The week leading up to the 2026 Convention in New Orleans, LA, will feature two festivals highlighting the literature, theatre, cuisine, and music of the city: the 2026 Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival (March 25 – 29, 2026) and Saints + Sinners LGBTQ+ Literary Festival (March 27 – 29, 2026). Sigma Tau Delta encourages 2026 Convention attendees to consider arriving a couple of days early to experience these exceptional literary festivals. Additionally, submissions are now open for six writing contests connected to these two festivals. Submissions are due October 15. All submissions and questions must be directed to the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival and the Saints + Sinners LGBTQ+ Literary Festival. English Honor Societies is not affiliated with these contests in any way and cannot assist with submissions.
The annual writing contests for the Saints + Sinners LGBTQ+ Literary Festival (SASFest) and the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival (TWFest) are open to submissions now until October 15 in fiction, poetry, and one-act plays.
SASFest Contest Details
Fiction – Judge: Justin Torres. Prize: $500 to the winner and $100 each to two runners-up. Deadline: October 15.
Poetry – Judge: Steven Reigns. Prize: $500 to the winner and $100 each to two runners-up. Deadline: October 15.
Winners and Finalists for both categories will have their pieces published in our SASFest anthologies to be released at the 2026 SASFest. They will also have their photos and bios published on our website, newsletter, and social media.
TWFest Contest Details
One-Act Play – Judge: Justin Maxwell. Prize: $1,500, professional staged reading at the 2026 festival, publication in Bayou magazine, and a 2026 festival pass. Deadline: October 15.
Fiction – Judge: Ladee Hubbard. Prize: $1,500, domestic airfare (up to $500) and accommodations to attend the 2026 Festival, publication in French Quarter Journal, a 2026 festival pass, and a public reading at the 2026 festival. Deadline: October 15.
Poetry – Judge: Skye Jackson. Prize: $1,000, public reading at the 2026 festival, publication in French Quarter Journal, and a 2026 festival pass. Deadline: October 15.
Very Short Fiction – Judge: Addie Citchens. Prize: $500, a 2026 festival pass, publication in French Quarter Journal, and a public reading at the 2026 festival. Deadline: October 15.
Finalists for all categories will have their photos and bios published on our website, newsletter, and social media, and will receive a literary discussion pass ($100 value) to the 2026 festival.
Submission Details
Full details for all six writing contests are on Submittable at https://tennesseewilliamsfestival.submittable.com/submit
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