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Best Writing Contests in 2025

Showing 426 contests that match your search.

Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Science Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story, and Thriller

The Silver Falchion Award honors the best books published in 2024 across various genres, including mystery, thriller, suspense, and romance. The competition aims to recognize quality storytelling and is open to all published authors.

Top Prize:

$250

💰 Entry fee: $85

📅 Deadline: April 01, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Essay, Memoir, and Non-fiction

The Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award is an annual contest launched by Trio House Press, focused on creative nonfiction manuscripts. The award aims to recognize innovative and distinct works in this genre.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: May 15, 2025 (Expired)

A Book Led Me There

Intrepid Times

Genres: Non-fiction and Travel

Intrepid Times' 10th writing competition invites readers and wanderers to explore the books that have guided our lives and impelled our adventures. Write a non-fiction travel story of up to 2,000 words that describes following in the footsteps of your literary heroes.

Top Prize:

$300

Additional prizes:

Publication in Intrepid Times. Up to four runners-up will be published at standard rates.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: August 31, 2025 (Expired)

"Write On!" Short Story Contest

Ann Arbor District Library

Genres: Children's

The contest is for Grades 3-5 and will be open for submissions from January 6 to February 2, 2025. An awards ceremony will be held on April 19, 2025.

Top Prize:

Publication on website

📅 Deadline: February 02, 2025 (Expired)

Ironclad Short Story Competition

Ironclad Creative CIC

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Ironclad Short Story Competition invites both published and unpublished writers to submit original stories responding to the prompt 'SWITCH.' Stories up to 6,000 words are accepted. Winning and shortlisted entries will be published in an anthology.

Top Prize:

£100

Additional prizes:

2nd: £50 | 3rd: £25 | Publication for all shortlisted stories.

💰 Entry fee: $9

📅 Deadline: October 31, 2025

The Next Big Story

The Novelry Group Limited

Genres: Fiction

The Next Big Story is a creative writing prize inviting submissions for the first 1,500 words of a work of fiction. The contest aims to encourage new voices in storytelling, offering a grand prize of $100,000 and eight shortlisting prizes of The Finished Novel Course to help writers finalize their projects.

Top Prize:

$100,000 or £75,000

Additional prizes:

Eight shortlists receive access to The Finished Novel Course (valued at approx $4,995 each).

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: July 31, 2025 (Expired)

Robinson Jeffers Tor House Prize for Poetry

Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation

Genres: Poetry

The Robinson Jeffers Tor House Prize for Poetry is an annual contest honoring the poet Robinson Jeffers. Established as a living memorial, it aims to recognize outstanding poetry submissions. The prize includes an honorarium and honorable mentions.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

$200 for honorable mention

📅 Deadline: March 15, 2025 (Expired)

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)

Genres: Fiction and Novel

This competition invites unpublished novelists to submit an opening chapter (up to 3,000 words) along with a synopsis (max 750 words). Works must be original and not previously published. The competition is judged by Headline Publishing.

Top Prize:

£500

Additional prizes:

2nd Place: £200

💰 Entry fee: $13

📅 Deadline: October 31, 2024 (Expired)

The Cygnus Awards for Science Fiction

Chanticleer Book Reviews

Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction, and Young Adult

The Cygnus Awards recognize the best Science Fiction books across various subgenres. It includes prizes, recognition, and promotional opportunities for winning entries.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Exclusive Chanticleer Book Review Package and Author Interview (valued at $795)

💰 Entry fee: $99

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025 (Expired)

Amazing Women’s Edition Contest

National Youth Foundation

Genres: Children's

The Amazing Women’s Edition Contest invites students in grades K to 8 to create books that feature the theme of 'Local Heroines'. Each entry must include art and text created solely by the students. The contest aims to promote literacy and creativity among youth.

Top Prize:

$500

📅 Deadline: January 09, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Booksie 2025 Poetry Contest seeks original poems of any type or length. Entries can be serious or whimsical, but should evoke thought. Judges will select winners from six finalists.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Gold winner badge and promotion across Booksie. Runners-up receive $100 cash and a silver winner badge

💰 Entry fee: $7

📅 Deadline: October 17, 2025

Genres: Fiction

The contest invites young writers aged 12-18 to submit fiction stories inspired by the theme 'A Summer Trip'. Winners receive prizes and feedback is provided to top submissions.

Top Prize:

£50

Additional prizes:

Winner also gets publication of winning entry on the blog. Honorable mentions and feedback for the top 20 submissions.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: August 31, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Letter Review Prize for Poetry is a competitive opportunity for poets, offering a prize pool every three months. It promotes diverse poetic expression, with no restrictions on subject or style. Winners are published and considered for prestigious anthologies.

Top Prize:

$1000 USD shared by 2 to 4 winners

Additional prizes:

Publication by The Letter Review. Up to 20 writers are shortlisted.

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: October 01, 2025 (Expired)

Bath Flash Fiction Award

Bath Flash Fiction Award

Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction

The Bath Flash Fiction Award is an international rolling competition for flash fiction, held three times a year. It encourages writers to submit original works of up to 300 words and offers substantial prizes and publication opportunities.

Top Prize:

£1000

Additional prizes:

2nd: £300 | 3rd: £100 | Two commendations of £30 each. 50 longlisted entrants may also get published in an anthology.

