The Best Writing Contests of 2023
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 546 contests
Hispanic Culture Review Contest 2022-2023
Hispanic Culture Review
As the Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano once said, "the best that the world has is in the many worlds that the world contains." Therefore, this year we invite you to reflect on the following questions: How do you or your community celebrate these connections? How do you value those experiences with those people who leave a mark on your life? 1 work will be awarded in each category: 1) photography & visual arts, 2) poetry, and 3) narrative/essay/academic investigation.
Top prize
$100 for photography, poetry, and essay winners
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: February 01, 2023
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction
View contest2022 Paranormal Flash Fiction Challenge
Globe Soup
For this short story challenge, all participants will be randomly assigned a paranormal entity. As soon as you receive your assignment, you'll have until the closing time to write and submit a short story of no more than 1,000 words. All we ask is that your story has your assigned paranormal entity woven into the plot somehow. How much prominence you give to the assigned paranormal entity is up to you, but it must be part of the plot.
Top prize
$1,226
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $18
Deadline: December 12, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestAnnual Cultural Heritage Writing Contest
The Trailblazer Review
Founded in November 2022, The Trailblazer Review is an international high school literary magazine dedicated to celebrating and honoring indigenous culture through creative writing. Its Annual Cultural Heritage Contest accepts submissions of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction under 4000 words from middle and high school students (13-18 years old) on the subject of native culture and heritage.
Top prize
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: February 20, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, Short Story, Young Adult
View contestThe Robert Phillips Poetry Chapbook Prize
Texas Review
Established in 2001, The Robert Phillips Poetry Chapbook Prize highlights one book a year that excels in the chapbook format. Since 2019 the Prize comes with $500, a standard royalty contract, and 20 copies of the published book.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
A Standard Royalty contract, 20 copies of the book published
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Genres
View contest
The Clay Reynolds Novella Prize
Texas Review
Established in 2001, The Clay Reynolds Novella Prize highlights one book a year that excels in the novella format. Since 2019 the Prize comes with $500, a standard royalty contract, and 20 copies of the published book.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
A Standard Royalty contract, 20 copies of the novella published
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Novella
View contestStringybark Open Short Story Award 2023
Stringybark Publishing
Our annual flagship competition, the Stringybark Stories Open Short Story Award 2023, is now bigger than ever! Thanks to Graeme Simpson and Anne Buist, a record prize pool of over $1300 is on offer. The theme is open, the only constraint is that there must be a reference to Australia somewhere in the story. It doesn't matter how small a link there is (it could be a jar of vegemite on the counter), there just needs to be one!
Top prize
$560
Additional prizes
2nd: $360 | 3rd: $210 | 4th: $110
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: February 12, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Mystery, Short Story, Crime, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestPromising Young Writers Contest
National Council of Teachers of English
Through collaboration and community, shared stories and shared experiences, NCTE supports teachers and their students in classrooms, on college campuses, and in online learning environments. The Promising Young Writers Program stimulates and recognizes the writing talents of eighth-grade students and to emphasize the importance of writing skills among eighth-grade students.
Top prize
The NCTE Certificate of Recognition
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: February 15, 2023
Genres
Children's
View contestDesert Writers Award
Ellen Meloy Fund
The Ellen Meloy Fund for Desert Writers grants one $5,000 award in the spring of each year. Only proposals for literary or creative nonfiction book projects will be considered. No fiction or poetry proposals will be reviewed.
Top prize
$5,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: January 15, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Non-fiction
View contestThe Big Moose Prize
Black Lawrence Press
Each year Black Lawrence Press will award The Big Moose Prize for an unpublished novel. The prize is open to new, emerging, and established writers. The winner of this contest will receive book publication, a $1,000 cash award, and ten copies of the book. Prizes will be awarded on publication. The Big Moose Prize is open to traditional novels as well as novels-in-stories, novels-in-poems, and other hybrid forms that contain within them the spirit of a novel.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication, 10 copies of your book
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $27
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Poetry, Short Story
View contestAnnual Poetry Contest
Third Wednesday
Each year Third Wednesday awards 3 $100 prizes in its annual poetry contest. For this year's contest, entries will be accepted from November 1, 2020 through February 15, 2021. We will accept contest entries of up to 3 previously unpublished poems of any style and subject matter. There is no limit on length.
Top prize
$100
Additional prizes
print copy of the 3rd Wednesday contest issue
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $6
Deadline: February 15, 2023
Genres
Poetry
View contestTrio Award for First or Second Book
Trio House Press
The Trio Award for First or Second Book includes $1,000, publication, and twenty books. The Trio Award for First or Second Book is only open to poets with less than two books published.
