The Best Writing Contests of 2022
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 502 contests
Colorado Gold Writing Contest for Unpublished Writers
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers
Offers emerging writers a chance to get their work seen by acquiring agents and editors. For unpublished writers of novel-length commercial fiction.
Top prize
$150
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: June 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel
View contestShe Writes Press and SparkPress Towards Equality in Publishing (STEP)
SparkPoint Studio
The publishing industry has been widely criticized for its lack of diversity. At She Writes Press and SparkPress, we are well aware of the need for more and broader representation of writers of color on our lists. In an effort to address this issue head-on we launched the She Writes Press and SparkPress Toward Equality in Publishing (STEP) contest.
Top prize
Publishing package including a 500-book print run
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: July 05, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction
View contestPage One Prize for Novelists
Gutsy Great Novelist
The Page One Prize, brought to you by award-winning novelist Joan Dempsey, is open to all writers over 18 who are working on an as-yet-unpublished novel. This prize aims to find the best FIRST PAGE written in the English language. Any genre for adults or young adults is eligible.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
2nd $500; 3rd $250
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: July 07, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel
View contestRattle Poetry Prize
Rattle
The annual Rattle Poetry Prize offers $15,000 for a single poem to be published in the winter issue of the magazine. Ten finalists will also receive $500 each and publication, and be eligible for the $5,000 Readers’ Choice Award, to be selected by subscriber and entrant vote.
Top prize
$15,000
Additional prizes
Published in the Winter 2020 issue of Rattle
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: July 15, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestDateline Hastings 23-09-21
Hastings LitFest ltd.
A contest for poetry, short stories & life writing based on current events. Up to 12 winners will be invited to an all-day workshop in Hastings on 23/09/21, working with editors to prepare their pieces for publication. Three prizes of £100 will also be given. The resulting anthology Dateline Hastings: 23-09-21 will be published two days later at a launch event with Hastings Literary Festival patron Sir David Hare.
Top prize
£100
Additional prizes
workshop & publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $14
Deadline: July 24, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestPut Your Heart in a Book Contest
New Jersey Romance Writers
Submissions will consist of a FIRST chapter, not to exceed 30 pages, and a PROJECTED WORD COUNT of the completed manuscript. A prologue may be included as part of the first chapter, if within page total guidelines. An UNJUDGED SYNOPSIS must be included at the end of the submission, clearly defined with a page break and titled "SYNOPSIS". The synopsis will not count toward the page count.
Top prize
$200
Additional prizes
Social media promotion, feedback from 2 published authors
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: August 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Novel
View contestGrindstone Short Story Prize
Grindstone Literary
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.
Top prize
£500
Additional prizes
£200 runner-up, £50 four shortlisters
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $17
Deadline: August 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Short Story
View contest1/2K Prize
Indiana Review
Send us up to 3 pieces of no more than 500 words each in any genre for a chance to win $1000 + publication. This year’s final judge is Taylor Johnson. Submit your work from July 1 through August 15!
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: August 15, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestThe Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence
Baton Rouge Area Foundation
The Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence honors Louisiana’s revered storyteller, Ernest J. Gaines, and serves to inspire and recognize rising African-American fiction writers of excellence at a national level. Authors may submit a work of fiction (novel or collection of short stories) that will be published in 2021. Galleys for a 2021 publication are also accepted. The cash prize is to support and enable the writer to focus on writing.
Top prize
$15,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: August 15, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Short Story
View contestPoetry Competition
Globe Soup
We’re looking for the best POEM of up to 50 lines. The theme for Globe Soup Poetry Competitions is always: ‘Poetry with a Sense of Place’. We accept all forms and styles of poetry. We can’t wait to see where this competition takes you!
Top prize
£1000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $11
Deadline: August 24, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestHorizons
SaveAs Writers
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.
Top prize
£200
Additional prizes
£100 second place, £50 third place
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: August 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry, Short Story
View contestEdinburgh Award for Flash Fiction
Scottish Arts Trust
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.
Top prize
£1000
Additional prizes
Second £300, Third £150, Publication for top twenty in our next anthology
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: August 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestSFPA Poetry Contest
Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association (SFPA)
The annual SFPA Speculative (Dwarf/Short/Long) Poetry Contest is open to all poets, including non-members of the SFPA. Awards will be given across 3 categories.
Top prize
$150
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $3
Deadline: August 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry, Fiction
View contestIFW 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 contestTSR Short, Short Fiction Contest
The Southampton Review
Here's your chance to test your creative mettle by writing a contained and compelling story (of any genre) using no more than 350 words! First prize is $500.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication in the fall issue.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: September 01, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash 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 contestThe First Page Challenge
The Darling Axe
Our judge, Michelle Barker, will be asking herself one question: "How likely am I to turn this page and keep reading?" THE FINER POINTS • One page: double-spaced, 12-point font • Original, unpublished, unrepresented work only • One entry per person
Top prize
$700 CAD
Additional prizes
Publication on our blog, 2nd $200, 3rd $100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: September 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Novella, 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 contestRoyal Romance Writing Contest
Dreame
Spectacular places, charming princes, beautiful princesses, elegant ladies, vampires hiding in the dark, and werewolves who transform every full moon... Have you ever been curious about them and their mysterious world? What will happen when they meet in the story under your fingers? Join our writing contest and write the most romantic royal story to win a great prize!
Top prize
$40,000
Additional prizes
Range of tech prizes for stories with the most comments
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: September 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Romance
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 contestChristian Book Awards
Evangelical Christian Publishers Association
The Christian Book Award® program recognizes the highest quality in Christian books and Bibles and is among the oldest and most prestigious awards program in the religious publishing industry. Presented annually to the finest in Christian publishing since 1978, the Christian Book Award® program honors the "best of the year" in 12 categories.
Top prize
Award
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $299
Deadline: September 30, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Christian
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 contest
