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DIRECTORY

Best Writing Contests in 2025

Showing 421 contests that match your search.

Page 11

Genres: Essay and Non-fiction

The International Essay Competition 2023/24 is currently not open for entries as details about the next competition will be available soon. Check back soon!

Additional prizes:

100% Scholarship Award to our Oxford University Summer Programme (worth £5995).

📅 Deadline: February 19, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult

The Reader Views Literary Awards recognize innovative self-published books, offering visibility and credibility to independent authors. The contest provides thorough book reviews, evaluation forms, and promotional opportunities.

Top Prize:

$1,250

Additional prizes:

Gold: $750 | Silver: $350 | Bronze: $150 | Various sponsored awards and features in newsletters include marketing packages, interviews, and ads.

💰 Entry fee: $89

📅 Deadline: December 15, 2025

John Estey Student Writing Competition

American Writers Museum

Genres: Children's, Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry

The John Estey Student Writing Competition is open to elementary, middle, and high school students. To be considered for this award, please fill out the intent to participate form and submit a 1,000 word or less piece discussing the prompt quote, "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”—Ursula K. Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness. Submissions are accepted via a submission link that is provided to teachers ONLY. Please make sure that you provide a valid teacher contact.

Top Prize:

$2,000

Additional prizes:

Three winners from each category will be awarded the following prizes: $500 for elementary school; $1000 for middle school; $2000 for high school.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: May 23, 2025 (Expired)

Fish Short Memoir Prize

Fish Publishing

Genres: Memoir, Non-fiction, and Short Story

The Fish Short Memoir Prize invites entries of personal memoirs, with the aim of being published in the Fish Anthology 2025. It's open to writers of any nationality and no prior publication is needed.

Top Prize:

€1,000

Additional prizes:

2nd and 3rd: Online writing course + €300 | 3rd: €300

💰 Entry fee: $18

📅 Deadline: January 31, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Novel, Novella, and Romance

This contest celebrates diverse voices in literature. The winner will receive a 3 month membership with a published author to help them prepare their book for publishing.

Additional prizes:

1st: A 3 month mentorship with a published author. | 2nd: A 2 month mentorship with a published author. | 3rd: A 1 month mentorship with a published author. | 4th – 5th: A one hour coaching session with a published author.

💰 Entry fee: $45

📅 Deadline: July 31, 2025

Genres: Humor and Poetry

Now in its 24th year, this contest seeks the best humor poems. There is no fee to enter, and both published and unpublished works are accepted. A total of $3,750 in prizes is available, with the first prize being $2,000.

Top Prize:

$3,750

Additional prizes:

Two-year gift certificate for Duotrope | 2nd: $500

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: April 01, 2025 (Expired)

Narrative Prize

Narrative Magazine

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

The Narrative Prize is awarded annually for the best short story, novel excerpt, poem, one-act play, graphic story, or work of literary nonfiction by a new or emerging writer. All works published in the magazine each year are considered, and previously unpublished works may also be submitted. The prize includes a cash award and recognition in the literary community.

Top Prize:

$5,000

💰 Entry fee: $27

📅 Deadline: June 15, 2025 (Expired)

Stan and Tom Wick Poetry Prize

Kent State University

Genres: Poetry

The Stan and Tom Wick Poetry Prize is awarded annually for a poet's first full-length book of poetry. The prize includes $2,500 and publication by Kent State University Press. The winner will also participate in a reading at Kent State with the judge.

Top Prize:

$2,500

Additional prizes:

Publication by Kent State University Press

💰 Entry fee: $30

📅 Deadline: May 01, 2024 (Expired)

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

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.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

Publication in "AZURE: A Journal of Literary Thought"

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: September 24, 2024 (Expired)

Claymore Award

Killer Nashville

Genres: Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story, Suspense, and Thriller

The Claymore Award assists new and rebranding English-language fiction authors with potential publishing opportunities, including agent representation, book deals, and media adaptations. The contest emphasizes the importance of getting the first 50 pages of an unpublished work noticed by industry professionals.

Top Prize:

$0

Additional prizes:

Top three finalists receive discounted admission to next year's Killer Nashville conference. Winners may receive publishing contracts and significant exposure to agents and publishers.

💰 Entry fee: $54

📅 Deadline: April 01, 2025 (Expired)

A Book Led Me There

Intrepid Times

Genres: Non-fiction and Travel

Intrepid Times' 10th writing competition invites readers and wanderers to explore the books that have guided our lives and impelled our adventures. Write a non-fiction travel story of up to 2,000 words that describes following in the footsteps of your literary heroes.

Top Prize:

$300

Additional prizes:

Publication in Intrepid Times. Up to four runners-up will be published at standard rates.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: August 31, 2025

Southword Editor’s Poetry Award

Munster Literature Centre

Genres: Poetry

Each entrant for their €24 entry fee will receive a complementary postage-free, one-year subscription to Southword. Poems will be read and judged anonymously. Poems must be previously unpublished. The winning poet will have their three poems published in Southword.

