The Best Writing Contests of 2022
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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Manage a competition? Submit it here
Join our short story competition
Submit a short story based on 1 of 5 weekly prompts. Winners get $250.
Showing 470 contests
Insecure Writer's Support Group Anthology Contest
Insecure Writer's Support Group
The winning stories will be edited and published by Dancing Lemur Press' imprint Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title. This year's genre is sweet romance, and the theme is first love.
Top prize
Publication by Freedom Fox Press
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: September 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Science Fiction, Romance
View contestEdinburgh Award for Flash Fiction
Scottish Arts Trust
The Edinburgh Flash Fiction Award is open to writers worldwide, published and unpublished, and for stories on any topic up to 250 words. Chief judges are the celebrated authors Zoe Strachan and Louise Welsh. The top twenty authors will be given free tickets to our annual Flash Bash at the Scottish Arts Club in Edinburgh, where everyone will present their stories and the prize-winners will be announced.
Top prize
£1000
Additional prizes
Second £300, Third £150, Publication for top twenty in our next anthology
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: August 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestShort Story Contest
Writers' Mastermind
You’ve got something special. We want to get it out into the world. The Writers’ Mastermind is holding a short story contest for writers of all levels and all genres. 1K-5K words. Previously published work is accepted.
Top prize
$100
Additional prizes
Publication and social media promotion, 6 months free membership to the Writers' Mastermind
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: September 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
View contest
Dialogue Only
The Write Contest and Community
The Write Contest and Community is now accepting entries to our Dialogue Only Contest. The Dialogue Only Contest is an opportunity to create a clear and compelling story using nothing but dialogue. Your entry can be up to 250 words.
Top prize
$200
Additional prizes
Cash prizes for top three entries.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: June 18, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story
View contestThe Jericho Prize for Children's Writing
Jericho Prize
The Jericho Prize for Children's Writing is a brand-new competition, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. It’s open to unpublished and self-published Black-British writers over the age of 18. This year, they’re looking for writers with great stories to inspire children aged 4 years plus and 7–9.
Top prize
£500
Additional prizes
Exclusive access to publishing professionals.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: September 02, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction
View contestHorizons
SaveAs Writers
2021 marks the centenary of T S Eliot’s visit to Margate, where he wrote part of The Waste Land. To celebrate his work and the views from our coastline, SaveAs Writers launch their annual international creative writing competition, this year asking for poems and short stories on the theme of Horizons. The theme can be literal, figurative, a celebration of views, a reflection on Eliot and his work, or a broader take on the theme.
Top prize
£200
Additional prizes
£100 second place, £50 third place
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: August 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry, Short Story
View contestFirst Chapters Contest
CRAFT
We are looking for excerpts of book-length fiction, up to 5,000 words total. Please submit the first chapter (or chapters) of your unpublished novels/novellas, completed or in progress. Masie Cochran of Tin House is our guest judge.
Top prize
$2,800
Additional prizes
publication in CRAFT magazine + manuscript critique
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: June 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Novella
View contestGrindstone Short Story Prize
Grindstone Literary
The Grindstone Short Story Prize returns this year, seeking out the best short fiction writers from around the world. Writers are asked to submit a piece of short fiction between 1000 and 3000 words, of any genre, aimed at adult readers.
Top prize
£500
Additional prizes
£200 runner-up, £50 four shortlisters
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $17
Deadline: August 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Short Story
View contestImpress Prize
Impress Books
The Impress Prize for New Writers is part of the Untold Publishing Group, and the winner of the prize will be published by one of Untold Publishing’s imprints. Entries should comprise of a book proposal and a sample chapter. We accept both fiction and non-fiction across most genres (excluding poetry and children 's fiction, however we will consider Young Adult submissions).
Top prize
£500
Additional prizes
Possibility of a publishing contract with one of Untold Publishing's imprints
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: September 13, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Young Adult
View contestAnnual Short Story Contest
Flash 500
We are looking for stories (of any genre) ranging between 1,000 and 3,000 words, with strong characters, a well-crafted plot and realistic dialogue (where used). Make us laugh, make us cry, but most of all, make us feel!
Top prize
£500
Additional prizes
£200 for 2nd place, £100 for 3rd place
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $8
Deadline: February 28, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestShe Writes Press and SparkPress Towards Equality in Publishing (STEP)
SparkPoint Studio
The publishing industry has been widely criticized for its lack of diversity. At She Writes Press and SparkPress, we are well aware of the need for more and broader representation of writers of color on our lists. In an effort to address this issue head-on we launched the She Writes Press and SparkPress Toward Equality in Publishing (STEP) contest.
