The Best Writing Contests of 2022
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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Join our short story competition
Submit a short story based on 1 of 5 weekly prompts. Winners get $250.
Showing 512 contests
Martha Richardson Poetry Prize 2022
Ballarat Writers Inc
The Martha Richardson Poetry Prize 2022 is now open for entries on the theme ‘INFLATE.‘ In 2022 the judge is ANDY JACKSON; Andy is a award-winning poet and creative writing teacher, and was awarded the inaugural Writing the Future of Health Fellowship. The competition is open to international writers over 18, writing in English.
Top prize
$680
Additional prizes
2nd: $260 | 3rd: $68
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $9
Deadline: October 01, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestWild Atlantic Writing Awards (WAWA)
Ireland Writing Retreat
Welcome to the sixth ‘Wild Atlantic Writing Awards’ (WAWA) competition to welcome the summer season, which we hope will provide challenge, diversion, and enjoyment for you over the holidays and into the start of Autumn. As with all our competitions, there will be two categories: flash fiction and creative nonfiction. And we’ve decided on an intriguing theme for both - BEAUTY.
Top prize
€1000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $11
Deadline: September 09, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Flash Fiction, Non-fiction
View contestShe Writes Press and SparkPress Towards Equality in Publishing (STEP)
SparkPoint Studio
The STEP contest awards female BIPOC authors a publishing package to publish on either She Writes Press or SparkPress. The purpose of this contest is to support inclusivity across our own lists, and to fortify our own mission to give voice to women writers.
Top prize
Publishing package valued at $8500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: October 15, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Novel, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestFish Flash Fiction Prize
Fish Publishing
The Fish Flash Fiction Prize is an opportunity to attempt one of the most interesting and rewarding tasks – to create, in a tiny fragment, a completely resolved and compelling story in 300 words or less. The top ten stories will be published in the FISH ANTHOLOGY 2022.
Top prize
€1,000
Additional prizes
2nd: €300 + Online Writing Course | 3rd: €300
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $14
Deadline: February 28, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestFish Short Memoir Prize
Fish Publishing
Everyone has a memoir in them. Go for it! Write a piece of your life, send it to Fish. Qian Julie Wang, author of her memoir Beautiful Country, will select 10 short memoirs to be published in the Fish Anthology 2022, which will be launched during the West Cork Literary Festival.
Top prize
€1,000
Additional prizes
2nd: Writing Course (online) + €300 | 3rd: €300
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $18
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Genres
Memoir, Non-fiction, Short Story
View contestFish Short Story Prize
Fish Publishing
The Fish Short Story Prize was started in 1994, and has become an established event on the literary calendar. This year’s judge is Sarah Hall. Her critically acclaimed second novel, The Electric Michelangelo, was nominated for the 2004 Man Booker Prize. Sarah will select 10 short stories to be published in the Fish Anthology 2022, which will be launched during the West Cork Literary Festival.
Top prize
€3,000
Additional prizes
2nd: €300 + Writers’ Retreat | 3rd: €300
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: November 30, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestKiller Nashville Silver Falchion Award
Killer Nashville
The Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award is committed to discovering new writers, as well as superlative books by established authors and, upon discovery, sharing those writers and their works with new readers. There are a large number of both fiction and non-fiction categories you can enter.
Top prize
$250
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $79
Deadline: June 15, 2023
Genres
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Science Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story, Thriller
View contestWOW! Women On Writing Quarterly Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest
WOW! Women On Writing
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!
Top prize
$400
Additional prizes
Publication, interview, and gift card good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $12
Deadline: October 31, 2022
Genres
Non-fiction
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, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestAcademy of American Poets First Book Award
Academy of American Poets
The Academy of American Poets First Book Award is a $5,000 first-book publication prize. The winning manuscript, chosen by an acclaimed poet, is published by Graywolf Press, an award-winning independent publisher. The winner also receives an all-expenses-paid six-week residency at the Civitella Ranieri Center, a 15th century castle in the Umbrian region of Italy.
Top prize
$5,000
Additional prizes
Publication through Graywolf Press & 6-week residency at the Civitella Ranieri Center
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: September 01, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe Larry Brown Short Story Award
Pithead Chapel
We’re pleased to announce the sixth annual Larry Brown Short Story Award. The winners will receive the following prizes: 1st $500 USD, 2nd $50 USD, 3rd $50 USD, and 4th and 5th will receive a copy of the book Tiny Love: The Complete Stories by Larry Brown. Each prize winner will be published in the January 2022 issue of Pithead Chapel.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
2nd: $50 | 3rd: $50 USD
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: October 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestRonald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest
Fiction Collective Two
The FC2 Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest is open to any writer in English who has not previously published with FC2. Submissions may include a collection of short stories, one or more novellas, or a novel of any length. There is no length requirement. Works that have previously appeared in magazines or in anthologies may be included.
