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The Best Writing Contests of 2022

Writing competitions curated by Reedsy

Genre

Manage a competition? Submit it here

Showing 537 contests

Lazuli Literary Group Writing Contest

Lazuli Literary Group

We are not concerned with genre distinctions. Send us the best you have; we want only for it to be thoughtful, intelligent, and beautiful. We want art that grows in complexity upon each visitation; we enjoy ornate, cerebral, and voluptuous phrases executed with thematic intent.

Top prize

$500

Additional prizes

Publication in "AZURE: A Journal of Literary Thought"

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $15

Deadline: February 22, 2023

Genres

Essay, Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Novella, Script Writing

Seán O'Faoláin International Short Story Competition

Munster Literature Centre

The competition is open to original, unpublished and unbroadcast short stories in the English language of 3,000 words or fewer. The story can be on any subject, in any style, by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world.

Top prize

€2,000

Additional prizes

Residency at Anam Cara Retreat, Featured reading at the Cork International Short Story Festival, Publication in Southword

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $22

Deadline: July 31, 2022 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Non-fiction, Short Story

Black River Chapbook Competition

Black Lawrence Press

Twice each year Black Lawrence Press run the Black River Chapbook Competition for an unpublished chapbook of poems or prose between 16-36 pages in length. The contest is open to new, emerging, and established writers.

Top prize

$500

Additional prizes

Publication by Black Lawrence Press

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $17

Deadline: October 31, 2022 (Expired)

Genres

Poetry, Short Story, Fiction

Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards

Cleveland Foundation

The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards recognizes outstanding works that contribute to our understanding of racism and our appreciation of cultural diversity. Awards are given for fiction, poetry and nonfiction.

Top prize

$10,000

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $0

Deadline: December 31, 2022

Genres

Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry

Willow Run Poetry Book Award

Hidden River Arts

Hidden River Arts offers a yearly prize of $1000 and publication in Hidden River Press, an imprint of Hidden River Publishing, for an unpublished book-length collection of poetry between 75 and 100 pages long.

Top prize

$1,000

Additional prizes

Publication in Hidden River Press

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $20

Deadline: February 21, 2023

Genres

Poetry

Fish Poetry Prize

Fish Publishing

The top ten poems of the annual Fish Poetry Contest will be published in Fish Anthology. First prize winner will receive €1000 and the second prize winner will receive a week in residence at Anam Cara Writers ' Reatreat. 3rd: €300

Top prize

€1000

Additional prizes

2nd: writer's retreat | 3rd: €300

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $14

Deadline: March 31, 2023

Genres

Poetry

The Letter Review Prize for Poetry

Letter Review

Letter Review is offering $1100 USD total prize pool in the Letter Review Prize for Poetry for poems of not more than 70 lines. There are no subject or style restrictions. Twenty entries will be longlisted, and ten shortlisted. All entries are considered for publication.

Top prize

$1000 and publication

Additional prizes

2nd & 3rd: $50 and publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $20

Deadline: October 31, 2022 (Expired)

Genres

Poetry

100 Word Writing Contest

Tadpole Press

100 words per entry. Submit as many entries as you’d like. All ages. All genders. All nationalities. All writers welcome. This year's theme is the power of words. The words we write, the words we say, the words we keep to ourselves. They make a difference in the lives of those around us. How can you use your words to instill a sense of calm, of hope, of community? To remind one another of the beauty of diversity. To encourage us to support, love, and inspire one another.

Top prize

$1,000

Additional prizes

2nd: writing coach package 3rd: developmental or diversity editing package.

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $10

Deadline: November 30, 2022

Genres

Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult

The Perito Prize

CIEDA C.I.C

The Perito Prize is designed to be accessible to entry and isn't based solely on grammar and expert prose but more about the narrative. The aim is to encourage people from everywhere to entry and express themselves through the theme of inclusion and accessibility.

Top prize

$287

Additional prizes

Anthology

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: October 02, 2022 (Expired)

Genres

Short Story

Rebekah Pace's Faith Poetry Contest

Level 4 Press

Prayer can lead us on a very difficult journey, but a journey that turns out to be exactly the path we needed to be on in order to arrive where God wants us to be. The most inspiring souls are those who have overcome painful journeys with renewed faith. Often it is at our lowest when we find God. Now let's hear your story. How has God worked in mysterious ways in your life?

Top prize

Poem recorded as a professional song by Gilad Hesseg

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: November 28, 2022 (Expired)

Genres

Poetry

Post-Apocalyptic Media's 2nd Annual Short Story Writing Contest

Post-Apocalyptic Media

We’re looking for a short story (between 2k-5k words) within the post-apocalyptic genre. Your story can be fiction, non-fiction, past, present, or future, but it MUST take place after some sort of global catastrophe. Contest open to anyone 18 years or older worldwide.

Top prize

$300

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: FREE

Deadline: December 16, 2022

Genres

Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller

George Garrett Fiction Prize

Texas Review Press

Established in 1998, The George Garrett Fiction Prize highlights one book a year for excellence in a short story collection or novel. Since 2019, the prize comes with a $1,000 advance, a standard royalty contract, and 20 copies of the published book.

Top prize

$1,000

Additional prizes

Standard royalty contract with TRP and 20 author copies of the published book

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $28

Deadline: September 30, 2022 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Novel

The Open Theme Contest

WriteFluence

The best stories will be published in a book to be released thereafter – All writers will win a special author feature in the book and a merit certificate (virtual) from WriteFluence.

Top prize

Publication

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $2

Deadline: October 30, 2022 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction

The SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction

SmokeLong Quarterly

The SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction (The Smokey) is a biennial competition that celebrates and compensates excellence in flash.

Top prize

$2,500

Additional prizes

2nd: $1000 | 3rd: $500 | Finalists: $100

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $14

Deadline: November 15, 2022 (Expired)

Genres

Flash Fiction

Youth Voices Contest

Strategies For Youth

Today about 52% of public schools in the United States employ a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO). In the aftermath of the Uvalde massacre, once again, many people are questioning the value and purpose of having SROs in school. For almost 20 years, research has documented that students of color are disproportionately arrested by SROs, and many students of color say they do not feel safe in the presence of SROs. As a student between the ages of 12-18 years old we want to know about your experiences with, and thoughts about, having SROs in your school. Please respond to one of the following questions in your essay.

Top prize

$750

Entry requirements

💰 Fee: $0

Deadline: January 06, 2023

Genres

Essay

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

Wild 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

She 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 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Non-fiction, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Novel, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult

Fish 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

Fish 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

Fish 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

Killer 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

WOW! 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 (Expired)

Genres

Non-fiction

TSR 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

Academy 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

The 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 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Short Story

Ronald 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 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Novel, Short Story, Novella

Catherine 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 (Expired)

Genres

Fiction, Novel, Novella, Short Story

Brick 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 (Expired)

Genres

Poetry

The 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

The 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

The 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

Writing 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

The 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

ScienceQuest 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

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