Creative Ethnographic Prose Competition

Every year, the Society for Humanistic Anthropology holds a writing contest for creative ethnographic prose writing. The Creative Ethnographic Prose Competition (formerly the Ethnographic Fiction and Creative Nonfiction Competition) celebrates the capacity of story to engage readers and explore anthropological concerns.

Whether fiction or nonfiction in content, narrative or non-narrative in structure, these creative prose pieces reflect insights about the real world seen through an anthropological lens or reflecting an anthropological sensibility. Successful works generally have concrete vivid details, a clear focus, and a consistent authorial voice.

Eligible works are a maximum of 20 pages (approx. 5,000 words), and eligible authors are affiliated with the field(s) or practice of anthropology and/or ethnography in some manner. Submissions should include a 400-word statement explaining how the piece has been ethnographically informed.

There is no entry fee. The first-place winner will receive a monetary award. All winning writers will be recognized at the Society’s Awards Ceremony, invited to publish their winning prose in Anthropology and Humanism, and receive a year of SHA membership.

Refer to the summer issues of Anthropology and Humanism for examples of some of our excellent previous winning pieces. Judges will be announced after prizes have been awarded.

Please direct questions to SHAVictorTurner@gmail.com

Deadline: June 20, 2026

A person lighting incense sticks in front of a mirror surrounded by lit candles.

©DKavadias, Messinia, Greece, 2014

Past Winners

 

*should you have an addition or correction, please contact societyforhumanisticanthro@gmail.com