Reedsy Prompts Contest
Reedsy
Genres:
Fiction and Short Story
Every Friday, Reedsy sends out five writing prompts. Enter your response within a week for a chance at $250. Winners may also be included in a future issue of Reedsy’s literary magazine, Prompted.
Top Prize:
$250
Additional prizes:
Publication on Reedsy Prompts + $25 credit for Reedsy Marketplace services for shortlisted entries
💰 Entry fee:
$5
📅 Deadline:
December 31, 2026
The StorySloth 500
Story Sloth
Genres:
Fiction and Short Story
The StorySloth 500 is a short story writing competition where authors submit stories of up to 500 words without any genre restrictions. The competition encourages original work and has a simple entry process for registered authors.
Top Prize:
£50
Additional prizes:
£50 Amazon voucher & Founding Author badge | 5 entries receive £10 Amazon vouchers.
📅 Deadline:
May 03, 2026
(Expired)
Six Word Wonder Contest
Hebe Publications
Genres:
Memoir, Poetry, and Short Story
Celebrate the art of six-word storytelling by submitting your best six-word story, poem, memoir, or joke. The contest aims to discover impactful micro-stories.
Top Prize:
$96
Additional prizes:
Shortlisted entries will also be published
📅 Deadline:
September 30, 2026
Dragons & Wyverns Short Story Challenge
Forest & Fawn
Genres:
Fantasy and Short Story
The challenge invites participants to write a short story themed around dragons and wyverns within a ten-day period. Writers of all skill levels can join, and there are prompts provided at the start. The challenge emphasizes creativity and community, including workshops and feedback on submissions.
Top Prize:
$1,800
Additional prizes:
2nd: $900 | 3rd: $400 | 4th-10th: $100
💰 Entry fee:
$38
📅 Deadline:
April 24, 2026
(Expired)
Genres:
Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story
The Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize celebrates emerging voices in life writing, poetry, and fiction. It supports writers who have not published book-length works and offers a platform for diverse backgrounds. Winners receive a £1,000 cash prize and publication in Wasafiri.
Top Prize:
£1,000
Additional prizes:
Publication in Wasafiri magazine, mentoring through Chapter and Verse or Free Reads, career discussions with The Good Literary Agency, and a one-year print subscription.
💰 Entry fee:
$15
📅 Deadline:
September 30, 2024
(Expired)
To Hull And Back
www.christopherfielden.com
Genres:
Fiction, Humor, and Short Story
A biennial humorous short story competition (10th competition for 2027) with no fixed theme. Stories must be in English, fictional, and humorous in some way (black comedy and dark humour allowed).
Top Prize:
£1,000
Additional prizes:
Publication in the To Hull And Back anthology (print + Kindle) plus an author interview; the winner’s face appears on the anthology front cover, and their printed copy is ridden to Hull and back by motorcycle and filmed.
💰 Entry fee:
$11
📅 Deadline:
June 30, 2027
The Alpine Fellowship Poetry Prize
Alpine Fellowship
Genres:
Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Short Story
The Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize aims to discover and support new writing talent on an annual basis. The prize includes financial support for the best pieces of writing submitted on an announced theme. The contest is open to all writers aged 18 and above, regardless of nationality.
Top Prize:
£3,000 cash grant
Additional prizes:
2nd: £1,000 travel expense | 3rd: £1,000 travel expense
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
March 01, 2025
(Expired)
Folly Short Story Prize 2025
Folly Journal
Genres:
Fiction, Short Story, Essay, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry
The Folly Short Story Prize 2025 invites submissions for stories that challenge conventional norms. It aims to recognize innovative writing that resonates with contemporary themes.
Top Prize:
$1000 NZD
Additional prizes:
Two tickets to the Folly After Party.
💰 Entry fee:
$10
📅 Deadline:
June 01, 2025
(Expired)
Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize 2026
Desperate Literature
Genres:
Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Short Story
The Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize aims to celebrate new short fiction under 2000 words and provide visibility to winners through various publishing opportunities. This year, the prize includes cash rewards and writing retreats, alongside publication chances in several literary journals.
