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DIRECTORY
Showing 434 contests that match your search.
Brink Literacy Project
Genres: Poetry
The F(r)iction Poetry Contest invites submissions of original poetry. The contest is open to writers globally, focusing on unique and experimental literature. The contest promotes creativity and individuality in submissions.
Top Prize:
$300
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: May 02, 2025 (Expired)
Minds Shine Bright
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, and Short Story
The Places Writing Competition invites stories and poems about places that inspire or challenge writers. It includes various categories like poetry, short stories, and flash fiction, and aims to highlight the significance of places in literature.
Top Prize:
The overall winner receives $1500 AUD and publication in the anthology.
Additional prizes:
Up to $200 for commended entries, $50 for young writers.
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: May 31, 2025 (Expired)
Ayn Rand Institute
Genres: Essay
The Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest is open to all high school, college, and graduate students worldwide. Participants write essays based on prompts related to Ayn Rand's novel _Atlas Shrugged_. The contest has seasonal entry rounds with unique prompts, and essays must be between 800 and 1,600 words. The winning essays demonstrate a strong grasp of the book's themes.
Top Prize:
$25,000
Additional prizes:
Annual Grand Prize of $25,000 Seasonal prize winners: 1st place: $3000 2nd place: $2000 3rd place: $1000
📅 Deadline: December 27, 2024 (Expired)
Tadpole Press
Genres: Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult, Children's, Poetry, Romance, Short Story, Suspense, and Travel
The contest invites submissions of creative works of 100 words or less. It encourages diverse voices and unique stories focused on the theme of truth-telling across any genre.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: Publishing and marketing package valued at $6,000 | 3rd: Manuscript assessment package ($1,500-$3,000) | 4th place: Editing package ($1,500) | 5th & 6th: Writing coaching ($500) | 7th-10th: $200 | 11th-15th: $150 | 16th-20th: $100 | 21st-30th: $50
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: November 30, 2025
Globe Soup
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Young Adult
Participants write a short story of up to 2,000 words based on a secret theme and assigned genre for a chance to win £500. The competition is open to anyone aged 18 and older.
Top Prize:
£500
Additional prizes:
Publication on website. 12 genre finalists selected.
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: September 30, 2025 (Expired)
First Coast Romance Writers
Genres: Fiction and Romance
The National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award (NERFA) celebrates published romance novels and novellas, judged by romance readers. It aims to promote excellence in romantic fiction.
Top Prize:
NERFA Winner web logo and trophy
Additional prizes:
Finalists receive a NERFA Finalist web logo and certificate
💰 Entry fee: $40
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2025 (Expired)
Academy of American Poets
Genres: Poetry
These fellowships are $50,000 awards aimed at honoring poets of literary merit who serve in civic positions. The goal is to support them in creating new work and undertaking impactful projects that enrich local communities through poetry.
Top Prize:
$50,000
Additional prizes:
Awards are $50,000 for the fellowship. The Academy will match up to $10,000 in in-kind or cash contributions for project support.
📅 Deadline: February 24, 2025 (Expired)
Anthology Publishing
Genres: Memoir
The Anthology Personal Memoir Competition invites entries for personal memoirs, encouraging emerging writers to share their stories. The winner will be published in Anthology magazine.
Top Prize:
€500
Additional prizes:
Publication in Anthology magazine
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: August 31, 2025 (Expired)
Wine Country Writers' Festival Society
Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry
The contest is open to writers over 18 worldwide and includes categories for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Each submission must adhere to specific formatting guidelines and word limits. Winners are selected through blind judging, and results are announced during the festival.
Top Prize:
$200 CAD per category
Additional prizes:
Second place: $100 Third place: $50 Winner also gets anthology publication, entry to next year's festival
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: June 02, 2024 (Expired)
Parsec Inc.
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Science Fiction, and Short Story
The Parsec Short Story Contest aims to encourage non-professional writers to explore speculative fiction in genres like science fiction, fantasy, and horror. The theme for 2025 is 'ROOTS', and submissions should relate to this theme. The contest has no entry fee and supports young writers through a special Youth Story Prize.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
2nd: $100 | 3rd: $50
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2025 (Expired)
TCK Publishing
Genres: Poetry
The TCK Publishing Poetry Awards Contest is an international poetry contest established in 2021. The contest invites writers from all backgrounds to submit poems. The winner receives a $1,000 honorarium and publication on the TCK Publishing website.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Publication on TCK Website
💰 Entry fee: $5
📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025 (Expired)
University of Pittsburgh Press
Genres: Poetry
The Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize, established in 1981, is awarded for a first full-length book of poems. The prize includes a cash award and publication as part of the Pitt Poetry Series.
Top Prize:
$5,000
Additional prizes:
Publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press
💰 Entry fee: $25
📅 Deadline: April 30, 2025 (Expired)
The Bath Novel Awards
Genres: Children's, Fiction, and Young Adult
The Bath Children's Novel Award is an international writing competition for children's novels, young adult (YA) fiction, chapter books, and picture book texts. It is open to unagented writers who are unpublished or self-published without an advance. The contest aims to support emerging authors.
