• A single poetry entry may consist of one to eight poems.
• All submissions must be made digitally and submitted as .docx or .pdf files.
• Groups of poems should be combined into one .docx or .pdf document with each titled poem beginning on a new page.
• For a poetry entry consisting of more than one poem, either use one of the poem titles as an entry title, or compose a manuscript title for the collected poems submitted.
• The first page of your entry should contain the title of your work and the contest category to which you're submitting but not your name.
• Your name should not appear on the submission document. Instead, format your filename as follows: POET_Last Name or GRAD_POET_ Last Name.
• Fill out only ONE Google form per submission category and attach up to two individual entries with that single form. If attaching two textual works, include a number in each filename (1 & 2) in addition to your name and the genre.

Judges will evaluate based on sophistication of writing and thinking, demonstrated understanding of the genre, originality, cohesion, and attention to language.

All submissions must be received digitally by the deadline.

• Genres welcomed in this category: short story, micro/flash fiction, graphic short story, creative nonfiction essay, chapter from a memoir or graphic memoir, chapter from a novel or graphic novel. Works that combine language and image yet fall outside the graphic literary genres listed here should be submitted instead to the Language and Image category.
• All submissions must be made digitally and submitted as .docx or .pdf files.
• All textual manuscripts must be typed, include page numbers, be formatted in 12-point Helvetica, Arial, or Times New Roman fonts, and be double-spaced.
• Graphic creative prose can be digital or handwritten. Handwritten graphic literature should be scanned as PDFS.
• Each separate text entry should be limited to 15 double-spaced pages.
• The first page of your entry should contain the title of your work and the genre (see options above) but not your name.
• Your name should not appear on the submission document. Instead, format your filename as follows: Genre_Last Name or GRAD_Genre_ Last Name.
  • For fiction: FIC
  • For creative non-fiction: CNF
  • For drama: DRM
• Fill out only ONE Google form per submission category and attach up to two individual entries with that single form. If attaching two textual works, include a number in each filename (1 & 2) in addition to your name and the genre.

We are looking for creative prose with vivid detail, strong voice, and no wasted words. Creative writing should meaningfully and respectfully explore its subject matter and avoid cliché. Fiction and drama should include strong characterization and a keen attention to narrative structure. Personal essays should be logically and artistically organized to balance narrative and ideas. Judges will evaluate based on sophistication of writing and thinking, demonstrated understanding of genre, originality, creative risk, cohesion, and attention to language.

All submissions must be received digitally by the deadline.

• All submissions must be made digitally and submitted as .docx or .pdf files.
• All manuscripts must be typed, include page numbers, be formatted in 12-point Helvetica, Arial, or Times New Roman fonts, and be double spaced.
• Academic essays for undergraduates are limited to 20 pages and for graduate students, 25 pages, not including source citations.
• Academic essays should include a Works Cited, Bibliography, or References page and in-text citations appropriate to the citation style (APA, MLA, etc).
• The first page of your entry should contain the title of your work and the contest category to which you're submitting but not your name.
• Your name should not appear on the submission document. Instead, format your filename as follows: ESS_Last Name or GRAD_ESS_ Last Name.
• Fill out only ONE Google form per submission category and attach up to two individual entries. If attaching two textual works, include a number in each filename (1 & 2) in addition to your name and the genre.

Academic writing should make a strong, original argument or analysis and provide exceptional supporting evidence with clear and proper citations using a consistent citation style. Essays should be clearly and logically organized and written for an academic audience. Judges are attentive to depth and sophistication of subject matter knowledge and originality of ideas. Essays should contribute to key scholarly conversations in their subject area.

All submissions must be received digitally by the deadline.

• Entries in the Writing for Games category should ensure narrative or rhetoric functions as the central mechanic of play. 

• Entries should consist of one complete, playable game that may foreground narrative structure, character-building or dialogue-generating systems, original worldbuilding through text, and/or player interaction grounded in words. 

• Games should be designed for 1-8 players, and playable to completion within no more than 20 minutes. In the case of short tabletop roleplaying games, the overall shape of the gameplay should be apparent within that timeframe. However, game duration is considered less important than innovation.

