Vintage Wisconsin
A WWA Literary contest in the memory of Jerry Apps Click HERE to submit Questions? wwapress@wiwrite.org |
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Submission Details: Eligibility: Open to the public. Writers under eighteen must have written permission to submit from a parent or guardian included with the entry. Submissions accepted online only through Duosuma. Writers must be able to access the internet, create an account at Duosuma, and pay applicable fees online. |
Deadlines:
Submissions open April 1 and close May 31, 2026, 11:59pm CDT. Fee: $15 Length: Up to 3000 words |
We are seeking exclusively Wisconsin-based stories about factual people, businesses, culture, lifestyle, or events, living or past. Stories submitted to this contest must not be previously published, though publication on a non-monetized website or blog would not count as published. Biographical sketches of people, memoirs of events, report-style stories about businesses, farms, or cultural or historic events are welcome. Tell us about the lutefisk and lefsa dinners, the sheepshead tournaments, the Fourth of July parties, farm chores, cheese factories, special teacher, or inspiring family member, bobsledding, walleye fishing, church, sport, that big storm, a day on the job. Family histories that focus on a unique or distinct aspect of interest to a wide audience welcome; avoid solely personal stories or essays or myths/legends. True accounts only. Include notes on any applicable research sources, or notice of original source material such as newspaper articles, magazines, diaries, photo albums, textbook, biographies and descriptions of photos only please. Winning entries will be published, and submissions must include acknowledgement of agreement to publish.
Click HERE to submit
How to Submit: Send your best, polished, and properly formatted story (double-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins) including title, word count, full name, address, phone, email and declaration that the story has not been published elsewhere at the top of the first page only. Authors under 18 must also include a statement of permission from a parent or guardian on the first page. Provide a one-paragraph bio on the first page that includes your Wisconsin connection. Begin your story on the second page. No headers or footers. Only Word documents, please. PDFs or Mac Pages not accepted or acknowledged. Click HERE to submit |
Judge: Susan Apps Bodilly
Susan is a retired educator and writer. She taught elementary and middle school students for 34 years. She holds a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction. When she is not reading or writing, Susan enjoys spending time with her family, hiking at the family cabin, kayaking, and trying new recipes with produce from her garden. Photo by Steve Apps | Other:
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Awards: One grand prize winner will receive one night’s stay and paid conference fee to WWA’s annual Fall Conference in Manitowoc, WI, October 23-24, 2026, and 3 copies of the publication If the winner has already registered for the conference and paid the fees, the winner will be reimbursed. If the winner does not attend the annual conference in Manitowoc in October, the main prize will be forfeit and the winner will still receive 3 copies of the publication. Two runners-up will be selected and receive a free membership to WWA for one year and a copy of the publication: value of $40. |