The Inaugural
2026 Robert Cowan Award for Excellence in Writing
FEATURED WRITER CONTEST!
NO ENTRY FEE!
Step inside a corner of the internet that refuses to fit inside a box. This is a space for thinkers, dreamers, creators, rebels, and anyone who’s ever felt the spark of “What if…?” Here, ideas don’t need permission. Stories wander. Inspiration shows up unannounced. And curiosity is the only dress code.
Whatever you write, we want to read it. Every genre. Every style. Every voice.
All writers are welcome...
Whether you’re a poet, a fiction dream‑weaver, a nonfiction truth‑teller, an aspiring playwright, a prose philosopher, a jingle creator, or a writer who doesn’t fit into any box at all — if you write it, we want to read it.
CONTEST RULES
Yes, we have a few rules — simple ones, meant to keep things fair and fun for everyone.
One submission per person:
Send your piece by e-mail submission using the link below no later than March 31st
Follow these Instructions:
Make sure you format your submission via e-mail following the step-by-step instructions.
In Email Subject Line Type:
Submission — “Title of Your Piece”
In Body of Email Type:
• Your full name & your pen name
• Your City and State
• Your Phone Number (Optional: If you would like for us to call or text you if you are win.)
•The title of your piece
• The type of content you’re submitting (poetry, short story, essay, prose, articles, etc.)
• Whether your piece has been published previously or never published before.
(No, it does not matter, but it we would still like to know.)
• Paste your entry in the bottom of the e-mail message.
(You will also attach your submission file to e-mail, see below)
• Attach your file containing your piece in .docx (Word) or PDF formats only
Word Limit:
Please keep your submission under 10,000 words.
(If your piece is a bit longer, it is okay. Also, if there are any issues regarding your submission we will contact you via the e-mail you provided when submitting your content.)
Age:
No age limit. If you can write it, you can submit it. We limit no writer's talent by silly numbers such as the total years you have been alive.
Eligibility:
Reside anywhere in the United States
Original Work Only:
You must be the sole creator and copyright owner of the work you submit.
AI‑generated or AI‑assisted content will be disqualified.
This contest celebrates your voice, your imagination, and your craft.
Rights & Usage:
You retain full rights to your work.
If selected, your piece will simply be featured on your dedicated author page for the month — nothing more.
Blind Judging:
Your name must NOT appear anywhere inside the attached document.
This ensures fairness during the judging process.
Winner Notification:
If your piece is selected as the winner, we will email you using the email address that you sent your entry from.
Remain Faithful
We do ask that while your piece is under review, you refrain from submitting it elsewhere. This isn’t just our preference — it’s considered good writer etiquette. If you decide to submit your work to another publication during the judging period, simply send us a quick e-mail from the same address you used for your entry, and we’ll gladly withdraw your submission.
Mark Your Calendars
Deadline is March 31st @ midnight
No Late Exceptions!
About the Award
I’ve always known that I wanted to be a writer. I remember one Sunday, when I was only eight years old, I asked my dad, “If I ever write a book, will you publish it?” He said, “Yes, if you write a book, I’ll make sure you publish it.” He passed away when I was nineteen years old—he was only forty‑three—and although he didn’t get to see my first book published, he was always so proud of me. Not a day goes by that I don’t wish I could show him what I’ve accomplished and all that I still want to do, because he was my biggest fan.
This award is to honor him. He wrote beautiful songs, and he could sing—had the voice of an angel. He sang in a gospel quartet when I was younger, and he performed the National Anthem more than once at the Birmingham Barons baseball games. I will always carry him in my heart, and this award is a way for him to live on.
The winner of this year’s award will set the bar for all future recipients, because you will be receiving the very first Robert Cowan Award for Excellence in Writing. Set the bar high and make him proud as many will come behind you.
Janet Elaine, Contest Founder
The Prizes
One Grand Prize Winner will receive:
• The Inaugural 2026 Robert Cowan Award of Excellence in Writing
(You will set the gold standard for this award)
• A Featured Author Page on Read Janet Elaine, this website, for a full month
• A Digital & Physical Certificate of Excellence in Writing,
signed by the entire judge panel and presented to you in a beautiful certificate display folder
• Recognition as the contest’s top winning author
(Winner may list the credential award on résumés, scholarship applications, academic portfolios, and job application, future writing submissions, etc. as an official recognition of their achievement.)
Five Honorable Mentions
will receive:
• A Digital & Physical Honorable Mention Certificate in the Robert Cowan Featured Writer Contest, signed by the entire judge panel and presented to you in a beautiful certificate display folder
• Recognition as receiving an honorable mention on website
Winner and honorable mentions will be announced on
May 08, 2026.
Winners will be notified via e-mail.
(unless contestant provided a phone number for notification at the time of submission)
Please do not contact us asking the status of your submission.
The Deadline is March 31st for all submissions
Start Writing Your Winning Piece
Meet the Judges
We are proud to announce the Judges Panel for the
Inaugural 2026 Robert Cowan Featured Writer Contest
Janet Elaine
Contest Founder and published author, ESOL and reading tutor, freelance writer, and training curriculum developer whose work spans creative writing, climate science education, and literacy support. She has developed instructional materials across disciplines, supporting adult learners in the workplace, and contributed to climate communication initiatives. As the founder of the contest, she brings a deep commitment to nurturing emerging voices and fostering inclusive storytelling. While she oversees the contest, she serves as a non-voting judge in the event of a tie.
Mary Ann Ellis
Retired high school English teacher with more than twenty‑five years of classroom experience. Throughout her career, she specialized in writing instruction and assessment, helping students strengthen their craft and develop confidence in their voices. She also served as an advisor for multiple student literary journals, giving her a deep understanding of how to evaluate creative work with both rigor and encouragement.
Sigmund Rashuan
Essayist and the top contracted grant writer for the State of Tennessee and Alabama. Sigmund has published numerous essays and conducted statistical studies for state‑funded public‑safety initiatives. He is an avid reader across genres and brings a strong analytical lens to writing. This is the third writing contest he has judged.
Drew Tatum
Renowned Environmentalist and public speaker known for his seminars on circular economies and plastic‑pollution reduction. Drew also serves as an announcer for Special Olympics races across the country. His work blends advocacy, communication, and community engagement, giving him a strong eye for impactful storytelling.
This is your turn to write!
So wander freely. Follow what pulls you. Stay as long as you like.
After all… anything goes.
Questions?
If you get stuck or have a question you need answered before you submit your entry, send us a message using the link below. We will get back to you with an answer as soon as we can.
Good Luck
I’m excited to read your work. Writers who love words — who honor them, shape them, and breathe life into them — help keep the world full of wonder.
Janet Elaine
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