Looking to publish? Meet your dream editor, designer and marketer on Reedsy.

Find the perfect editor for your next book

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

DIRECTORY

Best Writing Contests in 2024

Showing 428 contests that match your search.

F(r)iction Contests

Brink Literacy Project

Genres: Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

F(r)iction Contests accepts submissions in short stories, poetry, and flash fiction, encouraging boundary-pushing and experimental works. The contest opens on July 1, 2024, and winners will be announced in April 2025.

Top Prize:

$1,600

Additional prizes:

$1,000 for short stories, and $300 for poetry and flash fiction. Up to five finalists per category will be considered for publication.

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: November 03, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Writing, and Short Story

The Brink Literary Journal Award for Hybrid Writing will be administered to the winner of a literary contest designed to champion innovative hybrid and cross-genre work.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication

💰 Entry fee: $22

📅 Deadline: February 16, 2024 (Expired)

Anthology Flash Fiction Award

Anthology Magazine

Genres: Fiction, Short Story, and Flash Fiction

The Anthology Flash Fiction Competition is open to original and previously unpublished flash fiction on any theme in the English language by writers of any nationality. We are looking for writing that is clever and unique, inspires us, and crafts a compelling story. Max 250 words.

Top Prize:

€300

💰 Entry fee: $12

📅 Deadline: September 30, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction and Novel

Why not enter the Fiction Factory First Chapter Competition? Send us your first chapter + a 1 page synopsis (if your first chapter is more than 5000 words, send it with the 5000 word point clearly marked). First Prize: £500 + an appraisal and a reading by a top London Literary Agent. All short-listed entrants will receive a free appraisal. Appraisals: For an extra fee, £20, we will write a comprehensive appraisal of your chapter. Results will be published in July, 2024

Top Prize:

£500

Additional prizes:

A reading by a top London Literary Agent plus publication

💰 Entry fee: $22

📅 Deadline: February 29, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

Here 's how it works: our editorial staff chooses approximately fifty to sixty finalists. The highest scoring finalists (25 or so) are considered Special Merit poems. Special Merit poems go to the judge. The judge determines the top three prize winners. The entire editorial staff then selects the Honorable Mentions from the remaining Special Merits.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication by The Comstock Review

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: July 15, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

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 support them in creating new work, as well as to enable them to undertake meaningful, impactful, and innovative projects that enrich the lives of their neighbors, including youth, through responsive and interactive poetry activities.

Top Prize:

$50,000

📅 Deadline: April 08, 2024 (Expired)

Drue Heinz Literature Prize

University of Pittsburgh Press

Genres: Novella and Short Story

The Drue Heinz Literature Prize recognizes and supports writers of short fiction, awarding a cash prize of $15,000 and publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press. It is open to authors with a book-length collection of fiction or at least three short stories/novellas published in reputable magazines. Manuscripts are judged anonymously by noted writers.

Top Prize:

$15,000

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2024 (Expired)

Avenue Writing Contest

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)

Maggie Award for Prepublished Writers

Georgia Romance Writers

Genres: Fiction, Novel, and Romance

The Maggie Award for Excellence for Prepublished writers aims to recognize and reward romance writing mastery. Each entry receives two critiques from published authors, and finalists are assessed by industry agents and editors. The highest-scored manuscript in each category wins a Maggie Award medallion.

Additional prizes:

Maggie Award medallion for highest-scored manuscript in each category; all finalists receive certificates. Critiques returned to all entrants.

💰 Entry fee: $40

📅 Deadline: April 26, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, and Short Story

The Rigel 2024 writing contest invites submissions in various formats, including prose, poetry, art, and graphic novels, with a focus on creative expression across genres. The contest aims to support diverse voices and original works.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

Runners-up and finalists are offered publication

💰 Entry fee: $12

📅 Deadline: October 01, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Novel

IML Publications is dedicated to amplifying contemporary writers' voices. The contest requires 50 double-spaced pages and a 1-page synopsis submitted via email. The winner receives $1000 and possible book publication in ebook and paperback formats.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Possible book publication/distribution in ebook and paperback formats

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: October 01, 2024 (Expired)

Flash Fiction Award

Bath Flash Fiction Award

Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction

In addition to winning cash prizes, entrants have the opportunity to appear in our print and digital anthology collections. Our books are published by the award-winning small press Ad Hoc Fiction, and are available to buy from their own independent bookshop as well as worldwide from Amazon. 300 word limit.

