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The Best Writing Contests of 2023

Writing competitions curated by Reedsy

Genre

Manage a competition? Submit it here

Showing 639 contests

Eunice Williams Nonfiction Prize

HerStry Literary Magazine

HerStry has long been a place for women identifying and nonbinary folks to tell their stories. We are a brave space for brave stories. Now, we’d like to amplify your stories even more with our contest and prize. There is no theme to adhere to for this contest, simply nonfiction written by you, about you. Give us your best work, the stuff of your heart. Our stories are what make us, tell yours.

Top prize

$400

Additional prizes

2nd: $250 | 3rd: $100

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $15

Deadline: December 15, 2023

Genres

Memoir, Non-fiction

Artificial Intelligence Competition

New Beginnings

There is no topic relating to technology that brings more discussion than artificial intelligence. Some people think it does wonders. Others see it as trouble. Let us know your opinion about AI in this competition. Include experiences you have had with AI. 300-word limit. Winners will be selected January 1, 2024. Open to anyone, anywhere.

Top prize

$100 CA

Additional prizes

Publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $5

Deadline: December 15, 2023

Genres

Essay, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story

Witcraft Monthly Humour Competition

Witcraft

Send us your skillfully written stories that are brief, humorous and engaging, with the emphasis on wit, word play, absurdity and inspired nonsense. Whether your story is designed to raise a smile or a belly laugh, we want stories that are a refuge from the relentless barrage of negativity, angst, war and climate catastrophe that dominates the web.

Top prize

AUD $50

Additional prizes

2nd: AUD $20 | 3rd: AUD $10

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: December 15, 2023

Genres

Flash Fiction, Humor

ReadWrite Strategies Funny Workplace Anthology Contest

ReadWrite Strategies

Please submit funny, creative nonfiction stories 300-1200 words in length, set in or relating to work. If it makes us laugh, it works. No entry fee and submit as many times as you want before December 18th deadline. Prizes are: $500 and a print copy of the book for first place, $200 and a print copy for second place, and $100 and a print copy for 3rd, 4th, and 5th places. All featured stories will receive a digital copy of the book on publication. The best submissions will be featured in an anthology of funny workplace stories.

Top prize

$500

Additional prizes

2nd: 200 and print copy | 3rd, 4th, & 5th: $100 and print copy

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: December 18, 2023

Genres

Humor, Non-fiction

FFF Competition 19

Free Flash Fiction

The Bi-monthly Free Flash Fiction Competition promotes the work of flash fiction authors. The winner of the current competition will be invited to be the judge for the next competition. Submit a flash fiction piece between 100 and 300 words, on any theme.

Top prize

£150

Additional prizes

2x Highly Recommended £30.00 | 2x Shortlisted £20

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $4

Deadline: December 23, 2023

Genres

Flash Fiction

The Letter Review Prize for Reprints

Letter Review

We're seeking Stories, Poems, and works of Nonfiction which have been previously published, and are not currently available to read online. Far too often excellent writing experiences a brief moment in the sun, and disappears for good (either out of print, behind a paywall, or to sit on a dusty shelf). As part of The Letter Review's committment to open access, we are here to celebrate these works, and give them a second chance by republishing them online, hopefully assisting them to shine forever.

Top prize

$1000 (shared by 3 winners)

Additional prizes

Publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $20

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Genres

Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story

Annual Flash Fiction Competition

Flash 500

This quarterly open-themed competition has closing dates of 31st March, 30th June, 30th September and 31st December. The results will be announced about six weeks after each closing date and the three winning entries each quarter will be published on the website.

Top prize

£300

Additional prizes

£200, £100

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $7

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Genres

Fiction, Short Story

The Reedsy Prompts Contest

Reedsy

Every Friday, Reedsy sends out five writing prompts. Enter your response within a week for a chance at $250. Winners may also be included in a future issue of Reedsy’s literary magazine, Prompted.

