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DIRECTORY

Best Writing Contests in 2024

Showing 428 contests that match your search.

Genres: Essay, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, and Short Story

There is no topic relating to technology that brings more discussion than artificial intelligence. Some people think it does wonders. Others see it as trouble. Let us know your opinion about AI in this competition. Include experiences you have had with AI. 300-word limit. Winners will be selected January 1, 2024. Open to anyone, anywhere.

Top Prize:

$100 CA

Additional prizes:

Publication

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: December 15, 2023 (Expired)

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

As the Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano once said, "the best that the world has is in the many worlds that the world contains." Therefore, this year we invite you to reflect on the following questions: How do you or your community celebrate these connections? How do you value those experiences with those people who leave a mark on your life? 1 work will be awarded in each category: 1) photography & visual arts, 2) poetry, and 3) narrative/essay/academic investigation.

Top Prize:

$100 for photography, poetry, and essay winners

Additional prizes:

Publication

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: February 01, 2023 (Expired)

Nonet Poetry Contest

FanStory.com Inc

Genres: Poetry

A nonet is a poem with only 9 lines. The first line has nine syllables, the second line has eight, the third has seven and so on until line 9 which has one syllable. It's a fun and challenging poem to write. Enter this contest for a chance at the cash prize.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

Winning poems will be featured on the FanStory.com welcome page.

💰 Entry fee: $9

📅 Deadline: November 26, 2024

Halloween Horror Contest

Halloween Horror Contest

Genres: Horror

The spooky season is almost upon us. We're looking for your creepiest horror stories. The ones that make us lay awake in bed at night gnashing our teeth, wondering about the sound coming from under the bed. The story can be a maximum of 5,000 words. There is no minimum.

Top Prize:

$250

Additional prizes:

Two runner-ups: $50

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: November 11, 2022 (Expired)

Genres: LGBTQ and Non-fiction

Lambda Literary’s Jeanne Córdova Prize for Lesbian/Queer Nonfiction, in memory of the beloved activist and author, honors lesbian/queer-identified women and trans/gender non-conforming nonfiction authors. The award will go to a writer committed to nonfiction work that captures the depth and complexity of lesbian/queer life, culture, and/or history.

Top Prize:

$2,500

📅 Deadline: February 16, 2024 (Expired)

Moment Magazine-Karma Foundation Short Fiction Contest

Moment Magazine and Karma Foundation

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Moment Magazine-Karma Foundation Short Fiction Contest invites unpublished stories that focus on themes relating to Judaism or Jewish culture. Established in 2000, it has featured renowned judges and offers cash prizes for outstanding works.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Up to three prizes may be awarded.

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: November 01, 2024 (Expired)

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

Stories Through The Ages - Baby Boomers Plus 2023 is open to people born 1966 or earlier. The deadline for entries is June 15, 2023. There is no prompt for the contest. Authors may write about any topic. The entry fee is $20 ($15 if submitting more than one story). The word count for this contest is 900 - 5000 words. Cash prizes of $500, $200 and $100 will be awarded. There will be a minimum of 15 finalists whose story will appear in the book.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

2nd: $200 | 3rd: $100

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: June 15, 2024 (Expired)

Poetry International Prize 2024

Poetry International

Genres: Poetry

The Poetry International Prize is an annual contest to award a cash prize of $1000 and publication for a single poem of any length. Submissions are accepted via Submittable and all entries are considered for publication.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication in Poetry International

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: April 30, 2024 (Expired)

National High School Essay Contest

American Foreign Service Association (AFSA)

Genres: Essay

The contest invites high school students to write an essay exploring future challenges for diplomats, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Foreign Service. Essays must be between 1,000 and 1,500 words, addressing specific prompts and demonstrating an understanding of the Foreign Service.

Top Prize:

$2,500

Additional prizes:

Winner also receives an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., plus an educational voyage courtesy of Semester at Sea. Runner-up: $1,250 plus full tuition for the National Student Leadership Conference's International Diplomacy program.

📅 Deadline: April 01, 2024 (Expired)

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

A quarterly flash fiction competition challenging writers to create an original piece based on two prompts and one anti-prompt. The entries are judged blindly, and winners are announced on the podcast.

Top Prize:

$1,000 AUD

Additional prizes:

2nd place: AU$500 3rd place: AU$200 Honorable mentions are awarded AU$50 each, and two wildcard prizes of AU$50 each.

