The minute I came across this contest from the Tallgrass Literary Review, I thought of you.

Now, wait. Just wait a minute before you decide this contest is not for you.

There’s no entry fee. None at all. So you don’t have to think about whether the story you have is worth the bucks to submit it. You have nothing to lose.

But maybe you skimmed the contest guidelines and saw:  The Tallgrass Literary Review gives preference to manuscripts about life in Oklahoma and the Great Plains, and the magazine favors themes relevant to the Great Plains such as rural life, family life, immigration, nature, and Christianity. And you think that because you don’t live in the Great Plains area, you shouldn’t bother sending in your story. But you should know that the editors also said this: However, the judges will consider every submission regardless of genre, theme, or setting. Moreover, authors do not have to be residents of Oklahoma. Writers from every state and country are welcome to submit manuscripts. And if you read the guidelines, you saw this: More than any other factors, the magazine judges works based on their quality and originality.

You can write quality. You can write with originality. Even though it makes you nervous, considering that it’s a literary magazine. You’re afraid your writing is not literary enough. But you have been at it for a while, writer, and you have a learned a thing or two. Challenge yourself. Give your writing a chance and send it to the Tallgrass Literary Review by September 30th.

Your story can’t soar to the top of the winners’ list–unless you give it wings!