Top prize
$1,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: April 30, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Novel
View contestLouise Bogan Award
Trio House Press
The Louise Bogan Award for Artistic Merit and Excellence includes $1,000, publication, and twenty books. The Louise Bogan Award for Artistic Merit and Excellence is open to ALL poets, regardless of publication history.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: April 30, 2023
Genres
Poetry
View contestAnthology Short Story Award
Anthology Magazine
Established to recognise and encourage creative writing and provide a platform for publication, this short story 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. There is no restriction on theme or style. Stories submitted must not exceed the maximum of 1,500 words.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
2nd: $150 | 3rd: $150
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: August 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestBridport Poetry Prize
Bridport Arts Centre
You don't have to be Tennyson. Just talented. All we ask is that you please keep poems to 42 lines, max. You can, of course, write less. In addition to the prize money, the top three poems are automatically entered into the Forward Prize For Poetry’s best single poem competition, with the chance to win a further £1000. This exclusive award is not open to the public. You can write about absolutely anything but whatever your rhyme or reason, we want to read your poetry.
Top prize
£5000
Additional prizes
£1000 for 2nd, £500 for 3rd
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: May 31, 2023
Genres
Poetry
View contestBridport Short Story Prize
Bridport Arts Centre
Gail Honeyman was shortlisted in our competition and went on to write Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, winning the Costa debut novel award. All the winning and highly commended pieces are entered into the Sunday Times Audible competition, top prize £30,000. UK based writers are entered into the BBC short story competition. That's not all, literary agent A.M. Heath reads all the shortlist and considers representation. Long story short? You are 5,000 words away from success.
Top prize
£5000
Additional prizes
£1000 for 2nd, £500 for 3rd
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $17
Deadline: May 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestBridport Flash Fiction Prize
Bridport Arts Centre
It may be the sprint of creative writing but that doesn’t mean you can rush the creative process. Take us somewhere fast then let your story marinade in the reader's mind. Make every one of your 250 words count. There is no minimum number of words, just like there is no limit to your imagination. They say lightning doesn't strike twice but we want to feel the electricity in your story right from the beginning through to the very end.
Top prize
£1000
Additional prizes
£500 for 2nd, £250 for 3rd
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $12
Deadline: May 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestBridport Novel Award
Bridport Arts Centre
Your novel doesn't have to be finished. We initially need only 5,000 to 8,000 words plus a 300 word synopsis. If you're long listed we'll ask for a total of 15,000 words, including your original word count. Shortlisted? Then we need a total 30,000 words, again including your original entry and long listed word count. It all adds up to an incredible opportunity.
Top prize
£1500
Additional prizes
£750 for the runner up and three prizes of £150
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $29
Deadline: May 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Novel
View contestWriter's Digest Annual Writing Competition
Writer's Digest
Enter our 91st Annual Writing Competition for the chance to have your work be seen by editors and agents! Almost 500 winners will be chosen. The top winning entries of this writing contest will also be on display in the Annual Writer’s Digest Competition Collection. [$20 for a poetry entry, $30 for a manuscript entry]
Top prize
$5,000
Additional prizes
2nd: $500 | 3rd: $100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $30
Deadline: May 05, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contest$1000 for 1000 Words Contest
The Layla Beban Young Authors
The $1000 for 1000 Words fiction writing contest is open to all students enrolled in grades 6-12. Each entrant may submit a fiction piece consisting of exactly 1,000 words (not including title or author’s name). The fiction piece can be on any topic, as long as it is not vulgar or offensive, does not use inappropriate profanity, and is the original work of the entrant not previously published.
Top prize
$1,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: February 01, 2023
Genres
Children's, Short Story
View contestCWA Margery Allingham Short Story Competition
Crime Writers Association
Our mission is to find the best unpublished short mystery — one that fits into legendary crime writer Margery’s definition of what makes a great story: “The Mystery remains box-shaped, at once a prison and a refuge. Its four walls are, roughly, a Crime, a Mystery, an Enquiry and a Conclusion with an Element of Satisfaction in it.”
Top prize
£500
Additional prizes
Two passes to Crimefest & a selection of books
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: February 28, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestOscar's Book Prize
Evening Standard
Oscar’s Book Prize is an annual prize for the best under-fives book of the year. It is awarded in memory of Oscar Ashton and in partnership with Amazon, the Evening Standard and the National Literacy Trust.
Top prize
£5,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: January 16, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction
View contestThe Screw Turn Flash Fiction Competition
The Ghost Story
We’re interested in flash fiction pieces of between 250 and 1,000 words. We’re seeking the finest work we can find that incorporates an uncanny element. Ghost stories are welcome, of course—but your submission may involve any paranormal or supernatural theme, as well as magic realism. What we’re looking for is superb writing, fresh perspectives, and maybe a few surprises.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
print and online publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Short Story, Thriller
View contestswamp pink Prizes
crazyhorse
From January 1st to January 31st, submit short stories and essays of up to 25 pages or a set of 1-3 poems. Winners in each genre will receive $2,000 and publication.
