The Milk House is excited to announce the 3rd annual #BestinRuralWriting Contest, judged by @jamesgwriter.bsky.social.
Fiction and nonfiction.
Deadline: Sept 15th, 2025.
Prize pool: $700.
Finalists published in the 2026 Best in Rural Writing print anthology.
To enter: themilkhouse.org/contest
Fiction and nonfiction.
Deadline: Sept 15th, 2025.
Prize pool: $700.
Finalists published in the 2026 Best in Rural Writing print anthology.
To enter: themilkhouse.org/contest
June 16, 2025 at 8:51 AM
The Milk House is excited to announce the 3rd annual #BestinRuralWriting Contest, judged by @jamesgwriter.bsky.social.
Fiction and nonfiction.
Deadline: Sept 15th, 2025.
Prize pool: $700.
Finalists published in the 2026 Best in Rural Writing print anthology.
To enter: themilkhouse.org/contest
Fiction and nonfiction.
Deadline: Sept 15th, 2025.
Prize pool: $700.
Finalists published in the 2026 Best in Rural Writing print anthology.
To enter: themilkhouse.org/contest
Reading more submissions this evening for the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Found another few pieces that I just love! 🤩
@themilkhouse.bsky.social
#Judging #Fiction #NonFiction
Found another few pieces that I just love! 🤩
@themilkhouse.bsky.social
#Judging #Fiction #NonFiction
October 2, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Reading more submissions this evening for the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Found another few pieces that I just love! 🤩
@themilkhouse.bsky.social
#Judging #Fiction #NonFiction
Found another few pieces that I just love! 🤩
@themilkhouse.bsky.social
#Judging #Fiction #NonFiction
Honored and still a bit stunned that my narrative nonfiction essay was selected for this anthology
#BestInRuralWriting
themilkhouse.org
It's abt life and death on the farm 🐑🐏 and beyond, written a few weeks after my mom passed 💔
Haraway, multispecies, and more lurking just beneath the surface
#BestInRuralWriting
themilkhouse.org
It's abt life and death on the farm 🐑🐏 and beyond, written a few weeks after my mom passed 💔
Haraway, multispecies, and more lurking just beneath the surface
January 2, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Honored and still a bit stunned that my narrative nonfiction essay was selected for this anthology
#BestInRuralWriting
themilkhouse.org
It's abt life and death on the farm 🐑🐏 and beyond, written a few weeks after my mom passed 💔
Haraway, multispecies, and more lurking just beneath the surface
#BestInRuralWriting
themilkhouse.org
It's abt life and death on the farm 🐑🐏 and beyond, written a few weeks after my mom passed 💔
Haraway, multispecies, and more lurking just beneath the surface
I made the cut! (Not a bad way to start the new year.)
#MilkHouse #BestInRuralWriting #Anthology #Rebounders
www.themilkhouse.org/anthology @themilkhouse.bsky.social
#MilkHouse #BestInRuralWriting #Anthology #Rebounders
www.themilkhouse.org/anthology @themilkhouse.bsky.social
January 2, 2026 at 6:19 PM
I made the cut! (Not a bad way to start the new year.)
#MilkHouse #BestInRuralWriting #Anthology #Rebounders
www.themilkhouse.org/anthology @themilkhouse.bsky.social
#MilkHouse #BestInRuralWriting #Anthology #Rebounders
www.themilkhouse.org/anthology @themilkhouse.bsky.social
The judge of last year's #BestinRuralWriting Contest, @jamesgwriter.bsky.social, has come out with a cracking novel.
#TheLightning is a tender, atmospheric read about the interconnectedness of people and nature. Fast-paced, engaging, it comes highly recommended!
#TheLightning is a tender, atmospheric read about the interconnectedness of people and nature. Fast-paced, engaging, it comes highly recommended!
June 23, 2026 at 12:37 PM
The judge of last year's #BestinRuralWriting Contest, @jamesgwriter.bsky.social, has come out with a cracking novel.
#TheLightning is a tender, atmospheric read about the interconnectedness of people and nature. Fast-paced, engaging, it comes highly recommended!
#TheLightning is a tender, atmospheric read about the interconnectedness of people and nature. Fast-paced, engaging, it comes highly recommended!
Announcement:
Tuesday, October 15th (tomorrow) the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest shortlist, as chosen by judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social, will be announced on The Milk House website at 1pm GMT/ 8am EST.
Stop by for the results!
Tuesday, October 15th (tomorrow) the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest shortlist, as chosen by judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social, will be announced on The Milk House website at 1pm GMT/ 8am EST.
Stop by for the results!
