The Best Writing Contests of 2019
Over 300 writing competitions curated by Reedsy
Browse 394 contests that match your search 🔦
Better Than Starbucks 2018 Sonnet Contest
This contest is for a metrical sonnet. Your sonnet can be shakespearean, petrarchan, spenserian, rhymed, or slant-rhymed. Blank verse is fine, as long as the sonnet form is clearly identifiable. We'll consider tetrameter, hexameter, etc. as well as pentameter.
Deadline December 01, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$100
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Poetry,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: FREE
Great Midwest Writing Contest 2019
We're looking for thoughtful and thought-provoking writing that examines, interprets, and redefines the wide spectrum of life, past and present, in the Midwest.
Deadline December 01, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$500
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $15
The Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry
The Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry is awarded annually to an African poet who has not yet published a collection of poetry. Along with $1,000, the winner recives book publication through the University of Nebraska Press and Amalion Press in Senegal. Poetry manuscripts should be at least 50 pages long.
Deadline December 01, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Book publication through the University of Nebraska Press and Amalion Press in Senegal
Genres
Poetry,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: FREE
Fall 2018 Story Contest
We 're looking for short shorts, short stories, essays, memoirs, photo essays, graphic stories, all forms of literary nonfiction, and excerpts from longer works of both fiction and nonfiction. Entries must be previously unpublished, no longer than 15,000 words, and must not have been previously chosen as a winner, finalist, or honorable mention in another contest.
Deadline November 30, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$2,500
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $26
Flash Fiction Writing Contest
Share your story story (of 500 words or less) to enter this writing contest. Can you share a complete story with a limited number of words?
Deadline November 30, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$100
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Flash Fiction,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $10
Flash Fiction Writing Contest
Share your story story (of 500 words or less) to enter this writing contest. Can you share a complete story with a limited number of words?
Deadline November 30, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$100
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $10
Glimmer Train Contest 2018
Word count: 12,000 words, any shorter length stories are more than welcome. Open to all writers.
Deadline November 30, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$700
Additional prizes
Publication in Glimmer Train Stories
Genres
Fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $2
Horror Writing Contest
Write a horror story to enter this writing contest.
Deadline November 10, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$100
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Fiction, Humor, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $10
5-7-5 Poetry Contest
Share a three line poem with a specific syllable count to enter this poetry contest.
Deadline November 06, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$100
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Poetry,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $10
John Steinbeck Award for Fiction
The John Steinbeck Award for Fiction is for a work of fiction up to 5000 words. The winner receives a cash prize of $1,000 and all entries are considered for publication. Entries open on June 1st, 2018 and close November 1st, 2018.
Deadline November 01, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $15
The Zebulon Fiction Writing Contest
Hosted by Pikes Peak Writers, the Zebulon gives fiction writers at all levels the chance to get their work in front of professional agents and editors. The contest simulates the real process of acquiring an agent, serving as an excellent learning experience.
Deadline November 01, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
Pikes Peak Writers Conference ticket
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Fiction,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $2
Eyelands Book Awards 2018
Eligible submissions include: unpublished poetry, novellas, short story collections, novels.
Deadline October 20, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
Publication from Strange Days Books
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Poetry, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $3
TWF Poetry Contest
Tennessee Williams Literary Arts Festival
Submit 2-4 original, unpublished poems of any style or theme, written in English, with a combined length of up to 400 lines.
Deadline October 15, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Poetry,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $15
TWF Very Short Fiction Contest
Tennessee Williams Literary Arts Festival
A submission is one original short story, written in English, up to 1,000 words.
Deadline October 15, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$500
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $1
SAS Fiction Contest
Tennessee Williams Literary Arts Festival
The winner will be selected from this year 's submissions of original, unpublished short stories between 3,000 and 7,000 words with LGBT content on the broad theme of ÐSaints and Sinners.Ó This contest would not be possible without a generous grant from The John Burton Harter Foundation.
Deadline October 01, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$500
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $2
The Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry
The Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry is awarded annually to a book published in the previous calendar year by an African poet. This award, established to promote African poetry written in English or in translation and to recognize a significant book published each year by an African poet, is the only one of its kind in the world.
Deadline October 01, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Poetry,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: FREE
TWF Fiction Contest
Tennessee Williams Literary Arts Festival
A submission is one original short story, written in English, up to 7,000 words.
Deadline October 01, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$1,500
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $25
TWF One-Act Play Contest
Tennessee Williams Literary Arts Festival
The top finalists will receive a panel pass to the Tennessee Williams Literary Arts Festival. Their names will be published on this site. Plays should run no more than one hour in length (one act).
Deadline October 01, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$1,500
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Script Writing,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $25
Wheelbarrow Books Poetry Prize
The Wheelbarrow Books Poetry Prize is a biannual poetry contest, awarding $1,000 and book publication to one established poet, and one new poet annually. Submissions are now open to authors of at least one full-length collection of poetry.
Deadline October 01, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Book publication
Genres
Poetry,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $25
Blydyn Square Books 2018 Publishing Contest
Beginning January 1, 2018, we will be accepting submissions of unpublished, full-length manuscripts (at least 50,000 words) in all categories and genres, both fiction and nonfiction. (Previously self-published books ARE eligible.) The winner will receive a standard Blydyn Square Books publishing contract for our upcoming 2021 publication list.
Deadline September 30, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
Publishing Contract
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Novel,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $25
Dzanc Books Nonfiction Prize
The Dzanc Books Nonfiction Prize honors an innovative and inspiring long-form works of nonfiction.
