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DIRECTORY

Best Writing Contests in 2025

Showing 426 contests that match your search.

Page 12

Genres: Flash Fiction

The competition invites entries of flash fiction up to 300 words on the theme of 'a lie'. A special secret phrase must also be included, revealed in the podcast episode on September 29. The contest is sponsored by Scrivener.

Top Prize:

£500

Additional prizes:

Extra prizes may be awarded to runners-up.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: October 24, 2025

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)

Genres: Short Story

This inaugural competition invites writers to submit original short stories. The competition aims to celebrate creativity following the Chipping Norton Literary Festival's closure. Entries are open to all writers.

Additional prizes:

2nd: £250 | 3rd: £100 | Top 12 stories will feature on FictionJunkies.com.

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: November 30, 2025

Genres: Poetry

The Interwoven project celebrates identity and community through poetry, aiming to highlight what unites humanity. It invites poems that reflect on shared experiences across cultures and places.

Top Prize:

£200

Additional prizes:

2nd prize: £100 | All shortlisted poems published in an anthology with authors receiving a copy.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: July 13, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Novel

The Letter Review Prize for Books invites submissions of unpublished, self-published, or indie-published book-length works. It aims to highlight new literature and supports writers through various stages of their careers. The competition is judged blind, ensuring equal opportunity for all entrants.

Top Prize:

$1000 USD shared by 2 to 4 winners

Additional prizes:

Winners may publish extracts of their entries in The Letter Review's anthology. Up to 20 writers are shortlisted.

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: October 01, 2025 (Expired)

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)

Genres: Poetry

The competition, run by The Poetry Society since 1978, is one of the world’s most prestigious prizes for a single unpublished poem. Judged by Stephen Sexton, Romalyn Ante, John McAuliffe. Open to all poets worldwide aged 18+.

Top Prize:

£5,000

Additional prizes:

Runners-up receive £2,000 and £1,000. Commended entries receive £500

💰 Entry fee: $8

📅 Deadline: October 31, 2025

Genres: Children's

The Celebration Day writing competition encourages students aged 5-18 to research and retell stories of inspiring people from history. This year, the optional theme focuses on sporting heroes. Submissions can be written articles or audio pieces.

Additional prizes:

iPad and a published story on The Day's website.

📅 Deadline: May 16, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Short Story

Welcome to the 31st annual Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest. Submit published or unpublished work. $9,000 in prizes.

Top Prize:

$3,000

Additional prizes:

Two-year gift certificate from Duotrope; 10 Honorable Mentions will receive $300 each

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: May 01, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction

Green Stories is running a flash fiction competition for stories under 500 words on the theme of ‘epiphanies’. The writing competition invites writers to submit a story about transformation, when a moment of epiphany causes one or more characters to change for the greener. The transformative realisation could relate to any attitude or behaviour with environmental implications (e.g. food, travel, consumption, gardening, cleaning, etc.), or the story could focus on the benefits of any greener alternative (e.g. environment, health, status, spirit, soul). We call it fiction, but you can write about any personal epiphanies too, using storytelling techniques to give it drama and emotion.

Top Prize:

£300

Additional prizes:

£100 for seven runners up

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: August 27, 2025 (Expired)

Open Prize

National Poetry Series

Genres: Poetry

The NPS Open Competition invites submissions of book-length poetry manuscripts from U.S. residents and American citizens abroad. Winners receive cash prizes and publication.

Top Prize:

$10,000

Additional prizes:

Publication of a full-length manuscript by a participating publisher.

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: March 21, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction and Science Fiction

A writing contest encouraging creative storytelling in audio series and stories.

Top Prize:

$7,500

Additional prizes:

2nd: $5000 | 3rd: $3500 | Each winner receives a certificate and social media promotion

📅 Deadline: October 24, 2025

The Big Moose Prize

Black Lawrence Press

Genres: Fiction, Novel, Poetry, and Short Story

The Big Moose Prize awards an unpublished novel, open to all writers. The winner receives publication, a cash award of $1,000, and ten copies of the book.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication of the novel and ten copies

💰 Entry fee: $28

📅 Deadline: January 31, 2025 (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, 2025 (Expired)

Moment Magazine-Karma Foundation Short Fiction Contest

Moment Magazine and Karma Foundation

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Moment Magazine-Karma Foundation Short Fiction Contest invites unpublished stories that focus on themes relating to Judaism or Jewish culture. Established in 2000, it has featured renowned judges and offers cash prizes for outstanding works.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Up to three prizes may be awarded.

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: November 01, 2025

Louise Bogan Award

Trio House Press

Genres: Poetry

The Louise Bogan Award for Artistic Merit and Excellence includes $1,000, publication, and twenty books. The Louise Bogan Award for Artistic Merit and Excellence is open to ALL poets, regardless of publication history.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication and twenty copies of the book

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Essay, Fiction, and Non-fiction

The Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize is awarded for the best piece of writing on the theme of 'Fear.' All genres are accepted, and entries must be in English. The competition aims to discover and support emerging writing talent globally.

Top Prize:

£3000

Additional prizes:

2nd: £1000 | 3rd: £1000

📅 Deadline: April 01, 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)

Fish Flash Fiction Prize

Fish Publishing

Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction

The Fish Flash Fiction Prize invites submissions of compelling stories in 300 words or less, judged by Tania Hershman. The contest has been held annually since 2004.

Top Prize:

€1,000

Additional prizes:

2nd: €300 + Online Writing Course | 3rd: €300

💰 Entry fee: $14

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 (Expired)

Science-me a story

Society of Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdon (SRUK/CERU)

Genres: Fiction and Science Writing

The Science-me a story contest invites submissions of science-themed stories for children. It aims to promote scientific literacy and inspire young minds through creative writing. The contest has been held annually since 2018, receiving hundreds of entries from around the world, evaluated for scientific accuracy and narrative quality.

