Reedsy Literary Prize
Reedsy
Genres:
Fiction and Short Story
Writers around the world have three months to compose and refine a single short story (2,000 to 5,000 words) in any genre, in response to one prompt. All submissions will be assessed by the Reedsy team, with longlisted stories reviewed by our guest judge Jon Michael Darga, Literary Agent at Aevitas Creative Management and a Reedsy editor.
Top Prize:
$1,500
Additional prizes:
2nd place: a year-long Reedsy Learning membership | 3rd place: $100 credit for Reedsy Marketplace services | First place also receives feedback from a literary agent and guaranteed publication in our literary magazine, Prompted.
📅 Deadline:
May 31, 2026
Verdant Owl Battle
Writing Battle, Inc.
Genres:
Fiction, Short Story, Fantasy, and Flash Fiction
The Verdant Owl Battle is a contest focusing on short stories where writers receive prompts to inspire their narratives. It fosters a supportive community, allowing participants to share and receive feedback on their stories.
Top Prize:
$30,000 prize pool
Additional prizes:
$2400 prize for 10x Genre Winners; $600 prize for 10x Genre Runners-Ups. Winners receive online publication, feedback from industry professionals
💰 Entry fee:
$39
📅 Deadline:
April 19, 2026
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 Big Moose Prize
Black Lawrence Press
Genres:
Fiction, Novel, Poetry, and Short Story
The Big Moose Prize awards an unpublished novel, open to all writers. The winner receives publication, a cash award of $1,000, and ten copies of the book.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Publication of the novel and ten copies
💰 Entry fee:
$28
📅 Deadline:
January 31, 2025
(Expired)
Story Unlikely Short Story Contest
Story Unlikely
Genres:
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Suspense, and Thriller
The Story Unlikely Short Story Contest seeks quality stories across all genres. It invites submissions from anyone, without restrictions on age or location. The contest awards prizes totaling $5,000, with publication opportunities for winners.
Top Prize:
$3,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: $1,000 | 3rd: $750 | Reprint category: $250 | Honorable mentions receive certificates, and some finalists may be published in the magazine.
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
January 14, 2026
(Expired)
The Hope Prize
Hope Prize
Genres:
Fiction, Non-fiction, and Short Story
The Hope Prize is an international short story competition focused on original stories of hope, open to writers aged 18 and over, with entries accepted in English. The prize encourages bold self-expression and aims to spotlight charities making impactful changes.
Top Prize:
$10 000 AUD
Additional prizes:
2nd: $2000 AUD | 3rd: $1000 AUD | Shortlisted stories will be published in a Simon & Schuster anthology.
💰 Entry fee:
$30
📅 Deadline:
October 31, 2025
(Expired)
Future First Line Contest
Gotham Writers Workshop
Genres:
Fiction, Short Story, and Science Fiction
The Future First Line Contest invites participants to write a captivating first line for a novel set in 2052, inspired by the near future. Entries should encapsulate originality and creativity while hinting at technological or sociopolitical themes.
Top Prize:
Winner receives a free Gotham class of their choosing, excluding premium classes.
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
November 30, 2025
(Expired)
Swamp Pink Prizes
Swamp Pink
Genres:
Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story
The Swamp Pink Prizes celebrate excellence in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Each winner receives $2,000 and publication in an upcoming issue of Swamp Pink. The contest is open for submissions throughout January.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
Publication in an upcoming issue of Swamp Pink
💰 Entry fee:
$3
📅 Deadline:
June 01, 2026
WOW! Women on Writing Quarterly Flash Fiction Contest
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:
February 28, 2026
(Expired)
Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition
Munster Literature Centre
Genres:
Short Story
An annual short story competition dedicated to Seán Ó Faoláin, one of Ireland’s notable story writers. The competition is open to original, unpublished, and unbroadcast short stories in English.
