Essay and Short Story Contest

Each year, Bethesda Magazine partners with Bethesda Urban Partnership (BUP) to present an essay contest and a short story contest for local writers and storytellers. Bethesda Magazine handles the short story contest, while BUP handles the essay contest. Entrants will have the chance for their essay or short story to be featured in Bethesda Magazine in our July/August 2025 issue. Bethesda Magazine will also publish first, second and third place winners and honorable mentions on its website.

The contests culminate in a special reception where the winners will have the opportunity to read their essay or an excerpt from their short story. The deadline to submit your work to the short story contest is Jan. 7, 2025, the deadline for the essay contest is Jan. 14, 2025.