💰 Entry fee: $9

📅 Deadline: October 05, 2025 (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, 2025

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)

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)

Geminga Contest 2025

Sunspot Lit

Genres: Non-fiction and Poetry

The Geminga Contest 2025 invites submissions of tiny fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, graphic novels, and art. Submissions should honor the power of brevity, with specific word limits for each category. Accepted works will be published in upcoming editions of Sunspot Lit.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

Publication for the winner, with publication also offered to runners-up and finalists.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: January 31, 2025 (Expired)

The Clue Awards for Thriller/Suspense

Chanticleer Book Reviews

Genres: Fiction and Crime

The Clue Awards recognize outstanding works in Suspense and Thriller genres, emphasizing detective work, police procedural, and crime-solving narratives. The contest aims to discover and promote new talent while rewarding excellence in these literary categories.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Exclusive Chanticleer Book Review Package and Author Interview valued at $795.

💰 Entry fee: $99

📅 Deadline: July 31, 2025 (Expired)

Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition

Minotaur Books & Malice Domestic

Genres: Mystery and Novel

The competition is open to writers aged 18 or older who have not published a mystery novel. It aims to discover new talents in traditional mystery writing. All submissions must be original works of at least 60,000 words that follow the guidelines. The winner will be announced after April 2025.

Top Prize:

$10,000 advance + winning manuscript publication

📅 Deadline: December 14, 2025

Iridescence Award

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)

Ghost & Cryptid Short Story Anthology

Dragon Tomes Publishing

Genres: Fiction, Horror, Short Story, and Humor

Dragon Tomes Publishing is compiling an anthology of ghost and cryptid stories. They seek short stories up to 6,000 words that explore themes of ghosts or cryptids, welcoming various genres.

Top Prize:

$20

Additional prizes:

Free author copy of the finished anthology.

📅 Deadline: July 31, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Muriel Craft Bailey Poetry Contest is an annual event that celebrates original poetry. It has been held since 1997 in memory of poet Muriel Craft Bailey. The contest is open for submissions from April 1 to July 15 each year, with guidelines updated periodically.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication by The Comstock Review

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: July 15, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, LGBTQ, Non-fiction, and Poetry

So to Speak is a feminist literary journal seeking diverse voices, focusing on intersectional feminism. They publish twice a year, accepting submissions of fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and visual art, with a particular emphasis on marginalized perspectives.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

All accepted contributions will receive a $100 prize.

💰 Entry fee: $4

📅 Deadline: November 20, 2025

Subnivean Awards

Soma Mei Sheng Frazier (Fiction) and Albert Abonado (Poetry)

Genres: Fiction and Poetry

The Subnivean Awards is an international literary competition that seeks outstanding fiction and poetry. The contest aims to highlight innovative works that break conventional molds.

Top Prize:

$150

Additional prizes:

Winner also receives a blurb by the appropriate final judge and publication in the May 2025 issue. Five finalists' works will be published and featured in a virtual event.

📅 Deadline: February 21, 2025 (Expired)

Rhina Espaillat Poetry Award

Plough Publishing

Genres: Poetry

The award honors Dominican-American poet Rhina Espaillat. It is for an original poem of up to 50 lines, showcasing empathy and grace in everyday life.

Top Prize:

$2,000

Additional prizes:

Winning poem published in Plough Quarterly | Two finalists will receive $250

💰 Entry fee: $7

📅 Deadline: March 30, 2025 (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)

Heart Fiction Battle

Writing Battle

Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult

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Top Prize:

$1,500

Additional prizes:

Genre Runner-up (x4): $375 Feedback by industry professionals

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: August 02, 2024 (Expired)

Creative Nonfiction Prize

Indiana Review

Genres: Essay, Fiction, and Non-fiction

The Creative Nonfiction Prize is held annually by Indiana Review, which also publishes various genres including poetry and fiction. It features a $20 entry fee, which includes a subscription to the journal. All entries are considered for publication.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication in Indiana Review

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: October 31, 2025

The Dark Poets Prize

Dark Poets Club

Genres: Poetry

The Dark Poets Prize is an international poetry competition inviting entries that explore beauty within darkness. The winner receives the title of International Dark Poets Prize IV Winner and a cash prize.

Top Prize:

£1000

Additional prizes:

1st place also receives Dark Poets Prize certification & a Dark Poets Club T-shirt.

💰 Entry fee: $6

📅 Deadline: November 30, 2025

Genres: Poetry

The Fiction Factory Poetry Competition invites poets to submit original works on any topic, with a maximum length of 40 lines. The competition aims to celebrate creativity and diversity in poetry.

Top Prize:

£100

Additional prizes:

Feedback on poems, a Zoom mentorship call, and publication

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: July 31, 2025 (Expired)

Travel Writing Award

Ottawa Tourism

Genres: Travel

The Travel Writing Award invites writers to explore and share their experiences in Ottawa and its surroundings. It emphasizes capturing the essence of travel through a narrative lens.

Top Prize:

$1000 CAD

Additional prizes:

Winning entries will also be featured in Ottawa Tourism publications

📅 Deadline: July 21, 2025 (Expired)

Rattle Poetry Prize

Rattle Foundation

Genres: Children's and Poetry

The Rattle Poetry Prize awards $15,000 for a single poem published in the winter issue of Rattle. Ten finalists receive $500 each and a chance for the $5,000 Readers’ Choice Award. The contest emphasizes fair judging through anonymized reviews by editors.

Top Prize:

$15,000

Additional prizes:

$500 for each of the ten finalists; $5,000 Readers’ Choice Award. Publication in the winter issue and additional publication opportunities

💰 Entry fee: $30

📅 Deadline: July 15, 2025 (Expired)

The Unsealed

Lauren Brill Media LLC

Genres: Poetry

This contest encourages participants to write about moments when they felt guided by the universe, such as instances of perfect timing or signs that changed their direction. It aims to inspire storytelling and personal reflection.

Top Prize:

$200

Additional prizes:

2nd: $50 | Winner also gets digital billboard feature or a free copy of 'Unseal Your Superpowers'

📅 Deadline: July 23, 2025 (Expired)

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