The Best Fiction Writing Contests of 2023
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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Showing 285 contests
The Reedsy Prompts Contest
Reedsy
Every Friday, Reedsy sends out five writing prompts. Enter your response within a week for a chance at $250. Winners may also be included in a future issue of Reedsy’s literary magazine, Prompted.
Top prize
$250
Additional prizes
$25 credit toward Reedsy editorial services
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: December 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, 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. The theme is using humor as healing.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
2nd: writing coach package 3rd: developmental or diversity editing package.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: April 30, 2023
Genres
Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult, Children's, Poetry, Romance, Short Story, Suspense, Travel
View contestThe Scribes Prize
Fairfield Scribes
The Scribes Prize is looking for fiction & creative nonfiction stories of 90-110 words. Prizes include publication, award seals, and cash: $250 for gold, $125 for silver, $60 for bronze & 15 honorable mentions for $20 each. Simultaneous submissions & reprints welcome. Max 3 submissions per author. All entries will receive feedback from 2 editors.
Top prize
$250
Additional prizes
2nd: $125 | 3rd: $60 | Publication | Editor's deedback
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: September 01, 2023
Genres
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller
View contestImagine 2200
Grist
Imagine 2200 is an invitation to writers from all over the globe to imagine a future in which solutions to the climate crisis flourish and help bring about radical improvements to our world.
Top prize
$3,000
Additional prizes
2nd: $2000 | 3rd: $1000 | 9x finalists: $300 | Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: June 13, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Fantasy, Humor, Mystery, Romance
View contestHenshaw Short Story Competition
Henshaw Press
Short Story of up to 2000 words on any theme.
Top prize
£200
Additional prizes
2nd: £100 | 3rd: £50
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $8
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestThe Christy Award
The Christy Award
The Christy Award® was established in 1999 to acknowledge the value and impact of the novel of faith in contemporary culture. Since that time, the Christys have been a focal point for the writers and publishers in our community, symbolizing the best aspirations and accomplishments of writers who write from a perspective of faith and who create stories with matters of belief at their core.
Top prize
Award
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $175
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Genres
Christian, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Romance, Young Adult
View contestLorian Hemingway Short Story Competition
Lorian Hemingway
Writers of short fiction may now enter the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition. The competition has a history of literary excellence, and Lorian Hemingway and her small judging panel are dedicated to enthusiastically supporting the efforts and talent of writers of short fiction whose voices have yet to be heard.
Top prize
$1,500
Additional prizes
2nd & 3rd: $500 each
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: April 01, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestEmerging Writer's Contest
Ploughshares
In the spirit of the journal 's founding mission, the Ploughshares Emerging Writer's Contest recognizes work by an emerging writer in each of three genres: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. One winner in each genre per year will receive $2,000 and publication in the literary journal. Authors are considered "emerging" if they haven 't published or self-published a book.
Top prize
3x $2000
Additional prizes
Publication in Ploughshares
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $24
Deadline: May 15, 2023
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestFlying South Contest
Winston-Salem Writers
Winning submissions in each of the three categories (Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry) will be awarded prizes of $400 for First Place, $200 for Second Place, and $100 for a total of $2,100 in prizes. All finalists will be accepted for publication and will receive one copy of the current issue of Flying South.
Top prize
3x $400
Additional prizes
3x 2nd: $200 | 3x 3rd: $100 | Publication in Flying South 2023
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: May 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry
View contestHammond House Short Story Competition
Hammond House
Be creative, be unpredictable, be different; the judges are looking for intriguing ideas and addictive prose. Top prize of £1000.
Top prize
£1000
Additional prizes
2nd: £100 | 3rd: £50 | Publication by Hammond House
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $12
Deadline: September 30, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestDzanc Books Short Story Collection Competition
Dzanc Books
The Dzanc Books Short Story Collection Prize celebrates imaginative and inventive writing in the short form. The winning submission will be awarded a $2,500 advance and publication by Dzanc Books.
Top prize
$2,500 advance
Additional prizes
Publication by Dzanc Books
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: June 30, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestDzanc Books Prize for Fiction
Dzanc Books
The Dzanc Books Prize for Fiction recognizes daring, original, and innovative novels. A $5,000 advance and publication by Dzanc Books will be awarded to the winner.