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: July 21, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Short Story, and Thriller

Can’t decide between the headstrong alpha or the hunky omega? Us either. We’re seeking stories featuring steamy werewolf romance, perfect for reading under a full moon. Whether you’re Team Jacob Black or Team Alcide Herveaux…we’re all Team Awoooo. Works up to 3,000 words will be considered.

Top Prize:

$600

Additional prizes:

2nd place: $300; 3rd place: $100

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2022 (Expired)

A Very Short Story Contest

Gotham Writers Workshop

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

Participants write a short story using ten words or fewer, inspired by the famous six-word story attributed to Hemingway. The submission must be original and unpublished, with entries judged based on originality and quality.

Top Prize:

Winning entry receives a free Gotham class of their choosing (excluding premium classes).

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2024 (Expired)

Summer Nanofiction Battle

Writing Battle

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

The Summer Nanofiction Battle is a peer-powered short story competition where writers compete using prompts, receive feedback, and are judged by industry professionals.

Top Prize:

$1,500

Additional prizes:

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

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: August 02, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: LGBTQ

The J. Michael Samuel Prize honors emerging LGBTQ writers over the age of 50. This award is made possible by writer and philanthropist Chuck Forester, who created it out of the firmly held belief that “Writers who start late are just as good as other writers, it just took the buggers more time.” The prize will go to an unpublished LGBTQ writer over 50 working in any genre.

Top Prize:

$5,000

📅 Deadline: February 16, 2024 (Expired)

Miller Williams Poetry Prize

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)

Bridport Poetry Prize

Bridport Arts Centre

Genres: Poetry

You don't have to be Tennyson. Just talented. All we ask is that you please keep poems to 42 lines, max. You can, of course, write less. In addition to the prize money, the top three poems are automatically entered into the Forward Prize For Poetry’s best single poem competition, with the chance to win a further £1000. This exclusive award is not open to the public. You can write about absolutely anything but whatever your rhyme or reason, we want to read your poetry.

Top Prize:

£5000

Additional prizes:

£1000 for 2nd, £500 for 3rd

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: LGBTQ and Novel

The Randall Kenan Prize for Black LGBTQ Fiction, in memory of the celebrated author Randall Kenan, honors Black LGBTQ writers of fiction. The award will go to a Black LGBTQ writer whose fiction explores themes of Black LGBTQ life, culture, and/or history. To be eligible, the winner of the prize must have published at least one book and show promise in continuing to produce groundbreaking work.

Top Prize:

$3,000

📅 Deadline: February 16, 2024 (Expired)

The One Page Poetry Contest

One Page Poetry

Genres: 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 fee: $25

📅 Deadline: September 30, 2024 (Expired)

Great American Fiction Contest

Saturday Evening Post

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Great American Fiction Contest aims to discover and promote new American writers, continuing the legacy of notable authors published by The Saturday Evening Post. The winning story will be published in the magazine's January/February 2025 issue.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

The winning story will be published in The Saturday Evening Post. Five runners-up will each receive $200 and have their stories featured online.

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: July 01, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

The Francine Ringold Awards for New Writers honor the work of writers at the beginning of their careers. $500 prizes will be awarded in both the fiction and poetry categories, and the winning manuscripts will appear in the spring issue of Nimrod. Winners will have the chance to work with the Nimrod board of editors to refine and edit their manuscripts before publication.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

Publication

💰 Entry fee: $12

📅 Deadline: July 15, 2024 (Expired)

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

July 2022 saw the launch of the 8th To Hull And Back Short Story Competition, a biennial short story contest with a humorous twist that celebrates the most imaginative and amazing short stories from writers all over the world.

Top Prize:

£1,200

Additional prizes:

2nd Prize: £600 | 3rd Prize: £300 | 3 x Highly Commended: £150 | 14 x Shortlisted: £75

💰 Entry fee: $16

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025

Genres: Flash Fiction

We seek work that actively pushes boundaries, that forces us to question traditions and tastes. If your work takes risks, we want to read it. We like strong narratives that make us feel something and stories we haven’t seen before. We accept work, written in English, from anywhere in the world—regardless of genre, style, or origin—and welcome speculative writing and experimental literature. Strange is good. Strange with a strong character arc is even better. Keep it weird, folks.

Top Prize:

$300

Additional prizes:

Up to five finalists will also be considered for publication.

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: November 01, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction

Open to writers across Canada. Short prose in English, 2,500-5,000 words in any fiction genre. We actively encourage submissions from all writers who are 18 years of age or older.

Top Prize:

$1,000 CAD

Additional prizes:

2nd: $600 CAD | 3rd: $400 CAD

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: February 15, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Atom Learning Young Author Award encourages children aged 7-11 to express their creativity through writing. The contest invites submissions of up to 500 words based on a specific theme, fostering young authors' storytelling skills.

