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About Reedsy Terms PrivacyThe Best Writing Contests of 2021
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
Browse 100 contests that match your search 🔦
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.
Deadline September 01, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
Publication by Freedom Fox Press
Additional prizes
Genres
Fiction, Science Fiction,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $0
Anthology Poetry Award
Entries are now invited for the Anthology Poetry Award. Established to recognise and encourage excellence in the craft of poetry writing and to provide a platform for publication, it is open to original and previously unpublished poems in the English language. Poems submitted must be on the theme of ‘Freedom’ and should not exceed 40 lines.
Deadline July 31, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication in Anthology Magazine, one-year subscription
Genres
Poetry,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $10
Annual Short Story Contest
English language submissions of original, unpublished works of up to 2,500 words will be accepted until October 31. Submissions are processed by a two-tiered system of readers and judges. Winners will be announced on December 10, 2021.
Deadline October 31, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$500 (CAD)
Additional prizes
2nd prize $250, 3rd prize $100.
Genres
Fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $0
Edinburgh Award for Flash Fiction
The Edinburgh Flash Fiction Award is open to writers worldwide, published and unpublished, and for stories on any topic up to 250 words.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.
Deadline August 31, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
£1000
Additional prizes
Second £300, Third £150, Publication for top twenty in our next anthology
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $10
The Jericho Prize for Children's Writing
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.
Deadline September 02, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
£500
Additional prizes
Exclusive access to publishing professionals.
Genres
Fiction,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $0
The Hal Prize
Peninsula Publishing & Distribution
The Hal Prize offers publication to a readership of more than 25,000 and cash awards for winners. The contest is open to writers of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and to photographers throughout the United States. Prose should be no more than 4,000 words and poetry no longer than a page. The annual literary and photography contest is presented by the Peninsula Pulse and Write On, Door County.
Deadline September 15, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$250
Additional prizes
Cash prizes for 2nd and 3rd place, publication in 8142 Review, and a handmade mug
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $10
Horizons
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.
Deadline August 31, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
£200
Additional prizes
£100 second place, £50 third place
Genres
Poetry, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $5
Fabula Press Short Story Contest
Fabula Press hosts two short story competitions every year, one during summer with submission period from May to July, and one during winter, with submissions accepted from November to February. While we are heavy on ‘literary fiction’, we would welcome a Poesque tale of horror, an enchanting work of historical fiction, or even light science fiction. Hard science fiction, fantasy, young adult or chick lit do not work for us, though.
Deadline July 31, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication in an anthology, minimum payment to all published authors $75
Genres
Fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $10
Spring 2021 Story Contest
Narrative Magazine's Winter Contest is open to all fiction and nonfiction writers. They're looking for short shorts, short stories, essays, memoirs, photo essays, graphic stories, all forms of literary nonfiction, and excerpts from longer works of both fiction and nonfiction. Entries must be previously unpublished, no longer than 15,000 words, and must not have been previously chosen as a winner, finalist, or honorable mention in another contest. All contest entries are eligible for the $4,000 Narrative Prize.
Deadline July 31, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$2,500
Additional prizes
$1000 for 2nd, $500 for 3rd, $100 for ten finalists
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $27
Exeter Story Prize and Trisha Ashley Award
The competition is for stories of up to five thousand words on any theme. We are delighted that Sunday Times Bestselling author, Trisha Ashley is once again offering an award. This year she has asked us for a selection of 'engaging and quirky' stories to choose from.
Deadline August 31, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
£500
Additional prizes
Trish Ashley Award £200
Genres
Fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $15
IndieReader Discovery Awards
Where talented authors meet publishing professionals with the power to make a difference in the success of their books. Every author who enters a title in the IR Discovery Awards will receive a verdict, written by an IndieReader reviewer and based on their assessment after reading the complete book.
Deadline February 15, 2022
Learn moreTop prize
First look consideration by a top, NYC-based literary agency
Additional prizes
$500, publicist consultation service, Reedsy credit, custom author website
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Novel,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $149
George Dila Memorial Flash Fiction Contest
The editors of Third Wednesday wish to honor the memory of George Dila, friend of Third Wednesday and the editor who originally brought fiction to 3W. To this end, we proudly announce the opening of The George Dila Memorial Flash Fiction Contest. We accept entries of previously unpublished stories of under 1000 words in length (including title).
Deadline August 15, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$100
Additional prizes
Publication in Third Wednesday magazine
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $6
WOW! Women On Writing Quarterly Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest
WOW! is proud to introduce our newest essay contest! The contest is open globally. Your story must be true, but the way you tell it is your chance to get creative. We are open to all styles of essay—from personal essay to lyric essay to hybrid essay, and beyond!
Deadline July 31, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication, interview, and gift card good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store
Genres
Non-fiction,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $12
Grindstone Short Story Prize
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.
Deadline August 01, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
£500
Additional prizes
£200 runner-up, £50 four shortlisters
Genres
Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $17
Impress Prize
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).
Deadline September 13, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
£500
Additional prizes
Possibility of a publishing contract with one of Untold Publishing's imprints
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Young Adult,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $35
TWFest One-Act Play Contest
Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival
Plays should run no more than one hour in length (one act or approx. 60 pages.) This contest is for emerging or previously unpublished playwrights.
Deadline October 02, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$1,500
Additional prizes
VIP all-access pass to the next festival, where there will be a professional staged reading of your play.
Genres
Script Writing,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $25
TWFest Very Short Fiction Contest
Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival
A submission is one original short story, written in English, up to 1,000 words. This contest is open only to emerging writers who have not yet published a book of short fiction with an ISBN.
Deadline October 16, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$500
Additional prizes
VIP all-access pass to the next festival, where you will give a public reading.