Top Prize:

€1000

Additional prizes:

The winning poet will have their three poems published in Southword.

💰 Entry fee: $24

📅 Deadline: September 30, 2024 (Expired)

A Very Short Story Contest

Gotham Writers Workshop

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

Write a great short story in ten words or fewer. The contest is inspired by the story of Hemingway’s six-word story. Entries must be original and unpublished. Judging is based on originality and quality. The winner will be notified by mid-June.

Top Prize:

$0

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: May 30, 2025 (Expired)

Fiction Potluck

The Writer's Workout

Genres: Fiction, Short Story, and Science Fiction

Fiction Potluck is a quarterly writing competition open to fiction writers globally, featuring a guest judge who sets a unique challenge each period. The current challenge theme is 'Sci-Fi Western', with submissions of up to 6,000 words due by August 20. The competition is free to enter, and winners receive prizes including a two-year Duotrope service subscription (valued at $100).

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

Two years of Duotrope service for the first place winner.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: August 20, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Flash Fiction

The Farnham Flash Fiction International Competition invites writers to submit stories of 500 words or less. The competition has been running since 2018 and includes a special prize for stories featuring Farnham. It offers cash prizes and publication in an anthology.

Top Prize:

£100

Additional prizes:

£25 for the runner-up; £25 for the best fiction featuring Farnham.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: February 09, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction

The Dave Williamson National Short Story Competition is open to Canadian writers aged 18 and older, encouraging diversity and inclusion across all communities. Submissions are accepted in any fiction genre, with a word limit between 2,500 and 4,500 words. Winners will be published in the Guild's anthology, _Beyond Boundaries_.

Top Prize:

$1,000 CAD

Additional prizes:

2nd: $600 CAD | 3rd: $400 CAD

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: February 15, 2025 (Expired)

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

The Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction invites writers to break traditional writing rules while crafting compelling stories. Participants have 60 hours to produce a story of up to 500 words in response to prompts. The contest is held quarterly, with cash prizes totaling AU$4,000 each round.

Top Prize:

$1,500 AUD

Additional prizes:

Winner receives AU$1,500 and the Not Quite Write Trophy. | 2nd place: AU$500 | 3rd place: AU$200 | Additional cash prizes for other positions.

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: July 27, 2025

Black Orchid Novella Award

Wolfe Pack & Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine

Genres: Crime, Mystery, and Novella

The Black Orchid Novella Award celebrates the novella format, encouraging original, unpublished works that conform to the mystery genre's traditional forms, specifically inspired by the Nero Wolfe series. The contest is designed to highlight the novella, requiring submissions that are tight and engaging, devoid of explicit content.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Short Story

The Brink Literary Journal Award for Hybrid Writing seeks to recognize writing that is hybrid and cross-genre in nature, integrating multiple mediums to create dynamic, engaging work. The contest emphasizes unique perspectives and voices, prioritizing hybridization over experimental forms.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication in the fall issue of Brink Literary Journal and 4 copies of the journal issue.

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 (Expired)

The Plough Prize

The Plough Arts Centre

Genres: Poetry

The Plough Prize is an international poetry competition open for poems in English, limited to 40 lines on any subject. The contest emphasizes anonymity in judging, with a focus on quality.

Top Prize:

£1,000

Additional prizes:

2nd place: £500 3rd place: £250 Highly Commended poems may be recognized.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Flash Fiction, Fiction, and Short Story

The WOW! Women on Writing Flash Fiction Contest aims to inspire creativity and recognition for writers. Open to all genres of flash fiction, it has been running since 2006 and has awarded over $100,000 in cash prizes to participants. The contest allows entries globally, and submissions must be in English.

Top Prize:

$400

Additional prizes:

2nd: $300 | 3rd: $200 | 7 runner-ups: $25 Amazon Gift Cards

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: August 31, 2025

Bacopa Literary Review Annual Writing Contest

Writers Alliance of Gainesville

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

The Bacopa Literary Review is an annual international print journal seeking engaging and original submissions across multiple genres. The contest includes various categories with specific guidelines to encourage diverse forms of writing.

Top Prize:

$200

Additional prizes:

$100 Honorable Mention in each of six categories

📅 Deadline: May 02, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction

The award is open to unrepresented and unpublished authors for a novel in any adult fiction genre. It includes a submission of the opening chapters and a synopsis. The judges are from WME and include Samuel Burr.

Top Prize:

£1000 + Agent Introduction

Additional prizes:

Runner up: £500 + Agent Introduction; Highly Commended: £150 + Agent Introduction

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Memoir, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Young Adult

gThe Indie Author Project Annual Contest aims to recognize indie authors and provide them visibility through library support. It encourages submissions from indie-published authors in various genres and offers significant prizes.

