The Best Fantasy Writing Contests of 2022
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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Manage a competition? Submit it here
Join our short story competition
Submit a short story based on 1 of 5 weekly prompts. Winners get $250.
Showing 40 contests
Editor's Prize - Work Anthology
Unleash Press
Writers are invited to submit creative interpretations on Work for an upcoming anthology and the chance of winning the editors' prize. Essays, fiction, drama, and poetry interpretations of the theme will be accepted. Submissions should have a total word count of no more than 5,000 words. All authors chosen for the anthology will receive a paperback copy of the book. Only one editor’s prize will be selected.
Top prize
150
Additional prizes
Publication in anthology
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $10
Deadline: December 30, 2022
Genres
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Poetry, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller
View contestSeven Hills Literary Contest and Penumbra Poetry and Haiku Contest
Tallahassee Writers Association
The Seven Hills Literary Contest and Penumbra Poetry and Haiku Contest (collectively, “the Contest”) is sponsored annually by the Tallahassee Writers Association. The contest is open to English-language entries from around the world. For the first time, we are open to published entries as well as unpublished entries.
Top prize
$300
Additional prizes
Published in the Seven Hills Review
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $15
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Genres
Children's, Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestHenshaw Short Story Competition
Henshaw Press
A short story on any subject up to 2000 words. Results announced by the end of October 2022. Prize winners published on the Henshawpress website and in our next Anthology. Optional Critiques a further ÂŁ14. Free critiques for authors aged sixteen and under.
Top prize
$237
Additional prizes
2nd: $118 | 3rd: $60
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $7
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Genres
Christian, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Mystery, Suspense, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Travel
View contestWriters of the Future
Writer's of the Future
L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest is an opportunity for new writers of science fiction and fantasy to have their work judged by some of the masters in the field and discovered by a wide audience. Prizes of $1000, $750 and $500 are awarded every three months. From the four 1st Place winners each year, one story is selected as the grand prize winner and the author receives an additional $5000 cash prize.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
$750 for 2nd place, $500 for 3rd, ÂŁ5000 annual grand prize
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: FREE
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Short Story, Fantasy, Science Fiction
View contestScienceQuest NextGen Science Literary Writing Competition
Zoomcatchers
Established to recognize and encourage creative writing and provide a platform for publication, this science literary competition is open to original and previously unpublished short stories in the English language by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. Writing samples submitted must be from the genres of: Science fiction, Dystopian, Futuristic, Fantasy, Paranormal ​​ We accept essay, short story, and novel submissions up to 15 pages in length, double-spaced.
Top prize
$200
Additional prizes
Consultation with literary agent Leticia Gomez
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $20
Deadline: August 15, 2022
Genres
Essay, Fantasy, Novel, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Young Adult
View contestEtched Onyx and the Story Discovery Podcast
Onyx Publications
The Fall Edition Contest is an open, mixed-category contest. In other words, we have no limitations or expectations on which types of works will win awards. Selections are based on originality, voice, and style. Last year's contest had 4 prose winners and 2 poetry winners. (An early bird entry fee of $7.50 runs till July 31)
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Second Prize $250 | Third Prize $100 | 3 Honorable Mentions $50 each
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $12
Deadline: August 28, 2022
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestElegant Literature's Contest For New Writers
Elegant Literature
We are the first magazine to pay professional rates and only accept submissions from new writers. We don't allow pros to submit, so your work has a better chance to be selected. Each month we hold a contest based on a short fiction prompt. You write a wonderful story and enter the contest. We choose the winner who receives the grand prize. We also choose the best stories, pay the authors above-professional rates, and publish them in our magazine.
Top prize
$3,000
Additional prizes
Paid publication, 25 x $20 USD.
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $10
Deadline: July 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestWriting LOVE
Sadie Tells Stories
Writing LOVE is a 500 word short story contest. The story can be fiction or non-fiction as long as it includes an element of love. A love for life, for nature, for someone, for peace, for a passion..
