The Best Fiction Writing Contests of 2022
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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Join our short story competition
Submit a short story based on 1 of 5 weekly prompts. Winners get $250.
Showing 254 contests
The Reedsy Prompts Contest
Reedsy
Respond to one of Reedsy's weekly writing prompt newsletters with a short story for the chance to win $250 and be featured on the Reedsy Blog!
Top prize
$250
Additional prizes
Publication on Reedsy Blog
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: December 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestThe First Page Challenge
The Darling Axe
If you want a reader to buy your book or an agent to offer you representation, then it only makes sense to have a stunning first page. That's what the First Page Challenge is all about—we're open to fiction or narrative nonfiction, short stories or full-length manuscripts. Our judge, Michelle Barker, will be asking herself one question: "How likely am I to turn this page and keep reading?"
Top prize
$700 CAD
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Novella, Short Story
View contestWriting Contest 2023
BooksShelf
We look for an original and captivating work of fiction or nonfiction. The genre is not important - the story is. We're looking forward to reading your amazing books!
Top prize
$200 USD Fiction | $100 USD Nonfiction
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult
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 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. August's Judge is author Nicky Shearsby.
Top prize
$3,000
Additional prizes
Paid publication, 25 x $20 USD.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestThe Annual Writerwerx University Short Story Contest
Writerwerx University
Submit your piece of 2,000 words or less to compete with writers all over the country for cash, prizes, and bragging rights! There are no theme or topic restrictions. Erotic, religious, and technical shorts are welcome.
Top prize
$2,500
Additional prizes
2nd: $1500 | 3rd: $150
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Genres
Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestFlash Fiction Battle
Writing Battle
Writing Battle is a creative writing competition for writers, by writers. Light on battle. Heavy on fun and friendship (but still somewhat battle-like). Receive prompts, write a short story, then judge each other's stories. Win cash and get feedback from your peers. Join the battle!
Top prize
$5,000
Additional prizes
Feedback by industry professionals. Guaranteed feedback by at least 5 of your peers.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: August 05, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestEditor'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
💰 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 contestThe Bedford Competition
The Bedford Competition
We are an International Competition with prizes totalling £3000 including special awards for 17-25 year olds. All winning and shortlisted entries are published by our partners, Ostrich Books. We donate proceeds to charities that support literary and literacy skills.
Top prize
$1,221
Additional prizes
2nd: $244 | 3rd: $122
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $9
Deadline: October 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestMonthly Short Story Contest
Olde Wolf
Here at Olde Wolf, we love seeing writers show off their skills. Whether you’re a seasoned author or up-and-coming talent, we encourage you to enter our monthly writing contest!
Top prize
$100
Additional prizes
Featured on Olde Wolf's website
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: August 05, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction
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
💰 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 contestMinds Shine Bright Storm
Minds Shine Bright
Mind Shine Bright has two writing competitions annually a revolving theme competition which for 2022 is Storm and Confidence.
Top prize
$500 (AUS)
Additional prizes
2nd: $400 (AUS) | 3rd: $300 (AUS)
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, Short Story
View contestAlone Writing Contest
FanStory.com Inc.
Write a story where the main character is alone. Fiction and non-fiction welcomed. Maximum words 5,000. The winner takes away a $100 cash prize. All writers will receive feedback for their submission.
Top prize
$100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $12
Deadline: January 29, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction
View contestGeorge Garrett Fiction Prize
Texas Review Press
Established in 1998, The George Garrett Fiction Prize highlights one book a year for excellence in a short story collection or novel. Since 2019 the Prize comes with a $1,000 advance, a standard royalty contract, and 20 copies of the published book.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Standard royalty contract with TRP and 20 author copies of the published book
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $28
Deadline: October 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel
View contestNarrative Prize
Narrative Magazine
The Narrative Prize is awarded annually for the best short story, novel excerpt, poem, one-act play, graphic story, or work of literary nonfiction published by a new or emerging writer in Narrative. The submission system is open all year.
Top prize
$4,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $27
Deadline: June 15, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestShort Story Award for New Writers
The Masters Review
Welcome to our Short Story Award for New Writers, an bi-annual contest that recognizes the best fiction from today’s emerging writers. Judging this year’s contest is Ye Chun, author of Hao, a collection of stories recently longlisted for the 2022 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence. Entries must be under 6,000 words.
Top prize
$3,000
Additional prizes
Publication online, agency review, $300, $200
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: August 28, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
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, £5000 annual grand prize
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Short Story, Fantasy, Science Fiction
View contestAnnual Flash Fiction Competition
Flash 500
This quarterly open-themed competition has closing dates of 31st March, 30th June, 30th September and 31st December. The results will be announced about six weeks after each closing date and the three winning entries each quarter will be published on the website.