Top Prize:

$250

Additional prizes:

A trip to Disneyland Paris, a Chromebook, and a subscription to Atom Home. £50 book voucher or one month subscription to Atom Home for 10 runners-up.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: June 17, 2024 (Expired)

The Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2024

The Moth Magazine Ltd.

Genres: Poetry

The Caterpillar Poetry Prize is an annual competition for unpublished poems written by adults for children aged 7–11. It has been awarded since 2015 by notable judges like Michael Rosen and includes past winners such as Louise Greig and Coral Rumble.

Top Prize:

€1,000 plus a week at Circle of Misse in France

Additional prizes:

2nd: €500 | 3rd: €250 Some poems may be commended at the judge's discretion.

💰 Entry fee: $16

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Snowbound Chapbook Award is an annual contest for poetry manuscripts. The winner receives a cash prize, publication, and a book launch. The contest aims to discover and promote emerging poets.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication by Tupelo Press, 25 copies of the winning title, a book launch, and national distribution. Finalists will be considered for publication.

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025

Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Science Fiction, Science Writing, and Young Adult

The WIP Contest supports writers by allowing submissions of work that is in progress. It emphasizes on creative development and offers a platform for emerging voices.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

Coaching, interview, and editorial support

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: December 01, 2024

Genres: Non-fiction, Short Story, and Travel

The competition invites writers to explore the theme of 'crossings' through original, factual, first-person travel stories. Entries must be between 1200 and 2000 words and should depict a personal travel experience that embodies the theme.

Top Prize:

$200

Additional prizes:

The winner's story will be published on Intrepid Times. Up to five shortlisted entries will also be published under standard terms.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: April 30, 2024 (Expired)

High School Academic Research Competition

Crimson Consulting Limited

Genres: Essay and Non-fiction

The High School Academic Research Competition (SARC) is an online contest for high school students aged 13-18 to conduct research on any topic. Participants develop their research proposals and skills through exclusive bootcamps and compete by submitting proposals and video pitches.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

1st place: $1000 and free Indigo Research Intensive Program 2nd place: $750 and 50% discount on the program 3rd place: $500 and 25% discount on the program Winners can earn university credits and have their research published.

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: April 30, 2024 (Expired)

The Book of the Year Awards

The Independent Author Network

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult, Crime, and Short Story

The 11th Annual IAN Book of the Year Awards is an international contest open to all authors, featuring 75 categories across fiction and non-fiction. Winners receive cash prizes and recognition.

Top Prize:

$2,500

Additional prizes:

Prizes for runners-up include cash awards of $1,000 for first place in each category, $500 for second, and $250 for third. Winners receive various awards, including digital seals and membership upgrades.

💰 Entry fee: $49

📅 Deadline: August 16, 2026

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

Our mission is to find the best unpublished short mystery — one that fits into legendary crime writer Margery’s definition of what makes a great story: “The Mystery remains box-shaped, at once a prison and a refuge. Its four walls are, roughly, a Crime, a Mystery, an Enquiry and a Conclusion with an Element of Satisfaction in it.”

Top Prize:

£500

Additional prizes:

Two passes to Crimefest & a selection of books

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: February 29, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

In his groundbreaking course on ecopoetry, writer and professor Craig Santos Perez focuses on how to use poetry as a voice for the planet. This month, write a poem about what you know and love from the natural world. Your poem may focus on an element of the environment under threat, explore changes in nature, or honor the planet we call home.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

Runner up: $50 | Best peer review: $50

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: September 25, 2023 (Expired)

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, 2024

The Fountain Essay Contest

Fountain Magazine

Genres: Essay and Non-fiction

“Home” holds a special place in our lives. Our earliest memories form inside its walls; we utter our first words and take our first steps there. Does everyone feel the same about home? Is it where you were born or where you earn your bread? Is home a physical place? In a world that moves faster than ever and is confined to small screens, how do perceptions about "home" change? Where is home for people who are forced to leave their homes? Where is your home?

Top Prize:

$1,000

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2024 (Expired)

A Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology

Warm Mug of Cozy

Genres: Crime, Flash Fiction, Mystery, and Short Story

The contest invites submissions for cozy mystery stories. Participants must follow cozy mystery guidelines and can submit up to 5 stories, each with a max length of 5,000 words.

Top Prize:

Ongoing royalties (2% per published story)

Additional prizes:

PDF copy of the anthology

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: April 30, 2024 (Expired)

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