and Nancy Kidd Memorial Writing Competition in Poetry and Fiction (“Kidd Prize”) is held each spring and is open to all undergraduates currently enrolled at the University of Oregon. First, second and third place are awarded in each genre (poetry and fiction). Winners receive a monetary award and a certificate that includes remarks from the competition judge in their genre.

The Creative Writing Program invites two nationally known authors (one poet, one fiction writer) to judge student manuscripts. Past judges have included Mark Jarman, Miriam Gershow, Frederick Busch, B. H. Fairchild, Mark Doty, Rosellen Brown, Mary Gaitskill, Yusef Komunyakaa, Sharon Olds, Gerald Stern, Susan Straight, Edward Hirsch, Charles Baxter, Eavan Boland, Tobias Wolfe, Antonya Nelson, Richard Bausch, Richard Tillinghast, Charles Wright, and N. Scott Momaday.

Eligibility

• Open to all undergraduates currently enrolled at the University of Oregon.

• Participation in the Kidd Program is not required.

• Submissions previously appearing in University of Oregon publications which showcase undergraduate work (such as UNBOUND) are acceptable; however, all other published work is ineligible.

Submission Guidelines
Entrants may submit in both genres.

• Fiction: One story up to 20 pages (double-spaced)
• Poetry: Up to two (2) poems on separate pages (single-spaced is acceptable)

Manuscript Content
Entries must be typed in black using a 12-point standard font (such as Times New Roman).

Manuscript Identification

Manuscripts will not be returned and those not meeting submission guidelines will be disqualified. Judges’ decisions are final.

Submission Deadline
Entries must be submitted online by the end of the day on Friday, April 5th, 2024.

Selection & Award
This contest is judged by guest authors participating in the Creative Writing Program’s Reading Series during the Spring term, Maurice Ruffin and Mark Jarman. Winners will be announced during Maurice Ruffin’s reading on May 22, 2024, so all contestants are encouraged to attend.

All disbursements are made through Student Accounts (balances due may be subtracted from the award amount).

Ready?