October 14, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Announcement:
Tuesday, October 15th (tomorrow) the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest shortlist, as chosen by judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social, will be announced on The Milk House website at 1pm GMT/ 8am EST.
Stop by for the results!
Tuesday, October 15th (tomorrow) the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest shortlist, as chosen by judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social, will be announced on The Milk House website at 1pm GMT/ 8am EST.
Stop by for the results!
A big thanks to @agriland.bsky.social for featuring a story on the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting contest, co-sponsored with @dailyyonder.bsky.social!
Agriland is a great news source for those in rural Ireland, and we're grateful they've given us coverage.
www.agriland.ie/farming-news...
Agriland is a great news source for those in rural Ireland, and we're grateful they've given us coverage.
www.agriland.ie/farming-news...
Submissions Sought for 2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest | Agriland
It is always particularly exciting to see writing from farmers and those from rural environments...
www.agriland.ie
August 6, 2025 at 1:28 PM
A big thanks to @agriland.bsky.social for featuring a story on the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting contest, co-sponsored with @dailyyonder.bsky.social!
Agriland is a great news source for those in rural Ireland, and we're grateful they've given us coverage.
www.agriland.ie/farming-news...
Agriland is a great news source for those in rural Ireland, and we're grateful they've given us coverage.
www.agriland.ie/farming-news...
Thanks to @dailyyonder for sharing a piece on why the #BestinRuralWriting Contest matters and what's at stake when stories about rural life aren't told.
Get your entries in by September 15th for judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social.
dailyyonder.com/best-in-rura...
Get your entries in by September 15th for judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social.
dailyyonder.com/best-in-rura...
Best in Rural Writing Contest Shows the Value of Rural Stories
The 2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest is accepting submissions until Sept. 15, 2025, offering an important platform for rural writers.
dailyyonder.com
July 29, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Thanks to @dailyyonder for sharing a piece on why the #BestinRuralWriting Contest matters and what's at stake when stories about rural life aren't told.
Get your entries in by September 15th for judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social.
dailyyonder.com/best-in-rura...
Get your entries in by September 15th for judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social.
dailyyonder.com/best-in-rura...
This week on #TheMilkHouse:
In "The Birth" by Pearl Benjamin, two characters realize that they have more than the life of a calf at stake.
"The Birth" was a shortlisted story in the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/the-birth-by...
In "The Birth" by Pearl Benjamin, two characters realize that they have more than the life of a calf at stake.
"The Birth" was a shortlisted story in the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/the-birth-by...
The Birth by Pearl Benjamin – The Milk House
In "The Birth" by Pearl Benjamin, two characters realize that they have more than the life of a calf at stake.
www.themilkhouse.org
May 8, 2025 at 11:54 AM
This week on #TheMilkHouse:
In "The Birth" by Pearl Benjamin, two characters realize that they have more than the life of a calf at stake.
"The Birth" was a shortlisted story in the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/the-birth-by...
In "The Birth" by Pearl Benjamin, two characters realize that they have more than the life of a calf at stake.
"The Birth" was a shortlisted story in the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/the-birth-by...
This week on The Milk House:
A person searches all types of settings for a place to belong, in "Pigeons" by Surnaí Molly--shortlisted in the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read "Pigeons" here: www.themilkhouse.org/pigeons-by-s...
A person searches all types of settings for a place to belong, in "Pigeons" by Surnaí Molly--shortlisted in the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read "Pigeons" here: www.themilkhouse.org/pigeons-by-s...
Pigeons by Surnaí Molloy – The Milk House
A person searches for a place to belong in "Pigeons" by Surnaí Molloy, shortlisted in the 2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest.
www.themilkhouse.org
July 9, 2026 at 2:43 PM
This week on The Milk House:
A person searches all types of settings for a place to belong, in "Pigeons" by Surnaí Molly--shortlisted in the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read "Pigeons" here: www.themilkhouse.org/pigeons-by-s...
A person searches all types of settings for a place to belong, in "Pigeons" by Surnaí Molly--shortlisted in the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read "Pigeons" here: www.themilkhouse.org/pigeons-by-s...
The 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest is now closed. Thanks for another incredible turnout of submissions.
Good luck to all who have entered! The shortlist announcement is expected for late October/early November.
Good luck to all who have entered! The shortlist announcement is expected for late October/early November.
September 16, 2025 at 12:38 PM
The 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest is now closed. Thanks for another incredible turnout of submissions.
Good luck to all who have entered! The shortlist announcement is expected for late October/early November.
Good luck to all who have entered! The shortlist announcement is expected for late October/early November.
