The Best Novel Writing Contests of 2023
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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Showing 86 contests
First Chapter + Synopsis Competition
Fiction Factory
Why not enter the Fiction Factory First Chapter Competition? Send us your first chapter + a 1 page synopsis (if your first chapter is more than 5000 words, send it with the 5000 word point clearly marked). First Prize: £500 + an appraisal and a reading by a top London Literary Agent. All short-listed entrants will receive a free appraisal. Appraisals: For an extra fee, £20, we will write a comprehensive appraisal of your chapter. Results will be published in July, 2024
Top prize
£500
Additional prizes
A reading by a top London Literary Agent plus publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $22
Deadline: February 29, 2024
Genres
Fiction, Novel
View contestLetter Review Prize for Manuscripts
Letter Review
The Letter Review Prize for Manuscripts (Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction) is open to writers from anywhere in the world. Three Winners are awarded and have extracts published. 20 entries are Longlisted. Winners receive letter of recommendation for publishers.
Top prize
$1000 (shared by 3 winners)
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: December 31, 2023
Genres
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Novel, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestClash of the Query Letters
Darling Axe Editing
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?
Top prize
CAD $700
Additional prizes
CAD $200 for 2nd place, $100 for 3rd place
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: January 31, 2024
Genres
Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestPut Your Heart in a Book Contest
New Jersey Romance Writers
Submissions will consist of a FIRST chapter, not to exceed 30 pages, and a PROJECTED WORD COUNT of the completed manuscript. A prologue may be included as part of the first chapter, if within page total guidelines. An UNJUDGED SYNOPSIS must be included at the end of the submission, clearly defined with a page break and titled "SYNOPSIS". The synopsis will not count toward the page count.
Top prize
$200
Additional prizes
Social media promotion, feedback from 2 published authors
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: August 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Novel
View contestKiller Nashville Silver Falchion Award
Killer Nashville
The Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award is committed to discovering new writers, as well as superlative books by established authors and, upon discovery, sharing those writers and their works with new readers. There are a large number of both fiction and non-fiction categories you can enter.
Top prize
$250
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $79
Deadline: June 15, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Science Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story, Thriller
View contestPassionate Plume
Passionate Ink
Contest is open to all erotic fiction works published the previous year. Erotic romance stories have HEA and the romantic relationship grows through sexual interaction. Erotic fiction entries do not require an HEA/HFN.
Top prize
Engraved award
Additional prizes
Newsletter/Social Media promotion
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $40
Deadline: March 21, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Novella, Romance, Short Story
View contestNovel Fair 2024
Irish Writers Centre
Now in its 12th year, the Novel Fair is an annual competition initiated by the Irish Writers Centre. Described by The Irish Times as ‘A Dragons’ Den for writers’, each year the Fair introduces twelve up-and-coming writers to top publishers and literary agents, giving novelists the opportunity to bypass the slush pile, pitch their ideas and place their synopsis and sample chapters directly into the hands of industry professionals. Novel Fair has been attended by representatives from: Curtis Brown, Penguin Random House, Conville & Walsh, époque, Fletcher & Co, Poolbeg Press, Harper Collins, John Murray, Hachette, Lilliput Press, New Island Books, The Book Bureau, The Bent Agency, Greene & Heaton, Storyline Literary Agency and many others.
Top prize
Present your novel to leading publishers and agents at the Irish Writers Centre
Additional prizes
Runners up: Critique from the judging panel
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $60
Deadline: September 30, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novel, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestI Am In Print Novel Award 2023
I Am In Print Ltd
I Am In Print are excited to be working with Canelo, one of the largest independent digitally focused publishers in Europe and one of the largest UK fiction publishers by volume, to find the best, as yet unpublished, manuscripts. Novels entered must be complete, written in English and be between 70,000 and 100,000 words. The award is open to writers globally and novels written for an adult audience in the following genres are welcome: Action thriller, Cosy mystery, Crime, Historical adventure, Horror, Psychological thriller, Romance, Saga. First prize is £1000 plus a 60 minute online consultation with a Canelo Editor!