Top Prize:
€2,000 + a week’s residency at the Civitella Ranieri Foundation, consultation with Literary Agent Charlotte Seymour, and a manuscript assessment with The Literary Consultancy.
Additional prizes:
2nd and 3rd place: €1000. Publication in partner journals for all shortlisted writers.
💰 Entry fee:
$20
📅 Deadline:
April 19, 2026
(Expired)
Artificial Intelligence Competition
New Beginnings
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)
Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition
Crime Writers Association
Genres:
Fiction, Short Story, and Mystery
An international competition for unpublished short mystery stories up to 3,500 words, inspired by Margery Allingham’s definition of a mystery. Open to all writers, published or unpublished.
Top Prize:
£500
Additional prizes:
1-year CWA membership
💰 Entry fee:
$25
📅 Deadline:
February 27, 2026
(Expired)
McNeile Writing Competition
Clapham Writers Ltd
Genres:
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult
A short story competition inviting submissions of an opening section of a short story inspired by the theme “Absent Friends” (interpretable broadly: memory, loss, distance, reunion, nostalgia, etc.). Open to unpublished and self published writers of all levels; entrants must live in the UK.
Top Prize:
£200
Additional prizes:
Second prize: £50; Third prize: £50.
💰 Entry fee:
$5
📅 Deadline:
September 05, 2026
Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors
Grist Magazine
Genres:
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult
The Imagine 2200 contest invites writers to envision equitable climate progress stories, showcasing creative solutions and community resilience. It emphasizes hope and the potential for positive change through fiction.
Top Prize:
$3,000
Additional prizes:
Second place: $2000
Third place: $1000
Ten $300 awards for finalists.
Opportunity for the winner to participate in Oregon State University’s Environmental Writing Fellowship and Residency, including a four-week writing residency.
📅 Deadline:
June 24, 2024
(Expired)
The Pocketbook Press Anthology: Volume 1
Pocketbook Press
Genres:
Short Story
Pocketbook Press seeks emotionally resonant, unpublished short fiction for its inaugural anthology. Stories should evoke the spirit of winter/holiday season (e.g., Christmas, New Year’s, Hanukkah, etc.) with themes such as connection, memory, loss, celebration, or transformation.
Top Prize:
Publication by Pocketbook Press
📅 Deadline:
August 04, 2026
(Expired)
Bacopa Literary Review Annual Writing Contest
Writers Alliance of Gainesville
Genres:
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story
The Bacopa Literary Review is an annual international print journal seeking engaging and original submissions across multiple genres. The contest includes various categories with specific guidelines to encourage diverse forms of writing.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
$100 Honorable Mention in each of six categories
💰 Entry fee:
$3
📅 Deadline:
June 01, 2025
(Expired)
MoonLit Getaway Short Fiction Contest
MoonLit Getaway
Genres:
Fiction and Short Story
The contest invites entries for short fiction with a maximum word count of 2,500 words. All submissions must be original and unpublished. The contest promotes engagement by publishing winning stories in their anthology and on the website.
Top Prize:
$250 CAD
Additional prizes:
Two runners-up will each receive 50 CAD and publication.
💰 Entry fee:
$8
📅 Deadline:
October 12, 2025
(Expired)
New Deal Writing Competition
Genesee Valley Council on the Arts (GVCA)
Genres:
Christian, Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Travel
The New Deal Writing Competition invites writers to create a short story inspired by a specific painting. The current painting is ‘Playtime’ by Fred Ross. This is the ninth annual contest, intended to celebrate creativity and connect art and writing.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
Publication in newsletter
💰 Entry fee:
$5
📅 Deadline:
March 15, 2025
(Expired)
SaveAs Writers’ International Writing Competition
SaveAs Writers
Genres:
Short Story
This year’s theme is ‘Facing the Storm’, commemorating J. M. W. Turner’s 250th anniversary. Entries can include poems or stories inspired by the theme, interpreted freely. National and International entries are welcome.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
Second Place: £100
Third Place: £50
💰 Entry fee:
$5
📅 Deadline:
August 31, 2025
(Expired)
Askew’s Word on the Lake Writing Contest
Shuswap Association of Writers
Genres:
Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story
The contest is open for submissions in short fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Entrants can submit original, unpublished works. Prizes include cash awards and festival packages, with winners published in the anthology.
