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DIRECTORY
Showing 400 contests that match your search.
Anthology Magazine
Genres: Fiction, Short Story, and Flash Fiction
The Anthology Flash Fiction Competition invites original, unpublished flash fiction pieces on any theme or genre, written in English. Entries must not exceed 250 words, and multiple submissions are allowed with separate fees. The competition aims to inspire creativity and provide a publication platform.
Top Prize:
€300
💰 Entry fee: $12
📅 Deadline: September 30, 2025
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)
Texas Review Press
Genres:
Established in 2001, this annual prize highlights an outstanding chapbook, providing a $1,000 advance, publication, and ten copies of the book. Submissions are accepted from poets writing in English, with guidelines detailing eligibility and manuscript requirements.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Publication and 10 copies of the published book
💰 Entry fee: $20
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2025 (Expired)
SaveAs Writers
Genres: Poetry
The competition invites submissions of poetry. The theme for 2024 is 'RISKING ALL', commemorating the Everest Climbing expedition centenary.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
Second Place: £100 Second Place: £50
💰 Entry fee: $4
📅 Deadline: August 31, 2024 (Expired)
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: March 31, 2024 (Expired)
Association of Writers & Writing Programs
Genres: Poetry
The Donald Hall Prize for Poetry awards $5,500 and publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press. The prize honors the best unpublished collection of poems and is judged by a prominent poet.
Top Prize:
$5,500
Additional prizes:
Publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press
💰 Entry fee: $30
📅 Deadline: February 28, 2024 (Expired)
The Moth Magazine Ltd.
Genres: Poetry
An annual prize for unpublished poems written by adults for children aged 7–11. The prize aims to celebrate poetry that appeals to younger audiences.
Top Prize:
€1,000
Additional prizes:
A week at Circle of Misse in France
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2024 (Expired)
Not Quite Write
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, and Fantasy
The Not Quite Write Prize for FLESH Fiction invites submissions of erotic stories up to 1,500 words based on the theme 'Making the unsexy irresistible'. The competition is open to adults worldwide, free to enter, and aims to explore creative interpretations of erotic fiction. Judging is blind, and winners will be announced publicly.
Top Prize:
$500 AUS
Additional prizes:
Total prize pool of AU$1,000 plus a range of "spicy" prizes and a chance at print publication.
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: August 24, 2025
The Writer's Workout
Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Script Writing, Thriller, and Young Adult
The Writer's Games is a free competition aimed at improving writing skills, offering feedback from judges. The 2024 edition has concluded, and it featured multiple events with winners recognized in an anthology. Registration is necessary to participate.
Top Prize:
Publication in anthology, 72 Hours (26+ spaces)
📅 Deadline: July 22, 2025
New Writers
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Short Story
The competition is open globally, with a deadline of April 30, 2024. The top prize is £1,000, with additional prizes for second (£300) and third (£200) places. Entry fees are £10 for one entry, £19 for two, and £27 for three, with £1 from each entry donated to the charity First Story. Winning entries will be published online and in an anthology.
Top Prize:
£1,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: £300 | 3rd: £200
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: April 30, 2024 (Expired)
Writer's Digest
Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story
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:
Grand prize winner receives $5000. In each category: 1st, $1000; 2nd, $500; 3rd, $250; 4th, $100; 5th, $50; 6th through 10th, $25 gift certificate. 1st place winners receive a one year subscription to Writer's Digest magazine + tutorials.
💰 Entry fee: $30
📅 Deadline: May 05, 2025
Anastasia Barbato
Genres: Children's, Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, and Young Adult
This is the second annual short story contest by Dreambridge Publishing, featuring the anthology theme 'In My Element' with elements of alchemy. The chosen writers will work with editors to prepare their stories for publication.
Top Prize:
Winners will be published in the anthology.
📅 Deadline: March 31, 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)
Inspiring Fiction
Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Short Story, and Thriller
The contest invites participants to explore the theme of freedom through crime, speculative, and fantasy fiction. Winning entries will be published in a special bumper issue of Tangled Web Magazine and Mirk Fantasy Magazine.
Top Prize:
£100
Additional prizes:
Winner published in a special issue.
💰 Entry fee: $6
📅 Deadline: July 31, 2024 (Expired)
Fabula Press
Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Horror, Mystery, and Science Fiction
The Fabula Press Short Story Contest encourages exceptional storytelling across genres, with no specific theme. Participants can submit entries for both free and paid categories. Winning stories may be published in an anthology.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
2nd place: $250 3rd place: $100 Stories selected for publication: $75
📅 Deadline: June 11, 2024 (Expired)
Sarabande Books
Genres: Fiction and Short Story
The Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction is awarded to an outstanding manuscript of short fiction. It includes a monetary prize, publication, and an introduction by the judge, Ed Park.
Top Prize:
$2,000
Additional prizes:
Publication by Sarabande Books
💰 Entry fee: $34
📅 Deadline: February 15, 2025 (Expired)
Flash 500
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)
Hastings Book Festival
Genres: Short Story and Fiction
The Hastings Book Festival Short Story Competition invites entries of original short stories. The competition is open to all writers aged 18 and over, with submissions accepted in English. The judging process is anonymous, and entries must follow specific formatting guidelines.
Top Prize:
£250
Additional prizes:
2nd: £100 | 3rd: £50 | Winners may also be eligible for additional prizes like the Sussex Prize and Founder's Prize.
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025
Globe Soup
Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult
The competition invites submissions from writers of all genres and styles, allowing stories up to 8,000 words. The winner will be announced on February 10, 2025, and all stories are judged anonymously. Participants can receive feedback on their stories through optional exchanges before submission.