Top prize
$5,000 advance
Additional prizes
Publication by Dzanc
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: June 30, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Novel
View contestAI Theology 2045 Writing Contest
AI Theology
AI Theology 2045 is looking for compelling, imaginative short stories that explore the future intersection of artificial intelligence and faith. Sign-up ends on March 31st but the submission deadline is May 15th.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
2nd: $500 | 3rd: $200
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story
View contestLetter Review Prize for Short Stories
Letter Review
The Letter Review Prize for Short Stories (1000-3000 words) is open to writers from anywhere in the world and has no theme or genre restrictions. Winners are published and every entry is considered for publication. 20 entries are Longlisted.
Top prize
$600
Additional prizes
2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: April 30, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestMemoir/Fiction Book Contest for IML Publications
IML Publications, LLC
We are looking for high quality, 50-page double submissions + 1 page synopsis of memoir and fiction. Finalists will be asked for complete manuscripts 1 month later and will be judged by author Jacqueline Gay Walley.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Possible published book
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: June 15, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Memoir
View contestMarguerite McGlinn Prize for Fiction
Philadelphia Stories
We are seeking previously unpublished works of fiction up to 8,000 words. Multiple submissions are allowed. Open to anyone currently residing in the U.S.
Top prize
$2,500
Additional prizes
2nd: $750 | 3rd: $500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: May 15, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestWOW! Women on Writing Spring 2023 Flash Fiction Contest
WOW! Women On Writing
Seeking short fiction of any genre between 250 - 750 words. The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity, great writing, and provide well-rewarded recognition to contestants.
Top prize
$400
Additional prizes
2nd: $300 | 3rd: $200 | 7 runner-ups: $25 Amazon Gift Cards
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: May 31, 2023
Genres
Flash Fiction, Fiction, Short Story
View contest3nd Annual WCWF Writing Contest
Wine Country Writers' Festival
Fire up those pens and get those unpublished stories and poems submitted to WCWF 3nd Annual Writing Contest. Three winners in each category (fiction/nonfiction/poetry), 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
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: June 30, 2023
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestEvening Standard Stories Competition
Evening Standard
We’re searching for fresh new voices who can take the idea of ‘belonging’ in a surprising direction, or tackle it in a way that stops us in our tracks. This competition is not limited to a ‘short story’. Submissions can be a piece of spoken word or performance, perhaps it’s a monologue, a script or a self-contained episode of a narrative podcast. Entries can be submitted as written, audio, or film.
Top prize
Mentorship with top industry contacts
Additional prizes
Publication in Evening Standard media
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: April 12, 2023
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Script Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestInspiring Fiction's Contest for Fantasy Writers
Inspiring Fiction
A new short story contest open to all fantasy writers. The winner will be published in the first issue of Mirk Fantasy Magazine, a new genre magazine produced by the team behind Tangled Web Magazine. Three runners up will also be published alongside a selection of stories from our general submissions pile.
Top prize
£100
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $6
Deadline: April 30, 2023
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Short Story
View contestGemini Magazine Short Story Contest
Gemini Magazine
Entries may be any subject, style, or length. Entries must be previously unpublished but those from personal blogs will be considered.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
2nd: $100 | 3 honorable mentions: $25 | Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $8
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestBacopa Literary Review
Bacopa Literary Review
Bacopa Literary Review is an annual international print journal published by the Writers Alliance of Gainesville. Our Bacopa Literary Review Editors’ blog shows the quality of writing we seek by highlighting work we respect from previous Bacopa issues as well as other sources.
Top prize
£200 in 6 categories
Additional prizes
$100 Honorable mention in 6 categories
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: April 16, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Essay, Flash Fiction, Humor
View contestElegant Literature's Contest For New Writers
Elegant Literature
One of the largest awards open to unpublished writers, and the only one closed to professionals. We are the first magazine to pay pro rates and only accept submissions from new writers, paying new authors over $50,000 last year. One new writer receives the grand prize. We also choose the best stories, pay the authors above-professional rates, and publish them in our magazine. March head judge is Creag Munroe.
Top prize
$3,000
Additional prizes
Paid publication, 25 x $20 USD | Free entry to Novelist Accelerator | Now Novel Package
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: April 01, 2023
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult, Flash Fiction, Science Writing
View contestNew Deal Writing Competition
Genesee Valley Council on the Arts
GVCA is excited to announce the eighth annual New Deal Writing Competition! This competition challenges writers to use a painting chosen by the staff at GVCA as inspiration for a short story. This year’s painting is “Small Town” by Edmund Yaghjian, an oil painting.
