The Best Writing Contests of 2023

Writing competitions curated by Reedsy

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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 Submit the first 1,000 words of your unpublished sci-fi manuscript aimed at an adult (or young adult) audience for your chance to win the grand prize.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

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The 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

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The 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

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Short 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

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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

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Stories 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

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The 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

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Impress 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

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Between 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

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Christian 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

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Red 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

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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.

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

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Dzanc 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

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Diode 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

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Uncharted 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

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The 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

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The 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

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First 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

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All-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

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The 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

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Justice 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

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Dillydoun 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

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The 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

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PEN/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

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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

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New 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

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Best 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

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The 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

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The 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

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Birdy 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

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Lambda 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

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The 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

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Fall 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

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Fall 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

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Mystery 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

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