SFSU Creative Writing Department

Open now: Our 2026 First Chapters Contest.

The CRAFT First Chapters Contest encourages novelists to harness the energy of their openings for the opportunity to win a $2,000 award, excerpt publication, and a full manuscript critique by Artful Editor. Send us your first chapters of 5,000 words or fewer!

Here’s what Guest Judge Deb Olin Unferth would love to read:

"I’m looking for a first chapter of a novel that, by the end of it, a few things are happening: I’m moved by the narrative voice—maybe it feels unique and inviting, or rebellious. Also, I’m deep into a character, I feel like I want to know them. And I need to be pulled along by the momentum of the story, promises are being made to me. The style needs to light me up, as well. Also, I’d like to know that this is all important somehow, that the story is about larger ideas, beliefs, global problems or philosophical ones."

Learn more: https://craft.submittable.com/submit/353595/craft-2026-first-chapters-contest-guest-judge-deb-olin-unferth

📝 Bring Moth storytelling techniques to your classroom!

For the first time ever, The Moth, in partnership with First Book, has released a series of on-demand video workshop trainings for educators. You’ll learn how to use your lived experiences to engage your classroom, convey your ideas, and strengthen your connection with students.

Register here and start your storytelling journey today: https://bit.ly/3RDppTv

We're excited to share the 2026 Omnidawn Poetry Chapbook Contest, judged by Maw Shein Win. We hope you will consider sending her your best work!

How to submit: https://omnidawn.submittable.com/submit

May 1 through June 16, 2026

Prize: $1000 and publication with 20 author copies

It's , and this is your official invite to participate in our 2026 SFWC Writing Contest!

🌟The Grand Prize Winner wins a FREE REGISTRATION to the 2027 SFWC
🌟Four Category Winners will receive a 2027 Summit Registration of their choice or an equivalent discount to the main conference.
🌟Winners and finalists in each category receive publication of their entry in the 2026 SFWC Writing Contest Anthology.

Make sure you enter before July 31, 2026 here:
https://www.sfwriters.org/contests-and-scholarships/writing-contest-overview/

Dining services supplies, such as plates, cups and utensils should not be leaving the dining facilities. If you removed them, please return them. Thank you.

You still have ONE MONTH to submit your work to our Best Emerging Writers 2026 Anthology!

Our anthology has been at the heart of our mission to provide a platform for emerging writers since day one, and we’re excited to share these stories and essays both in our printed book and on our website, where they will be highlighted for a full year. The book will be available for purchase at Bookshop.org and other online distributors.

Here's what Guest Judge Ramona Ausubel is looking for in your submission:

“I am so excited to read your dearest and truest work. I love stories of all kinds—ultra realistic, ultra-wild, quiet, loud, lush, sparse. What I want is to read work that feels bright with your own obsessions, your own way of seeing. I love a sentence that makes me want to stop and re-read. Bring me your particularity, your exact images, your surprises, and your care—it will be my great good luck to be on the other side.”

Submit your work: https://themastersreview.submittable.com/submit/352232/best-emerging-writers-2026-judged-by-ramona-ausubel-7-000-awarded

Tonight is Literary Speakeasy at Martuni's! We have five amazing writers this evening, including Khalifa Mitchell!

Khalifa grew up in East Oakland, CA. He is self-described movie buff, poet, writer, novelist and screenwriter. His first full length book of poetry, “Liquid Tachyon Temples,” was recently published by Cherry Pie Press.

Doors open at 6:30pm, show starts at 7:00pm. No cover charge.
Join us tonight for an evening of words, martinis, and prizes!