This week on #TheMilkHouse:
Randy Hisner looks back on his father, who credits milking cows for helping him play major league baseball.
Read "Milking Cows and Throwing Curves," shortlisted for the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
www.themilkhouse.org/milking-cows...
Randy Hisner looks back on his father, who credits milking cows for helping him play major league baseball.
Read "Milking Cows and Throwing Curves," shortlisted for the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
www.themilkhouse.org/milking-cows...
Milking Cows and Throwing Curves by Randy Hisner – The Milk House
Randy Hisner explores the intersection of baseball and farming in his essay "Throwing Curves and Milking Cows."
www.themilkhouse.org
April 3, 2025 at 8:43 AM
This week on #TheMilkHouse:
Randy Hisner looks back on his father, who credits milking cows for helping him play major league baseball.
Read "Milking Cows and Throwing Curves," shortlisted for the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
www.themilkhouse.org/milking-cows...
Randy Hisner looks back on his father, who credits milking cows for helping him play major league baseball.
Read "Milking Cows and Throwing Curves," shortlisted for the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
www.themilkhouse.org/milking-cows...
This week on #TheMilkHouse: Hunting becomes an opportunity for introspection, in Luther Allen's essay "A Place and Reason to Hunt," shortlisted for the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/a-place-and-...
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/a-place-and-...
A Place and a Reason to Hunt by Luther Allen – The Milk House
Luther Allen contemplates how man's relationship with nature is navigated in the act of hunting, in his essay "A Place and Reason to Hunt."
www.themilkhouse.org
June 25, 2026 at 6:01 PM
This week on #TheMilkHouse: Hunting becomes an opportunity for introspection, in Luther Allen's essay "A Place and Reason to Hunt," shortlisted for the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/a-place-and-...
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/a-place-and-...
The shortlists for the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest is live!
Congrats to the 10 shortlisted authors selected by @jamesgwriter.bsky.social. He had tough choices to make!
And thanks to everyone who submitted. You deserve credit for lifting the rural voice.
www.themilkhouse.org/2025-best-in...
Congrats to the 10 shortlisted authors selected by @jamesgwriter.bsky.social. He had tough choices to make!
And thanks to everyone who submitted. You deserve credit for lifting the rural voice.
www.themilkhouse.org/2025-best-in...
2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest: Shortlist – The Milk House
The 2025 Best in Rural Writing Shortlist includes five essays and five short stories by writers from around the world.
www.themilkhouse.org
October 15, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The shortlists for the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest is live!
Congrats to the 10 shortlisted authors selected by @jamesgwriter.bsky.social. He had tough choices to make!
And thanks to everyone who submitted. You deserve credit for lifting the rural voice.
www.themilkhouse.org/2025-best-in...
Congrats to the 10 shortlisted authors selected by @jamesgwriter.bsky.social. He had tough choices to make!
And thanks to everyone who submitted. You deserve credit for lifting the rural voice.
www.themilkhouse.org/2025-best-in...
Thanks to @dailyyonder.bsky.social for publishing the finalists of the #BestinRuralWriting Contest. Vote for overall winner on The Milk House's contest page.
Read the judge's choice for Best Short Story, "The Escapee's Lover" by Dennis McFadden:
dailyyonder.com/2025-rural-w...
Read the judge's choice for Best Short Story, "The Escapee's Lover" by Dennis McFadden:
dailyyonder.com/2025-rural-w...
2025 Rural Writing Contest Best Short Story: 'The Escapee’s Lover' | The Daily Yonder
Editor’s note: The third annual “Best in Rural Writing Contest” was presented by the rural literary journal The Milk House with promotional support from
dailyyonder.com
December 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Thanks to @dailyyonder.bsky.social for publishing the finalists of the #BestinRuralWriting Contest. Vote for overall winner on The Milk House's contest page.
Read the judge's choice for Best Short Story, "The Escapee's Lover" by Dennis McFadden:
dailyyonder.com/2025-rural-w...
Read the judge's choice for Best Short Story, "The Escapee's Lover" by Dennis McFadden:
dailyyonder.com/2025-rural-w...
Announcement!
We can now share which entries @jamesgwriter.bsky.social has selected as Best Essay and Best Short Story in the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Visit themilkhouse.org to read or listen to both entries and lend your vote for the overall prize of $500!
We can now share which entries @jamesgwriter.bsky.social has selected as Best Essay and Best Short Story in the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Visit themilkhouse.org to read or listen to both entries and lend your vote for the overall prize of $500!
November 25, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Announcement!
We can now share which entries @jamesgwriter.bsky.social has selected as Best Essay and Best Short Story in the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Visit themilkhouse.org to read or listen to both entries and lend your vote for the overall prize of $500!
