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DIRECTORY
Showing 427 contests that match your search.
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)
Coffeehouse Poetry
Genres: Poetry
The Troubadour International Poetry Prize is an annual competition open to poets worldwide, judged by notable figures in the literary community. The 2024 prize includes cash awards for the top three poems, as well as opportunities for commended entries.
Top Prize:
$2,000
Additional prizes:
Second: £1,000 Third prize: £500 20 commended entries Winners read with judges at the online international prize-night celebration.
💰 Entry fee: $8
📅 Deadline: September 23, 2024 (Expired)
Red Hen Press
Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Short Story, Essay, Memoir, and Novel
Established in 2018, the Women's Prose Prize honors previously unpublished, original prose work including novels, short story collections, memoirs, and essay collections. It is open to all women writers, with a fair evaluation process ensuring anonymity during judging.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Publication by Red Hen Press
💰 Entry fee: $25
📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 (Expired)
Grist Magazine
Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult
The Imagine 2200 contest invites writers to envision equitable climate progress stories, showcasing creative solutions and community resilience. It emphasizes hope and the potential for positive change through fiction.
Top Prize:
$3,000
Additional prizes:
Second place: $2000 Third place: $1000 Ten $300 awards for finalists. Opportunity for the winner to participate in Oregon State University's Environmental Writing Fellowship and Residency, including a four-week writing residency.
📅 Deadline: June 24, 2024 (Expired)
Fountain Magazine
Genres: Essay and Non-fiction
“Home” holds a special place in our lives. Our earliest memories form inside its walls; we utter our first words and take our first steps there. Does everyone feel the same about home? Is it where you were born or where you earn your bread? Is home a physical place? In a world that moves faster than ever and is confined to small screens, how do perceptions about "home" change? Where is home for people who are forced to leave their homes? Where is your home?
Top Prize:
$1,000
💰 Entry fee: $25
📅 Deadline: June 30, 2024 (Expired)
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)
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: April 30, 2024 (Expired)
South Warwickshire Literary Festival
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)
Pulp Literature Press
Genres: Fiction
The Raven Short Story Contest invites submissions of previously unpublished short fiction between 250 to 2500 words. The contest is judged by Kelly Robson, a renowned author.
Top Prize:
$300
Additional prizes:
Publication in Pulp Literature
💰 Entry fee: $25
📅 Deadline: October 15, 2025
Arizona Mystery Writers
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, and Short Story
The Jim Martin Memorial Adult Story Contest invites submissions of mystery, suspense, or thriller stories from adults aged 18 and over. It honors Jim Martin, a long-time member of Arizona Mystery Writers, supported by his family's generous contribution to the organization.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
2nd Place: $100 3rd Place: $75 Winning stories will be published on the AMW website.
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: August 01, 2024 (Expired)
Folly Journal
Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Essay, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry
The Folly Short Story Prize 2025 invites submissions for stories that challenge conventional norms. It aims to recognize innovative writing that resonates with contemporary themes.
Top Prize:
$1000 NZD
Additional prizes:
Two tickets to the Folly After Party.
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: June 01, 2025 (Expired)
New England Romance Writers
Genres: Romance and Fiction
The contest recognizes excellence in published romance fiction and is judged by fans, including librarians and booksellers. The grand prize includes coaching from Jeannie Moon, and winners will receive a web badge and printed certificate.
Top Prize:
Two hours of Story & Character Development Coaching by Jeannie Moon; web badge and printed award certificate for winners.
Additional prizes:
Web badge and printed certificate for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category.
💰 Entry fee: $30
📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 (Expired)
The Moth
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)
Cranked Anvil Press
Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction
The Cranked Anvil Flash Fiction Competition invites writers to submit stories with a maximum length of 500 words. The competition runs quarterly, with deadlines in February, May, August, and November. Up to three entries can be submitted per participant per quarter.
Top Prize:
£100
Additional prizes:
2nd: £50 + publication online
💰 Entry fee: $6
📅 Deadline: November 30, 2024 (Expired)
Genres: Script Writing
The TWFest One Act Play Contest aims to promote new work from emerging or previously unpublished playwrights. Plays must not exceed one hour in length and should be original, not previously published, produced, or performed.
Top Prize:
$1,500
Additional prizes:
Professional Staged Reading at the next Festival, VIP All-Access Festival pass ($600 value), publication in Bayou Magazine. Top finalists will receive a LitPass ($100 value) to the Festival.
💰 Entry fee: $25
📅 Deadline: October 15, 2025
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)
Poetry International
Genres: Poetry
The Poetry International Prize is an annual contest to award a cash prize of $1000 and publication for a single poem of any length. Submissions are accepted via Submittable and all entries are considered for publication.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Publication in Poetry International
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: April 30, 2024 (Expired)
Sunspot Literary Journal
Genres: Fiction and Poetry
The Inception contest invites submissions of openings across all genres. Participants can submit prose (up to 250 words), poetry (up to 25 words), or visual art as the first piece in a series. The contest emphasizes the importance of beginnings in creative works.
