Click cover image to read our 2020 program book.
The 2020 Saints+Sinners Festival was cancelled due to the Coronavirus. Save the date for March 26-28, 2021!
About the Festival / Now in our 18th year
The Saints and Sinners Literary Festival was founded in 2003 as a new initiative designed as an innovative way to reach the community with information about HIV/AIDS, particularly disseminating prevention messages via the writers, thinkers and spokes-people of the LGBTQ+ community. It was also formed to bring the LGBTQ+ literary community together to celebrate the literary arts.
The Festival has grown into an internationally-recognized event that brings together a who’s who of LGBTQ+ publishers, writers and readers from throughout the United States and beyond. The Festival, held over 3 days each spring at the Hotel Monteleone in the New Orleans French Quarter, features panel discussions and master classes around literary topics that provide a forum for authors, editors and publishers to talk about their work for the benefit of emerging writers and the enjoyment of fans of LGBTQ+ literature.
Become a 2020 Festival Member / Join Today
Become a member and support the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival, showcasing a who’s who of LGBTQ+ publishers, writers and readers from throughout the United States and beyond. Membership has great benefits, such as Festival discounts, passes, merchandise, and recognition! All members receive Festival updates via e-newsletter. Thank you for supporting SASFest!
Thoughts on the festival / From our attendees
“Saints & Sinners is hands down one of the best places to go to revive a writer’s spirit. Imagine a gathering in which you can lean into conversations with some of the best writers and editors and publishers in the country, all of them speaking frankly and passionately about the books, stories and people they love and hate and want most to record in some indelible way. Imagine a community that tells you truthfully what is happening with writing and publishing in the world you most want to reach. Imagine the flirting, the arguing, the teasing and praising and exchanging of not just vital information, but the whole spirit of queer arts and creation. Then imagine it all taking place on the sultry streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter. That’s Saints & Sinners—the best wellspring of inspiration and enthusiasm you are going to find. Go there.”
by Dorothy Allison, National Book Award finalist for Bastard Out of Carolina, and author of the critically acclaimed novel Cavedweller
2021 Speakers /
Thank You to Our Sponsors / Be a part of it ... sponsor Saints and Sinners
Saints and Sinners Short Fiction Contest / Now Accepting Submissions
The winner will be selected from submissions of original, unpublished short stories between 3,000 and 7,000 words with LGBT content on the broad theme of “Saints and Sinners.” This contest would not be possible without a generous grant from The John Burton Harter Foundation. Thanks to Salem West (pictured) who will serve as this year’s judge. More about Salem HERE.
- One grand prize of $500 and two second place prizes of $100 will be awarded.
- In addition, the top stories will be published in an anthology from Bold Strokes Books.
- There will also be a book release party and reading held during the 18th annual Saints and Sinners Literary Conference in New Orleans in March of 2021.
- A list of the top ten finalists will be posted on our website and in our e-newsletter.
- The annual fiction contest is open to authors at all stages of their careers and to stories in all genres.
- Only previously unpublished stories will be accepted.
- Stories that won this contest in previous years are ineligible; their authors remain eligible but must submit new work.
- Stories submitted to this contest in previous years that did not place in the top ten are eligible.
- We welcome submissions from all over the world.
- Stories that have won any other writing contests are ineligible.
- Submissions should be in standard manuscript format (double-spaced, one inch margins, 12 point font). Please include a word count on first page under the title.
- Your name and contact information should NOT appear on the manuscript.
- No bios or resumes. We only consider manuscript quality.
- Word Count: 3,000 to 7,000
- Submit only original, unpublished short stories.
- Theme (interpret as you wish): Saints and Sinners
Entry fee: $20 per story. There is no limit on the number of stories each author may enter.
Deadline: October 1, 2020 (postmark) Submissions for the 12th Annual Contest are now open.
Saints and Sinners Poetry Contest / Now Accepting Submissions
The winner will be selected from submissions of original unpublished poems by LGBTQ+ writers on the general theme of LOVE. This contest would not be possible without support from Scovern Law Firm and printing support from the Commonality Institute. Thanks to Jewelle Gomez (pictured) who will serve as this year’s judge. More about Jewelle HERE.-
One grand prize of $500 and two second place prizes of $100.
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A list of the top ten finalists will be posted on our website and in our e-newsletter.
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Finalists will be published in the first ever Saints and Sinners Poetry Chapbook to be distributed at a special reading at the 2021 Festival.
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The contest is open to all LGBTQ+ writers.
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Authors who have published in other genres are eligible.
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Please submit original, unpublished work that has not won other prizes or contests.
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Submit 2-4 original, unpublished poems of any style based on our theme of LOVE, written in English, with a combined length of up to 400 lines.
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Number all pages in your entry.
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Please use standard fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Georgia in 12 point font size.
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Author’s name must not appear on the submission as all entries are judged anonymously.
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Multiple entries per person and simultaneous submissions accepted. Please notify the Festival if your work is accepted elsewhere.
Entry fee: $15 for two to four poems.
Deadline: October 15, 2020 (postmark) or through Submittable. Submissions are now open.
Purchase Saints and Sinners Short Fiction Anthologies / from Bold Strokes Books
Our annual anthology of short fiction features Saints + Sinners Literary Festival finalist selections.
Festival HQ: The Hotel Monteleone /
214 Royal Street
Our home base in the French Quarter of New Orleans offers a singular environment to an equally singular Festival. New Orleans has served as the muse to some of America’s most creative and well-known writers.
Even our conference hotel, the Hotel Monteleone, is an official Literary Landmark—eternalized by Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Truman Capote, and Ernest Hemingway in their writing and their personal trips to the Crescent City. While at the hotel for the Festival, why not stop by the famed Carousel Bar, a favorite haunt of Williams? It’s said that Williams found inspiration for his characters from the Carousel guests. Who knows? You many find your very own Stanley or Stella sitting next to you sipping a Ramos Gin Fizz at the Carousel Bar.
As soon as we have a rate for 2021 confirmed with the hotel, we will publish the booking link here.
Contact Us! /
Saints & Sinners Literary Festival
Paul J. Willis, Director
A Project of the
Tennessee Williams/New Orleans
Literary Festival
938 Lafayette St., Suite 514
New Orleans, LA 70113
504.581.1144
Follow SASFest on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @sasfest.