Top prize
$2,000
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestCreative Writing Award for Short Fiction
Aesthetica
The Aesthetica Creative Writing Award is a celebration of innovative new writing from across the globe. Each year, the competition invites submissions of short fiction that redefine the parameters of form, concept and technique.
Top prize
$3,068
Additional prizes
Publication + Consultation
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $22
Deadline: September 08, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestAcademy of American Poets Laureate Fellowships
Academy of American Poets
The Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowships are $50,000 awards given to honor poets of literary merit appointed to serve in civic positions and to enable them to undertake meaningful, impactful, and innovative projects that engage their fellow residents, including youth, with poetry, helping to address issues important to their communities.
Top prize
$50,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: February 17, 2023
Genres
Poetry
View contestThe Restless Books Prize For New Immigrant Writing
Restless Books
The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing was created in 2016 to honor outstanding debut literary works by first-generation immigrants, awarded for fiction and nonfiction in alternating years. The winner receives $10,000 and publication by Restless Books.
Top prize
$10,000
Additional prizes
Publication by Restless Books
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction
View contestThe Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition
Chicken House Books
We're looking for original ideas, a fresh voice, a diverse range of entries and stories that children will love! To enter, you must have written a full-length novel suitable for children/young adults aged between 7 and 18 years. We suggest a minimum of 30,000 words and ask that manuscripts do not exceed 80,000 words. The IET 150 Award will be awarded to a manuscript that celebrates Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
Top prize
A worldwide publishing contract with Chicken House & royalty advance of £10,000
Additional prizes
An offer of representation from a top literary agent
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: June 01, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Novella, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Young Adult
View contestThe Kurt Brown Prizes
Association of Writers & Writing Programs
AWP will offer three scholarships of $500 each to be awarded to three first-place winners in the genres of creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. These scholarships must be used to attend a writers’ conference, center, retreat, festival, or residency at one of the AWP member programs in the Directory of Conferences & Centers. All winners and six finalists will also receive a one-year individual membership.
Top prize
$500 scholarship
Additional prizes
one-year membership
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Short Story
View contestCreative Writing Award for Poetry
Aesthetica
The Aesthetica Creative Writing Award is a celebration of innovative new writing from across the globe. Each year, the competition invites submissions of poetry that redefine the parameters of form, concept and technique.
Top prize
$3,068
Additional prizes
Publication + Membership + Course
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: September 08, 2023
Genres
Poetry
View contestMonthly Short Story Contest
Olde Wolf
Here at Olde Wolf, we love seeing writers show off their skills. Whether you’re a seasoned author or up-and-coming talent, we encourage you to enter our monthly writing contest!
Top prize
$100
Additional prizes
Featured on Olde Wolf's website
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: December 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction
View contestAIIRA Writing Contest
AI Institute for Resilient Agriculture
We invite contestants to submit writing that imagines the world in the year 2050 and explores the relationship between humans, technology, and their food: what will food look, taste, and feel like; where will it come from; who will produce and transport it; and how will we access and consume it? The world you bring to light should be believable and probe the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the future of agriculture. Your submission can be fiction or creative non-fiction, but keep in mind that the strongest submissions will use research to support the reality described. Contestants must be undergraduate students to submit to this contest.
Top prize
$2,000
Additional prizes
2nd: $1,500 | 3rd: $1,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: December 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Science Writing, Short Story
View contestNOWW 25th International Writing Contest
Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop (NOWW)
A Canadian contest with an international flair. As part of our 25th anniversary celebration, we have increased the prize total to $1800 over six major categories: poetry, short fiction, creative non-fiction, crime fiction, literary critical writing, and The Bill MacDonald prize for prose (A Northwestern Ontario setting must be central to the work).
Top prize
$150 CAD
Additional prizes
Publication in NOWW magazine
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: February 28, 2023
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestVoice.Club - Flash Fiction Writing Contest
Voice.Club
Express yourself in a supportive, family-friendly community, as you develop your writing skills. Voice.club is a family-friendly platform where creators can express themselves in a supportive environment. Our recurring writing contests have attracted talented writers from all over the world, and invite you to write a story of 350 words or less, based on our current prompt.
Top prize
$50 Amazon Gift Card + Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: December 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestClash of the Query Letters
Darling Axe Editing
Our judge, Michelle Barker, will be asking herself one question: does this query letter convince me that I'm in the hands of an adept novelist with a unique and engaging story to tell?
Top prize
CAD $700
Additional prizes
CAD $200 for 2nd place, $100 for 3rd place
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel
View contestMedical Student Essay Contest
Hektoen International Journal of the Medical Humanities
Students currently enrolled in a medical school or program are encouraged to submit to our Medical Student Essay Contest. Essays can be on any topic as it relates to medicine. Art, history, and literature topics are preferred.
Top prize
$3,500
Additional prizes
Runner-ups: $2,500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: March 15, 2023
Genres
Essay, Memoir
View contest