Top prize
£1000
Additional prizes
60 minute online consultation with a Canelo Editor
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: October 09, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novel, Romance, Thriller
View contestThe Book of the Year Awards
The Independent Author Network
The Independent Author Network presents the 2024 IAN Book of the Year Awards, an international contest open to all authors with 55 fiction and non-fiction categories. Winners are eligible to receive a share of cash prizes of $6,000 USD. Open to all English language print and eBooks available for sale, including small presses, mid-size independent publishers, university presses, and self-published authors.
Top prize
$2,500
Additional prizes
$6,000.00 USD in total cash prizes
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: August 15, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestThe Masters Review Novel Excerpt Contest
The Masters Review
Each fall, The Masters Review hosts a call for novel excerpts! Writing a novel can be an arduous and lonely process, but we’re here to champion the great work being produced. Whether your book is not quite finished or ready to pitch, we want to read your words. For this contest, we’re looking for self-contained excerpts that display a strong voice, compelling characters, and carefully constructed narrative arcs. You may submit an excerpt from any section of your completed or in-progress novel, but choose wisely: a synopsis should not be required for understanding the excerpt. As always, we have no limitations on genre, though we are primarily interested in literary fiction.
Top prize
$3,000
Additional prizes
2nd: $300, online publication | 3rd: $200, online publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: November 12, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel
View contestGeorge Garrett Fiction Prize
Texas Review Press
Established in 1998, The George Garrett Fiction Prize highlights one book a year for excellence in a short story collection or novel. Since 2019, the prize comes with a $1,000 advance, a standard royalty contract, and 20 copies of the published book.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Standard royalty contract with TRP and 20 author copies of the published book
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $28
Deadline: September 30, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel
View contestShe Writes Press and SparkPress Towards Equality in Publishing (STEP)
SparkPoint Studio
Since 2018, we’ve been proud to play a role in the much-needed elevation of writers of color by awarding 2-3 authors of color publishing packages per year as part of our She Writes Press and SparkPress Toward Equality in Publishing (STEP). The purpose of this contest is to support inclusivity across our lists, and to fortify our own mission to give voice to women writers.
Top prize
Publishing package valued at $9500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: August 15, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Novel, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestInception 2023
Sunspot Lit
Beginnings have the power to spark passion or curiosity. They might immediately connect a specific place and time with an emotional tone. The best openings offer a feeling, atmosphere, action, or image that is gripping, and hints at more to come. For Sunspot Lit’s Inception contest, send your best opening. There are no restrictions on theme, category, or the length of the piece or collection from which the excerpt comes. Word limit is 250 for prose, 25 words for poetry.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication in digital and print editions
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: July 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Romance, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestFirst Crime Novel Competition
Macmillan Publishers
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.)
Top prize
$10,000 advance
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: December 15, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Novel
View contestGreen Stories Writing Competition
University of Southampton
Theme: Microbes to the Rescue! This short story competition is sponsored by the Environmental Biotechnology Network. It may appeal to writers with a scientific bent as it aims to use fiction to raise awareness of Environmental Biotechnology and what microbial systems can do for us. Eligibility: Open to all – we encourage international writers. All submissions must be in English and unpublished. Length: We ask for a short story of between 1000 and 3000 words.
Top prize
£500 prize
Additional prizes
2nd: £200 | 3rd: £100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: September 21, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Short Story, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller
View contestPage One Prize for Novelists
Gutsy Great Novelist
The Gutsy Great Novelist Page One Prize is awarded for an outstanding opening page 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.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
2nd $500 | 3rd $250
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: July 14, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestCaledonia Novel Award
Caledonia Novel Award
Now in our 10th 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 Ariella Feiner, literary agent at United Agents. As well as the top prizes, the writer of the best entry from the UK & Ireland wins a free place on a writing course at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre.
Top prize
£1,500
Additional prizes
Highly Commended novel wins £500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $30
Deadline: November 01, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Young Adult
View contest2024 Book Prize
Unleash 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.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publishing contract
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: December 15, 2023
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Novel, Short Story, Non-fiction
View contestReader Views Literary Awards
Reader Views
The Reader Views Literary Awards program helps level the playing field for self-published authors, recognizing the most creative and exciting new books in the industry. Our awards program is recognized industry-wide as one of the top literary awards programs for independent authors.
