Joining Sword & Pen Playwriting Competition 2023/24

We are thrilled to announce that the 2023/2024 Joining Sword & Pen Competition is now accepting submissions.

This is the 10th round of our flagship contest! The competition is open to playwrights of marginalized genders only (this includes cis women, trans women, trans men, non-binary people, genderfluid folks, etc.) We use a blind submission process where the anonymous winner is decided by vote of the BWBTC ensemble who read all qualifying submissions.

Playwrights are to write TOTALLY NEW scripts based on the specific image on our website. The moment depicted in the image must occur at some point in the play.

The winning script will be taken through our Fighting Words development program, and then receive a full production with Babes With Blades Theatre Company.

The playwright will also receive the Margaret W. Martin Award, which carries a $1,000 cash prize sponsored by BWBTC's longtime benefactor David Woolley.

Please visit our website for all rules and requirements regarding the Joining Sword & Pen competition. Please make sure to follow these rules when submitting to avoid being disqualified. This year’s image and competition rules may be found at: babeswithblades.org/jsp-how-to-submit/

We cannot wait to read all your submissions!

PLEASE NOTE: The images for the competition can be found on our website. Please do not select your own prompts. Please make sure to review these rules before submitting so you’re not disqualified.