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
Solstice Owl Battle
Writing Battle, Inc.
Genres:
Fiction, Short Story, Fantasy, and Flash Fiction
The Solstice Owl Battle is a 100 word short story challenge where writers receive 3 prompts to incorporate into their narratives. It fosters a supportive community, allowing participants to share and receive feedback from one another on their stories. Writers retain all rights to their stories, even if they win.
Top Prize:
$15,000 prize pool
Additional prizes:
$1,200 USD prize for 10x Genre Winners; $300 USD prize for 10x Genre Runners-Ups. Winners receive online publication, feedback from industry professionals
💰 Entry fee:
$28
📅 Deadline:
July 19, 2026
Clevedon LitFest Flash Fiction Award
Clevedon Literary Festival
Genres:
Flash Fiction
The Clevedon LitFest Flash Fiction Award invites entries of original short stories of no more than 500 words. The competition emphasizes evocative writing and a compelling story arc within strict word limits.
Top Prize:
£300
Additional prizes:
2nd: £100 | 3rd: £50
💰 Entry fee:
$6
📅 Deadline:
August 22, 2026
The Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize 2025
The Alpine Fellowship
Genres:
Essay, Fiction, and Non-fiction
The Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize is awarded for the best piece of writing on the theme of ‘Fear.’ All genres are accepted, and entries must be in English. The competition aims to discover and support emerging writing talent globally.
Top Prize:
£3000
Additional prizes:
2nd: £1000 | 3rd: £1000
📅 Deadline:
April 01, 2025
(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
3rd place: $500
💰 Entry fee:
$20
📅 Deadline:
April 30, 2025
(Expired)
SaveAs Writers’ International Poetry Competition
SaveAs Writers
Genres:
Poetry
The Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year Competition invites submissions from poets on any subject and in any format, up to 60 lines long. The winner receives the title and a cash prize, with additional prizes for runners-up.
Top Prize:
£300 + Title of Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year
Additional prizes:
Second Place: £150
Second Place: £75
💰 Entry fee:
$4
📅 Deadline:
June 02, 2025
(Expired)
Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry
Beloit Poetry Journal
Genres:
Poetry
The Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry is an annual contest with a focus on recognizing outstanding poetry. It is supported by the Adrienne Rich Literary Trust and has specific guidelines for submissions, including entry fees and poem requirements.
Top Prize:
$1,500
💰 Entry fee:
$15
📅 Deadline:
April 30, 2026
(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)
AWP Prize for Creative Nonfiction
Association of Writers & Writing Programs
Genres:
Non-fiction
AWP sponsors the Award Series, an annual competition for the publication of excellent new book-length works. The competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence, and is available to published and unpublished authors alike.
Top Prize:
$2,500
Additional prizes:
Publication by the University of Georgia Press
💰 Entry fee:
$30
📅 Deadline:
February 28, 2026
(Expired)
J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Awards
Columbia Journalism School
Genres:
Non-fiction
Two J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Awards, in the amount of $25,000, are given annually to aid in the completion of significant works of nonfiction on topics of American political or social concern. Recognizing that a nonfiction book based on extensive research often overtaxes the resources available to its author, the project envisions the Awards as a way of closing the gap between the time and money an author has and the time and money that finishing a book requires.
Top Prize:
$25,000
📅 Deadline:
December 07, 2023
(Expired)
Stephen Spender Prize for Poetry in Translation
Stephen Spender Trust
Genres:
Poetry
The Stephen Spender Prize is an annual award recognizing excellence in poetry translation, encouraging participants to translate poems from any language into English. It is open to various age groups including adults and students in the UK and Ireland. The contest aims to celebrate linguistic diversity and foster creative translation.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Second: £500
Third: £250
Various cash prizes for youth categories.
💰 Entry fee:
$10
📅 Deadline:
July 31, 2025
(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
(Expired)
Writory Monthly Poetry Contest
Writory
Genres:
Poetry
Writory runs a monthly, international online poetry contest where poets aged 13+ submit original poems (any language; no word count limits). The contest awards cash prizes to the top 3 poems each month.
Top Prize:
₹1,000 INR
Additional prizes:
Free entry to next month’s contest; participation certificate for every entrant; top 10 featured on public leaderboard.
💰 Entry fee:
$5
📅 Deadline:
July 25, 2026
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
Annual Flash Fiction Competition
Flash 500
Genres:
Fiction, Short Story, and Flash Fiction
The Flash Fiction Competition invites writers to submit stories of up to 500 words. It’s a quarterly competition with prizes awarded for the top three entries each quarter. Winning entries are published on the website.
Top Prize:
£300
Additional prizes:
2nd: £200 | 3rd: £100
💰 Entry fee:
$7
📅 Deadline:
December 31, 2026
The Page Turner Book Awards
The Page Turner Awards
Genres:
Fiction and Non-fiction
The Page Turner Book Awards is an international writing contest that celebrates authors in Fiction & Non-Fiction. The contest is open to submissions from around the world and aims to provide valuable exposure and opportunities for writers. | Use code “26REEDSY40” for free entry!
Top Prize:
Lifetime licenses to book marketing packages, a manuscript critique, one-year memberships to professional associations, and writing mentorships.
