The Best Science Fiction Writing Contests of 2023
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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Showing 88 contests
Fiction Factory Flash Fiction
Fiction Factory
This is an international competition - we welcome entries from around the world. Maximum Word count: 1000. Stories may be on any theme. Entries must be previously unpublished. The deadline is 31st January, 2024 and results will be be announced by April 2024. Discounts for multiple entries - see website for details. Minimum age: 16 years. Children's and YA cannot be accepted sadly Each entry will receive acknowledgement and all contestants will be informed of results.
Top prize
£500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $7
Deadline: January 31, 2024
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Crime, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller
View contestLetter Review Prize for Manuscripts
Letter Review
The Letter Review Prize for Manuscripts (Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction) is open to writers from anywhere in the world. Three Winners are awarded and have extracts published. 20 entries are Longlisted. Winners receive letter of recommendation for publishers.
Top prize
$1000 (shared by 3 winners)
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: December 31, 2023
Genres
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Novel, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestOxford Flash Fiction Prize 2024
Oxford Flash Fiction
Write yourself into history and become one of the greats with the Oxford Flash Fiction Prize. For centuries, the greats have come to Oxford to ink masterpieces. Now, in one of the oldest towns, where the history of the English language can be traced back to its ancient streets, we are celebrating one of the newest forms in literature – flash fiction.
Top prize
£1000
Additional prizes
2nd Prize: £200 | 3rd Prize: £100 | New Voice Prize: £200
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $9
Deadline: January 31, 2024
Genres
Flash Fiction, Fiction, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestQuantum Shorts
Centre for Quantum Technologies
Complexity and uncertainty are part and parcel of the quantum world. Plot a tale inspired by quantum physics to enter the Quantum Shorts flash fiction competition. Entries must include the phrase “nobody said this was going to be easy” and be no longer than 1000 words. Enter by the deadline for a chance to win prizes!
Top prize
$1,500
Additional prizes
Certificate and engraved trophy
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: January 08, 2024
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestElegant Literature's Award For New Writers
Elegant Literature
One of the largest awards open to unpublished writers, and the only one closed to professionals. We are the first magazine to pay pro rates and only accept submissions from new writers, putting over $100k into the hands of emerging talent around the globe. One new writer receives the grand prize. We also choose the best stories, pay the authors professional rates, and publish them in our magazine. November's guest judge is award-winning author A.C. Wise.
Top prize
$3,000
Additional prizes
Paid publication, 25 x $20 USD | Free entry to Novelist Accelerator | Now Novel Package
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: November 30, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult, Flash Fiction, Science Writing
View contestNOWW 25th International Writing Contest
Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop (NOWW)
A Canadian contest with an international flair. As part of our 25th anniversary celebration, we have increased the prize total to $1800 over six major categories: poetry, short fiction, creative non-fiction, crime fiction, literary critical writing, and The Bill MacDonald prize for prose (A Northwestern Ontario setting must be central to the work).
Top prize
$150 CAD
Additional prizes
Publication in NOWW magazine
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: February 28, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestNot Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction
Not Quite Write Podcast
A flash fiction competition with a twist! Entrants will be given two writing prompts and one "anti-prompt" and will have 60 hours to write and submit a 500-word piece of flash fiction. Open to all ages and abilities.
Top prize
$1000 AUD
Additional prizes
Publication on podcast and website
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $16
Deadline: January 21, 2024
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestClash of the Query Letters
Darling Axe Editing
Our judge, Michelle Barker, will be asking herself one question: does this query letter convince me that I'm in the hands of an adept novelist with a unique and engaging story to tell?
Top prize
CAD $700
Additional prizes
CAD $200 for 2nd place, $100 for 3rd place
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: January 31, 2024
Genres
Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestKiller Nashville Silver Falchion Award
Killer Nashville
The Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award is committed to discovering new writers, as well as superlative books by established authors and, upon discovery, sharing those writers and their works with new readers. There are a large number of both fiction and non-fiction categories you can enter.
Top prize
$250
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $79
Deadline: June 15, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Science Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story, Thriller
View contest7 Day Story Writing Challenge
Globe Soup
Register now for our next 7-day story writing challenge. A secret theme, a randomly assigned genre, and just 7 days to write a story of no more than 2,000 words. Our 7-day story writing challenges take place throughout the year. The challenges are free and you can even get feedback on your story. Take part in one challenge or take part in all of them!
Top prize
£500
Additional prizes
Publication on website
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: December 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestStory Unlikely's Short Story Contest
Story Unlikely
Story Unlikely's Annual Short Story contest is simply looking for great stories, judged both by the technical and literary quality as well as the author's ability to tell a story. We are not genre specific, and judging is blind, not based on the author's credentials, background, or pedigree. This is merit only. May the best story win.
