Spread the word! Do you, a member of your writing group, or a writer friend have a compelling story featuring women or girls’ stories of the West? The WILLA Literary Award is now accepting submissions. Visit the Women Writing the West website to review categories, rubrics, and submission guidelines.
The WILLA Literary Award, named in honor of Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Willa Cather, recognizes the best in literature, featuring women’s or girls’ stories set in the North American West, that are published each year.
Entry categories:
- Contemporary Fiction
- Historical Fiction
- Romance
- Mystery/Thriller
- Creative Nonfiction
- Scholarly Nonfiction
- Poetry
- Children’s Picture Books
- Middle Grade Fiction and Nonfiction
- Young Adult Fiction and Nonfiction
Entries are open from November 1, 2026, and close at midnight on February 1, 2027. For questions, contact the WILLA Chair, Deborah Swenson.