Top Prize:
$200 CAD
Additional prizes:
1st: festival registration package | 2nd: $125 and banquet package | Honourable mention: $100 and banquet package.
💰 Entry fee:
$15
📅 Deadline:
January 31, 2026
(Expired)
Ethos Literacy Annual Short Short Story Contest
Ethos Literacy
Genres:
Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Short Story
The contest invites participants to write a story of exactly 100 words on topics like envy, eyeglasses, nightmares, or turtles. It is open to all ages, including international writers. Winning stories will be published in an e-zine.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
Best of Category: writer’s gift for four winners; Best Youth Story: writer’s gift.
💰 Entry fee:
$15
📅 Deadline:
March 01, 2026
(Expired)
Edinburgh Short Story Award
Scottish Arts Trust
Genres:
Crime, Humor, Romance, and Short Story
The Edinburgh Short Story Award is open to writers worldwide, welcoming stories of any genre. The award offers substantial cash prizes and the opportunity for publication in The Edinburgh Anthology. It emphasizes inclusivity through bursaries for underrepresented writers.
Top Prize:
$3,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: £500 | 3rd: £250 | Publication in the anthology for top twenty stories
💰 Entry fee:
$12
📅 Deadline:
February 28, 2026
(Expired)
Witnessed: An Anthology of Literary Horror
Edge & Busby Press
Genres:
Fiction, Horror, and Short Story
Edge & Busby Press seeks literary psychological horror for its inaugural anthology contest — stories where the dread comes from people. Sixteen stories will be selected. Guest judge: Carl Ellsworth (Red Eye, Disturbia).
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
Second prize $200; $100 honoraria for the remaining 14 selected stories. All 16 published in the anthology.
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
September 15, 2026
2025 Short Story Competition
Globe Soup
Genres:
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult
The competition invites short story submissions of up to 8,000 words from writers of all genres. It aims to encourage creativity and provide feedback opportunities. Participants retain ownership of their work, with the winner receiving a cash prize along with chances to win in a bonus draw.
Top Prize:
£2,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: £1000 | 3rd: £500 | £1,500 Bonus Prize Draw shared among multiple winners
💰 Entry fee:
$16
📅 Deadline:
December 16, 2025
(Expired)
Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award
Killer Nashville
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 in mystery, thriller, suspense, action, and romance genres published in the previous year. Entries for the 2026 competition are open now, with winners announced on August 22, 2026.
Additional prizes:
Physical award in each category and increased exposure for winners.
💰 Entry fee:
$92
📅 Deadline:
April 01, 2026
(Expired)
Plough Short Fiction Contest
Plough
Genres:
Fiction and Short Story
Plough’s inaugural annual short fiction contest is open to writers anywhere in the world. Submissions should be short fiction that honors the mysterious nature of reality and finds transcendence and redemption in unexpected places; the contest is not limited to magical realism or a traditional “tale” voice.
Top Prize:
$2,000
Additional prizes:
Up to three finalists receive $250 each and publication in Plough (print and/or online).
💰 Entry fee:
$10
📅 Deadline:
September 01, 2026
Ann Press Poetry Award
Red Hen Press
Genres:
Fiction, Non-fiction, Short Story, Essay, Memoir, and Novel
The Ann Petry Award seeks to publish prose literature by Black authors. It is awarded for a work of previously unpublished prose, either a novel or a collection of short stories or novellas, with a minimum of 150 pages, selected through an annual submission process.
Top Prize:
$3,000
Additional prizes:
Publication by Red Hen Press
💰 Entry fee:
$20
📅 Deadline:
March 31, 2026
(Expired)
2024 International Literary Prize
Hammond House Publishing
Genres:
Poetry, Script Writing, and Short Story
The 2024 International Literary Prize invites writers to submit entries in four categories: Short Stories, Poetry, Scriptwriting, and Songwriting. The contest emphasizes anonymity in submissions and offers cash prizes, publication opportunities, and feedback options.
