The Best Writing Contests of 2023
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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Manage a competition? Submit it here
Join our short story competition
Submit a short story based on 1 of 5 weekly prompts. Winners get $250.
Showing 628 contests
IFW Sci-Fi First Pages Contest
Institute 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 Submit the first 1,000 words of your unpublished sci-fi manuscript aimed at an adult (or young adult) audience for your chance to win the grand prize.
Top prize
$650
Additional prizes
Critique from an IFW Instructor
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $19
Deadline: August 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Science Fiction
View contestThe Gabo Prize in Translation & Multilingual Texts
Lunch 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.
Top prize
$200
Additional prizes
Publication in Lunch Ticket
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: September 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestThe Diana Woods Memorial Award
Lunch 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.
Top prize
$250
Additional prizes
Publication in the Lunch Ticket Magazine
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: September 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Non-fiction
View contestShort Story Contest
Writers' 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.
Top prize
$100
Additional prizes
Publication and social media promotion, 6 months free membership to the Writers' Mastermind
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: September 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
View contest
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.
Top prize
Publication by Freedom Fox Press
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: September 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Science Fiction, Romance
View contestStories Out of School
The Academy for Teachers
A flash fiction contest sponsored by The Academy for Teachers and Electric Literature. The story’s protagonist, or its narrator, must be a K-12 teacher.
Top prize
$1,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: September 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestThe Jericho Prize for Children's Writing
Jericho 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.
Top prize
£500
Additional prizes
Exclusive access to publishing professionals.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: September 02, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction
View contestImpress Prize
Impress 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).
Top prize
£500
Additional prizes
Possibility of a publishing contract with one of Untold Publishing's imprints
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: September 13, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Young Adult
View contestBetween Man and God
Arts Lounge NYC
In most West African countries, queer people live in constant fear, abused by both public and private agencies that refuse to acknowledge their rights to live and love freely. This contest and anthology celebrates their tenacity and their refusal to be silenced. Honorarium will be given to the top three best selected entries to acknowledge the excellency of their craft and to encourage visibility through writing. All shortlisted submissions will be published.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
$750 for second place, $500 for third
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: September 15, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, LGBTQ, Non-fiction
View contestChristian Writers' Awards
Xulon Press
The Christian Author Awards recognizes preeminent new Christian authors who are independently published. Xulon Press, host and sponsor of the Christian Author Awards, is excited to once again extend the opportunity to Christian authors to have their work recognized and given due credit. The Christian Author Awards exists to honor exceptional books written by Christian authors like you that are published independently by nontraditional publishers.
Top prize
Xulon Press Elite Publishing Package valued at $8,780
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: September 21, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Christian
View contestRed Hen Press Fiction Award
Red Hen Press
The Red Hen Fiction Award is for a fresh and original story of fiction with a minimum of 150 pages. The awarded manuscript is selected through an annual submission process which is open to all authors. Award is $1000 and publication of the awarded manuscript by Red Hen Press.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication by Red Hen Press
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: September 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel
View contestJuniper 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.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication by University of Massachusetts Press
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $30
Deadline: September 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Short Story
View contestDzanc Books Nonfiction Prize
Dzanc Books
The Dzanc Books Nonfiction Prize honors an innovative and inspiring long-form works of nonfiction.
Top prize
$1,500
Additional prizes
Publication by Dzanc Books
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: September 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Non-fiction
View contestDiode Editions Chapbook Contest
Diode Editions
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.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication and 25 author copies
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $18
Deadline: September 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestUncharted Magazine Sci-Fi/Fantasy Short Story Award
Uncharted Magazine
We invite writers to submit to the Uncharted Magazine Science Fiction and Fantasy Prize from August 1 to September 30, 2021. We’re excited to offer the winner of this prize $3000 and publication, while the 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive publication and $300 and $200, respectively along with publication.
Top prize
$3,000
Additional prizes
Publication in Uncharted Magazine
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: September 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Science Fiction, Short Story
View contestThe Ghost Story Supernatural Fiction Award
The 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.
Top prize
$1,500
Additional prizes
online and print publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: September 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestThe Lascaux Prize in Creative Nonfiction
The Lascaux Review
The Lascaux Prize in Creative Nonfiction opens 1 April. Creative nonfiction may include memoirs, chronicles, personal essays, humorous perspectives, literary journalism—anything the author has witnessed, experienced, learned, or discovered. Pieces may be previously published or unpublished, and simultaneous submissions are accepted. Winner receives $1,000 and a bronze medallion. Finalists receive $100. Winner and finalists are published in both the online and annual print editions of The Lascaux Review.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication in the Lascaux Review
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: September 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Memoir, Non-fiction
View contestFirst Book Award
Academy of American Poets
The First Book Award is a $5,000 first-book publication prize. The winning manuscript, chosen by an acclaimed poet, is published by Graywolf Press. The winner also receives an all-expenses-paid six-week residency at the Civitella Ranieri Center, in the Umbrian region of Italy.
