Need to know of Nonfiction Short Story Contests

Hi,
I have a couple of pieces of advice for you.

First, agents and traditional publishers are typically swamped with submissions and have no need to hunt for more. While it may help to put in your proposal that you've won a contest, I wouldn't rely on being contacted because of an entry or win. A good source for contests though are the newsletters at www.fundsforwriters.com

One of the most important factors right now in being picked up by a publisher is having an established platform and audience. If you'd like to be traditionally published, you'll have to send out proposals to either publishers or agents and show that you have the ability to attract buyers and sell your book (the author does 80% or more of promotion whether self-or traditionally published).

There are also several self-publishing options, just stay away from anyone who charges thousands of dollars to provide services.

I hope that helps.
Good luck!

Well, to give you some pub cred, can you excerpt any of it and submit it to Cup of Comfort or Chicken Soup? (I'm not sure exactly what they're looking for right now)

Or pitch an article to one of the national magazines--Ladies Home Journal comes to mind as one who publishes medical-miracle-type stories. I actually think an article about it will garner more attention than being in a book of similar stories.

Writers Digest hosts several reputable contests - their link is:
http://www.writersdigest.com/contests/

I also agree with the alternative ways to promote your memoir, mentioned by Siddow and cpickett.

Non-fiction short story? Are we talking memoir or something that can't possibly exist?