Top prize
£300
Additional prizes
£200, £100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $7
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestFlash Fiction Award
Bath Flash Fiction Award
In addition to winning cash prizes, entrants have the opportunity to appear in our print and digital anthology collections. Our books are published by the award-winning small press Ad Hoc Fiction, and are available to buy from their own independent bookshop as well as worldwide from Amazon. 300 word limit.
Top prize
£1000
Additional prizes
£300 for 2nd, £100 for 3rd
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: October 09, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestThe Bath Children’s Novel Award
The Bath Novel Awards
The Bath Children’s Novel Award is an annual international prize for emerging novelists writing for children or teens. Submissions are the first 5,000 words plus one page synopsis. A children’s literary agent will judge the winning manuscript from a shortlist chosen by Junior Judges aged seven to seventeen.
Top prize
£3000
Additional prizes
Manuscript feedback from junior judges, literary agent introductions, novel editing course
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $34
Deadline: November 30, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Young Adult
View contestFiction Factory Flash Fiction
Fiction Factory
We welcome previously unpublished stories (max 1,000 words) on any theme. Our judge is looking for freshness, originality and strongly drawn characters.
Top prize
£200
Additional prizes
£50, £25
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $7
Deadline: November 30, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Crime, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller
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
💰 Fee: $12
Deadline: August 28, 2022
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
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
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: August 15, 2022 (Expired)
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
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: March 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Short Story
View contestThe Raven Short Story Contest
Pulp Literature Press
This contest is for previously unpublished short fiction between 250 and 2500 words in length. Multiple entries welcome. Total entries limited to 300. Show us your most scintillating treasures in the form of short fiction up to 2500 words in length and you could be the one bringing home $300 CAD to line your nest!
Top prize
$230
Additional prizes
Publication in Pulp Literature
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: October 15, 2022
Genres
Fiction
View contestThe Story I Needed To Have Read
Exisle Academy
Sometimes, the right story at the right moment can give us the courage we need to overcome adversity. And when that story doesn't already exist, we need to make it ourselves. Write a short story - in any genre, fiction or fact - that helped or would have helped you at a pivotal moment in your life. One winner will receive up to $2000 worth of training and coaching with Exisle Academy, including the opportunity to discuss developing a book with our editors. Entry is encouraged from writers of all types from all background’s cultures and abilities. We are seeking entries from as diverse a set of communities as possible. Top entries will be published on our website, with their permission.
Top prize
$2,000
Additional prizes
Free enrolment to the "Become a Successful Author" course
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: August 28, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Short Story
View contestTo Hull and Back Humorous Short Story Contest
Christopher Fielden
July 2022 saw the launch of the 8th To Hull And Back Short Story Competition, a biennial short story contest with a humorous twist that celebrates the most imaginative and amazing short stories from writers all over the world.
Top prize
£1,200
Additional prizes
2nd Prize: £600 | 3rd Prize: £300 | 3 x Highly Commended: £150 | 14 x Shortlisted: £75
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $16
Deadline: June 30, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Humor, Non-fiction, Short Story
View contestLetter Review Prize for Short Stories
Letter Review
Letter Review is offering $1000 USD total prize pool in a competition for short stories between 400 - 2000 words. No genre or theme restrictions! All winners receive publication at Letter Review. Twenty entries will be longlisted, who have the option to discuss publication at Letter Review too.
Top prize
$650
Additional prizes
2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: October 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestThe Atom Learning Young Author Award
Atom Learning
To celebrate the budding wordsmiths of the UK, we're running a UK creative writing competition. There are two categories: ages 7-9 and ages 10-11. The 2022 theme for Atom’s Young Author Award is A DAY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD.
Top prize
A trip to Disneyland Paris for a family of 4
Additional prizes
Stack of novels | Professionally illustrated book cover | £2,500 for the child's school
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Children's
View contestGreen Stories Writing Competitions
Green Stories project at University of Southampton
Organised by the University of Southampton, Green Stories is a ‘free’ writing competition project with a range of categories for novelists and short story writers. Entries should conform with positive visions of more sustainable futures and/or the inclusion of green solutions but needn’t have an explicitly green theme.
Top prize
Between £100-£1000
Additional prizes
Publication support and publicity
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: December 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Novel, 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
💰 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
💰 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
💰 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 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
💰 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
💰 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
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: May 25, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Novel, Science Fiction, Young Adult
View contest