Top prize
$1,500
Additional prizes
Publication by FC2
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: November 01, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Short Story, Novella
View contestCatherine Doctorow Innovative Fiction Prize
Fiction Collective 2
The FC2 Catherine Doctorow Innovative Fiction Prize is open to any writer in English with at least three books of fiction published. Submissions may include a collection of short stories, one or more novellas, or a novel of any length.
Top prize
$15,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: November 01, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Novella, Short Story
View contestBrick Road Poetry Book Contest
Brick Road Poetry Press
The first place winner receives a publication contract with Brick Road Poetry Press and $1000 prize, publication in both print and ebook formats, and 25 copies of the printed book. We may also offer publication contracts to the top finalists.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication contract with Brick Road Poetry Press
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $30
Deadline: November 01, 2022
Genres
Poetry
View contestStories Through The Ages - Baby Boomer Plus
Stories Through The Ages
Stories Through The Ages - Baby Boomers Plus 2023 is open to people born 1966 or earlier. The deadline for entries is June 15, 2023. There is no prompt for the contest. Authors may write about any topic. The entry fee is $25 ($20 if submitting more than one story). The word count for this contest is 900 - 5000 words. Cash prizes of $500, $200 and $100 will be awarded. There will be a minimum of 15 finalists whose story will appear in the book.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
2nd: $200 | 3rd: $100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: June 15, 2023
Genres
Short Story, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction
View contestThe Hal Prize
Peninsula Pulse
The contest was created to encourage and appreciate artistic expression through various literary forms and photography. The contest has showcased works from individuals of all ages and backgrounds – novice writers and photographers to professionals.
Top prize
$250
Additional prizes
2nd: $100 | 3rd: $50
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: September 15, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry
View contestThe One Page Poetry Contest
One 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.
Top prize
$2,000
Additional prizes
2nd: $1000 | 3rd: $500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: September 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe First Page Challenge
The Darling Axe
If you want a reader to buy your book or an agent to offer you representation, then it only makes sense to have a stunning first page. That's what the First Page Challenge is all about—we're open to fiction or narrative nonfiction, short stories or full-length manuscripts. Our judge, Michelle Barker, will be asking herself one question: "How likely am I to turn this page and keep reading?"
Top prize
$700 CAD
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: September 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Novella, Short Story
View contestWriting Contest 2023
BooksShelf
We look for an original and captivating work of fiction or nonfiction. The genre is not important - the story is. We're looking forward to reading your amazing books!
Top prize
$200 USD Fiction | $100 USD Nonfiction
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestThe Annual Writerwerx University Short Story Contest
Writerwerx University
Submit your piece of 2,000 words or less to compete with writers all over the country for cash, prizes, and bragging rights! There are no theme or topic restrictions. Erotic, religious, and technical shorts are welcome.
Top prize
$2,500
Additional prizes
2nd: $1500 | 3rd: $150
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: August 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestScienceQuest NextGen Science Literary Writing Competition
Zoomcatchers
Established to recognize and encourage creative writing and provide a platform for publication, this science literary competition is open to original and previously unpublished short stories in the English language by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. Writing samples submitted must be from the genres of: Science fiction, Dystopian, Futuristic, Fantasy, Paranormal We accept essay, short story, and novel submissions up to 15 pages in length, double-spaced.
Top prize
$200
Additional prizes
Consultation with literary agent Leticia Gomez
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: September 05, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fantasy, Novel, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Young Adult
View contestEditor's Prize - Work Anthology
Unleash Press
Writers are invited to submit creative interpretations on Work for an upcoming anthology and the chance of winning the editors' prize. Essays, fiction, drama, and poetry interpretations of the theme will be accepted. Submissions should have a total word count of no more than 5,000 words. All authors chosen for the anthology will receive a paperback copy of the book. Only one editor’s prize will be selected.
Top prize
150
Additional prizes
Publication in anthology
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: December 30, 2022
Genres
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Poetry, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller
View contestThe Bedford Competition
The Bedford Competition
We are an International Competition with prizes totalling £3000 including special awards for 17-25 year olds. All winning and shortlisted entries are published by our partners, Ostrich Books. We donate proceeds to charities that support literary and literacy skills.
Top prize
$1,221
Additional prizes
2nd: $244 | 3rd: $122
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $9
Deadline: October 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestMyth: SaveAs Writers' International Writing Competition 2022
SaveAs Writers
National and International entries are welcome. SaveAs Writers invite entries of poetry and prose for their annual competition. 2022 celebrates the centenary of the publication of James Joyce’s Ulysses. In the tradition of Joyce's novel, the work should display a link to myth, Greek, Roman, Norse, Indian, Icelandic or any other, and may be set in any period.