We can now share which entries @jamesgwriter.bsky.social has selected as Best Essay and Best Short Story in the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Visit themilkhouse.org to read or listen to both entries and lend your vote for the overall prize of $500!
We're excited to announce that @minnesotawill.bsky.social is the judge of the 2026 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Will is the author of Sweet Land and Red Earth, White Earth (both turned into films), as well as many more great books.
Learn more about Will here:
www.themilkhouse.org/2026-best-in...
Will is the author of Sweet Land and Red Earth, White Earth (both turned into films), as well as many more great books.
Learn more about Will here:
www.themilkhouse.org/2026-best-in...
April 15, 2026 at 12:46 PM
We're excited to announce that @minnesotawill.bsky.social is the judge of the 2026 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Will is the author of Sweet Land and Red Earth, White Earth (both turned into films), as well as many more great books.
Learn more about Will here:
www.themilkhouse.org/2026-best-in...
Will is the author of Sweet Land and Red Earth, White Earth (both turned into films), as well as many more great books.
Learn more about Will here:
www.themilkhouse.org/2026-best-in...
The announcement for Best Essay and Best Short Story, selected by Dr. Chea Parton, is now live on #TheMilkHouse.
Listen to the authors read their submissions, and then vote for your choice for overall winner of the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
themilkhouse.org/contest/
Listen to the authors read their submissions, and then vote for your choice for overall winner of the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
themilkhouse.org/contest/
December 16, 2024 at 2:21 AM
The announcement for Best Essay and Best Short Story, selected by Dr. Chea Parton, is now live on #TheMilkHouse.
Listen to the authors read their submissions, and then vote for your choice for overall winner of the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
themilkhouse.org/contest/
Listen to the authors read their submissions, and then vote for your choice for overall winner of the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
themilkhouse.org/contest/
This week on #TheMilkHouse:
A character might have found an opening for a new life in "Agata and the Mice" by Peyton Ellas, shortlisted in the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/agata-and-th...
A character might have found an opening for a new life in "Agata and the Mice" by Peyton Ellas, shortlisted in the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/agata-and-th...
Agata and the Mice by Peyton Ellas – The Milk House
A woman looks for a new start in "Agata and the Mice" by Peyton Ellas, shortlisted in the 2024 Best in Rural Writing Contest.
www.themilkhouse.org
August 14, 2025 at 9:12 AM
This week on #TheMilkHouse:
A character might have found an opening for a new life in "Agata and the Mice" by Peyton Ellas, shortlisted in the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/agata-and-th...
A character might have found an opening for a new life in "Agata and the Mice" by Peyton Ellas, shortlisted in the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/agata-and-th...
We're grateful to @dailyyonder.bsky.social for publishing the finalists of the #BestinRuralWriting Contest. Vote for overall winner on #TheMilkHouse's contest page.
Read the nomination for Best Essay, "God, Guns, and Baseball" by Lena (Sunada-Matsumura) Newlin.
dailyyonder.com/2025-rural-w...
Read the nomination for Best Essay, "God, Guns, and Baseball" by Lena (Sunada-Matsumura) Newlin.
dailyyonder.com/2025-rural-w...
2025 Rural Writing Contest Best Essay: 'God, Guns, and Baseball' | The Daily Yonder
Editor’s note: The third annual “Best in Rural Writing Contest” was presented by the rural literary journal The Milk House with promotional support from
dailyyonder.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
We're grateful to @dailyyonder.bsky.social for publishing the finalists of the #BestinRuralWriting Contest. Vote for overall winner on #TheMilkHouse's contest page.
Read the nomination for Best Essay, "God, Guns, and Baseball" by Lena (Sunada-Matsumura) Newlin.
dailyyonder.com/2025-rural-w...
Read the nomination for Best Essay, "God, Guns, and Baseball" by Lena (Sunada-Matsumura) Newlin.
dailyyonder.com/2025-rural-w...
On #TheMilkHouse: Bill Conlogue considers his father's life through the fieldwork he did, in his essay "Haying Seasons," shortlisted for the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting contest.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/haying-seaso...
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/haying-seaso...
Haying seasons by Bill Conlogue – The Milk House
Read the essay "Haying Seasons" by Bill Conlogue, shortlisted for the 2024 Best in Rural Writing Contest by judge Dr. Chea Parton.
www.themilkhouse.org
June 10, 2025 at 1:55 PM
On #TheMilkHouse: Bill Conlogue considers his father's life through the fieldwork he did, in his essay "Haying Seasons," shortlisted for the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting contest.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/haying-seaso...
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/haying-seaso...