Top Prize:

£1000

Additional prizes:

£300 for 2nd, £100 for 3rd

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: June 02, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Flash Fiction and Poetry

The contest invites submissions in visual art, poetry, and flash fiction. It aims to showcase innovative and authentic art while promoting diversity. Winners and runners-up will be featured on the website and in a Fall anthology.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

Each category winner will receive $100 (USD). Winning submissions and two runners-up per category will be published in the Fall Anthology.

📅 Deadline: August 01, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Poetry Book Awards is an annual, international book award given to the best poetry books produced by indie writers, self published authors or books published by small, truly independent presses. We are proud to be a Welsh based international awards programme, open to all indie authors and self published poets globally.

Top Prize:

£400

Additional prizes:

2nd: £200 | 3rd: £100 | Publication

💰 Entry fee: $44

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2024 (Expired)

Narrative Prize

Narrative Magazine

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

The Narrative Prize is awarded annually for the best short story, novel excerpt, poem, one-act play, graphic story, or work of literary nonfiction published by a new or emerging writer in Narrative. The submission system is open all year.

Top Prize:

$4,000

💰 Entry fee: $27

📅 Deadline: June 15, 2024 (Expired)

Military Anthology: Partnerships, the Untold Story

Armed Services Arts Partnership

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

Partners are an integral aspect of military life, at home and afar, during deployment and after homecoming. Partnerships drive military action and extend beyond being a battle buddy, wingman, or crew member. Some are planned while others arise entirely unexpectedly. Spouses, family, old or new friends, community, faith leaders, and medical specialists all support the military community. Despite their importance, the stories of these partnerships often go untold. This anthology aims to correct that: We will highlight the nuances, surprises, joy, sorrow, heroism, tears, healing power, and ache of partnerships. We invite you to submit the story about partnerships from your journey, so we can help tell it.

Top Prize:

$500 Editors' Choice award

Additional prizes:

$250 for each genre category (prose, poetry, visual art)

📅 Deadline: March 01, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Humor and Poetry

Now in its 22nd 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 fee: $0

📅 Deadline: April 01, 2024 (Expired)

Blue Lynx Prize for Poetry

Lynx House Press

Genres: Poetry

The Blue Lynx Prize for Poetry is awarded for an unpublished, full-length volume of poems by a U.S. author, along with foreign nationals living and writing in the U.S. and U.S. citizens abroad. The prize includes $2000 and publication.

Top Prize:

$2,000

Additional prizes:

Publication

💰 Entry fee: $28

📅 Deadline: June 16, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Memoir, Non-fiction, and Short Story

Original, unpublished works of memoir writing up to 2000 words. The winner will be interviewed and the winning story published on Alison Wearing’s website and featured in the Memoir Writing Ink program. This award was created in celebration of the life of Amy Macrae and in support of her living legacy to improve the outcomes of women with ovarian cancer. Submissions accepted between April 15 to June 30, 2024.

Top Prize:

$1,000

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2024 (Expired)

100 Word Writing Contest

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

Can you write a story using 100 words or less? Pieces will be judged on creativity, uniqueness, and how the story captures a new angle, breaks through stereotypes, and expands our beliefs about what's possible or unexpectedly delights us. In addition, we are looking for writing that is clever or unique, inspires us, and crafts a compelling and complete story. The first-place prize has doubled to $2,000 USD.

Top Prize:

$2,000

Additional prizes:

Publishing and marketing package

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: November 30, 2024

Open Prize

National Poetry Series

Genres: Poetry

The NPS Open Competition seeks book-length manuscripts of poetry from U.S. residents or American citizens living abroad. Five winners are awarded a cash prize and publication.

Top Prize:

$10,000

Additional prizes:

Publication of a full-length manuscript by a participating publisher.

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: March 15, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Essay

The Berggruen Prize Essay Competition aims to foster innovative ideas across cultures by posing significant philosophical questions relevant to contemporary life. It seeks submissions in English and Chinese that reflect novel thinking and compelling arguments.

Top Prize:

$25,000

Additional prizes:

Publication in Noema Magazine. Each language category will have a prize.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

At around noon each Tuesday (GMT), from 12 April 2022 to 31 January 2023, five words are posted on the Ó Bhéal Five Words competition page. Entrants have one week to compose and submit poems that include all five words given for the week. The competition runs for 42 weeks, and a prize of 750 euro is awarded to one winner.

Top Prize:

€750

Additional prizes:

€500, €250

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: January 30, 2024 (Expired)

Scriptation Showcase

Showcase Script Competition

Genres: Script Writing and Short Story

The Scriptation Showcase is a screenwriting contest aimed at connecting writers with industry professionals by circulating winning scripts to Hollywood directors, showrunners, and producers. In addition to monetary awards, winners receive features in the Scriptation app and various professional development opportunities.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

$500 cash for best script in each category, plus 1 Year Scriptation Showcase, 1 Year WriterDuet Premium, Virtual Group Meeting with Professional Writers, One-on-one meeting with Film/TV Executive, Featured Story and Promotion.