Top prize

$250

Additional prizes

$25 credit toward Reedsy editorial services

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $5

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Genres

Fiction, Short Story

7 Day Story Writing Challenge

Globe Soup

Register now for our next 7-day story writing challenge. A secret theme, a randomly assigned genre, and just 7 days to write a story of no more than 2,000 words. Our 7-day story writing challenges take place throughout the year. The challenges are free and you can even get feedback on your story. Take part in one challenge or take part in all of them!

Top prize

£500

Additional prizes

Publication on website

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $0

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Genres

Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult

The Poetry.com Contest

Poetry.com

Poetry.com offers monthly contests for poets worldwide to gain motivation, inspiration and exposure, while building passion and enjoyment for the written creative process! How are winners chosen? Our contest boasts a clever twist: poems remain anonymous whilst applicants vote on what they believe should be the winning entry.

Top prize

$500

Additional prizes

2nd place: 300 USD | 3rd place: 200 USD | Runner up personalized Poetry.com mug

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $25

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Genres

Poetry

Fusilli Flash Fiction

Fusilli Writing

Free flash fiction competition for stories up to 200 words with a twist. Competition always open, with a winner announced and published online after 100 entries received (story count on website). Feedback and the PDF ‘An introduction the writing good flash fiction’ offered for (£5 or equivalent).

Top prize

Publication on website

Additional prizes

Social media promotion

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $0

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Genres

Flash Fiction

Letter Review Prize for Short Stories

Letter Review

The Letter Review Prize for Short Stories (1000-3000 words) is open to writers from anywhere in the world and has no theme or genre restrictions. Winners are published and every entry is considered for publication. 20 entries are Longlisted.

Top prize

$1000 prize pool

Additional prizes

2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $20

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Genres

Fiction, Short Story

The Letter Review Prize for Poetry

Letter Review

The Letter Review Prize for Poetry (up to 70 lines) is open to writers from anywhere in the world and has no theme or style restrictions. Three winners are published and every entry is considered for publication. 20 entries are longlisted.

Top prize

$1000 (shared by 3 winners)

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $15

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Genres

Poetry

Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction

Letter Review

The Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction (0 - 5000 words) is open to writers from anywhere in the world and has no theme or genre restrictions. Three Winners are published and every entry is considered for publication. 20 entries are longlisted.

Top prize

$1000 (shared by 3 winners)

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $20

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Genres

Flash Fiction, Short Story, Fiction

Reader Views Literary Awards

Reader Views

The Reader Views Literary Awards program helps level the playing field for self-published authors, recognizing the most creative and exciting new books in the industry. Our awards program is recognized industry-wide as one of the top literary awards programs for independent authors.

Top prize

$2,500

Additional prizes

Several marketing prizes (e.g. book review)

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $89

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Genres

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

Letter Review Prize for Manuscripts

Letter Review

The Letter Review Prize for Manuscripts (Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction) is open to writers from anywhere in the world. Three Winners are awarded and have extracts published. 20 entries are Longlisted. Winners receive letter of recommendation for publishers.

Top prize

$1000 (shared by 3 winners)

Additional prizes

Publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $20

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Genres

Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Novel, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult

Letter Review Prize for Nonfiction

Letter Review

The Letter Review Prize for Nonfiction (0 - 5000 words) is open to writers from anywhere in the world. Accepting most forms of Nonfiction. Three winners are published and every entry is considered for publication. 20 entries are longlisted.

Top prize

$1000 (shared by 3 winners)

Additional prizes

Publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $20

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Genres

Essay, Memoir, Non-fiction, Humor

Valorious Awards

Hopper Creative Group LLC

The Valorious Awards, sponsored by international best-selling author, Christopher Hopper, is an annual competition seeking to recognize and encourage emerging artists in two categories: best sci-fi novel, best sci-fi voice actor. The awards seek to recognize emerging independent authors and character actors and discover new and exciting talent within the world of science fiction.

