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The Best Fiction Writing Contests of 2023

Writing competitions curated by Reedsy

Genre

Manage a competition? Submit it here

Showing 300 contests

100 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 (Expired)

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

The 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

Imagine 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

The 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 (Expired)

Genres

Christian, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Romance, Young Adult

Lorian 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 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Short Story

Emerging 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 (Expired)

Genres

Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story

Flying 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 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry

Hammond 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

Dzanc 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

Dzanc 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

AI 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 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story

Memoir/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

Marguerite 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 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Short Story

WOW! 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 (Expired)

Genres

Flash Fiction, Fiction, Short Story

3nd 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

Evening 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 (Expired)

Genres

Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Script Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult

Inspiring 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 (Expired)

Genres

Fantasy, Fiction, Short Story

Gemini 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 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story

Bacopa 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 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Essay, Flash Fiction, Humor

New 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 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Short Story

Geminga: $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 (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

First 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 (Expired)

Genres

Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult

Queen 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

The 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 (Expired)

Genres

Crime, Fiction, Novel

The 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 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story

The 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 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Non-fiction

The 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 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Novel, Young Adult

North 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

Write 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

Dave Williamson National Short Story Competition

Manitoba Writers' Guild

Open to writers across Canada. Short prose in English, 2,500-5,000 words in any fiction genre. We actively encourage submissions from all writers who are 18 years of age or older.

Top prize

$1,000 CAD

Additional prizes

2nd: $600 CAD | 3rd: $400 CAD

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $15

Deadline: March 01, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction

Chapter One Prize

Gutsy Great Novelist

The Gutsy Great Novelist Chapter One Prize is awarded for an outstanding first chapter of an unpublished novel. The prize is open internationally to anyone over 18 writing a novel in English in any genre for adult or YA readers. Winners will be announced March 31, 2023.

Top prize

$1,000

Additional prizes

2nd: $500 |3rd: $250

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $20

Deadline: March 01, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Novel, Young Adult, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller

FemmeFluenza 3.0

WriteFluence

This is our third exclusively-for-women-writers story-writing international contest. ‘Cos life is all about celebrating womanhood and surviving through various challenges it brings along! Theme: Separation. Word count: 1000 – 2500 words. Author eligibility: Writers of age 16 and above, from all across the globe. All entries must be in English. Only original works that have not been published in print, digital or online publications will be considered.

Top prize

Publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $2

Deadline: February 20, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Short Story

Desperate Literature Prize for Short Fiction

Desperate Literature

The aim of the Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize is both to celebrate the best of new, boundary-pushing short fiction and to give winners the most visibility possible for their writing. This year, the stories of 2000 words or fewer will be judged by Ottessa Moshfegh, Tiffany Tsao, and Mariana Enriquez.

Top prize

€1,500 + a 7-day stay at the Civitella Ranieri artist’s residency in Umbria, Italy

Additional prizes

2nd and 3rd place: €750

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $22

Deadline: April 16, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story

Writing MAGIC

Sadie Tells Stories

Write a short story, under 500 words that is all about magic. It can be for any age group. It can be fiction or non-fiction. Get creative. Have fun. And share your magic with the world!

Top prize

$500

Additional prizes

$150 USD for second prize

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $10

Deadline: April 01, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Fantasy, Fiction, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Folly Journal Open Short Story Prize

Folly Journal

Folly is a new independent literary and arts journal from New Zealand, drawn to satirical takes on the social scene, dark humour and starkly honest account of ordinary life. The inaugural issue will be published late 2023 and will feature shortlisted submissions to the Folly Journal Open Short Story Prize. We are seeking international submissions that take risks, scream with honesty and celebrate life’s extraordinary moments.

Top prize

$1000 NZD

Additional prizes

2nd: $500 NZD | 3rd: $200 NZD | Publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $3

Deadline: May 31, 2023 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story

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