Top Prize:

£100

Additional prizes:

2nd: £50 | 3rd: £20 | All finalist stories will be published.

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction

The competition invites submissions of flash fiction with a maximum word count of 999. Entries can be on any topic, allowing writers to showcase their creativity.

Top Prize:

£50 book voucher

Additional prizes:

Publication, promotion, and a podcast interview | Potential publication and £15 vouchers for notable mentions.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: June 01, 2025 (Expired)

The Hudson Prize

Black Lawrence Press

Genres: Fiction and Poetry

The Hudson Prize is awarded annually for an unpublished collection of poems or prose. It is open to new, emerging, and established writers. The winner receives book publication, a $1,000 cash award, and ten copies of the book.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Book publication and ten copies of the book

💰 Entry fee: $30

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Flash Fiction Competition invites writers to submit stories of up to 500 words. It's a quarterly competition with prizes awarded for the top three entries each quarter. Winning entries are published on the website.

Top Prize:

£300

Additional prizes:

£200, £100

💰 Entry fee: $7

📅 Deadline: September 30, 2025 (Expired)

Autumn House Poetry Contest

Autumn House Press

Genres: Poetry

The Autumn House Poetry Contest accepts manuscripts of 50-80 pages. The winner receives publication of their manuscript, a $2,500 prize, and a $1,500 travel/publicity grant.

Top Prize:

$2,500

Additional prizes:

Publication of full-length manuscript + a $1,500 travel/publicity grant

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2024 (Expired)

Cricket Magazine Contest

Cricket Magazine

Genres: Children's and Poetry

The contest invites children to submit original art related to a camp theme. It emphasizes creativity and originality, encouraging participants to depict their ideal camping experiences.

Top Prize:

Winning entries will be published in an upcoming issue and online.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: August 25, 2025 (Expired)

Novel Fair 2025

Irish Writers Centre

Genres: Fiction and Novel

Novel Fair is an annual competition for unpublished novelists, allowing winners to pitch their novels to publishers and agents. It includes a two-day event with workshops and meetings with industry professionals.

Top Prize:

Present your novel to leading publishers and agents at the Irish Writers Centre

Additional prizes:

Shortlisted applicants receive feedback on their submissions.

💰 Entry fee: $55

📅 Deadline: September 30, 2024 (Expired)

Willow Run Poetry Book Award

Hidden River Press

Genres: Poetry

The Willow Run Poetry Book Award is an annual contest open to poets worldwide. The winner receives a monetary prize of $1,000 and publication by Hidden River Press. Entries should be unpublished collections of poetry, between 75 and 100 pages.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication in Hidden River Press

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: June 30, 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: $25

📅 Deadline: May 01, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Flash Fiction

An annual competition celebrating excellence in flash fiction. Entries must be unpublished, and winners receive cash prizes and nominations for various prestigious awards.

Top Prize:

$2,500

Additional prizes:

2nd: $1000 | 3rd: $500 | Grand Prize winner receives automatic nominations for Best Small Fictions and Pushcart Prize.

💰 Entry fee: $16

📅 Deadline: May 10, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction and Romance

Join Inkitt’s Reality TV Romance Writing Contest 2025, a free contest where you can win up to $500, a Galatea publishing deal, and a chance for your book to be reviewed for a CandyJar movie adaptation. The theme focuses on romance amidst the drama of reality TV.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

2nd Place: $300 | 3rd Place: $100 | Winner also receives a Galatea publishing deal + potential movie adaptation on CandyJar app.

📅 Deadline: October 26, 2025

The Bedford Competition

The Bedford Competition

Genres: Poetry and Short Story

The Bedford Competition runs annual international short story and poetry competitions open to anyone over 17 years. Winning entries are published in an anthology.

Top Prize:

£2000

Additional prizes:

2nd Prize £300 | 3rd Prize £200 | Cygnature Prizes £200 | Bedford Prizes £100

💰 Entry fee: $11

📅 Deadline: October 31, 2025

Ironclad Short Story Competition

Ironclad Creative CIC

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Ironclad Short Story Competition invites both published and unpublished writers to submit original stories responding to the prompt 'SWITCH.' Stories up to 6,000 words are accepted. Winning and shortlisted entries will be published in an anthology.

Top Prize:

£100

Additional prizes:

2nd: £50 | 3rd: £25 | Publication for all shortlisted stories.

💰 Entry fee: $9

📅 Deadline: October 31, 2025

Jade Ring Writing Contest

Wisconsin Writers Association

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry

The Jade Ring Contest is a prestigious annual competition celebrating exceptional writing in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Now in its 76th year, this contest offers writers a chance to shine, with cash prizes, publication opportunities in Creative Wisconsin Magazine, and a coveted residency at Write On, Door County for first-place winners.

Top Prize:

$250

Additional prizes:

1st: $250, a Jade Ring, a writing residency, and publication. | 2nd: $200 + publication. | $150 + publication. | Honorable Mentions: one year membership (or gift card for lifetime members) to WWA, publication. Prizes apply to each category.

💰 Entry fee: $30

📅 Deadline: June 01, 2025 (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, 2026

Genres: Fiction

The contest invites young writers across Canada to explore the theme 'Community of Stories,' encouraging submissions that reflect connections through family, friendship, and culture.

Top Prize:

Winners will receive prize packages and a published copy of their story in a chapbook.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: April 27, 2025 (Expired)

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