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DIRECTORY

Best Writing Contests in 2025

Showing 404 contests that match your search.

Page 11

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, and Short Story

This contest invites young writers (ages 13-19) to submit their works in the genres of science fiction and fantasy, providing a platform for creativity and expression.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

Recognition and publication opportunities

📅 Deadline: July 28, 2025

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Science Fiction, and Suspense

An annual fiction competition recognizing the finest speculative fiction. All forms of previously unpublished fiction are accepted, including fairy tales, magical realism, and science fiction. Winners may be published in the North American Review's summer issue.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication opportunities for runners-up and honorable mentions

💰 Entry fee: $23

📅 Deadline: November 02, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, LGBTQ, and Novel

This prize honors LGBTQ-identified authors who have published multiple novels, built a strong reputation, and show promise for future work. It is dedicated to Jim Duggins and supported by the James Duggins, PhD Fund.

Top Prize:

$5000 (x2)

📅 Deadline: February 16, 2024 (Expired)

Edinburgh Short Story Award

Scottish Arts Trust

Genres: Crime, Humor, Romance, and Short Story

The Edinburgh Short Story Award is open to writers worldwide, welcoming stories of any genre. The award offers substantial cash prizes and the opportunity for publication in The Edinburgh Anthology. It emphasizes inclusivity through bursaries for underrepresented writers.

Top Prize:

$3,000

Additional prizes:

2nd: £500 | 3rd: £250 | Publication in the anthology for top twenty stories

💰 Entry fee: $12

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Moth Poetry Prize is a prestigious award for an unpublished poem, attracting thousands of entries globally. The judge for 2024 is Fiona Benson, an acclaimed poet. The contest is open to anyone over 16, with no line limit and poems on any subject.

Top Prize:

€6,000

Additional prizes:

3x runners up: €1,000 | 8x further prizes of €250 | Publication online in Irish Times

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: December 31, 2024 (Expired)

The New Adult Book Prize

The Bookseller

Genres: Fiction and Young Adult

The New Adult Book Prize is designed to celebrate new adult fiction that explores themes relevant to individuals aged 19-29. This inaugural prize aims to recognize the growing genre and will be awarded at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.

Top Prize:

£2000

📅 Deadline: June 05, 2025

Genres: Poetry

The competition invites submissions of poetry. The theme for 2024 is 'RISKING ALL', commemorating the Everest Climbing expedition centenary.

Top Prize:

$200

Additional prizes:

Second Place: £100 Second Place: £50

💰 Entry fee: $4

📅 Deadline: August 31, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Horror and Fiction

The Ghost Story Supernatural Fiction Award is a biannual contest seeking full-length supernatural or magic realist short stories. The winning stories are published on June 1 and Halloween. The award is open to any story with a supernatural theme, not limited to traditional ghost stories.

Top Prize:

$1,500

Additional prizes:

Publication of the winning story. $300 for each of two Honorable Mentions.

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: April 30, 2025 (Expired)

Goldilocks Zone

Sunspot Literary Journal

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Script Writing, and Short Story

The Goldilocks Zone contest invites submissions for fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, artwork, and graphic novels, seeking works that combine craft with audience appeal. The prize includes cash and publication for winners and runners-up.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

Publication for the winner; publication offered to runners-up and finalists.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: May 01, 2025 (Expired)

Romance Through The Ages Contest — Published

Hearts Through History Romance Writers

Genres: Fiction and Romance

This contest focuses on historical romance, aiming to promote both published and unpublished authors. It accepts entries that are historical in nature and emphasizes the romance element central to the narrative. The contest has several categories based on historical time periods.

Top Prize:

$50

Additional prizes:

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category receive a social media badge. All winners will be announced in RWA’s digital Romance Writers Report.

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2025

The Iowa Review Awards

The Iowa Review

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

The Iowa Review Awards is an annual writing contest accepting submissions in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. It has been held every January since 2003, and winners are published in the December issue.

Top Prize:

$1,500

Additional prizes:

First runners-up receive $750

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: January 31, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The competition invites poets to submit works based on five given words each week over a 42-week period. It aims to encourage creativity and showcases poets' works in an anthology.

