The Best Writing Contests of 2022
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
The League of POETS
After a long hiatus, The League of POETS is happy to announce its return to literary activities. Each of our new weekly contest will have a different topic and different theme — this is done to encourage diversity among ideas. We want to see poetry and short stories that explore different emotions and take on a fresh new perspective on life.
Certificate of Distinction
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: July 15, 2022 (Expired)
Poetry, Short Story
View contestPulp Literature Press
This contest is for previously unpublished short fiction between 250 and 2500 words in length. Multiple entries welcome. Total entries limited to 300. Show us your most scintillating treasures in the form of short fiction up to 2500 words in length and you could be the one bringing home $300 CAD to line your nest!
$230
Publication in Pulp Literature
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: October 15, 2022
Fiction
View contestExisle Academy
Sometimes, the right story at the right moment can give us the courage we need to overcome adversity. And when that story doesn't already exist, we need to make it ourselves. Write a short story - in any genre, fiction or fact - that helped or would have helped you at a pivotal moment in your life. One winner will receive up to $2000 worth of training and coaching with Exisle Academy, including the opportunity to discuss developing a book with our editors. Entry is encouraged from writers of all types from all background’s cultures and abilities. We are seeking entries from as diverse a set of communities as possible. Top entries will be published on our website, with their permission.
$2,000
Free enrolment to the "Become a Successful Author" course
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: August 28, 2022
Fiction, Non-fiction, Short Story
View contestChristopher Fielden
July 2022 saw the launch of the 8th 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.
£1,200
2nd Prize: £600 | 3rd Prize: £300 | 3 x Highly Commended: £150 | 14 x Shortlisted: £75
💰 Fee: $16
Deadline: June 30, 2023
Fiction, Humor, Non-fiction, Short Story
View contestBooksie
We're looking for the most interesting, original stories that will make us laugh, cry and see the world in a slightly different way. The winner will receive the Booksie Short Story Award, which comes with a hefty cash prize, a gold trophy badge, and one week of free Boosts. We also have awards for the runner-ups. Maximum length of 5,000 words.
$50
2nd and 3rd: $100 cash
💰 Fee: $6
Deadline: September 24, 2022
Short Story
View contestLetter Review
Letter Review is offering $1000 USD total prize pool in a competition for short stories between 400 - 2000 words. No genre or theme restrictions! All winners receive publication at Letter Review. Twenty entries will be longlisted, who have the option to discuss publication at Letter Review too.
$650
2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: October 31, 2022
Fiction, Short Story
View contestAtom Learning
To celebrate the budding wordsmiths of the UK, we're running a UK creative writing competition. There are two categories: ages 7-9 and ages 10-11. The 2022 theme for Atom’s Young Author Award is A DAY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD.
A trip to Disneyland Paris for a family of 4
Stack of novels | Professionally illustrated book cover | £2,500 for the child's school
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Fiction, Children's
View contestOne Page Poetry
One Page Poetry is dedicated to the art of expressing a poetic theme on a single page, whether your poem is four lines or forty, whether yours is a love poem, inspirational poem, philosophical poem, or just one that is fun or whimsical. We welcome any and all poetic forms, as long as they fit on a single page.
$2,000
2nd: $1000 | 3rd: $500
💰 Fee: $95
Deadline: September 20, 2022
Poetry
View contestGreen Stories project at University of Southampton
Organised by the University of Southampton, Green Stories is a ‘free’ writing competition project with a range of categories for novelists and short story writers. Entries should conform with positive visions of more sustainable futures and/or the inclusion of green solutions but needn’t have an explicitly green theme.
Between £100-£1000
Publication support and publicity
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: December 31, 2022
Fiction, Novel, Short Story
View contestPigeon Review
A flash fiction competition in honor of the Pigeon Review Publication turning 1 year old.
$100
2nd: $75 | 3rd: $25 | Finalist & Top 3 Published
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestBriar Press NY
Briar Press NY is looking for a Novella in the Gothic tradition, previously unpublished and set in any historical time period and place/culture up until 1970. We are looking for beautiful writing, an engaging plot, memorable characters, and that authentic Gothic atmosphere (classic tropes are welcomed, but we also want substance and depth!) 75 to 150 pp long (18,000 to 38,000 words)
Publication with Briar Press NY in Autumn 2022
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: July 15, 2022 (Expired)
Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Novella, Romance, Thriller
View contestCAS
Short story competition open to all writers all over the world. There is no theme and all subjects and genres are welcome. Entries must be written in English and be at least 2,000 words in length and no more than 4,000 words.
