Awards for Excellence in Writing

1,000-word Themed Contests

Several Santa Barbara Writers Conference contests are held throughout the week of the conference. The main competition is our 1000-word themed contest, in which we award first, second, third and honorable mentions in the categories of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. We announce the theme during the first night of the conference, at Orientation. It’s usually just a one- or two-word phrase meant to spark imagination. The winners of this contest are chosen by a panel of judges that includes our founder, Barnaby Conrad, Executive Director Marcia Meier and several of our workshop leaders.

Just for Fun

The “World’s Worst First Sentence” contest is a long-time favorite where entries compete to see how bad a single uninviting sentence can become.

Workshop Genre

Our genre awards are based on work that is seen in the workshops throughout the week, and they are chosen by the workshop leaders in those areas. For example, we have a general fiction award, which is chosen by the five or six fiction workshop leaders who teach during the week. We have a poetry award that is chosen by the two poetry workshop leaders. Same with nonfiction, screenwriting, mystery, humor writing, etc.

2008 SBWC Awards

1000-word Theme contest — “Sideways”

Writers Workshop Genre Awards

2007 Awards:

1000-word Theme contest — “If Only I Hadn’t...”

Writers Workshop Genre Awards

2006 Awards:

1000—word contests

Workshop Genre Awards

2005 Awards:

1000—word contests

Workshop Genre Awards