Top Prize:
1st prize for Short Story and Poetry: £1000
1st prize for Scriptwriting: £500
1st prize for Song writing: £250
Additional prizes:
2nd and 3rd prizes for all categories: £100 and £50 respectively, along with publication for all shortlisted entries.
💰 Entry fee:
$10
📅 Deadline:
September 30, 2024
(Expired)
Do WHA(TS) Write!
Julie Midroni
Genres:
Flash Fiction and Short Story
An annual international writing competition aimed at fundraising for Tourette Canada. Participants submit flash fiction or short stories (up to 1000 words) without a specific prompt. The contest is open to everyone, not just those with Tourette Syndrome.
Top Prize:
$200
💰 Entry fee:
$5
📅 Deadline:
December 31, 2025
(Expired)
Writers of the Future
Writers of the Future
Genres:
Fiction, Short Story, Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Horror
The Writers of the Future Contest is an opportunity for new writers of science fiction and fantasy to have their work judged by professional writers. It has been established since 1983 and includes quarterly cash prizes and an annual grand prize.
Top Prize:
$5,000
Additional prizes:
2nd place: $750 | 3rd place: $500 | Trophy and the L. Ron Hubbard Golden Pen Award for the grand prize winner.
📅 Deadline:
March 31, 2026
(Expired)
The Elmbridge Literary Competition 2025
The R C Sherriff Trust
Genres:
Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story
The 20th Elmbridge Literary Competition invites submissions of short stories and poems on the theme of ‘The River’ to commemorate RC Sherriff. Open internationally, the competition includes age categories with specific word counts.
Top Prize:
£250
Additional prizes:
Cash prizes for adults + book tokens for children’s categories
📅 Deadline:
February 21, 2025
(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 12th Annual 2026 IAN Book of the Year Awards is an international contest open to all authors with 75 categories. Winners are eligible for cash prizes totaling $6,000.
Top Prize:
$2,500
Additional prizes:
Minimum cash prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250 for category winners in fiction and non-fiction. Winners receive a digital award seal, membership benefits, and recognition.
💰 Entry fee:
$49
📅 Deadline:
August 15, 2026
(Expired)
Anti-Bullying – Student Book Scholars Contest
Vancouver Writers Fest
Genres:
Children’s, Short Story, and Essay
The Vancouver Writers Fest hosts an annual youth writing contest for short stories and personal essays aimed at students in grades 5-12, focusing on themes like anti-bullying. The contest provides a platform for young writers to express their ideas and experiences.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
2nd for high school: $100 | 2nd for Elementary: $50 | Publication in the Books & Ideas Newsletter, social media shout-out, and certificates.
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
July 23, 2026
(Expired)
Parsec Short Story Contest
Parsec Inc.
Genres:
Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Science Fiction, and Short Story
The Parsec Short Story Contest aims to encourage non-professional writers to explore speculative fiction in genres like science fiction, fantasy, and horror. The theme for 2025 is ‘ROOTS’, and submissions should relate to this theme. The contest has no entry fee and supports young writers through a special Youth Story Prize.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
2nd: $100 | 3rd: $50
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
March 31, 2026
(Expired)
Fiction Potluck
The Writer’s Workout
Genres:
Fiction, Short Story, and Science Fiction
Fiction Potluck is a quarterly writing competition open to fiction writers globally, featuring a guest judge who sets a unique challenge each period. The current challenge theme is ‘Sci-Fi Western’, with submissions of up to 6,000 words due by August 20. The competition is free to enter, and winners receive prizes including a two-year Duotrope service subscription (valued at $100).
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
Two years of Duotrope service for the first place winner.
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
August 15, 2025
(Expired)
Eyelands Book Awards
Strange Days Books
Genres:
Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story
The Eyelands Book Awards are international awards aimed at recognizing talent among published and unpublished authors. The contest is based in Greece and encourages submissions across various literary genres.
Top Prize:
A five-day stay in Athens
Additional prizes:
Winner also receives translation into Greek and publication. Handmade ceramics for winners in each category.
💰 Entry fee:
$45
📅 Deadline:
October 20, 2025
(Expired)
