The current issue of Good Housekeeping magazine listed a short story contest.
This is kind of a cool contest in that you don’t pay anything to enter your manuscript.
Here are some of the rules, but see the GH site for more details:
Contest Requirements:
No purchase necessary to enter or win. Sponsored by Hearst Communications, Inc. Beginning July 1, 2011 at 12:01 a.m. (ET) through September 1, 2011 at 11.59 p.m. (ET) enter a Good Housekeeping Short Story Contest by submitting a short story no longer than 3,500 words that reflects an aspect of women’s lives today. Submission must be original, no previously published or a finalist for any other prize or award.
Awards:
Grand-prize winner will receive $3,000 and possible publication in the May 2012 issue. Two runners-up will each receive $750 and possible publication on the Good Housekeeping website.
Notification Date:
Winner will be notified on or about February 15, 2012.
Citizenship:
Must be legal resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who is 21 years or older at the time of entry.
Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Contest is subject to complete official rules available on the Good Housekeeping website.
Check out all the rules and enter. You have until September 1, 2011.
Writing 4 Effect 
karensnow
July 18, 2011
Published in the May 2010 issue??
Writing4Effect
July 19, 2011
What, you don’t want to be published in last year’s magazine?! Okay, that’s wrong, it’s May 2012 issue — I stand corrected!
Carol Ison
July 20, 2011
Could you please direct me to the exact link that tells me how to actually submit the short story, ie; the correct format, recommended spacing, font, etc: ?
Writing4Effect
July 21, 2011
Hi, Carol. The links throughout my post here will take you to the requirements to submit your story for consideration by GH. When I dug deeper for formatting instructions, though, it doesn’t appear that GH posted any requirements on their site. They may not have any. Typically, however, you submit a manuscript for consideration following the guidelines I found at Wikipedia here. I wish you the best in your submission — 😉
Kathleen Schoonover
August 16, 2011
The thing that troubles me about the GH short story contest is their statement: “All entries become the property of Good Housekeeping. . .” Shouldn’t that be “all winning entries?” Has anyone else noticed that in the fine print of the contest rules?
Writing4Effect
August 16, 2011
Hi, Kathleen. I haven’t read the rules again lately, but I think what they mean is that the paper it’s written on becomes their property, not the intellectual property of the content — they’re not going to return any entries. Even the winning entries would not become their intellectual property, because winners can publish these articles again elsewhere (like I said, haven’t read the rules lately, but believe that to be factual). Good point, though, for clarification, and if you read something in the rules contrary, please let us know. Always good to have a second (third, etc.) set of eyes. Thanks!
Sheron Wilee-Ford
August 21, 2011
Where do I mail my entry if using snail mail? Thnaks, Sheron
Writing4Effect
August 21, 2011
Hello, Sheron. I could be wrong, but it appears that you can only send it via email. I can’t imagine that’s true, so I would definitely contact Good Housekeeping and ask. Here are the instructions I found on the GH site about how to submit a manuscript for the contest:
“How it Works: Submit a short story, no longer than 3,500 words, to fictioncontest@goodhousekeeping.com.”
Like I said, though, I would definitely email GH at the same email to which you submit manuscripts and ask them if you can mail in a manuscript.
Wishing you the best!
Sheron Wilee-Ford
August 21, 2011
Sorry about the typo ‘Thnaks’…Thanks, Sheron
Writing4Effect
August 23, 2011
Sheron, you are so funny. You would not believe the typos I leave on other people’s blogs. Thnaks for sharing (LOL!)
kim
August 29, 2011
11:59 PM, not A.M.
Please make sure your facts are correct.
Writing4Effect
August 29, 2011
I stand corrected — 11:59 p.m. it is.
catherine )cathie)
August 31, 2011
Please would like to send a last minute entry to short story but unable to, please guide me
Writing4Effect
September 1, 2011
Yes, Catherine, I’d be honored to. Please email me at sherzee@yahoo.com — look forward to it.
catherine )cathie)
August 31, 2011
Is there any ways I can send you my story and will you pass it on to Good Housekepong short story entry, I am 63 and disabled , Please help me I have been doing this writng for the past 6 hrs this moring but I fiound the email site last night where I was up to 3 am
I am just slow, you are welcome to read my story
Writing4Effect
August 31, 2011
Hi, Catherine. Of course, I would be honored that you would trust me to submit the story for you. My personal email address is sherzee@yahoo.com and I’ll make sure to get it submitted.
catherine )cathie)
August 31, 2011
I did send it to the http and I played around guess the info. it said it was wrong but was sent
ninawd2011
February 5, 2012
I am sure there must have been hundreds or thousands of entries to the GH short story contest. I sent mine in via e-mail but did not get any confirmation of receipt. I hope that didn’t mean that my e-mail didn’t go through. I sent the e-mail on August 31, 2011, 10:59 PM, California time.
Writing4Effect
February 24, 2012
You know, Nina, I bet you’re right. I cannot imagine they didn’t. I’m not even sure they provided a confirmation of receipt. If it’s like other contests, you don’t. There are lots of other contests out there, though, so don’t give up if you didn’t hear anything back. I’ll post some soon. Thanks for the visit and comment.
Sherry Lynn
February 16, 2012
Have winners been chosen?
Writing4Effect
February 24, 2012
Hi, Sherry Lynn. I’m not sure when the winners were chosen. I’ve not kept up with it, but please feel free to click on the link in my post that takes you to the original article. Maybe you can find some information about the winners there. Thanks for the visit and the comment. 😉
Cathy Salvatore
March 16, 2012
Have winners been chosen for the fiction contest goodhousekeeping on a short story 3,500 words on “Women’s Lives Today”?
Writing4Effect
March 16, 2012
Hi, Cathy. I am not familiar with that particular GHK contest, but I here’s more info on the one in my post. Maybe you’ll find something in the GHK site that provides more specific on the one you’re inquiring about. Wishing you great success — Sherry
Writing4Effect
February 16, 2013
I don’t mind at all. I consider it a compliment!
Writing4Effect
February 16, 2013
Hi, Kassie. I do not mind at all. I would consider it a compliment!