Top Prize:

$750

Additional prizes:

Second place: 500 euros Third place: 250 euros Travel fee and accommodation for winners attending the event. Physical award crafted by Michael Ray, plus opportunities for winners to read at events.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: January 28, 2025 (Expired)

Promising Young Writers Contest

National Council of Teachers of English

Genres: Children's

The Promising Young Writers Contest recognizes eighth-grade students for their effective writing skills. Nominations are made by a school committee and students submit themed writings based on the prompt provided by NCTE. The contest aims to evaluate students' writing abilities creatively and holistically.

Top Prize:

The NCTE Certificate of Recognition

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: February 15, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult

The competition invites submissions from writers of all genres and styles, allowing stories up to 8,000 words. The winner will be announced on February 10, 2025, and all stories are judged anonymously. Participants can receive feedback on their stories through optional exchanges before submission.

Top Prize:

£2,000

Additional prizes:

Publication on website

💰 Entry fee: $8

📅 Deadline: December 16, 2024 (Expired)

The Naomi Shihab Nye Prize

Barbara Nimri Aziz

Genres: Children's and Fiction

Established in 2024, this annual competition invites Arab American and Arab Canadian writers to submit English-language middle-grade manuscripts for young Arab readers. The prize aims to celebrate Arab creativity and storytelling traditions.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

2nd: $500

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: May 20, 2025 (Expired)

Genres:

The Nobleer Media Impact Award celebrates exceptional authors who have made a profound impact through their work.

Additional prizes:

Winner is featured in Nobleer Media’s Top Books of the Year list. Winner will also receive recognition and promotion for their submission.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: May 30, 2025

Annual Poetry Contest

Third Wednesday

Genres: Poetry

The Annual Poetry Contest accepts up to 3 previously unpublished poems of any style, with no length limit. Winning entries receive cash prizes and publication. Additionally, winners and honorable mentions get a print copy of the issue.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

Winning poets receive a print copy of the contest issue.

💰 Entry fee: $6

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition is an annual prize open to original, unpublished poems in English of up to 40 lines. It celebrates poetry and offers substantial prizes while encouraging international participation.

Top Prize:

$2,000

Additional prizes:

2nd Place: €500 3rd Place: €250 10 runners up: €50 Featured reading at the Cork International Poetry Festival with hotel stay, publication in Southword, and featured on the Southword Poetry Podcast.

💰 Entry fee: $7

📅 Deadline: November 30, 2024 (Expired)

First Book Award

Academy of American Poets

Genres: Poetry

The First Book Award is a $5,000 prize for a first book of poetry. The winning manuscript is published by Graywolf Press, with additional benefits like a residency in Italy and extensive promotion.

Top Prize:

$5,000

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: September 01, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize is an annual competition for short stories. Further details on submission and eligibility are outlined on the main prize page.

Top Prize:

$6000 AUD

Additional prizes:

2nd: $4000 AUD 3rd: $2500 AUD

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: April 22, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Short Story, and Thriller

The contest invites participants to explore the theme of freedom through crime, speculative, and fantasy fiction. Winning entries will be published in a special bumper issue of Tangled Web Magazine and Mirk Fantasy Magazine.

Top Prize:

£100

Additional prizes:

Winner published in a special issue.

💰 Entry fee: $6

📅 Deadline: July 31, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Nature and Place Poetry Competition 2024 is a poetry contest organized by The Rialto in association with RSPB, BirdLife International, Cambridge Conservation Initiative, and The University of Leeds Poetry Centre. It invites poets to submit unpublished poems focused on nature and place. Free entries available for writers on low or supported incomes (up to two poems)

Top Prize:

£1000

Additional prizes:

2nd prize: £500, 3rd prize: £250

💰 Entry fee: $7

📅 Deadline: April 01, 2025 (Expired)

Goldfinch Books Novel Award

Goldfinch Books

Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novel, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Young Adult

The Goldfinch Books Novel Award is a competition for emerging novelists. It invites submissions of 3,000 words from completed novels. The winner receives a £500 cash prize and an invitation to join the Goldfinch writer community.

Top Prize:

£500

Additional prizes:

Shortlisted authors receive feedback from judges + Goldfinch membership

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2025

The Paul Cave Prize for Literature

Tim Saunders Publications

Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult

Established in 2023, this contest is a platform for writers and poets to get their work published. Categories include various forms of poetry and fiction, excluding erotic work. Winners receive feedback and cash prizes, while all approved submissions will be included in the anthology.

