The Best Fiction Writing Contests of 2022
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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!
$250
Publication on Reedsy Blog
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: December 31, 2022
Fiction, Short Story
View contestThe 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?"
$700 CAD
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Fiction, Novel, Novella, Short Story
View contestBooksShelf
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!
$200 USD Fiction | $100 USD Nonfiction
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: January 31, 2023
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
"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.
$3,000
Paid publication, 25 x $20 USD.
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestWriterwerx 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.
$2,500
2nd: $1500 | 3rd: $150
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestWriting 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!
$5,000
Feedback by industry professionals. Guaranteed feedback by at least 5 of your peers.
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: August 05, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestUnleash 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.
150
Publication in anthology
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: December 30, 2022
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Poetry, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller
View contestThe 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.
$1,221
2nd: $244 | 3rd: $122
💰 Fee: $9
Deadline: October 31, 2022
Fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestOlde 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!
$100
Featured on Olde Wolf's website
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: August 05, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction
View contestTallahassee 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.
$300
Published in the Seven Hills Review
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: September 30, 2022
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
Mind Shine Bright has two writing competitions annually a revolving theme competition which for 2022 is Storm and Confidence.
$500 (AUS)
2nd: $400 (AUS) | 3rd: $300 (AUS)
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, Short Story
View contestFanStory.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.
$100
💰 Fee: $12
Deadline: January 29, 2023
Fiction, Non-fiction
View contestTexas 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.
$1,000
Standard royalty contract with TRP and 20 author copies of the published book
💰 Fee: $28
Deadline: October 01, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel
View contestNarrative 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.
$4,000
💰 Fee: $27
Deadline: June 15, 2023
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestThe 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.
$3,000
Publication online, agency review, $300, $200
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: August 28, 2022
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestWriter'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.
$1,000
$750 for 2nd place, $500 for 3rd, £5000 annual grand prize
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Fiction, Short Story, Fantasy, Science Fiction
View contestFlash 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.
£300
£200, £100
💰 Fee: $7
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Fiction, Short Story
View contestBath 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.
£1000
£300 for 2nd, £100 for 3rd
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: October 09, 2022
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestThe 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.
£3000
Manuscript feedback from junior judges, literary agent introductions, novel editing course
💰 Fee: $34
Deadline: November 30, 2022
Fiction, Novel, Young Adult
View contestFiction Factory
We welcome previously unpublished stories (max 1,000 words) on any theme. Our judge is looking for freshness, originality and strongly drawn characters.
£200
£50, £25
💰 Fee: $7
Deadline: November 30, 2022
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Crime, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller
View contestOnyx 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)
$500
Second Prize $250 | Third Prize $100 | 3 Honorable Mentions $50 each
💰 Fee: $12
Deadline: August 28, 2022
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestSadie 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..
$500
$150 to the runner up
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: August 15, 2022 (Expired)
Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Young Adult
View contestSadie 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!
$500
$150 USD for second prize
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: March 31, 2022 (Expired)
Fantasy, Fiction, Short Story
View contestPulp 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!
$230
Publication in Pulp Literature
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: October 15, 2022
Fiction
View contestExisle 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.
$2,000
Free enrolment to the "Become a Successful Author" course
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: August 28, 2022
Fiction, Non-fiction, Short Story
View contestChristopher 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.
£1,200
2nd Prize: £600 | 3rd Prize: £300 | 3 x Highly Commended: £150 | 14 x Shortlisted: £75
💰 Fee: $16
Deadline: June 30, 2023
Fiction, Humor, Non-fiction, Short Story
View contestLetter 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.
$650
2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: October 31, 2022
Fiction, Short Story
View contestAtom 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.
A trip to Disneyland Paris for a family of 4
Stack of novels | Professionally illustrated book cover | £2,500 for the child's school
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Fiction, Children's
View contestGreen 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.
Between £100-£1000
Publication support and publicity
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: December 31, 2022
Fiction, Novel, Short Story
View contestPigeon Review
A flash fiction competition in honor of the Pigeon Review Publication turning 1 year old.
$100
2nd: $75 | 3rd: $25 | Finalist & Top 3 Published
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestBriar 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)
Publication with Briar Press NY in Autumn 2022
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: July 15, 2022 (Expired)
Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Novella, Romance, Thriller
View contestBest 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.
Trophy
💰 Fee: $65
Deadline: October 01, 2022
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestWine 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.
$150
2nd Place: $75 | 3rd Place: $50
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: July 29, 2022 (Expired)
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestAnkara 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.
$1,000
Publication on platform
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: September 15, 2022
Fantasy, Fiction, Novella
View contestNeovel
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.
€2000
2nd: €750 3rd: €250
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: May 25, 2022 (Expired)
Fantasy, Fiction, Novel, Science Fiction, Young Adult
View contest