Top prize
$750
Additional prizes
2nd: $500 | 3rd: $250 | Publication and illustration for top 3 stories
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: January 31, 2024
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestBest Stories on Human Impact of Climate Change
Secant Publishing
We are seeking the year's best original short stories (fiction) devoted to the theme of global climate change and its human impact. We are interested in literary interpretations of how individuals and families, cities and nations are bearing the brunt of a world dominated by new extremes of weather, seasons, and eco-disasters. All genres welcome.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
2nd: $500 | 3rd: $250 | Publication in anthology
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: March 01, 2024
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Young Adult
View contestIridescence Award
Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc
Kinsman Quarterly seeks fiction and poetry submissions from BIPOC authors for the Iridescence Award by December 31. Themes should include the supernatural, extraterrestrial, paranormal--urban fantasy, magical realism, science fiction, Afro-futurism, etc. Winners receive cash prizes up to $500 USD and publication in our literary magazine and E-book. No fees required.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication in Kinsman Quarterly and the Iridescence anthology
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: December 31, 2023
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Science Fiction
View contestGenre Smash Short Story Challenge
Globe Soup
For this short story challenge, all participants will be randomly assigned a genre pairing. As soon as you receive your ‘smashed’ genres you'll have until the closing time to write and submit a short story of any length up to 5,000 words, that perfectly and seamlessly combines both genres into one amazing short story.
Top prize
£1,000
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $11
Deadline: October 23, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestArtificial Intelligence Competition
New Beginnings
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 requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: December 15, 2023
Genres
Essay, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story
View contestWeird Christmas Flash Fiction Contest
Weird Christmas
Genre or humor based stories around "weird" Christmas/solstice/winter-holiday themes. Winners read aloud on Weird Christmas podcast and published on site. (Honorable mentions read/published, as well.)
Top prize
$75
Additional prizes
3 runners up: $50 and publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: November 06, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Poetry, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contest100 Word Writing Contest
Tadpole Press
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
2nd: writing coach package
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: November 30, 2023 (Expired)
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, Travel
View contestThe Letter Review Prize for Books
The Letter Review
The Letter Review Prize for Books is open to writers from anywhere in the world. Seeking most unpublished (we accept some self/indie published) novels, novellas, story collections, nonfiction, poetry etc. 20 entries are longlisted.
Top prize
$1000 USD shared by 3 winners
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: October 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestNovel Fair 2024
Irish Writers Centre
Now in its 12th year, the Novel Fair is an annual competition initiated by the Irish Writers Centre. Described by The Irish Times as ‘A Dragons’ Den for writers’, each year the Fair introduces twelve up-and-coming writers to top publishers and literary agents, giving novelists the opportunity to bypass the slush pile, pitch their ideas and place their synopsis and sample chapters directly into the hands of industry professionals. Novel Fair has been attended by representatives from: Curtis Brown, Penguin Random House, Conville & Walsh, époque, Fletcher & Co, Poolbeg Press, Harper Collins, John Murray, Hachette, Lilliput Press, New Island Books, The Book Bureau, The Bent Agency, Greene & Heaton, Storyline Literary Agency and many others.
Top prize
Present your novel to leading publishers and agents at the Irish Writers Centre
Additional prizes
Runners up: Critique from the judging panel
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $60
Deadline: September 30, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novel, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestWinter Flash Fiction Battle
Writing Battle
Three days to write a 1000 word short story. The peer-powered quarterly writing contest where every story receives oodles of feedback. Write one. Read ten. Win thousands.
Top prize
$10,000
Additional prizes
Feedback by industry professionals.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: February 01, 2024
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller
View contestAutumn Short Story Battle
Writing Battle
Five days to write a 2000 word short story. The peer-powered quarterly writing contest where every story receives oodles of feedback. Write one. Read ten. Win thousands.
Top prize
$10,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: October 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestWriting LOVE
Sadie Tells Stories
Writing LOVE is a 500 word short story contest. It can be fiction or non-fiction. It can be a love of anything. A love for life, for nature, for a life partner, for peace, for justice, for a passion... The story also doesn't need to be about love, it just has to have an element of love.
Top prize
$500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: November 15, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Young Adult
View contestValorious Awards
Hopper Creative Group LLC
The Valorious Awards, sponsored by international best-selling author, Christopher Hopper, is an annual competition seeking to recognize and encourage emerging artists in two categories: best sci-fi novel, best sci-fi voice actor. The awards seek to recognize emerging independent authors and character actors and discover new and exciting talent within the world of science fiction.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: December 31, 2023
Genres
Science Fiction
View contestScience Fiction & Fantasy Writing 2023
Write the World
Fantasy and sci-fi stir our imaginations, inviting us to think outside the limits of the life we know. This month, you have the extraordinary and exciting task of reimagining the world. In a fantasy or sci-fi short story, take your readers on a journey into a world of your imagination.
