It’s hot and sticky. Not everyone is feeling poetic. We’re in honesty mode.
That’s what makes July the perfect month for our annual nonfiction writing competition. We don’t want flowery, “beautiful” writing. We want the truth and nothing but the truth.
We want YOUR truth.
We want to read about opportunities missed, hilarious events, political issues, and anything that supports American values from a conservative or apolitical standpoint.
The nonfiction writing competition is open through July 31st. So get your work together and send us your best:
Annual Nonfiction Writing Competition
Creative (memoir-style) and Essay nonfiction gives writers the chance to offer their perspective through true stories.
The American First Magazine nonfiction writing competition is open to entries from July 1st – July 31st. Tell us about a specific life-changing experience, or fun family story up to 2,500 words.
Simultaneous submissions and previously published works are not permitted for the contest. We ask for First Rights to publish on our website and a potential anthology.
Everyone’s work will be judged based on:
- Technical skills – Grammar, structure, and style
- Voice – How much of yourself comes through this piece?
- Topic – Even personal stories need an underlying theme. The heart of this story, why it’s significant, and how the author makes the reader connect to the subject are all important components of nonfiction.
Prizes:
3rd prize will get their entry fee back, a free critique of the winning piece, a free American First Magazine Bookmark, and a winner’s certificate.
2nd prize will get $10 prize money ($15 if you do a triple entry), a free critique of another nonfiction piece up to 3,000 words, a free American First Magazine bookmark, AND a winner’s certificate.
1st prize will get $15 in prize money ($20 if you do a triple entry), a free edit of a nonfiction story up to 3,000 words, a free American First Magazine bookmark, an American First Magazine coffee mug, AND a winner’s certificate.
All winners and honorable mentions will be featured in our first print edition early next year.
Submit by paying your entry fee and then emailing your story (or stories) in JULY to: americanfirstmagazine@gmail.com
We will reply with a confirmation of receipt of payment and entry (All unpaid entries will be disqualified).
Fees
Single entry: $5
Payment link: https://buy.stripe.com/00gaG38J1cza3hm3cc
Double entry (2 stories per author): $8
Payment link: https://buy.stripe.com/eVag0n4sL2YA8BGeUV
Triple entry (3 stories per author): $10
Payment link: https://buy.stripe.com/5kAeWj2kDfLm8BG8wy
Paid Substack subscribers get up to 6 free entries. No more than 3 stories per author will be accepted through regular paid (non-subscriber) entries. Sure, upping the odds is great, but we don’t want to overdo it.

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