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Letter Review Prize for Short Stories
Letter Review
Genres: Fiction and Short Story
The Letter Review Prize for Short Stories is part of a broader contest that includes categories for essays, nonfiction, poetry, and unpublished books. Winners are typically announced every three months and all submissions are considered for publication.
Top Prize:
$1000 prize pool
Additional prizes:
Publication for winners
💰 Entry fee: $20
📅 Deadline: January 01, 2025 (Expired)
Narrative Prize
Narrative Magazine
Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story
The Narrative Prize is awarded annually for the best short story, novel excerpt, poem, one-act play, graphic story, or work of literary nonfiction by a new or emerging writer. All works published in the magazine each year are considered, and previously unpublished works may also be submitted. The prize includes a cash award and recognition in the literary community.
Top Prize:
$5,000
💰 Entry fee: $27
📅 Deadline: June 15, 2025
Indignor Play House Annual Short Story Competition
Indignor House Publishing
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Young Adult
The competition is open for submissions themed 'The Evolution of Love'. Each entry will be edited, judged based on various writing criteria, and selected works will be published in an anthology.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150
💰 Entry fee: $25
📅 Deadline: March 01, 2025 (Expired)
The Lascaux Prize in Flash Fiction
Lascuax Review
Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction
The Lascaux Prize in Flash Fiction invites submissions of stories that may be previously published or unpublished. True stories are accepted if written in a narrative style. The contest emphasizes the importance of storytelling.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Winner also receives a bronze medallion and publication in The Lascaux Review
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025
Literary and Photographic Contest
Hispanic Culture Review
Genres: Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story, and Flash Fiction
The contest theme is 'Hecho a mano', focusing on the creativity of handmade works. Categories include photography, poetry, and narrative/essay/academic investigation. Selected works will be published, and winners will receive monetary prizes and certificates of recognition.
Top Prize:
Monetary prize + certificate of recognition for winners in each category
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: January 21, 2025 (Expired)
John Steinbeck Award for Fiction
Reed Magazine
Genres: Fiction
The John Steinbeck Award for Fiction is a prestigious contest that recognizes exceptional works of fiction. Open to various styles, it specifically seeks stand-alone short stories with a maximum of 5,000 words. The submissions are accepted through a dedicated portal, and each entry includes a reading fee.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Entry includes a free copy of the latest edition of Reed.
💰 Entry fee: $20
📅 Deadline: November 01, 2024 (Expired)
Future Scholar Foundation Short Story Competition
Future Scholar Foundation
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Mystery, Science Fiction, Science Writing, and Short Story
The competition invites elementary and middle school students to submit short stories (maximum 350 words) based on a monthly theme. Winners receive recognition and prizes, including Amazon gift cards and publication in the Hall of Fame.
Top Prize:
$25
Additional prizes:
1st place: $25 Amazon gift card 2nd place: $15 Amazon gift card 3rd place: $5 Amazon gift card All winners are published in the Hall of Fame.
📅 Deadline: January 28, 2025 (Expired)
The Bath Children's Novel Award
The Bath Novel Awards
Genres: Children's, Fiction, and Young Adult
The Bath Children's Novel Award is an international writing prize for unagented emerging writers. It seeks novels for children or teens, chapter books, and picture book texts. The winner receives £5,000, a trophy, and feedback for listees.
Top Prize:
£5,000
Additional prizes:
A place on the 'Edit Your Novel the Professional Way' course worth £1,980 for one longlisted writer. Minerva trophy and feedback from an editorial director.
💰 Entry fee: $30
📅 Deadline: November 30, 2024 (Expired)
Blue Pencil Agency First Novel Award 2025
Blue Pencil Agency
Genres: Fiction
The award is open to unrepresented and unpublished authors for a novel in any adult fiction genre. It includes a submission of the opening chapters and a synopsis. The judges are from WME and include Samuel Burr.
Top Prize:
£1000 + Agent Introduction
Additional prizes:
Runner up: £500 + Agent Introduction; Highly Commended: £150 + Agent Introduction
💰 Entry fee: $25
📅 Deadline: May 31, 2025
Work-In-Progress (WIP) Contest
Unleash Press
Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry
The Unleash WIP Award supports writers in completing significant literary projects, offering $500, editorial feedback, coaching, and a feature in Unleash Lit.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
Editorial feedback, coaching meetings, and an excerpt/interview feature in Unleash Lit.
💰 Entry fee: $35
📅 Deadline: July 15, 2025
Story Studio National Writing Contest
Story Studio
Genres: Fiction
The contest invites young writers across Canada to explore the theme 'Community of Stories,' encouraging submissions that reflect connections through family, friendship, and culture.
Top Prize:
Winners will receive prize packages and a published copy of their story in a chapbook.
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: April 27, 2025
Springtime on Story Street Flash Contest
Story Street Writers
Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction
The contest invites participants to submit a flash fiction piece of 100 words or fewer.
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
$25 for each of the three runners-up. Winner and all runners-up receive publication in the Story Street Review.
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 (Expired)
Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing 2025
Write the World
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, and Short Story
This contest invites young writers (ages 13-19) to submit their works in the genres of science fiction and fantasy, providing a platform for creativity and expression.
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
Recognition and publication opportunities
📅 Deadline: July 28, 2025
Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition
Crime Writers Association
Genres: Fiction and Short Story
The competition seeks the best unpublished short mystery story of up to 3,500 words, adhering to Margery Allingham's definition of a great mystery. It is open to both published and unpublished authors worldwide.
Top Prize:
£500
Additional prizes:
Two passes to Crimefest & a selection of books
💰 Entry fee: $22
📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 (Expired)
Subnivean Awards
Soma Mei Sheng Frazier (Fiction) and Albert Abonado (Poetry)
Genres: Fiction and Poetry
The Subnivean Awards is an international literary competition that seeks outstanding fiction and poetry. The contest aims to highlight innovative works that break conventional molds.
Top Prize:
$150
Additional prizes:
Winner also receives a blurb by the appropriate final judge and publication in the May 2025 issue. Five finalists' works will be published and featured in a virtual event.
📅 Deadline: February 21, 2025 (Expired)
The Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition
Chicken House Books
Genres: Fiction, Novel, Novella, Science Fiction, Science Writing, and Young Adult
An annual contest for unpublished and unagented writers of children's fiction, focusing on originality and diverse voices. The competition seeks full-length novels suitable for readers aged 7-18.
Top Prize:
A worldwide publishing contract with Chicken House & royalty advance of £10,000
Additional prizes:
An offer of representation from a top literary agent
💰 Entry fee: $25
📅 Deadline: June 02, 2025
Creative Writing Award for Short Fiction
Aesthetica Magazine
Genres: Fiction and Short Story
The Creative Writing Award celebrates outstanding new writing talents in poetry and short fiction, offering a platform for authors globally to showcase their work. It emphasizes innovation in content and form across any theme.
Top Prize:
$2,500
Additional prizes:
Publication in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual One-year subscription to The London Magazine, Granta, and Mslexia Consultation with Redhammer Management Six-week writing short stories course from Curtis Brown Creative
💰 Entry fee: $18
📅 Deadline: August 31, 2025
