The Best Novella Writing Contests of 2023
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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.
$2,500
$6,000.00 USD in total cash prizes
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: August 15, 2023 (Expired)
Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestIndignor House Publishing
Indignor House Publishing is proud to announce that our annual writing competition (INDIGNOR PLAYHOUSE Short Story Annual Competition) is officially open with expected publication in the fall of 2024. Up to 25 submissions will be accepted for inclusion in the annual anthology.
$500
2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: March 31, 2024
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestSunspot 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.
$500
Publication in digital and print editions
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: July 31, 2023 (Expired)
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Romance, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestMiami University
The Miami University Novella Prize is awarded annually to a novella-length manuscript of original fiction (18,000–40,000 words). The winner receives $1,000, a standard contract, publication and 20 copies of the book.
$1,000
Publication through the University of Miami Press
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: August 30, 2023 (Expired)
Fiction, Novella
View contestUniversity of North Texas Press
The University of North Texas Press announces the 2024 Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fiction. The winner of this annual award will receive $1000 and publication by UNT Press. Entries will be judged by an eminent writer.
$1,000
Publication by UNT Press
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: June 30, 2023 (Expired)
Flash Fiction, Novella, Short Story
View contestWeatherglass Books
Write a work of literary fiction of novella length (20k-40k words) and be published by Weatherglass Books. Ali Smith will judge the short list.
Advance of £1000 | Published by Autumn 2024
💰 Fee: $19
Deadline: August 31, 2023 (Expired)
Fiction, Novella
View contestTim Saunders Publications
The Paul Cave Prize for Literature, established in 2023 by Tim Saunders Publications, is in memory of Paul Astley Cave-Browne-Cave (1917 to 2010), a hugely inspirational magazine and book publisher. What we are looking for All forms of poetry: haiku, free verse, sonnet, acrostic, villanelle, ballad, limerick, ode, elegy, flash fiction, short stories and novellas. Work must be new and unpublished. International submissions welcome.
£100
Best Short Story: £50 | Best Flash Fiction: £25 | Best Poem: £25
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: September 30, 2023
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestQuills and Keyboard
We are made of students hosting a contest for teen & YA authors. There are 15 categories, from journalism to a section for novelists’ favorite chapters. Qualified judges will send feedback on each piece. We partnered with many writing organizations such as Teen Author Boot Camp and Newpages and recognized by non-profits such as Polyphony Lit.
Publication in Under the Madness and Skipping Stones
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: May 20, 2023 (Expired)
Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novella, Poetry, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Script Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestReader 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.
$2,500
Several marketing prizes (e.g. book review)
💰 Fee: $89
Deadline: December 31, 2023
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestWolfe Pack & Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine
Novellas are an important part of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe's opus. To celebrate this format, the Wolfe Pack and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine have partnered to sponsor the Black Orchid Novella Award. Each entry must be an original, unpublished work of fiction that conforms to the literary tradition of the Nero Wolfe series.
$1,000
Publication in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: May 31, 2023 (Expired)
Crime, Mystery, Novella
View contestDarling 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!
$700 CAD
2nd: $200 CAD | 3rd: $100 CAD
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: May 31, 2023 (Expired)
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestTexas Review
Established in 2001, The Clay Reynolds Novella Prize highlights one book a year that excels in the novella format. Since 2019 the Prize comes with $500, a standard royalty contract, and 20 copies of the published book.
$500
A Standard Royalty contract, 20 copies of the novella published
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: March 31, 2023 (Expired)
Fiction, Novella
View contestChicken 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.
A worldwide publishing contract with Chicken House & royalty advance of £10,000
An offer of representation from a top literary agent
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: June 01, 2023 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel, Novella, Science Fiction, Science Writing, 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.
$577
💰 Fee: $41
Deadline: February 28, 2023 (Expired)
Fiction, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Suspense, Thriller
View contestThe Florida Review
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Florida Review is given annually for a chapbook of short fiction, short nonfiction, or graphic narrative. Submit a manuscript of up to 45 pages with a $25 entry fee by December 31. All entries are considered for publication. All entrants receive a 1-year subscription. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
$1,000
Publication
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: December 31, 2022 (Expired)
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novella, Short Story
View contestThe Historical Fiction Company
An exclusive book contest for Historical Fiction, including all subgenres of historical romance, mystery, fantasy, time travel, alternate history, YA/children, non-fiction, and novellas. We have sixteen categories with gold, silver, and bronze winners in each category. The top prize is chosen from the gold category winners and receives $1000 in cash plus a stunning crystal trophy and our new prize - a one-of-a-kind leather-bound book of the winning book.
$1,000
💰 Fee: $50
Deadline: November 29, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel, Novella, Romance, Young Adult
View contestLazuli Literary Group
We are not concerned with genre distinctions. Send us the best you have; we want only for it to be thoughtful, intelligent, and beautiful. We want art that grows in complexity upon each visitation; we enjoy ornate, cerebral, and voluptuous phrases executed with thematic intent.
