Kelp Journal's ESSAY CONTEST: Animals

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Theme: Animals 

 We are not alone on this planet. We share it with dogs, cats, hedgehogs, and phytoplankton. Send us your essay about the other species that share our world. Get introspective about how your goldfish taught you love again or how an orca scared the bejeezus of you while paddleboarding or how a rare blue jay made you clean up your act and everyone else’s too. Tell us how animals have affected your life and get published while winning money. 


Terms and Conditions: 

 $5.00 Entry Fee         and       Up to 7,500 words 

Fee waiver may be available on a case-by-case basis. Please forward all inquiries to: kelpphotoeditor@gmail.com  


1st Place wins $100.00 USD and Publication in Kelp Journal's Summer Issue (7/1/25) 

2nd Place wins $50.00 USD and Publication in Kelp Journal's Winter Issue (12/1/25) 

3rd Place wins $20.00 USD and Publication on Kelp Journal's Blog: The Wave (2025) 

Winners Announced: 2/1/25


GUIDELINES:  

  1. Submissions will be accepted through the Submittable submission manager. Print or email submissions will not be considered. Please include a brief cover letter, biography and contact information in the form provided.
  2. We ask for previously unpublished essays only . No essay that has been previously published anywhere,  including blogs and social media will be accepted. 
  3. Essays must be the entrant’s original work. AI-generated work is prohibited      
  4. Simultaneous submissions are accepted provided  you notify Kelp and withdraw your Kelp submission immediately via Submittable if it is accepted elsewhere.
  5. All entries are to be primarily written in English.
  6. Must in some way be reference, refer to or be linked to animals. 
  7. Submissions in a Word document, 12 point Times New Roman font (preferred) or other readable font. 
  8. When submitting, please name your submission file with your last name, title of work, and section.  

 Ex: Santana_Pirate Ghosts_Poetry 



 

We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.