The Best Lgbtq Writing Contests of 2023
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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Showing 14 contests
Queer Sci-Fi Flash Fiction Contest
Queer Sci-Fi
Every year, QSF holds a flash fiction contest to create an amazing new anthology of queer speculative fiction stories. We ask authors to do the nearly-impossible – to submit a sci fi, fantasy, paranormal or horror LGBTIQA story that has no more than 300 words.
Top prize
$100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: May 01, 2023
Genres
Flash Fiction, LGBTQ, Science Fiction
View contestJ. Michael Samuel Prize for Emerging Writers Over 50
Lambda Literary
The J. Michael Samuel Prize honors emerging LGBTQ writers over the age of 50. This award is made possible by writer and philanthropist Chuck Forester, who created it out of the firmly held belief that “Writers who start late are just as good as other writers, it just took the buggers more time.” The prize will go to an unpublished LGBTQ writer over 50 working in any genre.
Top prize
$5,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: February 17, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
LGBTQ
View contestJudith A. Markowitz Award for Exceptional New LGBTQ Writers
Lambda Literary
Lambda Literary has played a pivotal role in nurturing the development of exceptional new LGBTQ writers through the Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices, internships, and writing and performance opportunities. The Judith A. Markowitz Award for Exceptional New LGBTQ Writers recognizes LGBTQ-identified writers whose work demonstrates their strong potential for promising careers.
Top prize
$1000 (x2)
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: February 17, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
LGBTQ
View contestJeanne Córdova Prize for Lesbian/Queer Nonfiction
Lambda Literary
Lambda Literary’s Jeanne Córdova Prize for Lesbian/Queer Nonfiction, in memory of the beloved activist and author, honors lesbian/queer-identified women and trans/gender non-conforming nonfiction authors. The award will go to a writer committed to nonfiction work that captures the depth and complexity of lesbian/queer life, culture, and/or history.
Top prize
$2,500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: February 17, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
LGBTQ, Non-fiction
View contestJim Duggins, PhD Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist Prize
Lambda Literary
Dedicated to the memory of author and journalist Jim Duggins, this prize honors LGBTQ-identified authors who have published multiple novels, built a strong reputation and following, and show promise to continue publishing high quality work for years to come.
Top prize
$5000 (x2)
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: February 17, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, LGBTQ, Novel
View contestSaints and Sinners Short Story Contest
Saints and Sinners
The winner will be selected from submissions of original, unpublished short stories between 3,000 and 7,000 words with LGBT content on the broad theme of “Saints and Sinners.”
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Two second place prizes of $100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: October 01, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
LGBTQ, Short Story
View contestSaints and Sinners Poetry Contest
Saints and Sinners
The winner will be selected from submissions of original unpublished poems by LGBTQ+ writers on the general theme of RAIN.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Two second place prizes of $100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: October 15, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
LGBTQ, Poetry
View contestBetween Man and God
Arts Lounge NYC
In most West African countries, queer people live in constant fear, abused by both public and private agencies that refuse to acknowledge their rights to live and love freely. This contest and anthology celebrates their tenacity and their refusal to be silenced. Honorarium will be given to the top three best selected entries to acknowledge the excellency of their craft and to encourage visibility through writing. All shortlisted submissions will be published.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
$750 for second place, $500 for third
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: September 15, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, LGBTQ, Non-fiction
View contestRandall Kenan Prize for Black LGBTQ Fiction
Lambda Literary
The Randall Kenan Prize for Black LGBTQ Fiction, in memory of the celebrated author Randall Kenan, honors Black LGBTQ writers of fiction. The award will go to a Black LGBTQ writer whose fiction explores themes of Black LGBTQ life, culture, and/or history. To be eligible, the winner of the prize must have published at least one book and show promise in continuing to produce groundbreaking work.
Top prize
$3,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: February 15, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
LGBTQ, Novel
View contestPFD Children's Queer Fiction Prize
Peter Fraser + Dunlop
Judged by E. Latimer and agents Silvia Molteni and Lucy Irvine. Accepting middle grade (aimed at readers aged 8-12) and chapter books (aimed at readers aged 6-8) fiction samples across all genres. Applicants are asked to submit a three-chapter sample and synopsis. Works may be finished or in-progress.
Top prize
Publishing contract with PFD
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: March 01, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Children's, Fiction, LGBTQ
View contestPFD YA Queer Fiction Prize
Peter Fraser + Dunlop
Judged by E. Latimer and agents Silvia Molteni and Lucy Irvine. Accepting YA fiction samples across all genres. Applicants are asked to submit a three-chapter sample and synopsis. Works may be finished or in-progress.
Top prize
Publishing contract with PFD
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: March 01, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
LGBTQ, Novel, Young Adult
View contestPFD Adult Queer Fiction Prize
Peters Fraser + Dunlop
Judged by Okechukwu Nzelu and agent Cara Lee Simpson. Accepting fiction samples for upmarket and literary fiction across all genres. Applicants are asked to submit a three-chapter sample and synopsis. Works may be finished or in-progress.
Top prize
Publishing contract with PFD
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: March 01, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, LGBTQ, Novel
View contestLambda Literary Award
Lambda Literary
Lambda Literary Awards celebrate the best LGBTQ books published in a given year. Submissions are judged principally on literary merit and content relevant to LGBTQ lives. Lambda Literary Awards are open to all authors regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity except in the case of the special awards that mark specific stages of an individual LGBTQ writer’s career.
Top prize
Award
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: December 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, LGBTQ, Novel
View contestLumiere Review Writing Contest
Lumiere Review
The Lumiere Review is back with our annual Writing Contest! We accept both poems and prose (fiction, nonfiction) from all writers. That said, we particularly encourage emerging writers, as well as those who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA, disabled, or other marginalized groups to submit to our contest. We will actively promote writers with these backgrounds.
Top prize
$100
Additional prizes
Publication in Lumiere Magazine
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: January 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
LGBTQ, Poetry, Short Story
View contest