Top Prize:
£5,000
Additional prizes:
Minerva trophy and feedback from an editorial director. Shortlisted authors receive feedback from Junior Judges aged 7-17. One longlisted author wins a course worth £1,980 from Cornerstones Literary Consultancy.
💰 Entry fee: $30
📅 Deadline: November 30, 2025
The Moth
Genres: Poetry
The Moth Poetry Prize is one of the largest prizes for individual unpublished poems, open to anyone over 16 worldwide. The prize is judged anonymously and past winners have included notable poets. The 2025 competition is currently open.
Top Prize:
€6,000
Additional prizes:
3x runners up: €1,000 | 8x further prizes of €250 | Publication online in Irish Times
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: December 31, 2025
Historical Novel Society
Genres: Fiction
The HNS 2026 First Chapters Competition invites entries for the opening (maximum 3,000 words) and a 1-page synopsis of a full-length historical novel. It's open to both members and non-members, encouraging excellence in historical fiction.
Top Prize:
£1000
Additional prizes:
Grand winner also receives a trophy. 10 Category Winners receive £500 and a free HNS 2026 conference ticket.
💰 Entry fee: $25
📅 Deadline: November 17, 2025
Free Flash Fiction
Genres: Flash Fiction
The FFF Competition Thirty invites submissions of flash fiction pieces between 100 and 300 words, on any theme. A total of 6 stories will be recognized, including 1 winner and 2 highly commended entries.
Top Prize:
£165
Additional prizes:
£77 for 2 Highly Commended £66 for 3 shortlisted entries, all receive publication.
💰 Entry fee: $4
📅 Deadline: October 23, 2025 (Expired)
Chicken House Books
Genres: Fiction, Novel, Novella, Science Fiction, Science Writing, and Young Adult
An annual contest for unpublished and unagented writers of children's fiction, focusing on originality and diverse voices. The competition seeks full-length novels suitable for readers aged 7-18.
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 fee: $25
📅 Deadline: June 02, 2025 (Expired)
Pocket FM
Genres: Fiction and Romance
The Crowned In Drama contest focuses on creating original audio series in the romance genre, specifically Historical and Regency Romance. Participants must complete 100k words by the deadline and follow specific guidelines to be eligible for prizes.
Top Prize:
$5,000
Additional prizes:
1st: $5000, certificate, community & social media promotion | 2nd: $2500 | 3rd: $1250, all with similar promotional benefits.
📅 Deadline: November 07, 2025
Southam Book Festival
Genres: Flash Fiction
The competition invites writers to submit original 100-word stories that include one of the specified words: PLACE, PLACED, or PLACES. The competition aims to celebrate concise storytelling.
Top Prize:
£60
Additional prizes:
2nd prize: £30 3rd prize: £20
💰 Entry fee: $3
📅 Deadline: September 07, 2025 (Expired)
Weatherglass Books
Genres: Fiction and Novella
The Weatherglass Novella Prize 2025 is dedicated to celebrating the novella form. The winner will have their work published by Weatherglass Books, with the judging by acclaimed author Ali Smith.
Top Prize:
£500
Additional prizes:
Winning novellas will be published by Weatherglass Books
💰 Entry fee: $20
📅 Deadline: March 01, 2025 (Expired)
WOW! Women on Writing
Genres: Essay and Non-fiction
This contest aims to inspire creative nonfiction and provide recognition to contestants. It's open to all styles of essays including personal, lyric, and hybrid essays.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
1st: Essay published on WOW! Women on Writing, item from CreateWriteNow’s Store, interview on the WOW! blog | 7 runners up: $25 Amazon Gift Certificate | 10 honorable mentions: name mentioned on WOW! Women on Writing.
💰 Entry fee: $12
📅 Deadline: October 31, 2025
University of Arkansas Press
Genres: Poetry
Every year, the University of Arkansas Press accepts submissions for the Miller Williams Poetry Series and from the books selected awards the $5,000 Miller Williams Poetry Prize in the following summer. For almost a quarter century the press has made this series the cornerstone of its work as a publisher of some of the country’s best new poetry. The series and prize are named for and operated to honor the cofounder and longtime director of the press, Miller Williams.
Top Prize:
$5,000
Additional prizes:
Publication through the University of Arkansas Press
💰 Entry fee: $28
📅 Deadline: September 30, 2024 (Expired)
Chanticleer Book Reviews
Genres: Fiction and Mystery
The Mystery & Mayhem Awards seek the best books in mystery genres, focusing on amateur sleuths, light suspense, and more. Over $30,000 in prizes, including a $1,000 Grand Prize, exclusive reviews, and promotional boosts for winners.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Exclusive Chanticleer Book Review Package and Author Interview valued at $795. Various sponsor awards and promotional opportunities for winners.
💰 Entry fee: $99
📅 Deadline: July 31, 2025 (Expired)
Nimrold International Journal of Prose and Poetry
Genres: Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, and Novel
The Nimrod Literary Awards are hosted by the Nimrod International Journal to honor outstanding writing in fiction and poetry. Each year, the awards feature a first prize of $2,000 and a second prize of $1,000, along with publication opportunities for winners.
