Contest for Women Writers

Want to leave behind all your daily responsibilities—like rent and utilities—and settle into a peaceful and quiet retreat to write or research on your masterwork for a month?
Here’s your chance!
The Hoosier writer Daisy Pettles inherited her mom’s house in Indiana and has now donated the home in honor of her mom, an avid reader, for use as a self-guided writer’s retreat for women.
All Older Women Writers — Ages 40+
- Published OR Unpublished
- Fiction Writers
- Non-Fiction Writers
- Journalists
- LGBTQ Writers
- Screenwriters
- LGBTQ-Wibbly-Wobbly
- Seniors
- Retired Women
(POETRY is the only genre not accepted for the contest in 2021)

APPLY to win a month-free, no hassles award as Writer in Residence at the Daisy Pettles House, in Bedford, Indiana, just south of Bloomington (home of Indiana University).
Cash award of $1000 helps pay for travel to the house and the purchase of food while in residency.
NEW 2021: You can also just keep the cash and forgo the house residency due to COVID travel uncertainty for 2021. Winners can decide and choose after award announcements. Winner may also choose the month of their desired residency in 2021.
And yes you can bring your dog or cat!
You can even bring your BFF, wife or writing partner.
NEW!
Rent the Daisy Pettles
Writer's House Retreat
When not occupied by a winning writer in residence the Daisy Pettles House is available for rental as your own private furnished getaway and retreat.
Monthly – $1700
Weekly – $600 (6 nights)
Sleeps Up to 4 Adult Guests
Great for writers, book groups, critique groups, private workshops and seminars, artists, scholars or girlfriend get-aways and reunions!
Contact: cindy@daisypettles.com

The Daisy Pettles House Older Women Writers Awards 2021
1 Grand Prize — $1000 Cash Grant Award and 1 month of expense-free living (a $2,500 value), PLUS a Certificate as Honorary Writer in Residence in the Daisy Pettles House vintage 1920s arts and craft bungalow for the year awarded. NEW in 2021: Winners may take the cash prizes and forgo travel and the month-long house residency in light of COVID and travel uncertainties.
1 Finalist (1st Runner-Up) Prizes: $200 Cash Award Grant; PLUS Award Certificate as Finalist – Writer in Residence at the Daisy Pettles House for the year awarded; PLUS if for any reason a Grand Prize Winner is unable to attend a residency the house residency passes to the Runner-Up.
1 Finalist (2nd Runner-Up) Prizes: $75 Cash Award Grant; PLUS Award Certificate as Finalist – Writer in Residence at the Daisy Pettles House for the year awarded.
Contest for Older Women Writers GO HERE for DETAILS and to APPLY
Want to join Daisy’s Team and help supporting women writers?
Visit our GO FUND ME PAGE and DONATE!