Top Prize:

£200

Additional prizes:

Feedback from the publisher + a complimentary copy of the anthology

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: September 30, 2025

Genres: Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

The Francine Ringold Awards for New Writers honor the work of writers at the beginning of their careers. $500 prizes will be awarded in both the fiction and poetry categories, and the winning manuscripts will appear in the spring issue of Nimrod. Winners will have the chance to work with the Nimrod board of editors to refine and edit their manuscripts before publication.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

Publication

💰 Entry fee: $12

📅 Deadline: July 15, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Dream Quest One Poetry Contest is an international competition aimed at encouraging writers and poets to showcase their original works. The contest is open to all, regardless of experience, and accepts entries in various styles and themes. The mission is to inspire creativity and support literary talents.

Top Prize:

$250

Additional prizes:

Second Place: $125 Third Place: $50 Winners may also have their work published online.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: April 06, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Short Story Competition is organized by Exeter Writers, aiming to encourage and showcase emerging writing talent. This competition invites entries from writers of various backgrounds.

Top Prize:

£700

💰 Entry fee: $9

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Poetry.com Contest offers monthly poetry competitions encouraging all levels of writers. Participants can submit original poems for a chance to win cash prizes and gain recognition.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

2nd Place: $300 | 3rd Place: $200 | Five runners-up receive a personalized mug and a chance to compete for Poem of the Year.

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2025

The Plaza Poetry Prize

The Plaza Prizes Ltd.

Genres: Poetry

The Plaza Poetry Prize (60 lines) is an international competition with the aim of discovering, publishing, and promoting talented new writers. Judged by Pulitzer Prize-winner Natalie Diaz, it offers cash prizes and publication opportunities for shortlisted entries.

Top Prize:

$5,000

Additional prizes:

First Place: £4000 / $5000 + publication in the anthology + nomination for The Forward Prize (Top prize of £1000 / $1200). Second Prize: £300 / $360. Third Prize: £100 / $120.

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 (Expired)

The Caledonia Novel Award

Alice Lutyens, literary agent at Curtis Brown

Genres: Fiction, Novel, and Young Adult

The Caledonia Novel Award aims to support unpublished and self-published novelists across all genres for adults and young adults. The 2025 competition encourages diverse submissions, offering significant prizes to help cultivate new talent.

Top Prize:

$1,500

Additional prizes:

Exclusive framed award designed by Edinburgh artist Lucy Roscoe. Highly Commended prize: £500 Special prize: a free place on a writing course at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre

💰 Entry fee: $28

📅 Deadline: October 15, 2024 (Expired)

Shiny Dime Writing Challenge

Write of Passage

Genres: Non-fiction

The Shiny Dime Writing Challenge is designed to help writers distill their ideas into concise, impactful writing. Over ten weeks, participants will learn to focus on their topic, create memorable phrases, and share their insights with a community of writers.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Free access to our 5 week writing bootcamp (a $4000 dollar value)

💰 Entry fee: $40

📅 Deadline: September 30, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Fire & Ash Publishers Salon Competition is designed for local poets to showcase their works to industry professionals. Each month, four poets are selected to read their poetry at salon nights. An adjudication panel anonymously selects finalists based on submitted poems, and finalists receive a $50 CAD honorarium and an invitation to perform.

Top Prize:

$50

Additional prizes:

Honorarium for finalists and an invitation to perform their poem.

📅 Deadline: February 07, 2025 (Expired)

Gulf Coast Writers Association Writing Contest

Gulf Coast Writers Association

Genres: Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry

The Gulf Coast Writers Association (GCWA) organizes an annual writing contest to celebrate and recognize talented writers across various genres. Participants can submit original works in Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry. The contest promotes writers' creativity and provides valuable feedback from experienced judges.

Top Prize:

$200

Additional prizes:

Second place: $75 Third place: $50 For each category

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Plaza Short Story Prize invites entries for short stories up to 5000 words. The prize includes cash rewards and publication in an anthology, aiming to discover and promote new literary talent.

Top Prize:

$5,000

Additional prizes:

1st Prize: £4000 / $5000; 2nd Prize: £300 / $360; 3rd Prize: £100 / $120. Top 10 entries published in anthology.

💰 Entry fee: $18

📅 Deadline: April 30, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Booksie 2025 Poetry Contest seeks original poems of any type or length. Entries can be serious or whimsical, but should evoke thought. Judges will select winners from six finalists.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Gold winner badge and promotion across Booksie. Runners-up receive $100 cash and a silver winner badge

💰 Entry fee: $7

📅 Deadline: October 17, 2025

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