Top Prize:
$2,000
Additional prizes:
2nd Place: €500
Four runners-up: €300
Publication in Southword for all
💰 Entry fee:
$19
📅 Deadline:
July 31, 2025
(Expired)
Spring Microfiction Battle
Writing Battle
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)
A Very Short Fiction Contest
Gotham Writers Workshop
Genres:
Fiction and Short Story
Write a short story in ten words or fewer. Entry is free and must be original and unpublished. Judged on originality, quality, spelling, and grammar.
Top Prize:
Free Gotham class (excluding premium classes)
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
June 01, 2026
Spring Prose & Poetry Contest
Onyx Publications
Genres:
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Fiction, Short Story, and Thriller
The contest awarded prizes for both prose and poetry categories, with multiple winners for each.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
Second place: $150
Third place: $75
Winner also gets publication and author interview on Story Discovery podcast.
💰 Entry fee:
$12
📅 Deadline:
May 05, 2024
(Expired)
Passionate Plume
Passionate Ink
Genres:
Fiction, Novel, Novella, Romance, and Short Story
The Passionate Plume Contest is aimed at supporting erotic fiction authors, offering various categories for both published and unpublished writers. It encourages creativity and provides a platform for authors to showcase their work.
Top Prize:
Engraved award
Additional prizes:
Publication in the Passionate Ink Charity Anthology
💰 Entry fee:
$40
📅 Deadline:
February 14, 2025
(Expired)
F(r)iction Short Story Contest
Brink Literacy Project
Genres:
Fiction and Short Story
The F(r)iction Short Story Contest invites submissions of short stories, poetry, flash fiction, and creative nonfiction. It encourages experimental and boundary-pushing literature.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Up to five finalists will also be considered for publication.
📅 Deadline:
May 15, 2026
Fish Short Memoir Prize
Fish Publishing
Genres:
Memoir, Non-fiction, and Short Story
The Fish Short Memoir Prize invites entries of personal memoirs, with the aim of being published in the Fish Anthology 2025. It’s open to writers of any nationality and no prior publication is needed.
Top Prize:
€1,000
Additional prizes:
2nd and 3rd: Online writing course + €300 | 3rd: €300
💰 Entry fee:
$18
📅 Deadline:
January 31, 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)
Arizona Authors Literary Contest
Arizona Authors
Genres:
Children’s, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story, and Young Adult
The contest is open to both published and unpublished authors, featuring various categories. Each entry will be judged on literary merit by a panel. Winning entries will be featured in the Arizona Authors Literary Magazine.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
Grand winner: $500 & a ticket to the Arizona Authors Awards Luncheon | 3x 1st: $200 | 3x 2nd: $125 | 3x 3rd: $75 | 3x 4th: $50
💰 Entry fee:
$50
📅 Deadline:
June 01, 2026
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
HG Wells Short Story Competition
HG Wells Competition
Genres:
Fiction and Short Story
The HG Wells Short Story Competition, founded by Reg Turnill, promotes writing and celebrates HG Wells’ literary legacy. It encourages entries based on this year’s theme: ‘The Fool.’
Top Prize:
Under 21: £1,000
Over 21: £500
Additional prizes:
All shortlisted entries will be published in an anthology. Shortlisted authors receive a copy of the anthology and a certificate.
💰 Entry fee:
$10
📅 Deadline:
July 08, 2024
(Expired)
Brink Fall 2025 Writing Contest
Brink Literary Journal
Genres:
Fiction, Short Story, Flash Fiction, and Poetry
The Brink Fall 2025 Writing Contest invites submissions in multiple genres. Winning entries will be selected and published, emphasizing creative, boundary-pushing literature. The contest encourages diverse voices and innovative storytelling.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
First place prizes include cash awards of $1,000 for short stories, $300 for poetry, and $300 for flash fiction. Finalists will be considered for publication and may receive free edits.
💰 Entry fee:
$3
📅 Deadline:
November 07, 2025
(Expired)
Drue Heinz Literature Prize
University of Pittsburgh Press
Genres:
Novella and Short Story
The Drue Heinz Literature Prize recognizes and supports writers of short fiction, requiring eligible authors to have published a book-length collection or at least three short stories/novellas in commercial magazines. Manuscripts are judged anonymously by national writers.
