CCT’s Personal Essay Contest Is Open!

Calling all writers! CCT is holding its first-ever personal essay contest. The theme is “metamorphosis” — we want to hear your stories about meaningful personal change. All Columbia College alumni and students are eligible to enter. One winner in each category will receive a $500 prize and publication in the Spring/Summer 2021 issue.

Finalists will be judged by a three-member alumni panel: Robert Kolker ’91, journalist and New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Valley Road, named a Top Ten Book of 2020 by the Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post; Helena Andrews-Dyer ’02, Washington Post reporter and author of Reclaiming Her Time: The Power of Maxine Waters; and Miya Matsumoto Lee ’18, editor of Modern Love Projects at The New York Times and co-editor of Tiny Love Stories: True Tales of Love in 100 Words or Less.

The complete rules are below; you must click on the submission webform that you have read and agree in order to submit your entry. Good luck!

• The contest has two categories: one for Columbia College alumni and one for Columbia College students. One entry per person.
• First-person essays may be on any subject that reasonably fits the theme of “metamorphosis.” Ideally, submissions will focus on a meaningful personal change the writer has experienced, in any aspect of their life. The editors are seeking honest reflection and emotion, and to understand the context for the transformation as well as its significance.
• Submissions must be original, unpublished nonfiction of no more than 1,700 words and the work of a sole author.
• Hate speech will not be considered.
• The text must be submitted as a PDF.
• The submission deadline is Monday, March 8, 2021, 11:59 p.m. EST.
• Submissions will be reviewed by the CCT editors; finalists will be shared with the judges. The judges’ decisions are final.
• The winners and any honorable mentions will be notified by Monday, May 3, 2021, by email.
• Winning essays are subject to editing.
• Winning essays will be published in the Spring/Summer 2021 issue of CCT in print and online. Honorable mentions will be published online.
• By submitting an essay to the contest, you agree to have your work published in CCT, in print and on its website, if you are selected as a winner or receive an honorable mention. A publication release will be required.

The winning author in each category will receive $500 USD, which is subject to any applicable taxes. In the event an author is not eligible to receive a cash prize, an alternate prize of approximate value will be awarded. Winners agree to complete any paperwork required for payment.