📅 Deadline:
June 30, 2026
(Expired)
The SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction
SmokeLong Quarterly
Genres:
Flash Fiction
An annual competition celebrating excellence in flash fiction. Previous winners have been published in notable anthologies.
Top Prize:
$2,500
Additional prizes:
2nd: $1000 | 3rd: $500 | Finalists: $150 | Finalists: $150 each. All finalists will be published in the June 2026 issue.
💰 Entry fee:
$17
📅 Deadline:
May 10, 2026
(Expired)
The Donald Hall Prize for Poetry
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, 2026
(Expired)
Morton and McCarthy Prizes
Sarabande Books
Genres:
Fiction, Short Story, Novella, and Flash Fiction
The Mary McCarthy Prize is awarded annually for a full-length manuscript of literary fiction, including short stories, flash fiction, or novellas. The prize includes a cash award and publication.
Top Prize:
$2,000
Additional prizes:
Publication of the work and a standard royalty contract.
💰 Entry fee:
$34
📅 Deadline:
February 24, 2026
(Expired)
Ware Poets Open Poetry Competition 2026
Ware Poets
Genres:
Poetry
The 28th annual Ware Poets Open Poetry Competition is now open for submissions until April 30, 2026. The competition is judged by Keith Jarrett, with several prizes offered for various categories. Winning and commended poems will be included in an anthology and published on the website.
Top Prize:
£1000
Additional prizes:
2nd: £500 | 3rd: £200 | Sonnet prize: £200 | Local prize, for Hertfordshire or Essex residents: £200 | Winners will be invited to a prize-giving event and have their poems published in the competition anthology.
💰 Entry fee:
$5
📅 Deadline:
April 30, 2026
(Expired)
The Ghost Story Supernatural Fiction Award
The Ghost Story
Genres:
Horror and Fiction
The Ghost Story Supernatural Fiction Award is a biannual contest seeking full-length supernatural or magic realist short stories. The winning stories are published on June 1 and Halloween. The award is open to any story with a supernatural theme, not limited to traditional ghost stories.
Top Prize:
$1,500
Additional prizes:
Publication of the winning story. $300 for each of two Honorable Mentions.
💰 Entry fee:
$20
📅 Deadline:
April 30, 2025
(Expired)
Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition
Hemingway Days Festival
Genres:
Short Story
The Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition is dedicated to supporting new voices in short fiction. It has a history of over 43 years and emphasizes original, unpublished stories. Winners are highlighted on the competition’s website.
Top Prize:
$1,500
Additional prizes:
2nd | $500 | 3rd: $500 | Publication of the winning story on the competition website.
💰 Entry fee:
$15
📅 Deadline:
September 01, 2025
(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)
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)
Rhina Espaillat Poetry Award
Plough Publishing
Genres:
Poetry
The award honors Dominican-American poet Rhina Espaillat. It is for an original poem of up to 50 lines, showcasing empathy and grace in everyday life.
Top Prize:
$2,000
Additional prizes:
Winning poem published in Plough Quarterly | Two finalists will receive $250
💰 Entry fee:
$7
📅 Deadline:
March 30, 2025
(Expired)
Pocket FM: Crowned in Drama Contest
Pocket FM
Genres:
Fiction and Romance
The Crowned In Drama contest focuses on creating original audio series in the romance genre, specifically Historical and Regency Romance. Participants must complete 100k words by the deadline and follow specific guidelines to be eligible for prizes.
Top Prize:
$5,000
Additional prizes:
1st: $5000, certificate, community & social media promotion | 2nd: $2500 | 3rd: $1250, all with similar promotional benefits.
📅 Deadline:
November 07, 2025
(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
Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest
Fiction Collective 2
Genres:
Fiction
The contest is open to US writers who have not previously published with FC2. Works can include novels, novellas, or collections of short stories, with no length requirement. Translations and previously published works are not eligible.
Top Prize:
$3,000
Additional prizes:
Publication by FC2
📅 Deadline:
November 01, 2026
George Dila Memorial Flash Fiction Contest
Third Wednesday
Genres:
Fiction and Flash Fiction
The contest honors George Dila, a friend of the magazine and its original fiction editor. It invites submissions of previously unpublished flash fiction under 1,000 words.
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
Publication in Third Wednesday magazine
💰 Entry fee:
$6
📅 Deadline:
August 15, 2025
(Expired)
The Failing Writers Podcast Flash Fiction Competition
The Failing Writers Podcast
Genres:
Flash Fiction
The competition invites entries of flash fiction up to 300 words on the theme of ‘a lie’. A special secret phrase must also be included, revealed in the podcast episode on September 29. The contest is sponsored by Scrivener.
Top Prize:
£500
Additional prizes:
Extra prizes may be awarded to runners-up.
💰 Entry fee:
$5
📅 Deadline:
October 24, 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)
Emerging Writer’s Contest
Ploughshares
Genres:
Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry
The Emerging Writer’s Contest, held by Ploughshares since 1971, recognizes outstanding work by emerging writers in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Winners are announced in the fall and their works are published in the Winter 2024-25 issue of Ploughshares.
Top Prize:
$2,000
Additional prizes:
Publication in Ploughshares and a conversation with Aevitas Creative Management.
💰 Entry fee:
$30
📅 Deadline:
May 15, 2025
(Expired)
Fabula Press Short Story Contest
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)
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
(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)
