Deadline May 15. Highly recommended free contest from Sisters in Crime awards $2,000 grant for adult crime fiction, 2,500-5,000 words, by an author of color who has not published more than ten pieces of short fiction or two books. Preference is given to previously unpublished authors. Prize must be used for “activities related to crime fiction writing and career development.” Winner is required to submit a report about how the prize was spent and serve as a member of next year’s award selection committee. Send short story or first chapter(s) of a manuscript in progress, a resume, and a cover letter describing how the applicant is emerging in the genre and how the grant money would be used. Submit application materials via sponsor’s online portal. Eleanor Taylor Bland, after whom the prize is named, was a prolific African-American crime fiction writer.