Submissions sought for 2025 Best in Rural Writing contest
It is always particularly exciting to see writing from farmers and those from rural environments because the work is often both visceral and concrete at the same time, according to author Ryan Dennis.
The writer grew up on a dairy farm in upstate New York and is now based in Co. Galway.
Dennis said: "I think it's important to get to see specific details of these experiences presented in writing so that those not involved in occupations such as agriculture can know better what it's about, but also so that those who are farmers can see themselves reflected back in the things they read."
Ryan is the founder of The Milk House website, which he describes as a communal link between those who write about rural subjects and those who like to read about them.
The Milk House, along with The Daily Yonder, the largest rural new journal based in the US, are running the 2025 Best in Rural Writing competition.
Ryan is encouraging farmers and rural dwellers to enter the competition, which is now in its third year and currently accepting submissions.
The contest is seeking the best fiction and non-fiction entries under 7,000 words.
Authors have until September 15 to submit their work. The competition is open to writers of all experience around the world, with an entrance fee of $10.
The top prize is $500 while the runner up will receive $200. Both finalists will be published in the 2026 Best in Rural Writing print anthology.
Last year, the contest was won by Co. Laois writer and market gardener, Jeremy Haworth from Ballyadams,with his fiction submission 'Blood Brother'.
The short story tells of a retired man’s final homecoming to his family farm.
Jeremy said that winning the Best In Rural Writing Contest was a "welcome shot in the arm".
"Knowing my short story 'Blood Brother' has found a receptive audience of readers, and was judged a worthy prize-winner, gives me the jolt of encouragement I need to keep going, getting those stories out of my head and on to paper."
The 2024 runner up was Don Steward for his essay 'Rebounders', discussing his attempt to fit into a small town in the American south.
The judge for the 2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest is Co. Armagh writer, Jamie Guiney, whose debut short story collection The Wooden Hill, published by Epoque Press, was shortlisted for the 2019 Saboteur Awards.
His novel The Lightning will be published in 2026 by Bluemoose Books.
More details about the competition as well as the link to submit entries, can be found on The Milkhouse website.
