The Best Mystery Writing Contests of 2023
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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Manage a competition? Submit it here
Showing 78 contests
The 2022 First Chapter Book Contest
TheNextBigWriter, LLC
Have a book or a novel idea you've been noodling? Enter your first chapter into the Booksie First Chapter Contest and see how it does. You don't need to have finished the book. You don't even need more than the first chapter. We're looking for a start that will grab our attention, that is original, that is well written, and that makes us want to beg you to see what comes next. And for those we find, we'll provide some awards to inspire you to finish writing the book or, if finished, to help get it published.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Gold contest badge.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: May 14, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Novel, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestThe George Floyd Short Story Competition Vol2
Nottingham Writers' Studio
We’ll be taking stories of up to 5,000 words, on the theme of the environment and the ongoing climate crisis. Entrants can write in any genre. There is no fee to take part and we’re offering cash prizes to every successful applicant plus publication in our next anthology. 1st - £250 2nd - £125 3rd - £75 Runner up - £15
Top prize
£250
Additional prizes
Publication in anthology - Earth 2.0
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: February 28, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestSeason Themes
HAVOK Publishing
HAVOK is a constant flash fiction contest, with rolling deadlines. Each season is split into monthly competitions with thematically connected prompts in a range of genres.
Top prize
$100
Additional prizes
Publication in an anthology. Potential for larger gift card wins.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: January 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Flash Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestBook Pipeline Unpublished Contest
Book Pipeline
Launched in 2014, Book Pipeline connects writers worldwide with publishers, editors, agents, and the film industry. Through two submission platforms—Unpublished and Adaptation—the company seeks both new and established authors. For over 22 years, Pipeline has bridged the gap between up-and-coming writers and the industry through a unique, long-term, hands-on facilitation process. The result thus far has been $8 million in scripts sold to studios and networks since 1999.
Top prize
$15,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $45
Deadline: May 25, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Young Adult
View contestBest First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition
Minotaur Books & Malice Domestic
Welcome to the Tony Hillerman Prize for Best First Mystery Set in the Southwest Competition! The Competition is open to any writer, regardless of nationality, aged 18 or older, who has never been the author of any Published Mystery Novel (including self-published works and ebooks), as defined by the guidelines below, and is not under contract with a publisher for publication of a mystery novel.
Top prize
$10,000 advance
Additional prizes
Contract with Minotaur Books
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: November 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Mystery, Novel
View contestTony Hillerman Prize for Best First Mystery set in the Southwest
Minotaur Books
Welcome to the Tony Hillerman Prize for Best First Mystery Set in the Southwest Competition! Please read all of the rules and guidelines before submitting your entry. You can find the complete rules and guidelines on our website.
Top prize
$10,000 advance
Additional prizes
Contract with Minotaur Books
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: January 01, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Mystery, Novel
View contestMystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition
Mystery Writers of America & Minotaur Books
MWA is the premier organization for mystery and crime writers, professionals allied to the crime-writing field, aspiring crime writers, and folks who just love to read crime fiction. To enter, you must complete an online entry form and upload an electronic file of your Manuscript. The entry form will allow you to upload one electronic file.
Top prize
Advance against future royalties of $10,000 & publishing contract
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: December 17, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Mystery, Novel
View contestThe Rubery Prize
Rubery Book Awards
The Rubery Prize is a prestigious international book award seeking the best books by indie writers, self published authors and books published by independent presses, judged by reputable judges. Through our reputation of finding quality and outstanding books we aim to bring recognition to the works that win and heighten an author's profile.
Top prize
£2000
Additional prizes
£200, a write-up
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $60
Deadline: March 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult, Romance
View contest
