The Best Novel Writing Contests of 2022
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
Caledonia Novel Award
Now in our ninth year of competition, we are an Edinburgh-based, international award for unpublished and self-published novelists in all genres for adults and YA. This year's judge is Charlotte Seymour, literary agent at Johnson & Alcock. On top of the £1,500 top prize, the best entry from the UK and Ireland will receive a place on a writing course at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre.
£1, 500
Free place on a writing course at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre.
💰 Fee: $30
Deadline: November 01, 2022
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novel, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult, Romance, Suspense
View contestStockholm Writers Festival
SWF is proud to launch the First 5 Pages Prize to mark our 5th anniversary. Dazzle us with your brilliance. Delight us with your wit. Deceive us with your dastardly plot-twists. There will be one Grand Prize winner chosen from all entries. The winner will receive: $1000 cash, a ticket to SWF22, a pitch meeting with an agent conducted over Zoom, two night’s accommodation at a boutique hotel, and a full developmental edit donated by Reedsy, the industry’s leading platform for writing services.
$1,000
A full developmental edit donated by Reedsy & pitch meeting with an agent
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: January 31, 2022 (Expired)
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestRed Hen Press
Queer literature is often found in the side stacks, in the back of the bookstore, under “Gay and Lesbian.” These authors are put into a genre that barely fits them, excluded from mainstream funding, and more. Red Hen Press seeks to work against the politics of labeling while honoring and empowering authors who identify as queer through this contest.
$1,000
Publication by Red Hen Press
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: November 30, 2022
Fiction, Novel
View contestUNO Press
We are looking to publish the best novel/short story collection written this year. The selected author will receive a ten thousand dollar ($10,000) advance on royalties and a contract to publish with UNO Press.
$10,000
💰 Fee: $28
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Fiction, Novel, Short Story
View contestDzanc Books
The Dzanc Books Prize for Fiction recognizes daring, original, and innovative writing in novel form.
$5,000
Publication by Dzanc Books
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Fiction, Novel
View contestGrindstone Literary
The 2022 Grindstone International Novel Prize is open to authors from all around the world, and is aimed at discovering and elevating new and unsung authors. Authors may submit finished or part-finished manuscripts providing they are not currently represented by an agent. We forward all longlisted works to some of the best agencies in the UK such as Curtis Brown Books, Conville and Walsh, Janklow & Nesbitt, the Paper Literary Agency, the Good Literary Agency, and so many more. A full list can be found on our Affiliated Agents Page.
$1,300
Cash prizes and manuscripts forwarded to UK agencies
💰 Fee: $26
Deadline: October 01, 2022
Fiction, Novel
View contestDarling Axe Editing
Summarize your novel in 500 words for a chance at a $1000 CAD prize pool! Our judge, Michelle Barker, will be asking herself one question: "Does this synopsis convince me that I'm in the hands of an adept novelist with a unique and engaging story to tell?"
$560
$200 for second place, $100 for third
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: May 31, 2022
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestFiction Factory
Have you completed the first draft of your novel? Are you ready to pass it on to a fresh pair of eyes, to see if you are on the right track? Is your all-important first chapter ready for submission to an agent? Whatever your plans, your first chapter must shine – it must grab your readers or quickly lose their interest.
£500
A reading by a top London Literary Agent plus publication
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: May 31, 2022
Fiction, Novel
View contestPassionate Ink
Contest is open to all erotic fiction works published the previous year (eg 2021). Erotic romance stories have HEA and the romantic relationship grows through sexual interaction. Erotic fiction entries do not require an HEA/HFN.
Engraved award
Newsletter/Social Media promotion
💰 Fee: $40
Deadline: March 21, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel, Novella, Romance, Short Story
View contestUnleash Press
Writers are invited to submit novels, short story collections and creative nonfiction manuscripts. The Editors' Prize winner receives a publication contract with Unleash Press and $1000 prize, along with 10 printed copies of the final book. We may also offer publication contracts to additional outstanding manuscripts.
$1,000
Publishing contract
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: December 31, 2023
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Novel, Short Story
View contestWriterwerx University
Submit the first 1,000 words of your published book.