Top prize
$100
Additional prizes
Runner up: $50 | Best peer review: $50
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: October 23, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story
View contestWenlock Olympian Society Short Story Competition
Wenlock Olympian Society
This is an international competition. There should be a maximum of up to 2,500 words on any theme and in any genre except YA and Children's stories. The contest will be judged by acclaimed author Philip Caine and winners announced in March 2024.
Top prize
£150
Additional prizes
2nd: £50 | 3rd: £25
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: October 30, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestThe Book of the Year Awards
The Independent Author Network
The Independent Author Network presents the 2024 IAN Book of the Year Awards, an international contest open to all authors with 55 fiction and non-fiction categories. Winners are eligible to receive a share of cash prizes of $6,000 USD. Open to all English language print and eBooks available for sale, including small presses, mid-size independent publishers, university presses, and self-published authors.
Top prize
$2,500
Additional prizes
$6,000.00 USD in total cash prizes
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: August 15, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestIndignor Play House Annual Short Story Competition
Indignor House Publishing
Indignor House Publishing is proud to announce that our annual writing competition (INDIGNOR PLAYHOUSE Short Story Annual Competition) is officially open with expected publication in the fall of 2024. Up to 25 submissions will be accepted for inclusion in the annual anthology.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: March 31, 2024
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestThe Self Published Science Fiction Competition
The Self Published Science Fiction Competition
A competition only applicable for self-published science fiction authors. This is similar to the Self Published Fantasy Blog-Off but for Science Fiction. It's a year long and entrants are judges by teams of volunteer reviewers, Quarter, Semi, and Finalists all highlighted and reviews posted on blogs and shared on socials.
Top prize
Trophy
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: August 25, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Science Fiction
View contestInfrastructure Threat Contest
CAPTRS
CAPTRS is building the “Universe of Threats,” which will be used to prepare decision makers for future threats. This second Universe of Threats contest invites applicants to submit a ground truth and short story about a threat to one or multiple of the 16 defined critical infrastructure sectors. Submissions should specify the sector(s) experiencing the threat, the details and origin of the threat, and considerations for the unfolding response. Ground Truth maximum word count is 1,000 and essay word count is 2,500.
Top prize
$5,000
Additional prizes
2nd: $2,500 (up to 2 winners) | 3rd: $1,000 (up to 5 winners) | Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: September 30, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story
View contestShe Writes Press and SparkPress Towards Equality in Publishing (STEP)
SparkPoint Studio
Since 2018, we’ve been proud to play a role in the much-needed elevation of writers of color by awarding 2-3 authors of color publishing packages per year as part of our She Writes Press and SparkPress Toward Equality in Publishing (STEP). The purpose of this contest is to support inclusivity across our lists, and to fortify our own mission to give voice to women writers.
Top prize
Publishing package valued at $9500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: August 15, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Novel, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestInspiring Fiction's Crime and Speculative Fiction Contest
Inspiring Fiction
Inspiring Fiction’s first crime and speculative fiction short story contest is on the theme ‘Secrets’. The winner and shortlisted entries will be published in the fourth issue of Tangled Web Magazine.
Top prize
£100
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $6
Deadline: July 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller
View contestFlash Fiction Competition
Pigeon Review
This year's Flash Fiction competition centers around the theme of "home". What it means to you, how you understand it, and the emotions "home" evokes within you.
Top prize
$125
Additional prizes
2nd: $100 | 3rd: $75
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: July 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestGreen Stories Writing Competition
University of Southampton
Theme: Microbes to the Rescue! This short story competition is sponsored by the Environmental Biotechnology Network. It may appeal to writers with a scientific bent as it aims to use fiction to raise awareness of Environmental Biotechnology and what microbial systems can do for us. Eligibility: Open to all – we encourage international writers. All submissions must be in English and unpublished. Length: We ask for a short story of between 1000 and 3000 words.
Top prize
£500 prize
Additional prizes
2nd: £200 | 3rd: £100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: September 21, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Short Story, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller
View contestUniverse of Threats Essay Contest
CAPTRS
CAPTRS has launched a pathogen threat scenario writing contest, which will be part of their work to build a catalog of pathogen threat scenarios that will be used to hone pandemic preparedness strategies and train future decision-makers. Submissions may not exceed 2,500 words, and will be judged on creativity, plausibility of the pathogen threat, complexity of cascading societal factors, difficulty posed for current pandemic response capabilities and quality of writing.
Top prize
$10,000
Additional prizes
2nd: $5,000 (up to 2 winners) | 3rd: $1,000 (up to 5 winners)
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: July 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story
View contestPage One Prize for Novelists
Gutsy Great Novelist
The Gutsy Great Novelist Page One Prize is awarded for an outstanding opening page of an unpublished novel. The prize is open internationally to anyone over 18 writing a novel in English in any genre for adult or YA readers.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
2nd $500 | 3rd $250
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: July 14, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contest