Top Prize:

$2,500

Additional prizes:

$500 each to two runner-ups in each genre. Opportunity to promote books at libraries, inclusion in a print spread in Library Journal.

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Young Adult

The Colorado Gold Rush Literary Awards Contest is aimed at unpublished writers of novel-length fiction, offering feedback and exposure to literary agents and editors. It encourages diverse voices and celebrates various genres.

Top Prize:

$150

Additional prizes:

Winner receives official certificate, trophy, and reading during the conference luncheon. Three finalists receive $50, certificate, and pitch session with agents.

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: May 01, 2024 (Expired)

Human Rights Essay Contest for High School Students

Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation

Genres: Essay

The contest invites high school students to respond to a prompt regarding human rights. Prizes include $3000 for 1st place, $1500 for 2nd, and $750 for 3rd. Essays should not exceed 2500 words and must include a cover page with specific details.

Top Prize:

$3,000

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: December 10, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Short Story, and Flash Fiction

The contest invites submissions of inspiring and uplifting stories, aiming to highlight the benefits of writing amidst global issues. Each story can be up to 5,000 characters (about 1,000 words). Winners are determined by writing quality and community votes.

Top Prize:

$300

Additional prizes:

Five runners-up will receive $100 each

📅 Deadline: January 31, 2025 (Expired)

The Paz Prize for Poetry

National Poetry Series

Genres: Poetry

The Paz Prize for Poetry awards a $2,000 prize every other year for the publication of an unpublished book of poetry originally written in Spanish by an American resident. The winning manuscript will be translated into English and published in a bilingual edition.

Top Prize:

$2,000

📅 Deadline: June 15, 2024 (Expired)

Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition

Minotaur Books & Malice Domestic

Genres: Mystery and Novel

The competition is open to writers aged 18 or older who have not published a mystery novel. It aims to discover new talents in traditional mystery writing. All submissions must be original works of at least 60,000 words that follow the guidelines. The winner will be announced after April 2025.

Top Prize:

$10,000 advance + winning manuscript publication

📅 Deadline: November 30, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Flash Fiction

The competition features an open theme and includes four categories: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, and Poetry. Each category has a defined maximum word count. Winners will be acknowledged at the festival and have the opportunity to read their entries.

Top Prize:

£75

Additional prizes:

£75 for first prize in each category, plus the opportunity to read the winning entry at the festival. £25 for commended entries in each category.

💰 Entry fee: $4

📅 Deadline: March 28, 2025 (Expired)

The Shelley Awards for Paranormal Fiction

Chanticleer International Book Awards

Genres: Fiction

The SHELLEY Book Awards honor exceptional works in supernatural and paranormal fiction, evaluating based on compelling storytelling, professionalism, and uniqueness. The competition includes multiple categories and offers significant promotional opportunities.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Additional prizes include a Chanticleer Prize Package.

💰 Entry fee: $99

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025 (Expired)

TeenQuill Writing Contest

Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc

Genres: Poetry and Script Writing

The TeenQuill Writing Contest invites students aged 12 to 19 to submit original, unpublished poetry and play monologues. Selected works will receive a $50 Amazon e-gift card and publication in Kinsman Quarterly. One winner is chosen each seasonal quarter, with submissions accepted throughout 2025.

Top Prize:

$50

Additional prizes:

Publication in Kinsman Quarterly and promotion on social media.

📅 Deadline: December 31, 2025

Genres: Short Story and Fiction

This competition invites short stories of up to 2,000 words on any theme. It is open to anyone over 16 years old. The entry fee is £6, and all profits go towards purchasing books for schools.

Top Prize:

$200

Additional prizes:

2nd Prize: £100 | 3rd Prize: £50. | Opportunity to be included in the next Henshaw Anthology.

💰 Entry fee: $6

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025 (Expired)

Maggie Award for Prepublished Writers

Georgia Romance Writers

Genres: Fiction, Novel, and Romance

The Maggie Award for Excellence aims to encourage and reward the mastery of romance writing by prepublished authors. Each entry receives two critiques from published authors, and finalists are reviewed by industry agents and editors.

Additional prizes:

Maggie Award medallion for highest-scored manuscript in each category; all finalists receive certificates. Critiques returned to all entrants.

💰 Entry fee: $40

📅 Deadline: April 26, 2024 (Expired)

Writing MAGIC

Sadie Tells Stories

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, and Young Adult

The Writing MAGIC contest invites authors to write a short story under 500 words about anything magical. Open to all age groups, stories can be fiction or non-fiction. The contest aims to celebrate creativity and share magical experiences.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

Second place: $150

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: April 01, 2024 (Expired)

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