Alligator Juniper holds an annual contest in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and black and white fine arts photography. Our reading period is May 1- October 1. We are currently accepting contest entries but NO general submissions.


2009 National Writing Contest in Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, and Poetry

• $10 Entry Fee
• $500 First Place Prize
• Postmark Deadline: October 1, 2008

Our annual contest awards $500 plus publication for the first place winner in fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Additional winners selected for publication will be paid in copies (4). $10 entry fee, checks payable to Alligator Juniper. Every entrant receives one copy of the 2009 issue, a $10 value. The issue will come out in summer 2009. There is no theme for the 2009 issue. Work is selected upon artistic merit. By entering our contest you agree to allow us to select your work for publication even if it does not place first. We encourage submissions from writers of all levels, especially emerging or early-career writers. We accept simultaneous submissions; inform us in your cover letter and contact us immediately if your work is selected elsewhere.

Submission Guidelines

• Submissions accepted May 1st through October 1st, 2008 (postmark deadline).
• Include a brief cover letter, including the statement below.
• Include S.A.S.E for response only; manuscripts are recycled, not returned.
• Include a $10 entry fee payable to Alligator Juniper for each story or essay (30 page limit per entry), or up to five poems.
• Additional entries require additional fee.
• Indicate category with a large F, NF, or P on cover letter and mailing envelope.
• Manuscripts must be typed with numbered pages. Prose double-spaced.
• Double-sided copies encouraged. No email submissions.
• Send to:

  Alligator Juniper
  Prescott College
  220 Grove Avenue
  Prescott AZ, 86301

IMPORTANT: Unfortunately, due to recent problems with misinformed entrants and withdrawals, we ask that you include the following statement in your signed cover letter: "I have read and understand the guidelines for Alligator Juniper’s national writing contest."

Back issues are available for all but 1995 (the premier issue) and 2001. Send $7.50 to above address and specify what year you would like to receive.

Selection Process

All entries are read and discussed by Prescott College students in the Alligator Juniper practicum class. This class is overseen each fall by two faculty members, each of whom is a working writer in the genres of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.

All entrants receive a personal letter from one of our staff regarding the status of their submission. We usually inform in late January. The individual attention we devote to each manuscript takes time. We appreciate your patience.


2009 National Photography Contest

• $20 Entry Fee (1-5 prints); $30 Entry Fee (6-10 prints)
• $500 First Place Prize
• Postmark Deadline: December 1, 2008

Alligator Juniper seeks quality black and white photography for its 2009 issue. $500 prize for one winner; other winners selected for publication are paid in copies. The judge for the 2009 Photo Contest will be announced in Fall 2008.

Guidelines for Submission

• Photographs must be black and white, unmounted, not exceeding 11 x 14 inches.
• Labeling should be placed on the back of each photograph, including your name, address, hone number, title of photograph, date made, and indication of top.
• Those submitting digital images must also submit a digital file on CD, in TIF format, no larger than 100mb.
• Include a brief artist’s statement, one that could be excerpted in the credits of Alligator Juniper, should your image be selected.
• Appropriate packaging and return postage should be included for return of your photo(s). Entries without return postage will be discarded after judging.
• Include entry fees as follows: $20 for one to five prints; $30 for six to ten prints. Ten print maximum. Make checks payable to Prescott College/Alligator Juniper.
• Payment of fee does not guarantee that any photographs will be published; payment does guarantee that all entrants receive a copy of the 2009 issue, a $10 value.
• Prescott College reserves the right to publish winning images in any college publication.
• While we handle all entries with care, we cannot take responsibility for damage that may occur to submissions.
• No slides accepted.
• Postmark Deadline: December 1, 2008. Entries postmarked after that date are returned unopened. We return entries with response in late spring. Winning photos will be returned during the summer of 2008.
• Send to:

  Alligator Juniper Photo Contest
  Prescott College
  220 Grove Avenue
  Prescott AZ, 86301.

The 2009 issue comes out in early 2009.