Deadline September 30, 2018 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$1,500
Additional prizes
Publication by Dzanc Books
Genres
Non-fiction,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $25
James Laughlin Award
Offered since 1954, the James Laughlin Award is given to recognize and support a second book of poetry forthcoming in the next calendar year. Along with $5,000, the winner receives an all-expenses-paid weeklong residency in Miami Beach, Florida, and distribution of the winning book to approximately one thousand Academy of American Poets members. Submissions are accepted January 1 through May 15 each year.
Deadline May 15, 2019 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$5,000
Additional prizes
Distribution of book to Academy of American Poets members
Genres
Poetry,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: FREE
Raymond Carver Contest
The Raymond Carver Short Story Contest is one of the most renowned fiction contests in the world. Featuring prominent guest judges and offering $2500 across five prizes, the contest delivers exciting new fiction from writers all over the world. The contest opens each year April 1 - May 15 and prizewinners are published in their annual fall issue in October.
Deadline May 15, 2019 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$1,500
Additional prizes
Consideration from literary agents
Genres
Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $17
St. Francis College Literary Prize
The biennial $50,000 Literary Prize is sponsored by St. Francis College to offer its support and encouragement to the literary community and mid-career authors who have recently published their 3rd to 5th work of fiction.
Deadline May 15, 2019 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$50,000
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Fiction,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: FREE
The David Nathan Meyerson Prize for Fiction
Named for the late David Nathan Meyerson (1967-1998), a therapist and talented writer who died before he was able to show to the greater world the full fruits of his literary potential, the prize consists of $1,000 and publication in the Southwest Review. Open to any writer who has not published a book of fiction (either a novel or collection of stories). Stories can be up to 8000 words in length.
Deadline May 01, 2019 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication in the Southwest Review
Genres
Fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $25
Nimrod Literary Awards
Nimrold 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, Mark Doty, Olga Broumas, W. S. Merwin, Denise Levertov, William Stafford, Ron Carlson, Linda Pastan, and John Edgar Wideman.
Deadline April 30, 2019 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$2,000
Additional prizes
Publication
Genres
Fiction, Poetry, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $2
New Deal Writing Competition
Genesee Valley Council on the Arts
The New Deal Writing Competition is a short story competition where the writer is asked to use a painting chosen by the staff of GVCA as inspiration for their short story. Click here to see the painting.
Deadline April 05, 2019 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$200
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $5
New Deal Writing Competition 2019
Genesee Valley Council on the Arts
The New Deal Writing Competition is a short story competition where the writer is asked to use a painting chosen by the staff of GVCA as inspiration for their short story. This year's painting is Jacques Zucker's "Fountain, Central Park."
Deadline April 05, 2019 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$200
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $5
2018 Tusculum Review Poetry Chapbook Prize
Each chapbook manuscript entered should consist of 20-30 pages of poems in a standard 12-point font. No more than one poem may appear on a page. You may enter more than one chapbook manuscript (as long as you include a $20 reading fee with each manuscript). A manuscript need not be thematically coherent or connected through narrative.
Deadline April 01, 2019 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication in The Tusculum Review
Genres
Poetry,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $2
Season One: Rebirth
HAVOK is a constant story competition, with rolling deadlines. We publish a daily dose of sharp, memorable fiction under 1,000 words across a variety of genres (mystery, science fiction, comedy, thriller, and fantasy).
Deadline April 01, 2019 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$100
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: FREE
The Killer Nashville Claymore Award
Every year, the Killer Nashville Claymore Award assists new and rebranding English-language fiction authors get published, including possible agent representation, book advances, editor deals, and movie and television sales. Over $3,000 worth of prizes are given away each year, but to us, the publishing and movie dealsand the careers they buildare the end game.
Deadline April 01, 2019 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
Publishing contract
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Fiction, Novel,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $4
The Hudson Prize
Each year Black Lawrence Press will award The Hudson Prize for an unpublished collection of poems or short stories. 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 awarded on publication.
Deadline March 31, 2019 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Poetry, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $25
The Restless Books Prize For New Immigrant Writing
Restless Books is looking for extraordinary unpublished submissions from emerging writers of sharp, culture-straddling writing that addresses identity in a global age. Submissions can take the form of a novel or a collection of short stories.
Deadline March 31, 2019 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$10,000
Additional prizes
Publication by Restless Books
Genres
Fiction,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: FREE
James Jones First Novel Fellowship
This prize is given annually to a novel-in-progress by a U.S. writer who has not published a novel. The award is intended to honor the spirit of unblinking honesty, determination, and insight into cultural and social issues exemplified by the late James Jones. A two-page (maximum) outline or synopsis of the entire novel and the first 50 pages of the novel-in-progress are to be submitted.
Deadline March 15, 2019 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$10,000
Additional prizes
...
Genres
Fiction, Novel,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $3
Nelligan Prize
The Nelligan Prize for Short Fiction was established in 2004 in memory of Liza Nelligan, a writer, editor, and friend of many in Colorado State University 's English Department. The winner receives a $2,000 honorarium and the story is published in the fall/winter issue of Colorado Review. Stories must be 10-50 pages.
Deadline March 14, 2019 (Expired)
Learn moreTop prize
$2,000
Additional prizes
Publication in the Colorado Review
Genres
Fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $15
Looking to publish your story? Reedsy can help.
Reedsy is more than just a blog. Join our community of over 200,000 authors today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book. Learn more about Reedsy