Top Prize:
$15,000
📅 Deadline:
June 30, 2025
(Expired)
Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition
Creative Writing Ink
Genres:
Short Story
The competition is open for entries, accepting submissions on any theme or genre. All entries are judged anonymously.
Top Prize:
£1000
Additional prizes:
Two runners-up will receive £200 each and a free online course.
Winner will also receive a free online course and publication on the website
💰 Entry fee:
$12
📅 Deadline:
September 30, 2025
(Expired)
To Hull and Back Humorous Short Story Contest
Christopher Fielden
Genres:
Fiction, Humor, Non-fiction, and Short Story
The To Hull and Back Humorous Short Story Competition is a biennial contest focused on humorous writing. It celebrates imaginative short stories from writers globally. The current competition is open until June 30, 2025, with multiple cash prizes and publication opportunities in an anthology.
Top Prize:
£1,000
Additional prizes:
2nd Prize: £200 | 3rd Prize: £100
💰 Entry fee:
$16
📅 Deadline:
June 30, 2025
(Expired)
A Long Winter’s Night Contest
Gotham Writers Workshop
Genres:
Fiction and Short Story
This contest invites participants to write a story about a long winter’s night, limited to 50 words or less. Entries can be true or fictional.
Top Prize:
$0
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
February 28, 2026
(Expired)
The Atom Learning Young Author Award
Atom Learning
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:
A trip to Disneyland Paris, a Chromebook, a custom-illustrated cover art of the winner’s story, and a subscription to Atom Home.
Additional prizes:
£50 book voucher or one month subscription to Atom Home for 10 runners-up.
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
June 25, 2025
(Expired)
Literary and Photographic Contest
Hispanic Culture Review
Genres:
Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story, and Flash Fiction
The contest theme is ‘Hecho a mano’, focusing on the creativity of handmade works. Categories include photography, poetry, and narrative/essay/academic investigation. Selected works will be published, and winners will receive monetary prizes and certificates of recognition.
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
Certificate of recognition
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
February 15, 2026
(Expired)
Reeds in the Wind Literary Prize
The Jane Austen Club of Sardinia
Genres:
Fiction and Short Story
The Reeds in the Wind Literary Prize aims to promote the literary legacy of Grazia Deledda. It is open to international participants and accepts submissions in Italian, Sardinian, and English. Stories must explore themes from Deledda’s works and have a word count of 5,000 to 7,000 characters. The awards will be presented during a ceremony scheduled for Saturday, 13 September 2025, in the town of Galtellì.
Top Prize:
€500
Additional prizes:
All finalists will have their stories published, and any travel expenses for finalists will be reimbursed.
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
July 20, 2025
(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)
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)
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 with 75 fiction and non-fiction categories. Winners share cash prizes totaling $6,000, including a Grand Prize of $2,500.
Top Prize:
$2,500
Additional prizes:
Minimum cash prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250 for first, second, and third places in each category respectively
💰 Entry fee:
$49
📅 Deadline:
August 16, 2025
(Expired)
Places Writing Competition
Minds Shine Bright
Genres:
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, and Short Story
The Places Writing Competition invites stories and poems about places that inspire or challenge writers. It includes various categories like poetry, short stories, and flash fiction, and aims to highlight the significance of places in literature.
Top Prize:
The overall winner receives $1500 AUD and publication in the anthology.
Additional prizes:
Up to $200 for commended entries, $50 for young writers.
💰 Entry fee:
$15
📅 Deadline:
May 31, 2025
(Expired)
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)
Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction
Letter Review
Genres:
Short Story and Fiction
The Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction is a competition for short fiction (up to 5000 words) with no genre or theme restrictions. It is open to writers worldwide, with 2-4 winners published and sharing in the prize money. Entries are also considered for publication and submission to the Pushcart Prize.
Top Prize:
$1000 USD shared by 2 to 4 winners.
Additional prizes:
Publication by The Letter Review. Up to 20 writers shortlisted. Publication and consideration for the Pushcart Prize and anthologies.
💰 Entry fee:
$25
📅 Deadline:
March 29, 2026
(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