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $10
TWFest Poetry Contest
Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival
Submit a collection of 2-4 original, unpublished poems of any style or theme, written in English, with a combined length of up to 400 lines. This contest is open only to emerging writers who have not yet published a book of poetry with an ISBN. Those who have published books in other genres besides poetry remain eligible.
Deadline October 16, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
VIP all-access pass to the next festival, where you will give a public reading
Genres
Poetry,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $15
TWFest Fiction Contest
Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival
A submission is one original short story, written in English, up to 7,000 words. This contest is open only to writers who have not yet published a book of fiction. Published books include self-published books with ISBN numbers. Those who have published books in other genres besides fiction remain eligible.
Deadline October 02, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$1,500
Additional prizes
Airfare, accommodation, and all-access pass to the next Festival, where you will give a public reading.
Genres
Fiction,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $25
Quill Prose Award 2020
Queer literature is often found in the side stacks, in the back of the bookstore, under “Gay and Lesbian.” These authors are put into a genre that barely fits them, excluded from mainstream funding, and more. Red Hen Press seeks to work against the politics of labeling while honoring and empowering authors who identify as queer through this contest.
Deadline October 30, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication by Red Hen Press
Genres
Fiction, Novel,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $10
Benjamin Saltman Poetry Award
Established in 1998, in honor of the poet Benjamin Saltman (1927–1999), this award is for a previously unpublished original collection of poetry. The awarded collection is selected through an annual competition that is open to all poets.
Deadline October 31, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$3,000
Additional prizes
Book publication by Red Hen Press, a four-week PLAYA residency
Genres
Poetry,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $25
Annual Short Story Contest
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!
Deadline February 28, 2022
Learn moreTop prize
£500
Additional prizes
£200 for 2nd place, £100 for 3rd place
Genres
Fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $8
The Writer's Games
The Writer's Games is a two-month competition where writers receive an Event (prompt) each Friday and have 72 hours to write a short story that fits the prompt. A group of judges read and give feedback to each entry. The top 5 winners of each Event are published in our Games anthology. There are also prizes for the top 3. One of the prizes is an interview that's posted on the Writer's Workout blog. Registration for the Games starts in June and the Games begin in July.
Deadline August 16, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
Publication in the Games anthology
Additional prizes
An interview on the Writer's Workout blog
Genres
Fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $0
8th Ó Bhéal Five Words International Poetry Competition
At around noon each Tuesday (GMT), from 13 April 2021 to 225January 2022, five words are posted on the Ó Bhéal Five Words competition page. Entrants have one week to compose and submit poems that include all five words given for the week. The competition runs for 41 weeks, and a prize of 750 euro is awarded to one winner.
Deadline January 25, 2022
Learn moreTop prize
€750
Additional prizes
€500, €250
Genres
Poetry,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $5
Surrey International Writers ' Conference Writing Contest
Surrey International Writers ' Conference
The contest will be judged by Diana Gabaldon and Jack Whyte. Story length: 2,500 — 4000 words.
Deadline September 17, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication
Genres
Fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $15
UNO Press Publishing Lab
We are looking to publish the best novel/short story collection written this year. The selected author will receive a ten thousand dollar ($10,000) advance on royalties and a contract to publish with UNO Press.
Deadline September 01, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$10,000
Additional prizes
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $28
Daisy Pettles' Writing Residency
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.
Deadline December 12, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Month-long writer's getaway
Genres
Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $45
Devon and Cornwall International Novel Prize
Judged by international writers and literary agents, the DEVON & CORNWALL INTERNATIONAL NOVEL PRIZE is open to unpublished and independently published novelists worldwide. The prize is for adult novels of any genre.
Deadline December 31, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
£1000
Additional prizes
An online publishing contract
Genres
Fiction, Novel,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $18
Vocal Challenges
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.
Deadline December 31, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$1,000 — $5,000
Additional prizes
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $15
Diode Editions Chapbook Contest
Open to all poets over the age of 18 who write in English. Length: 25—50 pages (front matter is not included in page count). We will consider translations, and we welcome collaborations.
Deadline August 15, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication and 25 author copies
Genres
Poetry,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $18
Diode Editions Full Length Book Contest
Open to all poets over the age of 18 who write in English. Length: 55—85 pages (front matter is not included in page count). We will consider translations, and we welcome collaborations.
Deadline August 15, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication and 25 author copies
Genres
Poetry,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $20
Hammond House International Poetry Prize
The theme for the 2021 competition - STARDUST - is intended to be inspirational, not restrictive, so please feel free to interpret it in any way you choose. Be creative, be unpredictable, be different; the judges are looking for intriguing ideas and fresh voices. Top prize of £100.
Deadline September 30, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
£100
Additional prizes
Publication by Hammond House
Genres
Poetry,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $12
Hammond House Screenplay Competition
The theme for the 2021 competition - STARDUST - is intended to be inspirational, not restrictive, so please feel free to interpret it in any way you choose. Be creative, be unpredictable, be different; the judges are looking for honesty and emotion. Top prize of £100.
Deadline September 30, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
£100
Additional prizes
Trailers made for top three places
Genres
Script Writing,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $12
Biopage Storytelling Writing Contest
Biopage is hosting a writing contest to remind people the benefits of writing. Each story (or once chapter of your stories) is limited to 5,000 characters or roughly 1,000 words. You can write about good life experience, or bad, embarrassing, frightening ones. You can win $300, and five runners-up can win $100 each.
Deadline July 31, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$300
Additional prizes
Genres
Fiction, Short Story, Flash Fiction,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: FREE
Juniper 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.
Deadline September 30, 2021
Learn moreTop prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication by University of Massachusetts Press
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Short Story,
Entry fee
💰 Entry Fee: $30
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