💰 Entry fee: $64

📅 Deadline: July 20, 2024 (Expired)

The Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction

Association of Writers & Writing Programs

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

AWP sponsors the Award Series, an annual competition for the publication of excellent new book-length works. The competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence, and is available to published and unpublished authors alike.

Top Prize:

$5,500

Additional prizes:

Publication by Red Hen Press

💰 Entry fee: $30

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2024 (Expired)

Spring Flash Fiction Contest

The Berlin Literary Review

Genres: Flash Fiction

This contest is for flash fiction pieces of 1,500 words or less. Winning entries will be published in the magazine.

Top Prize:

€660

Additional prizes:

Second place: €100 Third place: €60 Winner has publication in the online magazine for winners and shortlisted participants.

💰 Entry fee: $6

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2024 (Expired)

Frightening First Line Contest 2023

Gotham Writers Workshop

Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Short Story, and Thriller

The contest invites participants to craft a chilling first line for a scary story, with a maximum of 31 words. The winner receives a free Gotham class of their choice.

Top Prize:

Free Gotham class of your choosing (excluding premium classes).

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: November 30, 2023 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Short Story Competition 2024 invites young writers aged 13-19 to submit original works. This competition is designed to encourage creativity and promote writing skills among teenagers.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

Runner up: $50 | Best peer review: $50 Winner features on the blog and social media.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: November 25, 2024

Acrostic Poetry Contest

FanStory.com Inc.

Genres: Poetry

To enter this poetry contest share an acrostic. That's a poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word (downwards). Cash Prize

Top Prize:

$100

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: October 16, 2022 (Expired)

Write By The Sea Literary Festival 2024

Write By The Sea Festival Committee

Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, and Poetry

The contest invites entries across four categories: Fiction Short Story, Flash Fiction, Poetry, and Memoir/Personal Essay. Each winning piece will be read at the festival and published in The Waxed Lemon Literary Journal.

Top Prize:

€500

Additional prizes:

2nd place: €300 3rd place: €200 Free weekend pass to the festival, publication in The Waxed Lemon Literary Journal.

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: June 21, 2024 (Expired)

The Bath Novel Award

The Bath Novel Awards

Genres: Fiction, Novel, and Young Adult

The Bath Novel Award is a £5,000 international prize for emerging writers of adult fiction. Submit the first 5,000 words plus a one-page synopsis of your novel for adults or young adults. Shortlisted entrants will receive feedback on their full manuscript and all listees will receive editorial director feedback on their extract and synopsis.

Top Prize:

£5,000

Additional prizes:

£1800 for one longlistee

💰 Entry fee: $38

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2024 (Expired)

Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards

Cleveland Foundation

Genres: Novel, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Poetry

The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards recognize outstanding works that contribute to our understanding of racism and cultural diversity. Established in 1935 by Edith Anisfield Wolf, it remains the only American book prize focused on these themes.

Top Prize:

$10,000

Additional prizes:

Winners receive $10,000 and are honored at a ceremony in Cleveland.

📅 Deadline: December 31, 2024

Genres: Poetry

Established in 1998, this award honors poet Benjamin Saltman and is for previously unpublished original poetry collections. The competition is open to all poets.

Top Prize:

$3,000

Additional prizes:

Book publication by Red Hen Press

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: October 31, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Humor and Non-fiction

This contest invites submissions of humorous stories centered around workplace experiences. It aims to compile an anthology that reflects the lighter side of work life.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

2nd: 200 and print copy | 3rd, 4th, & 5th: $100 and print copy

📅 Deadline: December 18, 2023 (Expired)

The Bath Children's Novel Award

The Bath Novel Awards

Genres: Children's, Fiction, and Young Adult

The Bath Children's Novel Award is an international writing prize for unagented emerging writers. It seeks novels for children or teens, chapter books, and picture book texts. The winner receives £5,000, a trophy, and feedback for listees.

Top Prize:

£5,000

Additional prizes:

A place on the 'Edit Your Novel the Professional Way' course worth £1,980 for one longlisted writer. Minerva trophy and feedback from an editorial director.

💰 Entry fee: $30

📅 Deadline: November 30, 2024

Prompts | Many Hands | 2024-09

Join our weekly contest

Get 5 new writing prompts every Friday. Write and submit a story for a chance to win $250.