$2,000
2nd Place: $1,000 cash/prizes, 3rd Place $100 cash/prizes
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: February 28, 2022 (Expired)
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestCrime Writer's Association
The Debut Dagger is a competition for the opening of a crime novel by a writer who isn’t represented by an agent by the time the competition closes, and who has never had a traditional contract for any novel of any length, or who has never self-published any novel of any length in the last 5 years. Writers submit their opening 3,000 words and a 1,500 word synopsis. Entries from shortlisted writers are sent to UK literary agents and publishers. Every year, authors find representation this way.
$675
💰 Fee: $49
Deadline: February 28, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Suspense, Thriller
View contestBlue Pencil Agency
The Award is open to unrepresented and unpublished authors for a novel in any adult fiction genre. The winner and runners-up will receive an agent introduction and possibly a manuscript review.
£1,000
Agent introduction, manuscript review
💰 Fee: $27
Deadline: May 29, 2022
Fiction, Novel
View contestRed Hen Press
The Red Hen Fiction Award is for a fresh and original story of fiction with a minimum of 150 pages. The awarded manuscript is selected through an annual submission process which is open to all authors. Award is $1000 and publication of the awarded manuscript by Red Hen Press.
$1,000
Publication by Red Hen Press
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: September 30, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel
View contestRed Hen Press
Established in 2018, the Women’s Prose Prize is for previously unpublished, original work of prose. Novels, short story collections, memoirs, essay collections, and all other forms of prose writing are eligible for consideration. The awarded manuscript is selected through a biennial competition, held in even-numbered years, that is open to all writers who identify as women.
$1,000
Publication by Red Hen Press
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: February 28, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Non-fiction, Short Story, Essay, Memoir, Novel
View contesthttps://redhen.org/awards/
Established in 2018, the Novella Award is for a previously unpublished, original work of fiction between 15,000 and 30,000 words. Beginning in 2021, the Novella Award will be held biennially in even-numbered years. The award will open for submissions on January 31, 2022.
$1,000
Publication by Red Hen Press
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: July 31, 2022
Fiction, Novel, Novella
View contestLeague of Utah Writers
The Quills Awards are open to League of Utah Writers members who have published a book in the past year.
Trophy
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: May 13, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella
View contestGutsy Great Novelist
Submissions open Feb 1 – Mar 1. The Gutsy Great Novelist Chapter One Prize is awarded for an outstanding first chapter of an unpublished novel. First prize is $1,000; 2nd is $500; and 3rd is $250. The prize is open to anyone over 18 writing a novel in English in any genre for adult or YA readers. Winners announced Mar 15, 2022 on prize website and via social media.
$1,000
2nd is $500; and 3rd is $250
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: March 01, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel, Young Adult
View contestDandy Writers
Submit a story of no more than 200 words. Your submission must be in line with the theme of the month. A writer is only permitted to submit one application per month. No more than one application. No plagiarism, even if it’s your work already published. Your work must be yours. Your data entered must be accurate. You must pay the entry fee. Note: Failure to comply with these rules will result to your application cancelled. And your entry fee will not be refunded. Thanks as you obey these rules.
$300
Writing Job
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: May 30, 2023
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Short Story
View contestChanticleer Book Reviews and Media
The Dante Rossetti Awards Categories are: Contemporary Young Adult; SFF & Paranormal; Dystopian/Edgy/Urban; Mystery/Thriller/Suspense; Historical Young Adult; YA Adventure/Romance. The Chanticleer Prize Package includes: A Prize Ribbon to use in promotion at book signings and book festivals Digital Badges for display on your website or incorporation into book covers Book stickers to identify your print books to bookstore shoppers as they browse.
$1,000
💰 Fee: $99
Deadline: June 30, 2022
Fiction, Mystery, Novel, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestTheNextBigWriter, 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.
$500
Gold contest badge.
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: May 14, 2022 (Expired)
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Novel, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestDarling Axe Editing
A writing contest for querying authors! Our judge, Michelle Barker, will be asking herself one question: "does this query letter convince me that I'm in the hands of an adept novelist with a unique and engaging story to tell?" Optional feedback available.
$700
Publication on the Chopping Blog, plus free entry into one of our online courses
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: January 31, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel
View contestFlash 500
We are looking for an opening chapter up to 3,000 words, plus a one page synopsis outlining the balance of your story of any genre, so long as it's unpublished.