Top prize

$500

Additional prizes

2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $35

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Genres

Science Fiction

Iridescence Award

Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc

Kinsman Quarterly seeks fiction and poetry submissions from BIPOC authors for the Iridescence Award by December 31. Themes should include the supernatural, extraterrestrial, paranormal--urban fantasy, magical realism, science fiction, Afro-futurism, etc. Winners receive cash prizes up to $500 USD and publication in our literary magazine and E-book. No fees required.

Top prize

$500

Additional prizes

Publication in Kinsman Quarterly and the Iridescence anthology

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Genres

Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Science Fiction

The Moth Poetry Prize

The Moth

The Moth Poetry Prize is one of the biggest prizes in the world for a single unpublished poem. The prize is open to anyone, as long as the poem is previously unpublished, and each year it attracts thousands of entries from new and established poets from over 50 countries worldwide.

Top prize

€6,000

Additional prizes

3x runners up: €1,000 | 8x further prizes of €250 | Publication online in Irish Times

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $16

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Genres

Poetry

True Love on Tapas

Tapas Entertainment

Get ready to ignite your passion for storytelling! Tapas is thrilled to announce our first novel contest for romance writers: The True Love Webnovel Contest. Up for grabs: $150,000 in minimum guarantees for 15 winners!

Top prize

$10,000

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Genres

Fiction, Romance, Young Adult

The Summit Series Fiction Book Contest

Summit Series of CMICH Press

Are you or have you ever been a resident of Michigan? Do you have a fiction book manuscript searching for a home? If so, please submit your work to the first annual Summit Series book contest of CMICH Press! This year’s focus is Michigan writers, and the winner will be published by the press in 2024. The deadline is January 1, 2024. Please see our website for more details. We look forward to reading your work.

Top prize

Book publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $25

Deadline: January 01, 2024

Genres

Fiction

Poetry Open

Gemini Magazine

Our 14th annual Poetry Open! Any form of poetry, any topic or length. The top six poems will be published online in our Spring 2024 issue. Any poet writing in English is eligible. Entries must be previously unpublished. Submit up to three poems for $9 entry fee.

Top prize

$1,000

Additional prizes

2nd: $100 | 4x honorable mentions: $25

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $9

Deadline: January 02, 2024

Genres

Poetry

Yeats Poetry Prize

WB Yeats Society of NY

The Yeats Poetry Prize is open to anyone worldwide. Unpublished poems in English, up to 60 lines on any subject, may be entered at Yeats.Submittable.com from November 1st. Postal entries are also welcome. Fees: $15 USD for first poem, $12 USD for each additional one. This is a blind competition.

Top prize

1000

Additional prizes

2nd: $500

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $15

Deadline: January 02, 2024

Genres

Poetry

Quantum Shorts

Centre for Quantum Technologies

Complexity and uncertainty are part and parcel of the quantum world. Plot a tale inspired by quantum physics to enter the Quantum Shorts flash fiction competition. Entries must include the phrase “nobody said this was going to be easy” and be no longer than 1000 words. Enter by the deadline for a chance to win prizes!

Top prize

$1,500

Additional prizes

Certificate and engraved trophy

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: January 08, 2024

Genres

Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller

LGBTQIA+ Literary Success Grants

Georgia Writers Association

The LGBTQIA+ Literary Success Grant will be awarded annually in the categories of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and screenwriting. The purpose of the grants is to elevate, encourage, and inspire the voices of young queer writers in Georgia.

Top prize

$500

Additional prizes

Scholarship to the annual Red Clay Writers Conference

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: January 12, 2024

Genres

Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Script Writing

Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction

Not Quite Write Podcast

A flash fiction competition with a twist! Entrants will be given two writing prompts and one "anti-prompt" and will have 60 hours to write and submit a 500-word piece of flash fiction. Open to all ages and abilities.