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
$150 to the runner up
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $10
Deadline: August 15, 2022
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Young Adult
View contestSadie Tells Stories
Sadie Tells Stories
Are you an author who loves magic? Do you have an idea for a super short story that needs to be shared with the world? If you answered yes to both of those questions this contest is for you! The story can be about anything magical. Maybe it’s something that you’ve experienced in real life or it’s something you’ve created. Maybe it’s the start of a great idea. Maybe it’ll be the thing that inspires you to finally publish your book. Sadie Tells Stories loves all things magic and wonder. And she loves not just the magic she can create but sharing the magic that others do as well. She can’t wait to read your stories!
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
$150 USD for second prize
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $10
Deadline: March 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Short Story
View contestFlash Fiction Competition
Pigeon Review
A flash fiction competition in honor of the Pigeon Review Publication turning 1 year old.
Top prize
$100
Additional prizes
2nd: $75 | 3rd: $25 | Finalist & Top 3 Published
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $5
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestGothic Novella Contest
Briar Press NY
Briar Press NY is looking for a Novella in the Gothic tradition, previously unpublished and set in any historical time period and place/culture up until 1970. We are looking for beautiful writing, an engaging plot, memorable characters, and that authentic Gothic atmosphere (classic tropes are welcomed, but we also want substance and depth!) 75 to 150 pp long (18,000 to 38,000 words)
Top prize
Publication with Briar Press NY in Autumn 2022
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: FREE
Deadline: July 15, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Novella, Romance, Thriller
View contestBest Indie Book Award
Best Indie Book Award
The annual Best Indie Book Award® (or BIBA®) is an international literary awards contest recognizing self-published and independently published authors from all over the world. Entries are limited to independently (indie) published books, including those from small presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors.
Top prize
Trophy
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $65
Deadline: October 01, 2022
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestOxford Flash Fiction Prize
Oxford Flash Fiction
Write yourself into history and become one of the greats with the Oxford Flash Fiction Prize. For centuries, the greats have come to Oxford to ink masterpieces. Now, in one of the oldest towns, where the history of the English language can be traced back to its ancient streets, we want to celebrate one of the newest forms in literature – flash fiction.
Top prize
$1,300
Additional prizes
2nd Prize: $243 | 3rd Prize: $122
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $8
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Genres
Christian, Crime, Fantasy, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Mystery, Suspense, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Travel
View contest2nd Annual WCWF Writing Contest
Wine Country Writers' Festival
Fire up those pens and get those unpublished stories and poems submitted to WCWF 2nd Annual Writing Contest. Three winners in each category, publication in Anthology, and your own copy. Entries: $15 or two for $25.
Top prize
$150
Additional prizes
2nd Place: $75 | 3rd Place: $50
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $15
Deadline: July 29, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestTales By Moonlight
Ankara Circle
The Tales By Moonlight Contest is a novella writing competition. The genre for the competition is fiction and the theme is magic. Contest entries can range from 7,500 - 40,000 words in length. Winners will be decided by a public voting system.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication on platform
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $0
Deadline: September 15, 2022
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Novella
View contestTime Travelers Contest
Neovel
The theme of this contest is Time travel. To respect the theme of the contest, the main character or characters of your entry must go through a change of temporality and must have a significant impact on the plot. This change must occur in the story before the end of the fourth chapter and must be mentioned in your book description.
Top prize
€2000
Additional prizes
2nd: €750 3rd: €250
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: FREE
Deadline: May 25, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Novel, Science Fiction, Young Adult
View contestBeagle North Competition
Beagle North
The theme for Beagle North's short story competition changes quarterly. - Your story must be no longer than 2,500 words (not including the title) - Only one story permitted per person, each quarter - Stories must be in English
Top prize
ÂŁ20 Amazon Voucher
Additional prizes
ÂŁ10 Amazon voucher for 2nd and 3rd place
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: FREE
Deadline: June 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestGeminga: $250 for Tiny Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, or Art
Sunspot Lit
Authors and artists eligible. Sunspot Lit’s Geminga contest honors the power of the small. No restrictions on theme or category. $250 cash, publication for the winner, and publication offered to runners-up and finalists. Enter as many times as you like, but only one piece per submission.
