A prize of $1,500 and a four-week residency at the PLAYA retreat in Summer Lake, Oregon, will be given annually for a nonfiction work-in-progress that "recognizes the vital role deserts play worldwide in the ecosystem and the human narrative." The winner will also be invited to read at the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon. Using the online submission system, submit up to 10 pages of nonfiction, a one-page project description, and a brief bio by April 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Writing Ranch, Waterston Desert Writing Prize, P.O. Box 640, Bend, OR 97709. (541) 480-3933.