The Best Writing Contests of 2023
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
Creative Writing Matters
We accept the first ten thousand words including synopsis of a novel that has not been accepted for publication by a traditional publishing house. We are delighted to welcome Kate Nash of the Kate Nash Literary Agency as our final judge.
£500
💰 Fee: $23
Deadline: January 01, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel
View contestThe Black Caucus of ALA
The Black Caucus of ALA (BCALA) honors the best self-published ebooks by an African American author in the U.S. in the Fiction and Poetry genres.
$500
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: February 28, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel, Poetry
View contestThe Tusculum Review
A prize of $1,000, publication of the chapbook in The Tusculum Review’s 2022 issue, and creation of a limited edition stand-alone chapbook is awarded for the winning collection of poems.
$1,000
Publication in The Tusculum Review, creation of a limited edition chapbook
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: June 15, 2022 (Expired)
Poetry
View contestLunch Ticket
The Gabo Prize is funded by writers, translators, and Antioch University Los Angeles MFA Alumni, who launched the prize to support the work of peer translators. This cycle, we are seeking works dealing with the theme of "yet to emerge." Please send us works of translation less than 3,500 words long, that are fresh, current, and showcasing underrepresented authors, languages, and cultures.
$200
Publication in Lunch Ticket
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: September 01, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Short Story
View contestLunch Ticket
Twice each year, in memory of Diana Woods, a work of creative nonfiction (3,500 words or less) is selected for the DWM award, and published in Lunch Ticket alongside two finalists. This cycle, we are seeking work on the theme of Openings. Send us your memoir, personal essays, and flash nonfiction that meets, exceeds, or explodes our expectations of how openings look, feel, and sound.
$250
Publication in the Lunch Ticket Magazine
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: September 01, 2021 (Expired)
Non-fiction
View contestThe Ghost Story
The Ghost Story Supernatural Fiction Award competition for full-length short stories on a supernatural theme is now open for submissions! Twice each year TGS awards $1,500 and both online and print publication to the winner of our short story competition.
$1,500
online and print publication
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: September 30, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Short Story
View contestRubery Book Awards
The Rubery Prize is a prestigious international book award seeking the best books by indie writers, self published authors and books published by independent presses, judged by reputable judges. Through our reputation of finding quality and outstanding books we aim to bring recognition to the works that win and heighten an author's profile.
£2000
£200, a write-up
💰 Fee: $60
Deadline: March 31, 2022 (Expired)
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult, Romance
View contestPEN America
The PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize recognizes 12 emerging writers for their debut short story published in a literary magazine, journal, or cultural website. The 12 winning stories are selected by a committee of three judges who are well-respected experts in the art of the short story. The winning writers each receive a $2,000 cash prize and will be published by Catapult in their annual anthology.
$2,000
Publication in Catapult
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: November 15, 2021 (Expired)
View contest
Zoetrope
The three prizewinners and seven honorable mentions will be considered for representation by a number of literary agencies. Guest Judge: Daniel Mason, finalist for the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
$1,000
2nd $500; 3rd $250
💰 Fee: $30
Deadline: October 01, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Short Story
View contestBaton Rouge Area Foundation
The Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence honors Louisiana’s revered storyteller, Ernest J. Gaines, and serves to inspire and recognize rising African-American fiction writers of excellence at a national level. Authors may submit a work of fiction (novel or collection of short stories) that will be published in 2021. Galleys for a 2021 publication are also accepted. The cash prize is to support and enable the writer to focus on writing.
$15,000
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: August 15, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel, Short Story
View contestIndiana Review
Send us up to 3 pieces of no more than 500 words each in any genre for a chance to win $1000 + publication. This year’s final judge is Taylor Johnson. Submit your work from July 1 through August 15!
$1,000
Publication
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: August 15, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestHastings LitFest ltd.
A contest for poetry, short stories & life writing based on current events. Up to 12 winners will be invited to an all-day workshop in Hastings on 23/09/21, working with editors to prepare their pieces for publication. Three prizes of £100 will also be given. The resulting anthology Dateline Hastings: 23-09-21 will be published two days later at a launch event with Hastings Literary Festival patron Sir David Hare.
£100
workshop & publication
💰 Fee: $14
Deadline: July 24, 2021 (Expired)
Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestThe Dillydoun Review
International fiction contest open to all genres, themes, and subjects. 8,000 word max / no minimum. Short story, flash fiction, self-contained excerpts from longer works welcome. Entries must be written in English.
