Discover the finest writing contests of 2019 for fiction and non-fiction authors — including short story competitions, essay writing competitions, poetry contests, and many more. Updated weekly, these contests are vetted by Reedsy to weed out the scammers and time-wasters. If you’re looking to stick to free writing contests, simply use our filters below as you browse. Manage a contest? Submit it here
Established in 1981, the Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize is administered by the University of Pittsburgh Press. Named in honor of Agnes Lynch Starrett, the Press’s first director, the prize is awarded for a first full-length book of poems.
University of Pittsburgh Press
📆 Deadline April 30, 2019 (Expired) – 💰 Entry Fee: $25
Genres: Poetry,
$5,000
Publication in University of Pittsburgh Press
We are seeking submissions for pieces that breathe freshness to the form. We are interested in previously unpublished prose ranging from 1,000 - 5,000 words, each with a $10 entry fee. All finalists will be considered for publication.
📆 Deadline May 15, 2019 (Expired) – 💰 Entry Fee: $10
Genres: Fiction, Short Story,
$1,000
Publication in Break Water Review
The winning poem and author will be announced by August 15, and the poem will appear in the Spring issue of the following year. All submitted poems will be considered for publication in The Georgia Review; any selected will be paid our regular poetry honorarium of $4 per line.
📆 Deadline May 15, 2019 (Expired) – 💰 Entry Fee: $15
Genres: Poetry,
$1,500
Publication in The Georgia Review
Established in 1975, this $25,000 award recognizes the most outstanding book of poetry published in the United States in the previous calendar year. The prize includes an all-expenses-paid ten-day residency at Glen Hollow in Naples, New York, and distribution of the winning book to hundreds of Academy of American Poets members.
📆 Deadline May 15, 2019 (Expired) – 💰 Entry Fee: $75
Genres: Poetry,
$25,000
Residency at Glen Hollow
The Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowships are $50,000 - $100,000 awards given to honor poets of literary merit appointed to serve in civic positions and to enable them to undertake meaningful, impactful, and innovative projects that engage their fellow residents, including youth, with poetry, helping to address issues important to their communities.
📆 Deadline March 03, 2019 (Expired) – 💰 Entry Fee: $0
Genres: Poetry,
$100,000
In the spirit of the journal’s founding mission, the Ploughshares Emerging Writer's Contest recognizes work by an emerging writer in each of three genres: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. One winner in each genre per year will receive $2,000 and publication in the literary journal. We consider authors “emerging” if they haven’t published or self-published a book.
📆 Deadline May 15, 2019 (Expired) – 💰 Entry Fee: $24
Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry,
$2,000
Cagibi’s inaugural Macaron Prize. Winners receive $1000, plus publication, in each category of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. Winners and second-place finalists will be published in a Macaron Prize 2019 Cagibi print issue.
📆 Deadline February 24, 2019 (Expired) – 💰 Entry Fee: $18
Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry,
$1,000
Submit two pieces of flash fiction, 800 words max each piece.
📆 Deadline January 03, 2019 (Expired) – 💰 Entry Fee: $5
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction,
$500
Publication in Ginosko Literary Journal
For our inaugural short story competition, Not So Normal Narrators, we are seeking short stories told through underrepresented and unusual teen voices. We’re hoping to see central characters of different ethnic, cultural and class backgrounds, characters who identify as LGBTQ+, characters with disabilities or mental health issues, or just any young character with circumstances or a perspective outside of the mainstream. Prizes and entry fees are in GBP.
📆 Deadline August 31, 2019 – 💰 Entry Fee: $4
Genres: Fiction, Short Story,
$200
Share a story with exactly 100 words. That is the challenge of this writing contest. Can you write a complete story with only 100 words?
📆 Deadline August 10, 2019 – 💰 Entry Fee: $9
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction,
$100
There are many steps required to transform an idea into real life phenomenon - first you have to share them. Publishizer is seeking authors with revolutionary ideas in our ongoing metamorphosis in changing times.
📆 Deadline March 01, 2019 (Expired) – 💰 Entry Fee: $0
Genres: Fiction, Short Story,
$500
Let us honor those that gave their lives to fight inequality. Let us listen to the voices of women. Let us celebrate stories by women.
📆 Deadline March 01, 2019 (Expired) – 💰 Entry Fee: $0
Genres: Fiction, Short Story,
$500
We invite you to fill us with deep intrigue, to make our hair stand on end and set our hearts racing. Transport us into a world of intrigue. Show us that the bogeyman exists and could very well come after us. Keep us on the edge of seats. Do you have what it takes?
📆 Deadline March 01, 2019 (Expired) – 💰 Entry Fee: $0
Genres: Fiction, Short Story,
$500
Cozy Cat Press is looking to curl up with some mystery themed poems! Enter for a chance to win cash, publication, and accompanying illustrations!
📆 Deadline July 01, 2019 – 💰 Entry Fee: $0
Genres: Poetry,
$100
Share your non-fiction story to enter this writing contest. Share a moment in your life or a funny story. Whatever your choose.
📆 Deadline August 06, 2019 – 💰 Entry Fee: $9
Genres: Memoir, Non-fiction,
$100
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Submit a short story based on one of 5 weekly prompts. Winners get $50 and will feature on our Medium page! Sign up to get this week's prompts.
