The Key West Art & Historical Society invites poets and writers to submit original works to the Tennessee Williams Poetry and Short Story Writing Contests which open for submissions beginning January 7, 2024.  The writing competitions, which takes place annually, are components of the Tennessee Williams Key West Festival and take place each March to honor the birth month of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who called Key West ‘home’ for over thirty years.  

Williams traveled across the United States and Europe, but was most successful in his career and happy personally while living and writing in Key West. During his time on the island, he wrote many of his notable works including A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

There is no specific theme for the 2024 writing contests, however, submissions must in some way reference Tennessee Williams.  Poets and authors may choose to reference Williams, his family, one of his characters, or one of the actors/actresses who played a role in his plays or films.  The cost is $10 per submission and is limited to one poem and/or one short story per person.  The first-place winner in each contest will be awarded $300 while the second-place winners will receive $150.  The submission deadline is midnight on March 10, 2024.

The winners will be announced on March 26, 2024 at a special Birthday Party at the Tennessee Williams Museum and published online on the Tennessee Williams Key West Festival website.