Writers are invited to submit an original unpublished essay or short story (no poetry please) expressing their own unique viewpoint on this very real element of our lives: Fire.

From the glow of candlelight, the warmth of the kitchen stove, the rage of romantic passions, and the devastation and renewal of flames in the wild, fire is elemental to our existence. What fire means to us, in practical and metaphorical terms, inspires this year's challenge.

Submissions begin: Submissions are currently being accepted (as of February 1, 2026).

Deadline for submissions: Monday, May 25, 2026 - 5 p.m. PST

Contest entry and details: mfkfisher.org/emerging-writers-contest

Format: Writers are invited to submit an original unpublished essay or short story (poetry not accepted) in PDF format, 300–500 words for children and youth, 750 words maximum for adults 18 and older. Please include your name, category, and essay title at the top of your submission.

Entries accepted in three age categories:

Adults 18 and older
Youth (13–17) (must have parent or legal guardian's consent (indicate on registration))
Children (8–12) (must have parent or legal guardian's consent (indicate on registration))

Entry Fees:

Adults: $50
Children and Youth: Thanks to a generous donation by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, all entries for children and youth are free of charge.

Judges: (confirmed to date)

Chair: Clark Wolf, consultant and NPR host. Assisted by Susan Ryan, Director of Operations of Russian Riverkeeper and bookseller.

Ruth Reichl, author, editor, and chef; Gurdeep Loyal, author, food and travel writer, and trend consultant; Luke Barr, author and grandnephew of M.F.K. Fisher; Tom Gardali, conservation scientist and CEO All Hands Ecology; Kennedy Golden, President, M.F.K. Fisher Foundation, Trustee of the M.F.K. Fisher Literary Trust, and daughter of M.F.K. Fisher; Alex Wright, Vice President, M.F.K. Fisher Foundation, Successor Trustee of the M.F.K. Fisher Literary Trust, and grandson of M.F.K. Fisher; Florence Fabricant, author and reporter, New York Times; and Tim Zahner, Executive Director, Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau.

Announcement: All winners will receive a phone call on or about July 3, 2026. Winners will be announced publicly on our website (mfkfisher.org), on social media, and in the M.F.K. Fisher Foundation newsletter.

Prizes include:

$250.00 awarded to the first place winner in each category
An additional $250.00 awarded to the grand prize winner
First, second and third place submissions (and their authors’ names) in each category will be published on the M.F.K. Fisher Foundation website.

Terms of entry:By entering the M.F.K. Fisher Emerging Writers Contest you agree that the M.F.K. Fisher Foundation may screen your submission through GPTZero (or a similar tool) and may use the results, at the Foundation's sole discretion, to evaluate originality and eligibility. Entrants further agree to allow the M.F.K. Fisher Foundation to publish/reprint your essay and name. Employees/board members of the M.F.K. Fisher Foundation and immediate family members are exempted from entering.

2026 M.F.K. Fisher Emerging Writers Contest

By M.F.K. Fisher Foundation

2026 M.F.K. Fisher Emerging Writers Contest

FIRE IS THE THEME OF THE SEVENTH ANNUAL M.F.K. FISHER EMERGING WRITERS CONTEST