Top Prize:
$2,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: $1000 + publication
💰 Entry fee: $20
📅 Deadline: April 30, 2025 (Expired)
Munster Literature Centre
Genres: Poetry
The Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition is an annual prize open to original, unpublished poems in English of up to 40 lines. It celebrates poetry and offers substantial prizes while encouraging international participation.
Top Prize:
$2,000
Additional prizes:
2nd Place: €500 3rd Place: €250 10 runners up: €50 Featured reading at the Cork International Poetry Festival with hotel stay, publication in Southword, and featured on the Southword Poetry Podcast.
💰 Entry fee: $7
📅 Deadline: November 30, 2025
Mofic
Genres: Fiction
Upload 10 chapters of any story (each chapter length at least 1800 words) to enter.
Top Prize:
$700
Additional prizes:
2nd: $400 | 3rd: $200 | 2x notable entries: $20. Winners may receive editorial and publishing support.
📅 Deadline: August 20, 2025 (Expired)
WOW! Women On Writing
Genres: Flash Fiction, Fiction, and Short Story
The WOW! Women on Writing Flash Fiction Contest aims to inspire creativity and recognition for writers. Open to all genres of flash fiction, it has been running since 2006 and has awarded over $100,000 in cash prizes to participants. The contest allows entries globally, and submissions must be in English.
Top Prize:
$400
Additional prizes:
2nd: $300 | 3rd: $200 | 7 runner-ups: $25 Amazon Gift Cards
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: August 31, 2025 (Expired)
Writing Battle
Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult
The Spring Microfiction Battle is part of the Writing Battle series, where participants write stories based on prompts. Participants receive feedback from peers and industry judges.
Top Prize:
$1,500
Additional prizes:
Genre Runner-up (x4): $375 Feedback by industry professionals. Various merchandise and opportunities for additional exposure in the community.
💰 Entry fee: $20
📅 Deadline: May 03, 2024 (Expired)
The Letter Review
Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Novel
The Letter Review Prize for Books invites submissions of unpublished, self-published, or indie-published book-length works. It aims to highlight new literature and supports writers through various stages of their careers. The competition is judged blind, ensuring equal opportunity for all entrants.
Top Prize:
$1000 USD shared by 2 to 4 winners
Additional prizes:
Winners may publish extracts of their entries in The Letter Review's anthology. Up to 20 writers are shortlisted.
💰 Entry fee: $25
📅 Deadline: October 01, 2025 (Expired)
Gutsy Great Novelist
Genres: Fiction, Novel, Young Adult, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, and Thriller
The Chapter One Prize is an international writing contest for unpublished novelists. It aims to find the best opening chapter of a novel-in-progress written in English. Submissions open on February 3, 2025, and close on March 3, 2025.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: $500 | 3rd: $250. Honorable mentions may also be awarded.
💰 Entry fee: $20
📅 Deadline: March 03, 2025 (Expired)
Happiful
Genres: Poetry
The Happiful Poetry Prize is an annual competition that invites entries exploring themes of mental health and wellbeing. The contest is open to writers aged 18 and over from the UK and Northern Ireland. The competition aims to celebrate high-quality writing in poetry.
Top Prize:
£25
Additional prizes:
Four shortlisted poets will receive a £25 National Book Token. All winning poems will be published in issue 108 of Happiful.
📅 Deadline: November 14, 2025
New2theScene
Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction
The competition invites submissions of flash fiction with a maximum word count of 999. Entries can be on any topic, allowing writers to showcase their creativity.
Top Prize:
£50 book voucher
Additional prizes:
Publication, promotion, and a podcast interview | Potential publication and £15 vouchers for notable mentions.
💰 Entry fee: $5
📅 Deadline: June 01, 2025 (Expired)
Blake Chasen and Emma Needell
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, and Romance
The Avenue Writing Contest invites participants to create interactive narratives in four categories: Romance, Fantasy, Progression Fantasy + LitRPG, and D&D. Entries are crafted using the Avenue Creator Studio, where participants develop episodes that allow reader choices to influence the story.
Top Prize:
$250
Additional prizes:
2nd: $150 3rd: $100 Winners will also be featured on Avenue’s app, website, and social media. Prizes apply for each category.
📅 Deadline: May 22, 2024 (Expired)
Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, and Science Fiction
The Iridescence Award is a writing contest for BIPOC authors. It focuses on themes like the supernatural, extraterrestrial, or paranormal, encouraging submissions in short stories and poetry. Winners will have their work published in the Iridescence anthology, and cash awards are available. Entries must be original and unpublished, and they should align with the contest guidelines.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
Publication in the Iridescence anthology | 2nd place: $250 | 3rd place: $100
📅 Deadline: April 30, 2025 (Expired)
Exeter Writers
Genres: Fiction and Short Story
The Short Story Competition is organized by Exeter Writers, aiming to encourage and showcase emerging writing talent. This competition invites entries from writers of various backgrounds.
Top Prize:
£700
💰 Entry fee: $9
📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 (Expired)
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