Top prize
$2,500
Additional prizes
Several marketing prizes (e.g. book review)
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $89
Deadline: December 31, 2023
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestThe Synopsis Skirmish—a contest for querying authors
Darling Axe Editing
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?" According to literary agent Sarah Davies, a good query submission can be described in terms of concept and craft. In other words, you want to convey an original idea or fresh take and demonstrate a mastery of narrative structure. These elements are both important in your pitch, but even more so in your synopsis. So lay out your story's chain of consequence, and demonstrate character, context, and conflict—with style but without gimmick. And may the best plot summary win!
Top prize
$700 CAD
Additional prizes
2nd: $200 CAD | 3rd: $100 CAD
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: May 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestDzanc 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 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel
View contestFirst 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
View contestThe 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
View contestThe 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
View contestChapter 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
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 contestAWP Prize for the Novel
Association 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.
Top prize
$2,500
Additional prizes
Publication by New Issues Press
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $30
Deadline: March 03, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel
View contestNimrod Literary Awards
Nimrold International Journal of Prose and Poetry
All finalists in fiction and poetry will be published and paid at our standard publication rate. Semi-finalists in poetry will also be published and paid at our standard publication rate.
Top prize
$2000 + Publication
Additional prizes
2nd: $1000 + Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: April 01, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Novel
View contestThe Adventure Writers Competition
Adventure 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.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Two AWC Finalist Awards: $500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $50
Deadline: April 30, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Thriller, Mystery
View contestThe 2023 Bloom Writing Contest
The European Society of Literature
The 2023 Bloom Writing Contest is a writing competition that seeks to find hidden talent in the literary scene. The contest will place heavy emphasis on works of deep meaning, aesthetic beauty and literary quality—just as Harold Bloom did. The 2023 Bloom Writing Contest accepts submissions of all types, whether it be an essay, a poem, a short story.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $3
Deadline: May 01, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Novel, Poetry
View contestAtlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Ayn Rand Institute
The Atlas Shrugged novel essay contest is open to all students globally. Atlas Shrugged is a heroic mystery novel written by Ayn Rand. Choose a prompt and write a 800-1,600 word essay.
Top prize
$10,000
Additional prizes
2nd: $2,000 (x3) | 3rd: $1,000 (x5) | 25 finalists: $100 | 50 semifinalists: $50
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: November 06, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Mystery, Novel, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestThe Big Moose Prize
Black Lawrence Press
Each year Black Lawrence Press will award The Big Moose Prize for an unpublished novel. The prize is open to new, emerging, and established writers. The winner of this contest will receive book publication, a $1,000 cash award, and ten copies of the book. Prizes will be awarded on publication. The Big Moose Prize is open to traditional novels as well as novels-in-stories, novels-in-poems, and other hybrid forms that contain within them the spirit of a novel.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication, 10 copies of your book
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $27
Deadline: January 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Poetry, Short Story
View contestBridport Novel Award
Bridport Arts Centre
Your novel doesn't have to be finished. We initially need only 5,000 to 8,000 words plus a 300 word synopsis. If you're long listed we'll ask for a total of 15,000 words, including your original word count. Shortlisted? Then we need a total 30,000 words, again including your original entry and long listed word count. It all adds up to an incredible opportunity.
Top prize
£1500
Additional prizes
£750 for the runner up and three prizes of £150
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $29
Deadline: May 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel
View contestThe Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition
Chicken House Books
We're looking for original ideas, a fresh voice, a diverse range of entries and stories that children will love! To enter, you must have written a full-length novel suitable for children/young adults aged between 7 and 18 years. We suggest a minimum of 30,000 words and ask that manuscripts do not exceed 80,000 words. The IET 150 Award will be awarded to a manuscript that celebrates Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
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 requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: June 01, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Novella, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Young Adult
View contestThe Kurt Brown Prizes
Association of Writers & Writing Programs
AWP will offer three scholarships of $500 each to be awarded to three first-place winners in the genres of creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. These scholarships must be used to attend a writers’ conference, center, retreat, festival, or residency at one of the AWP member programs in the Directory of Conferences & Centers. All winners and six finalists will also receive a one-year individual membership.
Top prize
$500 scholarship
Additional prizes
one-year membership
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: March 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Short Story
View contest