• Acceptable games include digital games made in Twine, RPGs and other free software, and analog games (card, board, dice, short tabletop roleplaying games, or parlor/party games). 

• All submissions must be original works; they may not be directly founded on existing IP, or be expansions of existing game systems, or be reskins of other games. In cases where mechanics from existing games are used, they must be incorporated in a distinctly original way.

• Submission of digital games must be through a URL.

• Submission of analog games should be made to Judi Reeves in SAGE 5304 M-F between the hours of 3-5 PM. Analog submissions must include all components to permit judges to be able to play the game. Place all game components in an envelope or small box labeled with the game title but not your name.

• Fill out only ONE Google form for one or two contest entries. Include URL(S) for digital games, game titles for analog games, or one URL and one game title if making two entries, one analog and one digital. 

Judges will prioritize the effectiveness of language, rhetoric, and storytelling in driving the gameplay experience, rather than graphics, coding complexity, or visual design. For analog games, the production quality of game components will not be a focus of judges' evaluations—the quality of the writing and the gameplay will be the primary focus of evaluation.

• Entries in the Language & Image category should consist of visual art or video that use words as a dominant element to convey a story, message, emotion, or experience. Examples of genres appropriate to this category are video essays, visual poetry, motion graphics, audio-visual art, animations, and writing that incorporates photographs or illustrations. Literary graphic stories or memoirs where creative prose is the primary element should be submitted to the creative prose category instead.

•  Words must be concretely present and meaningful in the work. They cannot serve only as inspiration or decoration. 

• All submissions must be original works. Collaborative works are welcome if all participants are enrolled students.

• Entries must be accompanied by a required Statement of Intent (500 words maximum, double-spaced). The statement should clarify artistic vision and emphasize communication goals. What does your work set out to express through this specific combination of language and image? 

• Submissions should be uploaded to the entry form in one of the following file formats: pdf, jpeg, gif, or html. Handmade art or prints should be scanned and submitted as a digital file.

• For videos or other web entries, the link should be an Internet URL, such as Vimeo or YouTube. Judges must be able to access entries simply by clicking on the link (e.g. no passwords or account sign-ups). Video length: 10 minutes maximum.

• Fill out only ONE Google form per submission category and  include up to two submissions (URLS and/or files) within that single form.

Judges will evaluate the level of challenge undertaken in creating and integrating language and image: Is the concept unique? Is the execution creative? The work's overall clarity in oral/visual communication is also paramount: Is the function of language apparent? The technical execution of the work will be considered. Does the quality match the intent of the work? Finally, judges will evaluate coherence: Do language and image work together to serve the work’s intent? A Statement of Intent will serve as a guidepost for the evaluation.

This award honors a complex work of exceptional literary or academic promise submitted to any McKinney contest category. As writers, artists, and scholars ourselves, the McKinney Committee recognizes that the biggest ideas often take time to mature and find their full expression in language.

The Why Not Change the World Promise Award was created to encourage a writer, artist, or academic whose work demonstrates extraordinary potential to make a meaningful, positive impact on the world. While the submitted piece may not yet be fully polished or complete enough to place in the contest, the judges wish to acknowledge its remarkable vision and transformative promise.

You can! But you must submit before you graduate. Enter using a permanent email address so we can reach you in the event that you earn an award after you graduate.

Co-term students should submit in accordance with their undergraduate or graduate status at the time of submission.

No. The only non-digital submissions that McKinney accepts are analog games in the Writing for Games category.

No. All copyrights are retained by the student and no publication is associated with this prize.

No. We do not accept work generated by artificial intelligence, as a whole or in part.

Rarely, the McKinney Committee and judges may make a merit-based choice not to award all or any prizes in a given category. Therefore, please submit your best, polished work.

Honorable Mentions are awarded at the discretion of the contest judges for works of exceptional merit that do not place in the top three. Judges are not required to award Honorable Mentions.

Contest winners will be announced at the McKinney Annual Awards Ceremony and Reading Series, which takes place in April each year. Please plan on attending!

Unfortunately, the McKinney Committee is not able to provide feedback on your entries. However, we encourage you to speak to your professors and visit the campus Writing Lab for assistance on your work.