Top Prize:
£2,000
Additional prizes:
Publication on website
💰 Entry fee: $8
📅 Deadline: December 16, 2024 (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, 2024 (Expired)
Red Hen Press
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)
Write the World in partnership with Patagonia
Genres: Essay and Non-fiction
The competition invites young writers aged 13-19 to craft a piece of creative nonfiction on their environment, blending fact with storytelling. The prompt emphasizes reflection on personal and global environmental challenges.
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
Winner receives $100; Runner-Up and Best Peer Review each receive $50.
📅 Deadline: May 26, 2025
Winning Writers
Genres: Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Children's, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Young Adult
The North Street Book Prize focuses on self-published or hybrid-published books, offering significant cash prizes and marketing services to enhance visibility. The contest has been running for 11 years and encourages entries across various genres.
Top Prize:
$10,000
Additional prizes:
$1,000 for top winner in each category | $300 for honorable mentions
💰 Entry fee: $85
📅 Deadline: July 01, 2025
Masters Review
Genres: Essay, Fiction, and Non-fiction
This bi-annual contest recognizes emerging writers with submissions of previously unpublished fiction or nonfiction up to 6,000 words. Judged by Colin Barrett, it awards $3,000 for first place, $300 for second, and $200 for third, along with agency reviews for finalists.
Top Prize:
$3,000
Additional prizes:
Second place: $300 Third place: $200 Agency review for all finalists
💰 Entry fee: $20
📅 Deadline: August 25, 2025
Travelers' Tales, a division of Solas House, Inc.
Genres: Essay, Non-fiction, and Travel
The Solas Awards honor excellence in travel writing, with cash prizes and publication opportunities. Entries must be original, true stories with specific word count guidelines. The contest runs annually, with winners announced on March 1 each year.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Silver: $750 Bronze: $500 Certificates of merit for Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners in other categories; $100 honorarium for publication in books.
💰 Entry fee: $35
📅 Deadline: September 21, 2024 (Expired)
Georgia Romance Writers
Genres: Novel and Romance
The Maggie Award for Excellence recognizes outstanding works of romantic fiction. Open to both traditional and self-published authors, the contest emphasizes quality storytelling. The award seeks submissions that showcase excellence in the romance genre.
Top Prize:
Trophy
💰 Entry fee: $40
📅 Deadline: April 05, 2024 (Expired)
Genres: Flash Fiction, Fiction, and Poetry
A creative writing contest inviting participants worldwide to submit entries in response to prompts. The competition consists of three rounds, each with its own theme and deadline.
Top Prize:
£100
Additional prizes:
2nd: £50 | 3rd: £25 Publication on EGG+FROG for all winners and runners-up.
💰 Entry fee: $6
📅 Deadline: April 30, 2024 (Expired)
Hastings Book Festival
Genres: Poetry
The Hastings Book Festival Poetry Competition is an annual event inviting submissions from poets worldwide. The contest aims to celebrate new poetry and provides an opportunity for both established and emerging writers.
Top Prize:
£250
Additional prizes:
2nd: £100 | 3rd: £50 | Publication for winning poems. Winners may also be eligible for additional prizes like the Sussex Prize and Founder's Prize.
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025
Institute for Excellence in Writing
Genres: Children's
The contest invites students aged 8-18 to participate, regardless of experience with IEW's writing methods. Each participant submits an essay based on specified prompts for different age levels.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
1st place: $200 for the student winner and a $200 gift certificate for their parent or teacher Additional monetary prizes and gift certificates for 2nd and 3rd places. Participants receive a free IEW bookmark.
📅 Deadline: April 30, 2024 (Expired)
Glenville State University
Genres: Poetry
This is the inaugural Chapbook Contest inviting poets and prose writers to submit works celebrating Appalachia. Submissions must embody Appalachian themes and can include previously published works. The contest offers a $200 prize, publication of the winning chapbook, author copies, and a digital e-book.
Top Prize:
$200
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2025 (Expired)
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)
Bath Flash Fiction Award
Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction
An international rolling flash fiction competition that runs three rounds annually, offering substantial cash prizes and opportunities for publication in anthologies.
Top Prize:
£1000
Additional prizes:
£300 for 2nd, £100 for 3rd
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: February 02, 2025 (Expired)
Wolfe Pack & Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine
Genres: Crime, Mystery, and Novella
The Black Orchid Novella Award celebrates the novella format, encouraging original, unpublished works that conform to the mystery genre's traditional forms, specifically inspired by the Nero Wolfe series. The contest is designed to highlight the novella, requiring submissions that are tight and engaging, devoid of explicit content.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Publication in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine
📅 Deadline: May 31, 2025
American Writers Museum
Genres: Children's, Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry
The John Estey Student Writing Competition is open to elementary, middle, and high school students. To be considered for this award, please fill out the intent to participate form and submit a 1,000 word or less piece discussing the prompt quote, "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”—Ursula K. Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness. Submissions are accepted via a submission link that is provided to teachers ONLY. Please make sure that you provide a valid teacher contact.
Top Prize:
$2,000
Additional prizes:
Three winners from each category will be awarded the following prizes: $500 for elementary school; $1000 for middle school; $2000 for high school.
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: May 23, 2025
Poetry.com
Genres: Poetry
The Poetry.com Contest offers monthly poetry competitions encouraging all levels of writers. Participants can submit original poems for a chance to win cash prizes and gain recognition.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
2nd Place: $300 | 3rd Place: $200. 5 runners-up receive personalized mugs.
💰 Entry fee: $25
📅 Deadline: April 30, 2025 (Expired)
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