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
Publication for the winner; finalists also receive publication.
💰 Entry fee: $5
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2024 (Expired)
Winning Writers
Genres: Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Children's, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Young Adult
The North Street Book Prize focuses on self-published or hybrid-published books, offering significant cash prizes and marketing services to enhance visibility. The contest has been running for 11 years and encourages entries across various genres.
Top Prize:
$10,000
Additional prizes:
$1,000 for top winner in each category | $300 for honorable mentions
💰 Entry fee: $85
📅 Deadline: July 01, 2025 (Expired)
The Lascaux Review
Genres: Poetry
The Lascaux Prize in Poetry accepts previously published or unpublished poems. Winning entries receive a cash prize and a medallion, along with publication in The Lascaux Review.
Top Prize:
$1,000
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2025 (Expired)
The Layla Beban Young Authors
Genres: Children's and Short Story
The contest invites students in grades 6-12 to submit a piece of short fiction exactly 1000 words long. There are no specific themes, but entries should be original and not previously published. The contest aims to encourage young authors to tell significant stories.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Seven $100 cash prizes for runners-up
📅 Deadline: February 01, 2025 (Expired)
SmokeLong Quarterly
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)
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)
Parsec Inc.
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Science Fiction, and Short Story
The Parsec Short Story Contest aims to encourage non-professional writers to explore speculative fiction in genres like science fiction, fantasy, and horror. The theme for 2025 is 'ROOTS', and submissions should relate to this theme. The contest has no entry fee and supports young writers through a special Youth Story Prize.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
2nd: $100 | 3rd: $50
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2025 (Expired)
Globe Soup
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)
Storyshares
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Short Story, and Young Adult
The annual Story of the Year contest is back with a new challenge! We’re looking for captivating, diverse stories that are "easy to read and hard to put down" for readers beyond the third grade. There are five categories aimed at young adult readers, and we encourage you to submit as many entries as you like—submission is free and unlimited!
Top Prize:
$15,000
Additional prizes:
Publication in digital and print
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: January 13, 2025 (Expired)
Damon Galgut
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)
Sarabande Books
Genres: Fiction and Short Story
The Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction is awarded to an outstanding manuscript of short fiction. It includes a monetary prize, publication, and an introduction by the judge, Ed Park.
Top Prize:
$2,000
Additional prizes:
Publication by Sarabande Books
💰 Entry fee: $34
📅 Deadline: February 15, 2025 (Expired)
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)
Killer Nashville
Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Science Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story, and Thriller
The Silver Falchion Award honors the best books published in 2024 across various genres, including mystery, thriller, suspense, and romance. The competition aims to recognize quality storytelling and is open to all published authors.
Top Prize:
$250
💰 Entry fee: $85
📅 Deadline: April 01, 2025 (Expired)
Stephen Spender Trust
Genres: Poetry
The Stephen Spender Prize is an annual award recognizing excellence in poetry translation, encouraging participants to translate poems from any language into English. It is open to various age groups including adults and students in the UK and Ireland. The contest aims to celebrate linguistic diversity and foster creative translation.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Second: £500 Third: £250 Various cash prizes for youth categories.
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: July 31, 2024 (Expired)
Cleveland Foundation
Genres: Novel, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Poetry
The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards recognize outstanding works that contribute to our understanding of racism and cultural diversity. Established in 1935 by Edith Anisfield Wolf, it remains the only American book prize focused on these themes.
Top Prize:
$10,000
Additional prizes:
Winners receive $10,000 and are honored at a ceremony in Cleveland.
📅 Deadline: December 31, 2024 (Expired)
Bridport Arts Centre
Genres: Fiction and Novel
The Bridport Novel Award invites submissions of original, unpublished novels. Authors must submit an opening of 5,000 to 8,000 words along with a 300-word synopsis. It's open to writers aged 16 and over from the UK and Ireland, including those living abroad.
Top Prize:
£1500
Additional prizes:
£750 for the runner up and three prizes of £150
💰 Entry fee: $29
📅 Deadline: May 31, 2025 (Expired)
The Masters Review
Genres: Fiction and Novel
The contest invites submissions of self-contained novel excerpts up to 6,000 words, focusing on strong voice, characters, and narrative arcs. The grand prize includes $3,000, online publication, and a consultation with a literary agent.
Top Prize:
$3,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: $300 | 3rd: $200 | Online publication + an hour-long consultation with a literary agent.
💰 Entry fee: $20
📅 Deadline: November 01, 2024 (Expired)
Bath Flash Fiction Award
Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction
An international rolling flash fiction competition that runs three rounds annually, offering substantial cash prizes and opportunities for publication in anthologies.
Top Prize:
£1000
Additional prizes:
£300 for 2nd, £100 for 3rd
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: February 02, 2025 (Expired)
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