Top prize
$250
Additional prizes
Publication in digital and print
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $6
Deadline: June 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestClaymore Award
Killer Nashville
Created in 2009, the Killer Nashville Claymore Award assists new and rebranding English-language fiction authors to get published, including possible agent representation, book advances, editor deals, and movie and television sales. The contest is limited to only the first 50 double-spaced pages of unpublished English-language manuscripts containing elements of thriller, mystery, crime, or suspense NOT currently under contract.
Top prize
Possible contract with Mystery Writers of America
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $40
Deadline: April 01, 2023
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Novel, Science Fiction, Thriller
View contestFlash Fiction Competition
Globe Soup
Globe Soup are looking for the best flash fiction of no more than 800 words. The competition features a secret location in which all participants must set their story. Participants can get extensive feedback on their entry by joining Globe Soup's writing group and free entry to their monthly micro fiction contests and other opportunities to win cash prizes!
Top prize
ÂŁ1000
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $16
Deadline: December 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestCaledonia Novel Award
Caledonia Novel Award
Now in our ninth year of competition, we are an Edinburgh-based, international award for unpublished and self-published novelists in all genres for adults and YA. This year's judge is Charlotte Seymour, literary agent at Johnson & Alcock. On top of the ÂŁ1,500 top prize, the best entry from the UK and Ireland will receive a place on a writing course at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre.
Top prize
ÂŁ1, 500
Additional prizes
Free place on a writing course at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre.
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $30
Deadline: November 01, 2022
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novel, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult, Romance, Suspense
View contestFirst 5 Pages Prize
Stockholm Writers Festival
SWF is proud to launch the First 5 Pages Prize to mark our 5th anniversary. Dazzle us with your brilliance. Delight us with your wit. Deceive us with your dastardly plot-twists. There will be one Grand Prize winner chosen from all entries. The winner will receive: $1000 cash, a ticket to SWF22, a pitch meeting with an agent conducted over Zoom, two night’s accommodation at a boutique hotel, and a full developmental edit donated by Reedsy, the industry’s leading platform for writing services.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
A full developmental edit donated by Reedsy & pitch meeting with an agent
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $20
Deadline: January 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contest2nd Annual WCWF Writing Contest
Wine Country Writers' Festival
Fire up those pens and get those unpublished stories and poems submitted to WCWF 2nd Annual Writing Contest. Three winners in each category, publication in Anthology, and your own copy. Entries: $15 or two for $25. See the contest rules and enter now. Blind Judging.
Top prize
$150
Additional prizes
Publication in an anthology
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $15
Deadline: July 29, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestAs Bright as the Moon
Tales
Can’t decide between the headstrong alpha or the hunky omega? Us either. We’re seeking stories featuring steamy werewolf romance, perfect for reading under a full moon. Whether you’re Team Jacob Black or Team Alcide Herveaux…we’re all Team Awoooo. Works up to 3,000 words will be considered.
Top prize
$600
Additional prizes
2nd place: $300; 3rd place: $100
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $0
Deadline: May 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestElegantLiterature's Fiction Contest
ElegantLiterature.com
We help new talent go pro, award life-changing prize money, and promote fiction writers worldwide. Each month we hold a contest based on a short fiction prompt. You write a wonderful story and enter the contest. We choose the winner who receives the grand prize. We also choose the best stories, pay the authors above-professional rates, and publish them in our magazine. Anyone can submit work to the magazine for free, but you must be an Elegant+ Member to enter the contests and win prizes. Membership is $10/month.
Top prize
$3000 USD + $0.10/word for publication
Additional prizes
Publication in online monthly magazine
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $10
Deadline: May 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestThe Synopsis Skirmish—a contest for querying authors
Darling Axe Editing
Summarize your novel in 500 words for a chance at a $1000 CAD prize pool! Our judge, Michelle Barker, will be asking herself one question: "Does this synopsis convince me that I'm in the hands of an adept novelist with a unique and engaging story to tell?"
