Writing, Parody & Literary Awards: A Resource

By Eleanor Hayes, writer & literary editor · Updated 23 May 2026

This is an independent literary resource devoted to the craft of writing — with a particular fondness for one of the most entertaining traditions in modern letters: the Bad Hemingway parody contest, in which writers compete to imitate, with affection, the unmistakable style of Ernest Hemingway. Around it we gather clear, friendly guides to writing well, judging a contest, and making sense of the literary-prize world.

What this site is about

Good writing is learnable, and one of the oldest ways to learn it is imitation. To copy a master well, you must first read closely enough to hear the rhythm of the sentences, the weight of the verbs, the things deliberately left unsaid. This site treats that idea seriously and cheerfully at once: it celebrates literary parody, explains the craft beneath it, and demystifies the awards that shape literary careers.

The Bad Hemingway tradition

For years, writers were invited to submit "one really good page of really bad Hemingway" — a deliberate, over-the-top parody of the great minimalist. It became a small literary institution, equal parts homage and mischief. Why Hemingway? Because few writers have a style so recognisable that you can parody it in a paragraph: the short declarative sentences, the concrete nouns, the suspicion of adjectives, the emotion held just beneath a calm surface. Our guide to the Bad Hemingway Contest tells the full story, and our look at Hemingway's writing style explains what makes it tick.

Learning the craft through parody

The best parodies are never mere mockery; they show real understanding of the source. That is precisely why the discipline of parody improves all writing. If you want to try your hand, our practical guide to writing a literary parody walks through the steps, and what makes a finalist distils the qualities that judges reward. The same close-reading habit pays off in your own original work, especially in the demanding form of the short story.

Understanding literary awards

From the outside, literary prizes can feel like a mysterious parade of shortlists and ceremonies. In fact they follow a fairly simple logic. Our plain-language guide to how literary awards work explains the stages, why being shortlisted matters, and how to read a list of finalists as a reader rather than a bookmaker. If you write, our tips on entering writing contests will help you put your best page forward.

Where to start

• New here? Begin with the Bad Hemingway Contest.
• Want to write? Read how to write a parody and short-story tips.
• Curious about prizes? See how literary awards work.

Whatever brought you here — a love of literary mischief, a wish to write better, or simple curiosity — you are very welcome.

Frequently asked questions