The Don Argo Award
The Don Argo Award was established in 2010 to honor the legacy of Dr. Don Argo—beloved educator, celebrated author, and one of the founding members of the Space Coast Writers Guild.
A longtime Florida resident originally from Arkansas, Dr. Argo served as a mathematics professor at Brevard Community College (now Eastern Florida State College) for 38 years. His passion for writing culminated in his award-winning historical novel Canaveral Light, published in 2001. A pillar of the SCWG community, Dr. Argo was known for his dedication to both education and the literary arts. He passed away in 2008 at age 72, leaving behind a legacy of creativity, mentorship, and a deep love for Florida storytelling.
Each year, the Don Argo Award recognizes exceptional Florida-themed writing by SCWG members, inviting authors to reflect the unique spirit and setting of the Sunshine State. The contest is open to members (at no cost) and to Brevard County residents for a $40 entry fee, which includes a one-year Guild membership.
Submissions open yearly on June 1st and are due by August 30th, offering writers an ongoing opportunity to be a part of a meaningful tradition rooted in literary excellence and community honor.
The 2025 Don Argo Award is Now Open for Submissions
Celebrate Florida’s rich stories and honor the legacy of Dr. Don Argo with your best Florida-themed fiction or creative nonfiction.
Quick Details:
- Open: June 1 – August 30, 2025
- Theme: Stories inspired by Florida State
- Entry Fee: Free for SCWG members; $40 for Brevard County residents (includes 1-year membership) (pay button below)
- Prize: An engraved plaque, along with a $250 check and a copy of Don Argo’s novel Canaveral Light
Share your voice. Celebrate the Sunshine State. Submit today!
For more information, please review the submission guidelines below.
Good luck to all the participants
Space Coast Writers Guild
Board of Directors
Congratulations to Our Honorees
We proudly recognize these outstanding recipients of the Don Argo Award. Their talent, passion, and dedication to the written word continue to uplift and inspire our Guild community.
We can’t wait to see whose name joins this list next!
2025: XXX
2024: Richard Maule, Ghost in Paradise
2023: Jay Heavner, Going to the Dogs
2022: James Nelson, Fatal Assumption
2021: Peggy Insula, Waiting Rooms: Cancer, COVID & Courage
2020: Linda Zern, Keeping the Strandline
2019: Mark Lyons, Only in Florida: Mosquito Lagoon
2018: Linda Zern, The Gryphon’s Glade
2017: Dianna Dann Narciso, Bury Me
2016: Cindy Foley, The Truth Lies…a Florida Saga
2014: Ruth Rodgers, Reparation
2013: Marshall Frank, The Upside to Murder
2012: Elaine Viets, The Dead End Job series
2011: Mark Mynheir, The Night Watchman