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DIRECTORY

Best Essay Writing Contests in 2025

Showing 44 contests that match your search.

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Genres: Essay and Non-fiction

The Gabriele Rico Challenge for Nonfiction recognizes outstanding works of nonfiction, specifically creative nonfiction like personal essays and narratives. Submissions should be stand-alone essays limited to 5,000 words, and the contest includes a reading fee.

Top Prize:

$1,333

Additional prizes:

All contest entrants receive a free copy of the latest edition of Reed Magazine.

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: October 01, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Non-fiction and Essay

The ChallengeUS Future Leaders Competition engages youth globally to advocate for civic ideas, spotlighting promising leaders through scholarship prizes. Participants envision their future by 2050 and can join the Future Leaders Network.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

Publication of submission, biographical article, Certificate of Special Achievement for 1st place winner. | Certificate of Achievement for honorable mentions.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: July 25, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Essay, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Novel

The competition aims to give marginalized voices the opportunity to establish literary legacies. It accepts unpublished creative nonfiction manuscripts and assesses entries based on originality, creativity, and writing quality.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication of the winning manuscript in 2026. Runners up will also be considered for publication.

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: July 01, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Essay, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Science Writing

The Letter Review Prize for Nonfiction encourages writers to showcase original nonfiction works, including memoirs, essays, and journalism. It aims to support writers at all stages of their careers and promotes accessibility in publishing.

Top Prize:

$1000 USD shared by 2 to 4 winners

Additional prizes:

Publication by The Letter Review. Up to 20 writers are shortlisted.

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: October 01, 2025 (Expired)

Swamp Pink Prizes

Swamp Pink

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

The Swamp Pink Prizes celebrate excellence in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Each winner receives $2,000 and publication in an upcoming issue of Swamp Pink. The contest is open for submissions throughout January.

Top Prize:

$2,000

Additional prizes:

Publication in an upcoming issue of Swamp Pink

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: January 31, 2025 (Expired)

Solas Awards

Travelers' Tales, a division of Solas House, Inc.

Genres: Essay, Non-fiction, and Travel

The Solas Awards honor excellence in travel writing, with cash prizes and publication opportunities. Entries must be original, true stories with specific word count guidelines. The contest runs annually, with winners announced on March 1 each year.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Silver: $750 Bronze: $500 Certificates of merit for Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners in other categories; $100 honorarium for publication in books.

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: September 21, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Science Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story, and Thriller

The Silver Falchion Award honors the best books published in 2024 across various genres, including mystery, thriller, suspense, and romance. The competition aims to recognize quality storytelling and is open to all published authors.

Top Prize:

$250

💰 Entry fee: $85

📅 Deadline: April 01, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Short Story

Vocal Challenges invite writers to enter themed storytelling contests for a chance to win cash, prizes, experiences, and more.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

2nd place: $200, 15 runners-up: $15 each

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: January 11, 2025 (Expired)

Environmental Writing Competition 2025

Write the World in partnership with Patagonia

Genres: Essay and Non-fiction

The competition invites young writers aged 13-19 to craft a piece of creative nonfiction on their environment, blending fact with storytelling. The prompt emphasizes reflection on personal and global environmental challenges.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

Winner receives $100; Runner-Up and Best Peer Review each receive $50.

📅 Deadline: May 26, 2025 (Expired)

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