$2,000
2nd $1,000, 3rd $500, Honorable Mention $50, Publication in Print Anthology
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: October 31, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestGutsy Great Novelist
The Page One Prize, brought to you by award-winning novelist Joan Dempsey, is open to all writers over 18 who are working on an as-yet-unpublished novel. This prize aims to find the best FIRST PAGE written in the English language. Any genre for adults or young adults is eligible.
$1,000
2nd $500; 3rd $250
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: July 07, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel
View contestJustice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms asks Canadian students to answer (in 1000-2500 words) the following question: Should citizens who refuse to get vaccinated have the same rights and freedoms as those who do get vaccinated? This contest is open to all Canadian youth who will be between the age of 15–24 on the date they submit their essay.
$2,000
$1000 for 2nd, $500 for 3rd
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: October 31, 2021 (Expired)
Essay, Non-fiction
View contestHidden River Arts
Hidden River Arts offers an award of $1,000 and publication by Hidden River Press, an imprint of Hidden River Publishing, for an original collection of essays. Previous publication of individual essays is acceptable, as long as you include the list of the published essays, the journals and magazines where they appeared, and authorize that the publication rights have reverted to you, as author.
$1,000
Publication by Hidden River Arts
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: October 31, 2021 (Expired)
Essay, Non-fiction
View contestGlobe Soup
We’re looking for the best POEM of up to 50 lines. The theme for Globe Soup Poetry Competitions is always: ‘Poetry with a Sense of Place’. We accept all forms and styles of poetry. We can’t wait to see where this competition takes you!
£1000
💰 Fee: $11
Deadline: August 24, 2021 (Expired)
Poetry
View contestNew Jersey Romance Writers
Submissions will consist of a FIRST chapter, not to exceed 30 pages, and a PROJECTED WORD COUNT of the completed manuscript. A prologue may be included as part of the first chapter, if within page total guidelines. An UNJUDGED SYNOPSIS must be included at the end of the submission, clearly defined with a page break and titled "SYNOPSIS". The synopsis will not count toward the page count.
$200
Social media promotion, feedback from 2 published authors
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: August 01, 2021 (Expired)
Novel
View contestInstitute for Writers
Can you establish your science fiction world and pull a reader into your story in the first 1,000 words? Submit the first 1,000 words of your unpublished sci-fi manuscript aimed at an adult (or young adult) audience for your chance to win the grand prize.
$650
Critique from an IFW Instructor
💰 Fee: $19
Deadline: August 31, 2021 (Expired)
Science Fiction
View contestInsecure 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.
Publication by Freedom Fox Press
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: September 01, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Science Fiction, Romance
View contestScottish 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.
£1000
Second £300, Third £150, Publication for top twenty in our next anthology
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: August 31, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestWriters' 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.
$100
Publication and social media promotion, 6 months free membership to the Writers' Mastermind
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: September 01, 2021 (Expired)
View contest
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.
$200
Cash prizes for top three entries.
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: June 18, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story
View contestJericho 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.
£500
Exclusive access to publishing professionals.
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: September 02, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction
View contestSaveAs 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.
£200
£100 second place, £50 third place
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: August 31, 2021 (Expired)
Poetry, Short Story
View contestCRAFT
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.
$2,800
publication in CRAFT magazine + manuscript critique
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: June 30, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel, Novella
View contestGrindstone 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.
£500
£200 runner-up, £50 four shortlisters
💰 Fee: $17
Deadline: August 01, 2021 (Expired)
Short Story
View contestImpress 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).
£500
Possibility of a publishing contract with one of Untold Publishing's imprints
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: September 13, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Non-fiction, Young Adult
View contestFlash 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!
£500
£200 for 2nd place, £100 for 3rd place
💰 Fee: $8
Deadline: February 28, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Short Story
View contestCreatd
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.
$1,000 — $5,000
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: December 31, 2021 (Expired)
Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Short Story
View contestThe 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.
$200
$100
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: May 31, 2021 (Expired)
Short Story, Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction
View contestTypehouse 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.
$175
$100 for second place and $50 for third place
💰 Fee: $12
Deadline: June 30, 2021 (Expired)
Crime, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestNowhere 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.
$1,000
Publication in Nowhere magazine
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: June 30, 2021 (Expired)
Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestGirton 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.
£700
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: March 05, 2021 (Expired)
Poetry
View contestRocky 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.
$150
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: June 30, 2021 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel
View contest