£500
2nd Place: £200
💰 Fee: $13
Deadline: October 31, 2022
Fiction, Novel
View contestWriter's Digest
Whether you’re a professional writer, a part-time freelancer or a self-starting student, here’s your chance to enter the premier self-published competition exclusively for self-published books. This self-published competition spotlights today’s self-published works and honors self-published authors.
$8,000
A feature in Writer's Digest
💰 Fee: $125
Deadline: May 02, 2022 (Expired)
Fantasy, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult, Novel
View contestFaith, Hope, Love Christian Romance Writers
The FHLRCA is open to all writers, members of FHL as well as non-members, who are published in Christian fiction. Books entered in the FHLRCA must be written from a Christian worldview.
Certificate and engraved box
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: March 01, 2022 (Expired)
Christian, Romance, Novel, Novella, Short Story, Suspense
View contestGeorgia Romance Writers
The purpose of the Published Maggie Award for Excellence is to recognize the achievements of Published authors of romantic fiction. The Maggie Award is a symbol of achievement given by the Georgia Romance Writers (GRW) to bring special attention to these authors. Opens February 14th, 2022.
Medallion
💰 Fee: $40
Deadline: March 31, 2022 (Expired)
Romance, Novel
View contestInkitt
Submit your mystery, thriller, suspense, or horror novel for the chance to become a published author and win huge cash prizes!
$20,000
2nd prize: $10,000 3rd prize: $5,000
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: February 28, 2022 (Expired)
Novel, Thriller
View contestThe 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.
£3,000
literary agent introductions
💰 Fee: $38
Deadline: May 31, 2022
Fiction, Novel, Young Adult
View contestAdventure Writers
Any novels between 50,000 and 200,000 words that are in the realm of action/adventure/thriller/mystery - and chocked-full of adventure - are welcome. New and previously published books welcome, though you must have sold or given away less than 10,000 books of the title(s) you enter. We do not accept sci-fi, fantasy, horror or young children's books. See our website for info on rules and entering.
$1,000
Consideration by Braveship Books for publishing/promotion, free book trailer, free editing sample
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: April 30, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel, Thriller, Mystery
View contestNimrold International Journal of Prose and Poetry
The Awards are among the most distinguished literary prizes in the country. Past judges include Karen Russell, Stanley Kunitz, Marvin Bell and Mark Doty. Poetry submissions should be 3-10 pages of poetry (one long poem or several short poems), and fiction submissions should be 7,500 words maximum (one short story or a self-contained excerpt from a novel).
$2,000
Publication
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: April 01, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Novel
View contestAssociation of Writers & Writing Programs
AWP sponsors the Award Series, an annual competition for the publication of excellent new book-length works. The competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence, and is available to published and unpublished authors alike.
$2,500
Publication by New Issues Press
💰 Fee: $30
Deadline: February 28, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel
View contestGrindstone Literary
The Crucible First Novel Award is a brand new, free to enter competition for unrepresented authors. We are looking for the best new novels in crime, mystery, and thriller, and are asking entrants to submit the first 5,000 words of their manuscripts, along with a 150 word 'elevator pitch'. We will choose the best 20-30 entries, and compile them into the Crucible Chapbook, which will be sent to a list of agents and agencies.
Published in chapbook & sent to agencies
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: February 01, 2021 (Expired)
Crime, Mystery, Novel, Thriller
View contestMinotaur 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.
$10,000 advance
Contract with Minotaur Books
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: November 30, 2021 (Expired)
Mystery, Novel
View contestMinotaur 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.
$10,000 advance
Contract with Minotaur Books
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: January 01, 2022 (Expired)
Mystery, Novel
View contestKiller Nashville
Created in 2009, the Killer Nashville Claymore Award assists new and rebranding English-language fiction authors to get published, including possible agent representation, book advances, editor deals, and movie and television sales. The contest is limited to only the first 50 double-spaced pages of unpublished English-language manuscripts containing elements of thriller, mystery, crime, or suspense NOT currently under contract.
Possible contract with Mystery Writers of America
💰 Fee: $40
Deadline: April 01, 2022 (Expired)
Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Novel, Science Fiction, Thriller
View contest