Top prize
$200
Additional prizes
2nd: $100 | 3rd: $50
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: April 01, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestGeminga: $250 for Tiny Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, or Art
Sunspot Lit
Geminga is a neutron star so small it was difficult to detect. It was named, in part, for a transcription of gh’è minga, meaning “it’s not there.” With Geminga: $500 for Tiny Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, or Art, Sunspot Lit honors the power of the small. No restrictions on theme or category. Word limit is 100 for fiction and nonfiction. Micropoetry is limited to 140 characters. Graphic novelsshould be 4 pages or less.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication in digital and print
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: March 31, 2023
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 contest7 Day Story Writing Challenge
Globe Soup
Register now for our next 7-day story writing challenge. A secret theme, a randomly assigned genre and just 7 days to write a story of no more than 2,000 words. Our 7 day story writing challenges take place throughout the year. The challenges are free and you can even get feedback on your story. Take part in one challenge or take part in all of them!
Top prize
£500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: May 14, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestFirst Pages Prize
First Pages Prize
This international prize is open to unagented writers anywhere in the world for the first five pages (1,250 words) of a longer work of fiction or creative nonfiction. This year we will award three prizes in BOTH fiction and creative nonfiction! In addition to cash awards, winners receive developmental mentoring, consultation with a literary agent, and publicity.
Top prize
$2,000
Additional prizes
Developmental Mentoring & Agent Consultation
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: April 10, 2023
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestQueen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize
Wasafiri
Exceptionally international in scope, the prize supports writers who have not yet published a book-length work, with no limits on age, gender, nationality, or background. The winners of each category (fiction, poetry and life writing) will receive a £1,000 cash prize and publication, and will be published in Wasafiri’s print magazine. Shortlisted writers will have their work published on Wasafiri’s website.
Top prize
£1000 (x3)
Additional prizes
Mentoring & Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $12
Deadline: June 30, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Poetry, Memoir, Non-fiction
View contestThe Mysterious Case
NEOVEL
The theme of this contest is "The Mysterious Case". The main character or characters of your entry must have a suspenseful investigation with a mystery in 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
€500
Additional prizes
2nd: €250 | 3rd: €100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: April 02, 2023
Genres
Crime, Fiction, Novel
View contestThe 2023 Ink Across Borders Prize
The European Society of Literature
This competition is seeking out literary talent in Africa, Asia, and other typically underrepresented parts of the world. We want to build bridges between the West and the East, the North and the South. To ensure writers from these places have the opportunity to gain international attention, we’re launching The 2023 Ink Across Borders Prize.
Top prize
€200
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $2
Deadline: May 14, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
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
$700 CAD
Additional prizes
2nd: $200 CAD | 3rd: $100 CAD
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: May 31, 2023
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestThe Pinch Literary Awards & Page Prize
The Pinch Literary Journal
The 2023 Pinch Literary Awards accepts poetry and fiction. The 2023 Page Prize accepts non-fiction.
Top prize
$2000 for poetry & fiction winners
Additional prizes
$1000 for Page Prize winner
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Non-fiction
View contestThe Bath Novel Award
The Bath Novel Awards
The Bath Novel Award is a £3,000 international prize for emerging writers of adult fiction. Submit the first 5,000 words plus a one page synopsis of your novel for adults or young adults. Shortlisted entries will receive manuscript feedback and literary agent introductions.
Top prize
£3,000
Additional prizes
£1800 for one longlistee
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: May 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Young Adult
View contestNorth Street Book Prize
Winning Writers
Submit a self-published or hybrid-published book, up to 200,000 words in length. One grand prize winner will receive $10,000, a marketing analysis and one-hour phone consultation with Carolyn Howard-Johnson, a $300 credit at BookBaby, three months of Plus service (a $207 value) and a $500 account credit from Book Award Pro, and 3 free ads in the Winning Writers newsletter (a $525 value)
Top prize
$10,000
Additional prizes
$1,000 for top winner in each category | $300 for honorable mentions
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $75
Deadline: June 30, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Children's, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestWrite By The Sea Writing Competition
Write By The Sea
Flash Fiction (700 words), Short Story (2,500 words), Poetry (40 lines) Memoir/Personal Essay (1,000 words). The winner of each category will receive a cash prize of €500, a beautiful hand-crafted WBTS 2023 Writing Competition trophy and a free weekend pass to Write By The Sea festival 2023. All four winning pieces will be published on the Write By The Sea website.
Top prize
€500
Additional prizes
2nd: €200 | 3rd: €300
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $11
Deadline: June 04, 2023
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Poetry, Short Story
View contest