$968
$484 second place, $242 third place and $36 for 7 runners up
💰 Fee: $9
Deadline: July 01, 2022 (Expired)
Short Story
View contestHastings Book Festival
Short Story Competition judged by VG Lee. Enter a short story in with any theme within a 2500 word limit. The winning entries in each category will receive a cash prize of £250. The runner up in each category will receive a cash prize of £50. Prizes will be presented in person at the festival closing celebration in Hastings on Sunday 25th September. There are a limited number of bursaries available for low income or unemployed writers.
$302
💰 Fee: $9
Deadline: July 31, 2022 (Expired)
Short Story
View contestBest Indie Book Award
The annual Best Indie Book Award® (or BIBA®) is an international literary awards contest recognizing self-published and independently published authors from all over the world. Entries are limited to independently (indie) published books, including those from small presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors.
Trophy
💰 Fee: $65
Deadline: October 01, 2022
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestOxford 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 want to celebrate one of the newest forms in literature – flash fiction.
$1,300
2nd Prize: $243 | 3rd Prize: $122
💰 Fee: $8
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Christian, Crime, Fantasy, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Mystery, Suspense, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Travel
View contestHysteria Writing
The Hysteria Writing Competition showcases writers from all over the world. Past winners have come from countries as far apart as UK, Canada, Australia and Nigeria. Its purpose is to help writers get their work in front of a new, different audience.
$364
Publication in Hysteria 9 anthology
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Flash Fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestMONO
We are thrilled to invite you to enter our 2022 Poetry Prize judged this year by Joelle Taylor. This competition is completely unthemed. Why? Because we want you to go off-piste, totally off the beaten track. Word limit? You choose. Line count? Enough. You can enter up to three poems at a cost of £6 per poem (just adjust the quantity at checkout if necessary).
$606
2nd: $243 | 3rd: $122
💰 Fee: $8
Deadline: August 01, 2022 (Expired)
Poetry
View contestWine Country Writers' Festival
Fire up those pens and get those unpublished stories and poems submitted to WCWF 2nd Annual Writing Contest. Three winners in each category, publication in Anthology, and your own copy. Entries: $15 or two for $25.
$150
2nd Place: $75 | 3rd Place: $50
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: July 29, 2022 (Expired)
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestCenter for Interfaith Relations
For over thirteen years, the Poetry of the Sacred contest has received thousands of submissions touching every aspect of spiritual life. Poetry has been called ‘the language of the soul’ and this annual contest encourages poets to awaken the reader to the deep meaning and beauty of a contemplative life. Poems are evaluated based on literary excellence, authenticity and spiritual tenor.
$500
Three honorable mentions to receive $100
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: August 01, 2022 (Expired)
Poetry
View contestAnkara Circle
The Tales By Moonlight Contest is a novella writing competition. The genre for the competition is fiction and the theme is magic. Contest entries can range from 7,500 - 40,000 words in length. Winners will be decided by a public voting system.
$1,000
Publication on platform
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: September 15, 2022
Fantasy, Fiction, Novella
View contestNeovel
The theme of this contest is Time travel. To respect the theme of the contest, the main character or characters of your entry must go through a change of temporality and must have a significant impact on the plot. This change must occur in the story before the end of the fourth chapter and must be mentioned in your book description.
€2000
2nd: €750 3rd: €250
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: May 25, 2022 (Expired)
Fantasy, Fiction, Novel, Science Fiction, Young Adult
View contestBeagle North
The theme for Beagle North's short story competition changes quarterly. - Your story must be no longer than 2,500 words (not including the title) - Only one story permitted per person, each quarter - Stories must be in English
£20 Amazon Voucher
£10 Amazon voucher for 2nd and 3rd place
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: June 30, 2022 (Expired)
Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestMcMillan & Phillips Digital Creative Agency
McMillan & Phillips is an award winning creative digital agency on the search for the next generation of marketers who want to shake up the status quo, and usher in a new era. The contest is open to United States high school students in grades twelve attending public, private, parochial, or home schools.