Top prize
$5,000
Additional prizes
Publication by Graywolf Press
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: October 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestAll-Story Short Fiction Competition
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.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
2nd $500; 3rd $250
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $30
Deadline: October 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestThe Emily Contest
League of Romance Writers
The Emily Contest is a premier contest for unpublished romance writers. Our mission is to professionally support writers and guide them along their path to publication. Maximum word count is 5,600 words including prologue, if applicable.
Top prize
$100
Additional prizes
Silver pin and certificate to 1st place from each category
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $40
Deadline: October 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Romance
View contestJustice Centre Essay Contest
Justice 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.
Top prize
$2,000
Additional prizes
$1000 for 2nd, $500 for 3rd
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: October 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Non-fiction
View contestDillydoun International Fiction Prize
The 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.
Top prize
$2,000
Additional prizes
2nd $1,000, 3rd $500, Honorable Mention $50, Publication in Print Anthology
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: October 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestThe Tamaqua Award for a Collection of Essays
Hidden 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.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication by Hidden River Arts
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: October 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Non-fiction
View contestPEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers
PEN 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.
Top prize
$2,000
Additional prizes
Publication in Catapult
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: November 15, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
View contest
Saudi Historical Short Story Award
Historical Novel Society
Inaugural Saudi Historical Short Story Award. Entries must have historical Saudi themes or characters. Please read full guidelines.
Top prize
£10,000
Additional prizes
5 runners up prizes of £1,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $14
Deadline: November 15, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestNew Travel Writer of the Year
Bradt Guides
For over twenty years, the Bradt Guides ‘New Travel Writer of the Year’ competition has been seeking out and championing new writing talent. Previous winners and finalists in the competition have gone on to see their work published in newspapers, travel magazines and books.
Top prize
£100 Bradt voucher
Additional prizes
3-night stay for two at Apukka Resort
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: November 28, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Travel
View contestBest First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition
Minotaur Books & Malice Domestic
Welcome to the Tony Hillerman Prize for Best First Mystery Set in the Southwest Competition! The Competition is open to any writer, regardless of nationality, aged 18 or older, who has never been the author of any Published Mystery Novel (including self-published works and ebooks), as defined by the guidelines below, and is not under contract with a publisher for publication of a mystery novel.
Top prize
$10,000 advance
Additional prizes
Contract with Minotaur Books
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: November 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Mystery, Novel
View contestThe Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry
African Poetry Book Fund
The Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry is awarded annually to an African poet who has not yet published a collection of poetry. Along with $1,000, the winner recives book publication through the University of Nebraska Press and Amalion Press in Senegal. Poetry manuscripts should be at least 50 pages long. [Submissions open September 15, 2021]
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Book publication through the University of Nebraska Press and Amalion Press in Senegal
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: December 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe Bird in Your Hands Prize
Thin Air Magazine
The Bird in Your Hands Prize is a contest that centers and celebrates BIPOC voices. This is a no-fee contest accepting poetry, fiction, and nonfiction in any form under 500 words. The winner of the contest will be awarded $1000, published in Thin Air Magazine, and interviewed for Thin Air Online.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication in Thin Air Magazine; cash prizes for runner-up and second runner-up
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: December 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry
View contestBirdy Poetry Prize
Meadowlark Books
Meadowlark Books created The Birdy Poetry Prize to celebrate the voices of this era. The prize is $1,000 cash and publication by Meadowlark Books, including 50 copies of the completed book. All entries will be considered for standard Meadowlark Books publishing contract offers, as well.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication by Meadowlark Books
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: December 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestLambda Literary Award
Lambda Literary
Lambda Literary Awards celebrate the best LGBTQ books published in a given year. Submissions are judged principally on literary merit and content relevant to LGBTQ lives. Lambda Literary Awards are open to all authors regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity except in the case of the special awards that mark specific stages of an individual LGBTQ writer’s career.
Top prize
Award
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: December 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, LGBTQ, Novel
View contestThe Vivian
Romance Writers of America
The VIVIAN® recognizes excellence in romance writing and showcases author talent and creativity. We celebrate the power of the romance genre with its central message of hope—because happily ever afters are for everyone.
Top prize
Award
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: December 04, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Romance
View contestFall Travel Writing Contest
Nowhere Magazine
We are looking for young, old, novice and veteran writers to send us stories that possess a powerful sense of place. Stories can be fiction, nonfiction, poetry or essay.
Top prize
$1,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: December 15, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Non-fiction, Poetry, Fiction
View contestFall Travel Writing Prize
Nowhere Magazine
We are looking for novice and veteran writers of any stripe to send us stories that possess a powerful sense of people, place and time. Every submission will be read blind, so anyone can win!
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication in Nowhere Magazine
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: December 15, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Travel
View contestMystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition
Mystery Writers of America & Minotaur Books
MWA is the premier organization for mystery and crime writers, professionals allied to the crime-writing field, aspiring crime writers, and folks who just love to read crime fiction. To enter, you must complete an online entry form and upload an electronic file of your Manuscript. The entry form will allow you to upload one electronic file.
Top prize
Advance against future royalties of $10,000 & publishing contract
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: December 17, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Mystery, Novel
View contest