Top prize
$560
Additional prizes
$200 for second place, $100 for third
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $5
Deadline: May 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestParanormal Incorporated: The Offices of Supernatural Being
4 Horsemen Publications, Inc.
Take a closer look at your workplace, and you might see some amazing supernatural beings hard at work. Your CPA is quite the penny pincher, but dragons are good at keeping money, after all. Better not startle the janitor who’s actually a spider-shifter. Are those cobwebs or just leftovers from when she cleaned the vaulted ceilings last week? And never overlook your supervisor, that creature that looks like a floating mass of eyeballs sees everything–no, really, he’s some crazy floaty creature that looks like something out of a movie or lurking in a dungeon. Ah, isn’t the landscape of cubicles like a dungeon? Don’t forget that hot elf server at your favorite lunch spot with those adorable ears. Give us your best corporate paranormal fantasy story!
Top prize
Publication in anthology
Additional prizes
Access to buy author copies at a discounted rate
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $0
Deadline: June 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Short Story
View contest100 Word Writing Contest
Tadpole Press
100 words per entry. Submit as many entries as you’d like. All ages. All genders. All nationalities. All writers welcome. This year's theme is the power of words. The words we write, the words we say, the words we keep to ourselves. They make a difference in the lives of those around us. How can you use your words to instill a sense of calm, of hope, of community? To remind one another of the beauty of diversity. To encourage us to support, love, and inspire one another.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
2nd: writing coach package 3rd: developmental or diversity editing package.
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $10
Deadline: April 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestThe Writerwerx University Novel Opening Contest
Writerwerx University
Submit the first 1,000 words of your published book.
Top prize
$2,000
Additional prizes
2nd Place: $1,000 cash/prizes, 3rd Place $100 cash/prizes
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $20
Deadline: February 28, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestOlive Woolley Burt Awards For Creative Writing
League of Utah Writers
The Olive Woolley Burt Awards are open to the general public for previously unpublished work. Discounts for entry given to members of the League of Utah Writers.
Top prize
$150
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $10
Deadline: May 13, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Writing, Script Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestParsec Short Story Contest
Parsec Inc.
The theme for the 2022 contest is: Hearth, Song, and Table. We ask that authors try and incorporate at least two of the three concepts into their speculative work. This can be conveyed in the setting, plot, characters, dialogue; the only limit is your imagination. The theme must be integral to the story in some way and not just mentioned in passing. All stories must be of the Science Fiction, Fantasy, or Horror genres and no more than 3,500 words.
Top prize
$200
Additional prizes
Publication in the 2022 Confluence program book
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $0
Deadline: May 01, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Science Fiction, Short Story
View contestThe 2022 First Chapter Book Contest
TheNextBigWriter, LLC
Have a book or a novel idea you've been noodling? Enter your first chapter into the Booksie First Chapter Contest and see how it does. You don't need to have finished the book. You don't even need more than the first chapter. We're looking for a start that will grab our attention, that is original, that is well written, and that makes us want to beg you to see what comes next. And for those we find, we'll provide some awards to inspire you to finish writing the book or, if finished, to help get it published.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Gold contest badge.
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $5
Deadline: May 14, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Novel, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestWriter's Digest Self-Published Book Awards
Writer's Digest
Whether you’re a professional writer, a part-time freelancer or a self-starting student, here’s your chance to enter the premier self-published competition exclusively for self-published books. This self-published competition spotlights today’s self-published works and honors self-published authors.
Top prize
$8,000
Additional prizes
A feature in Writer's Digest
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $125
Deadline: May 02, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult, Novel
View contestSeason Themes
HAVOK Publishing
HAVOK is a constant flash fiction contest, with rolling deadlines. Each season is split into monthly competitions with thematically connected prompts in a range of genres.
Top prize
$100
Additional prizes
Publication in an anthology. Potential for larger gift card wins.
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: FREE
Deadline: January 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Flash Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestBook Pipeline Unpublished Contest
Book Pipeline
Launched in 2014, Book Pipeline connects writers worldwide with publishers, editors, agents, and the film industry. Through two submission platforms—Unpublished and Adaptation—the company seeks both new and established authors. For over 22 years, Pipeline has bridged the gap between up-and-coming writers and the industry through a unique, long-term, hands-on facilitation process. The result thus far has been $8 million in scripts sold to studios and networks since 1999.
Top prize
$15,000
Entry requirements
đź’° Fee: $45
Deadline: May 25, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Young Adult
View contest