Top prize
Publishing package including a 500-book print run
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: July 05, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction
View contestDaisy Pettles' Writing Residency
The Daisy Pettles House
Women writers who are age 40 or older are invited to submit up to 20 pages of a work in progress to win a chance for a month-long residency in a house where you can focus on your writing. First prize comes with a $1000 cash prize. Fee reductions and hardship wavers can be granted.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Month-long writer's getaway
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $45
Deadline: December 12, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Short Story
View contestVocal Challenges
Creatd
Enter themed storytelling contests to put your creativity to the test and be in with a chance of winning cash prizes and more. To submit, you'll need to sign up for a monthly fee of $9.99, or $4.99/month for 3 months.
Top prize
$1,000 — $5,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: December 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Short Story
View contestInteractive Romance Writing Contest
Sana Stories
The theme of our current Writing Contest is ‘Slow Burn’ - the romantic pull between two characters that just keeps on going! Stories need to be written with our Writing Tool, have min. 5000 words, have at least one choice situation where the story branches. Adaptations of linear stories are also welcome.
Top prize
€500
Additional prizes
€200, €100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: April 11, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Short Story, Young Adult
View contestYouth Writing Contest
The Vancouver Writers Fest
The Vancouver Writers Fest's annual youth writing contest is open to all students enrolled in grades 8-12 in British Columbia. Entries will be accepted for previously unpublished short stories (fiction or non-fiction) and personal essays: 1,500 word limit. The first-prize winner will receive a $200 cash prize and the second-prize winner, a $100 cash prize.
Top prize
$200
Additional prizes
$100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: May 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Short Story, Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction
View contestTypehouse Literary Magazine Open Fiction Contest
Typehouse Literary Magazine
We are pleased to announce Typehouse Literary Magazine 's third biennial Open Fiction Contest! All pieces must be between 1000-6000 words, entries must be previously unpublished and all genres are accepted.
Top prize
$175
Additional prizes
$100 for second place and $50 for third place
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $12
Deadline: June 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestNowhere Magazine Spring 2021 Travel Writing Contest
Nowhere Magazine
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Nowhere Magazine is given twice yearly for a travel-specific short story, long-form creative nonfiction piece, poem or essay that possesses a powerful sense of place, character or time. Unpublished and published pieces that have not previously been chosen as a contest winner are eligible. Submit your 800- to 5,000-word piece with a $20 entry fee by June 30, 2021.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication in Nowhere magazine
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: June 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestJane Martin Poetry Prize (UK)
Girton College
A UK-only competition for young poets (aged 18-30 years). The winners receive a cash prize of £700 and have an opportunity to give a reading at a celebratory event at Girton College.
Top prize
£700
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: March 05, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestColorado Gold Writing Contest for Unpublished Writers
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers
Offers emerging writers a chance to get their work seen by acquiring agents and editors. For unpublished writers of novel-length commercial fiction.
Top prize
$150
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: June 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel
View contestNowhere Emerging Travel Writers' Prize
Nowhere Magazine
We are looking for never-been-published travel writers from anywhere in the world to send us stories—fiction, nonfiction, essay or poetry—that possess a powerful sense of place, people and time.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication in Nowhere Magazine
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: March 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestJuniper Prizes
University of Massachusetts Press
The Juniper Prizes for Poetry, Fiction, and Creative Nonfiction are awarded annually to original manuscripts: two books of poetry, one work of creative nonfiction, one short story collection, and one novel. The University of Massachusetts Press publishes the winning manuscripts and the authors receive a $1,000 award upon publication. Submissions are accepted between August 1 and September 30.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication by University of Massachusetts Press
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $30
Deadline: September 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Short Story
View contestTo Hull and Back Humorous Short Story Contest
Christopher Fielden
August 2020 saw the launch of the 2021 To Hull And Back Short Story Competition, a biennial short story contest with a humorous twist that celebrates the most imaginative and amazing short stories from writers all over the world. There's a total prize pot of £3,250.
Top prize
£1,200
Additional prizes
Published in an anthology
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $18
Deadline: July 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Humor, Non-fiction, Short Story
View contestMain Street Rag Poetry Book Contest
Main Street Rag Publishing Company
The Main Street Rag Poetry Book Contest is for full length poetry manuscripts (48-84 pages) and has a February 1, 2020 deadline.