$500
Publication in "AZURE: A Journal of Literary Thought"
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: February 22, 2023 (Expired)
Essay, Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Novella, Script Writing
View contestFiction Collective Two
The FC2 Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest is open to any writer in English who has not previously published with FC2. Submissions may include a collection of short stories, one or more novellas, or a novel of any length. There is no length requirement. Works that have previously appeared in magazines or in anthologies may be included.
$1,500
Publication by FC2
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: November 01, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel, Short Story, Novella
View contestFiction Collective 2
The FC2 Catherine Doctorow Innovative Fiction Prize is open to any writer in English with at least three books of fiction published. Submissions may include a collection of short stories, one or more novellas, or a novel of any length.
$15,000
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: November 01, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel, Novella, Short Story
View contestThe Darling Axe
If you want a reader to buy your book or an agent to offer you representation, then it only makes sense to have a stunning first page. That's what the First Page Challenge is all about—we're open to fiction or narrative nonfiction, short stories or full-length manuscripts. Our judge, Michelle Barker, will be asking herself one question: "How likely am I to turn this page and keep reading?"
$700 CAD
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: September 30, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel, Novella, Short Story
View contestBooksShelf
We look for an original and captivating work of fiction or nonfiction. The genre is not important - the story is. We're looking forward to reading your amazing books!
$200 USD Fiction | $100 USD Nonfiction
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: January 31, 2023 (Expired)
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestUniversity of Louisville
The Calvino Prize is an annual fiction competition sponsored by the Creative Writing Program in the English Department of the University of Louisville. They will be awarded to outstanding pieces of fiction in the fabulist experimentalist style of Italo Calvino. The first place entry will be published in Miracle Monocle journal at the University of Louisville.
$2,000
Publication in Miracle Monocle
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: October 15, 2022 (Expired)
Novel, Novella, Short Story
View contestBriar Press NY
Briar Press NY is looking for a Novella in the Gothic tradition, previously unpublished and set in any historical time period and place/culture up until 1970. We are looking for beautiful writing, an engaging plot, memorable characters, and that authentic Gothic atmosphere (classic tropes are welcomed, but we also want substance and depth!) 75 to 150 pp long (18,000 to 38,000 words)
Publication with Briar Press NY in Autumn 2022
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: July 15, 2022 (Expired)
Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Novella, Romance, Thriller
View contestBest Indie Book Award
The annual Best Indie Book Award® (or BIBA®) is an international literary awards contest recognizing self-published and independently published authors from all over the world. Entries are limited to independently (indie) published books, including those from small presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors.
Trophy
💰 Fee: $65
Deadline: October 01, 2022 (Expired)
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestAnkara Circle
The Tales By Moonlight Contest is a novella writing competition. The genre for the competition is fiction and the theme is magic. Contest entries can range from 7,500 - 40,000 words in length. Winners will be decided by a public voting system.
$1,000
Publication on platform
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: September 15, 2022 (Expired)
Fantasy, Fiction, Novella
View contestBath Flash Fiction Award
The goal of the Novella-in-Flash Award is to promote flash fiction for both writers and readers and to bring the genre to a wider audience. There is a 6000 to 18000 word limit and each flash (or chapter) should not be more than about 1000 words.
£300
£100 for two runners-up, publication
💰 Fee: $19
Deadline: January 15, 2023 (Expired)
Novel, Short Story, Novella
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 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 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 (Expired)
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 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 (Expired)
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Short Story
View contestMiami Book Fair
The Miami Book Fair has partnered with The de Groot Foundation to launch the Miami Book Fair/de Groot Prize to be awarded to an author for an unpublished novella. We created the MBF/de Groot Prize to fan the flame in emerging writers who yearn to be published. We want the prize to bring out the best in new authors who have a story that needs to be heard.
$6,000
Publication by Melville House & an expense-paid trip to the Miami Book Fair
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: May 30, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Novella
View contestSFWP
We are seeking fiction and creative nonfiction of every genre. The contest is open to authors who have not been published by a major press. We publish in English, but the contest is open to writers from anywhere in the world. The early-bird entry fee (December 15th-February 15th) will be $25.
$1,500
Two runner ups will be selected, each receiving $700.
💰 Fee: $30
Deadline: July 15, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella
View contestRubery 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.
£2000
£200, a write-up
💰 Fee: $60
Deadline: March 31, 2022 (Expired)
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult, Romance
View contestCRAFT
We are looking for excerpts of book-length fiction, up to 5,000 words total. Please submit the first chapter (or chapters) of your unpublished novels/novellas, completed or in progress. Masie Cochran of Tin House is our guest judge.
$2,800
publication in CRAFT magazine + manuscript critique
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: June 30, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel, Novella
View contest