Top prize
245
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: October 31, 2022
Genres
Poetry, Short Story
View contestWergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest
Winning Writers
Now in its 21st year, this contest seeks today's best humor poems. No fee to enter. Submit published or unpublished work. $3,500 in prizes.
Top prize
$2,000
Additional prizes
Two-year gift certificate for Duotrope | 2nd: $500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: April 01, 2023
Genres
Humor, Poetry
View contestSeven Hills Literary Contest and Penumbra Poetry and Haiku Contest
Tallahassee Writers Association
The Seven Hills Literary Contest and Penumbra Poetry and Haiku Contest (collectively, “the Contest”) is sponsored annually by the Tallahassee Writers Association. The contest is open to English-language entries from around the world. For the first time, we are open to published entries as well as unpublished entries.
Top prize
$300
Additional prizes
Published in the Seven Hills Review
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: September 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Children's, Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestCompetition 11-13
Free Flash Fiction
The Bi-monthly Free Flash Fiction Competition promotes the work of flash fiction authors. The winner of the current competition will be invited to be the judge for the next competition. Submit a flash fiction piece between 100 and 300 words, on any theme. Comp 11 ends 23rd Aug | Comp 12 ends 23rd Oct | Comp 13 ends 23rd Dec 2022.
Top prize
$150
Additional prizes
Books & Publication on website
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: December 23, 2022
Genres
Flash Fiction
View contestTom Howard / Margaret Reid Poetry Contest
Winning Writers
Welcome to the 20th annual Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest. Submit published or unpublished work. $3,000 for a poem in any style or genre. $3,000 for a poem that rhymes or has a traditional style.
Top prize
$3,000
Additional prizes
$200 for 10 honorable mentions
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: September 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry
View contestHaiku Poetry Contest
FanStory.com Inc.
Share a Haiku! That's a poem with only three lines that generally follows the 5-7-5 syllable count. So the first line of your poem will have three syllables. Second line seven. Final line five!
Top prize
$100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $13
Deadline: April 15, 2023
Genres
Poetry
View contestMinds Shine Bright Storm
Minds Shine Bright
Mind Shine Bright has two writing competitions annually a revolving theme competition which for 2022 is Storm and Confidence.
Top prize
$500 (AUS)
Additional prizes
2nd: $400 (AUS) | 3rd: $300 (AUS)
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: September 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, Short Story
View contestNew Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2022
New Writers UK
The New Writers Flash Fiction Competition is open for submissions. The competition seeks to reward authors of the most imaginative, moving or just downright brilliant flash fiction entries of up to 300 words. With a prize pool of £1,000 and £1 from each entry going to a creative writing charity, it's time to get involved.
Top prize
$717
Additional prizes
2nd: $240 | 3rd: $120
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $7
Deadline: November 30, 2022
Genres
Flash Fiction
View contestMacQ-15 Ekphrastic Writing Challenge: "The Question of Questions"
MacQueen's Quinterly
For our tenth themed writing challenge, MacQueen’s Quinterly is calling for literary works in multiple genres: flash and micro-fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose poetry, and poetic hybrids. Each piece entered must include one “q” word and must address the theme described in our contest guidelines and publisher's commentary.
Top prize
$200
Additional prizes
Publication in Issue 15 of MacQueen's Quinterly online
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: August 21, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Writing
View contestHenshaw Short Story Competition
Henshaw Press
A short story on any subject up to 2000 words. Results announced by the end of October 2022. Prize winners published on the Henshawpress website and in our next Anthology. Optional Critiques a further £14. Free critiques for authors aged sixteen and under.
Top prize
$237
Additional prizes
2nd: $118 | 3rd: $60
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $7
Deadline: September 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Christian, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Mystery, Suspense, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Travel
View contestAlone Writing Contest
FanStory.com Inc.
Write a story where the main character is alone. Fiction and non-fiction welcomed. Maximum words 5,000. The winner takes away a $100 cash prize. All writers will receive feedback for their submission.
Top prize
$100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $12
Deadline: January 29, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction
View contestCalvino Prize
University of Louisville
The Calvino Prize is an annual fiction competition sponsored by the Creative Writing Program in the English Department of the University of Louisville. They will be awarded to outstanding pieces of fiction in the fabulist experimentalist style of Italo Calvino. The first place entry will be published in Miracle Monocle journal at the University of Louisville.
Top prize
$2,000
Additional prizes
Publication in Miracle Monocle
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: October 15, 2022
Genres
Novel, Novella, Short Story
View contest