Top prize
$1,200
Additional prizes
Publication, 50 copies of their book
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: January 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe Kurt Brown Prizes
Association of Writers & Writing Programs
AWP will offer three scholarships of $500 each to be awarded to three first-place winners in the genres of creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. These scholarships must be used to attend a writers’ conference, center, retreat, festival, or residency at one of the AWP member programs in the Directory of Conferences & Centers. All winners and six finalists will also receive a one-year individual membership.
Top prize
$500 scholarship
Additional prizes
one-year membership
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: May 15, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Short Story
View contestThe Don Belton Fiction Reading Period
Indiana Review
Indiana Review and Indiana University Press are proud to present the Don Belton Fiction Reading Period. Between May 1 and June 30, we will read fiction manuscripts of up to 80,000 words. The winning manuscript will be published by IU Press and the author will receive $1,000 against future royalties and a standard publication contract with IU Press.
Top prize
Publication by IU Press
Additional prizes
$1,000 against future royalties, a standard publication contract with IU Press
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: June 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel
View contestEdwin Markham Prize for Poetry
Reed Magazine
The Edwin Markham Prize honors outstanding works of poetry. Our taste is eclectic and celebrates the wonderful diversity of forms, styles, and levels of diction available to the contemporary poet. Writers may submit up to five (5) poems per submission.
Top prize
$1,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: November 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestJohn Steinbeck Award for Fiction
Reed Magazine
Awarding one of the richest purses among literary magazines—$1,000 for the winning story—the John Steinbeck Award for Fiction recognizes exceptional works of fiction. Aesthetically, we are open to most styles and approaches. All works should be stand-alone short stories, not chapters of a longer work. Please limit prose submissions to 5,000 words.
Top prize
$1,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: November 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contest"Matter" Anthology Poetry Contest
Oprelle
Oprelle's monthly poetry contest is for all of you out there who carry a scrappy notebook full of poems. Your soul is on that paper, and your words matter. Your poem, based on that month's theme, can be simple and uplifting, or complicated and metaphorical; any style works, if you follow the rules and write 14 or less lines. Oh, and make sure your poetry is 100% original. We will consider both published and unpublished poems.
Top prize
$200
Additional prizes
Publication in Matter Anthology
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: December 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe Lascaux Prize in Creative Nonfiction
The Lascaux Review
The Lascaux Prize in Creative Nonfiction opens 1 April. Creative nonfiction may include memoirs, chronicles, personal essays, humorous perspectives, literary journalism—anything the author has witnessed, experienced, learned, or discovered. Pieces may be previously published or unpublished, and simultaneous submissions are accepted. Winner receives $1,000 and a bronze medallion. Finalists receive $100. Winner and finalists are published in both the online and annual print editions of The Lascaux Review.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication in the Lascaux Review
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: September 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Memoir, Non-fiction
View contestThe Lascaux Prize in Short Fiction
The Lascaux Review
Stories may be previously published or unpublished, and simultaneous submissions are accepted. Winner receives $1,000 and a bronze medallion. Finalists receive $100. Winner and finalists are published in both the online and annual print editions of The Lascaux Review.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication in The Lascaux Review
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: December 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestDzanc Books Nonfiction Prize
Dzanc Books
The Dzanc Books Nonfiction Prize honors an innovative and inspiring long-form works of nonfiction.
Top prize
$1,500
Additional prizes
Publication by Dzanc Books
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: September 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Non-fiction
View contestThe Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry
African Poetry Book Fund
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. [Submissions open September 15, 2021]
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Book publication through the University of Nebraska Press and Amalion Press in Senegal
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: December 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe Larry Brown Short Story Award
Pithead Chapel
We’re pleased to announce the sixth annual Larry Brown Short Story Award. The winners will receive the following prizes: 1st $500 USD, 2nd $50 USD, 3rd $50 USD, and 4th and 5th will receive a copy of the book Tiny Love: The Complete Stories by Larry Brown. Each prize winner will be published in the January 2022 issue of Pithead Chapel.
Top prize
$500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: October 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestAn Axe to Grind - Flash Fiction Contest
The Darling Axe
Tell us a story in fewer than 1000 words for a chance to win from a growing prize pool, plus publication on the Chopping Blog.
Top prize
$700
Additional prizes
Publication on the Chopping Blog
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: March 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Short Story, Flash Fiction
View contestLighthouse Poetry Series
Cleveland State University Poetry Center
The Cleveland State University Poetry Center welcomes submissions for the Lighthouse Poetry Series. The Lighthouse Poetry Series publishes contemporary poetry from poets with any history of publication. The winner will receive $1,000, publication, and a standard royalty contract. This year’s contest will be judged by Randall Mann.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Royalty contract
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $28
Deadline: March 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contest