3 month remote editorial internship with M&P
2nd place: $155 USD | 3rd place: one year subscription to Sanvello
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: May 16, 2022 (Expired)
Essay
View contestFree Spirit Publishing
Seeking Black Midwestern writers 18 years and older to submit an original fiction or nonfiction children’s story for a picture book. Manuscripts 300–800 words (ages 4–8) or 50–125 words (ages 0–4) in length. Must feature contemporary Black characters and culture.
$1,000
Meeting with Strive and Free Spirit; 2nd $500; 3rd $250, t-shirt and totebag for all winners
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: July 24, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Short Story, Young Adult
View contestPoetry.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.
$500
2nd place: 300 USD | 3rd place: 200 USD | Runner up personalized Poetry.com mug
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: December 31, 2022
Poetry
View contestRotary Club of Stratford
Tell us your story! Short story (no more than 2500 words) contest open to residents of Ontario and Michigan; both adult and youth categories.
$500
Adults: 2nd $250; 3rd $100 | Youth: 1st $250; 2nd $100; 3rd $50
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: June 30, 2022 (Expired)
Short Story
View contestFanStory.com Inc.
Write a four line poem that has a specific syllable count. The first line has 1 syllable, the second line has 5 syllables, the third line has 5 syllables, and the last line has 9 syllables. The subject can be anything.
$100
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: December 22, 2022
Poetry
View contestYeahWrite
The Super Challenge is a prompted, 48-hour flash competition alternating between fiction and creative nonfiction. Prompts are released on a Friday night; writers have 48 hours to craft a response in 1,000 words or fewer. Professional editors read all entries and provide detailed feedback on each. The top writers move on to round 2 with new prompts.
$150
$100 for second place | $50 for third place
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: December 23, 2022
Essay, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction
View contestGlobe Soup
We accept: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Each month has a theme. You have just 100 words to write something interesting, unique, and impactful based on the theme. Entry to your first contest is £3, after that you can enter all subsequent contests for free each month. You can get peer feedback on your entry too. The theme this month is: Yellow/Orange.
$133
Publication on our website
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: March 14, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry
View contestPlough Publishing
This award honors the achievements of the great Dominican-American poet, translator, and public school teacher Rhina Polonia Espaillat. The Rhina Espaillat Poetry Award will be awarded for an original poem of not more than fifty lines that reflects her lyricism, empathy, and ability to find grace in everyday events of life.
$2,000
Publication in Plough Quarterly. Two finalists will receive $250
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: March 30, 2023
Poetry
View contestSunspot Lit
Authors and artists eligible. Sunspot Lit’s Geminga contest honors the power of the small. No restrictions on theme or category. $250 cash, publication for the winner, and publication offered to runners-up and finalists. Enter as many times as you like, but only one piece per submission.
$250
Publication in digital and print
💰 Fee: $6
Deadline: June 30, 2022 (Expired)
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestChanticleer Book Reviews and Media
The Dante Rossetti Awards Categories are: Contemporary Young Adult; SFF & Paranormal; Dystopian/Edgy/Urban; Mystery/Thriller/Suspense; Historical Young Adult; YA Adventure/Romance. The Chanticleer Prize Package includes: A Prize Ribbon to use in promotion at book signings and book festivals Digital Badges for display on your website or incorporation into book covers Book stickers to identify your print books to bookstore shoppers as they browse.
$1,000
💰 Fee: $99
Deadline: August 30, 2022
Fiction, Mystery, Novel, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestOttawa Tourism
Ottawa Tourism offers an annual $500 CAD prize for outstanding travel writing featuring Canada’s Capital Region. Eligible entries include items in English or in French that have appeared in magazines, newspapers, or online media in 2022 that highlight Ottawa as a travel destination.
$395
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: February 03, 2023
Travel
View contestNational Geographic
Do you have a way with words? Love to regale your friends and family with tales from your travels? If that’s a yes, then our Travel Writing Competition is just the thing for you. For your chance to win, simply write no more than 500 words on an inspiring travel experience, which could be anything from mountaineering in Patagonia to a hike in Pembrokeshire.
Luxury expedition cruise to Greenland for two people
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: July 23, 2022 (Expired)
Travel
View contestFantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal Romance Writers
Write fantasy, futuristic, or paranormal? Then the On the Far Side Contest is for you!! Welcome dragons, witches, ghosties, psychics, vampires, shapeshifters, unicorns, and any creature your imagination can conjure up in a galaxy far, far away, in a time long past, or in your very own backyard.
Award
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: July 31, 2022 (Expired)
Fiction, Novel, Romance
View contest