Top prize

$1000 AUD

Additional prizes

Publication on podcast and website

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $16

Deadline: January 21, 2024

Genres

Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult

Fiction Factory Flash Fiction

Fiction Factory

This is an international competition - we welcome entries from around the world. Maximum Word count: 1000. Stories may be on any theme. Entries must be previously unpublished. The deadline is 31st January, 2024 and results will be be announced by April 2024. Discounts for multiple entries - see website for details. Minimum age: 16 years. Children's and YA cannot be accepted sadly Each entry will receive acknowledgement and all contestants will be informed of results.

Top prize

£500

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $7

Deadline: January 31, 2024

Genres

Fiction, Flash Fiction, Crime, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller

Oxford Flash Fiction Prize 2024

Oxford Flash Fiction

Write yourself into history and become one of the greats with the Oxford Flash Fiction Prize. For centuries, the greats have come to Oxford to ink masterpieces. Now, in one of the oldest towns, where the history of the English language can be traced back to its ancient streets, we are celebrating one of the newest forms in literature – flash fiction.

Top prize

£1000

Additional prizes

2nd Prize: £200 | 3rd Prize: £100 | New Voice Prize: £200

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $9

Deadline: January 31, 2024

Genres

Flash Fiction, Fiction, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult

Clash of the Query Letters

Darling Axe Editing

Our judge, Michelle Barker, will be asking herself one question: does this query letter convince me that I'm in the hands of an adept novelist with a unique and engaging story to tell?

Top prize

CAD $700

Additional prizes

CAD $200 for 2nd place, $100 for 3rd place

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $4

Deadline: January 31, 2024

Genres

Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult

Askew's Word on the Lake Writing Contest

Shuswap Association of Writers

Whether you’re an established or emerging writer, the Askew’s Word on the Lake Writing Contest has a place for you. Part of the Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival in Salmon Arm, BC, the contest is open to submissions in short fiction (up to 2,000 words), nonfiction (up to 2,000 words), and poetry (up to three one-page poems).

Top prize

$200 CAD

Additional prizes

Publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $11

Deadline: January 31, 2024

Genres

Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Essay, Memoir, Short Story

Story Unlikely's Short Story Contest

Story Unlikely

Story Unlikely's Annual Short Story contest is simply looking for great stories, judged both by the technical and literary quality as well as the author's ability to tell a story. We are not genre specific, and judging is blind, not based on the author's credentials, background, or pedigree. This is merit only. May the best story win.

Top prize

$750

Additional prizes

2nd: $500 | 3rd: $250 | Publication and illustration for top 3 stories

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: January 31, 2024

Genres

Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult

New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2024

New Writers

The New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2024 is open to writers from around the world, and offers a top prize of £1,000, a second prize of £300 and a third prize of £200. The deadline is midnight (UK time) on Wednesday 31st January 2024 and £1.00 from each entry will be donated to the First Story charity.

Top prize

£1,000

Additional prizes

2nd: £300 | 3rd: £200

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $12

Deadline: January 31, 2024

Genres

Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story

The Saroyan Prize

Stanford University Libraries

Submissions are now being accepted for the 11th William Saroyan International Prize for Writing. Two prizes of $5,000 each are given for works of fiction and nonfiction. The awards, co-sponsored by Stanford Libraries and the William Saroyan Foundation, are intended to encourage new or emerging writers and honor the Saroyan legacy of originality, vitality, and stylistic innovation. Submit five copies of your work published between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023 with a $50 entry fee by January 31, 2024. Writers who have published four or more books are ineligible.

Top prize

$5,000

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $50

Deadline: January 31, 2024

Genres

Fiction, Non-fiction

Winter Flash Fiction Battle

Writing Battle

Three days to write a 1000 word short story. The peer-powered quarterly writing contest where every story receives oodles of feedback. Write one. Read ten. Win thousands.

Top prize

$10,000

Additional prizes

Feedback by industry professionals.

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $25

Deadline: February 01, 2024

Genres

Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller

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