The Bedford Competition
The Bedford Competition
Genres:
Poetry and Short Story
The Bedford Competition runs annual international short story and poetry competitions open to anyone over 17 years. Winning entries are published in an anthology.
Top Prize:
£2000
Additional prizes:
2nd Prize £300 | 3rd Prize £200 | Cygnature Prizes £200 | Bedford Prizes £100
💰 Entry fee:
$11
📅 Deadline:
October 31, 2025
(Expired)
The Elegant Literature Award For New Writers
Elegant Media Publishing Corporation
Genres:
Fiction, Crime, Fantasy, Romance, Horror, LGBTQ, Science Fiction, Suspense, and Thriller
This contest invites new writers to submit original, unpublished stories based on a monthly theme. The contest promotes emerging talent and awards cash prizes to winners.
Top Prize:
$3,000
Additional prizes:
1st: Free enrollment in New Novelist Accelerator and publication payment at 10c/word | 2nd – 10th: 10c/word and publication | 11th – 35th: $20 USD and an honorable mention in the magazine.
💰 Entry fee:
$10
📅 Deadline:
December 31, 2025
The 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, 2025
Reedsy Novel Sprint
Reedsy
Genres:
Novel
The Reedsy Novel Sprint is an annual challenge (every November) where participants aim to write 50,000 original words in our free writing app, Reedsy Studio. With events, resources, and in-app goal tracking, this challenge is designed to help writers finish their first drafts — and get excited about doing it! At the end of the month, those who have written at least 50,000 words in Studio can submit their first chapters to our Reedsy Novel Sprint Contest.
Top Prize:
$5,000 + Literary Agent Intro
Additional prizes:
2nd: $2,500 + Literary Agent Intro
3rd: $1,000 + Literary Agent Intro
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
November 30, 2025
(Expired)
Francine Ringold Awards for New Writers
University of Tulsa
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)
Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year
Canterbury Festival
Genres:
Poetry
The Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year Competition invites entries of poems on any subject and in any format, with a maximum length of 60 lines. Judging is anonymous, and an entry fee of £5 per poem is required.
Top Prize:
£300
Additional prizes:
1st: £300 + title of Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year | 2nd: £150 | 3rd: £75
💰 Entry fee:
$5
📅 Deadline:
June 02, 2025
(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)
Diode Editions Full Length Book Contest
Diode Editions
Genres:
Novel
Open to all poets over 18 years old writing in English. Collaborations, hybrid works, and simultaneous submissions are welcome. Please notify Diode Editions if your manuscript is accepted elsewhere.
Top Prize:
$1,500
💰 Entry fee:
$15
📅 Deadline:
July 15, 2025
(Expired)
Tom Howard / Margaret Reid Poetry Contest
Winning Writers
Genres:
Poetry
Welcome to the 23rd annual Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest. Submit published or unpublished work. $3,500 for a poem in any style or genre. $3,500 for a poem that rhymes or has a traditional style.
Top Prize:
$3,500
Additional prizes:
$500 for 10 honorable mentions
💰 Entry fee:
$25
📅 Deadline:
October 01, 2025
(Expired)
Dave Williamson National Short Story Competition
Manitoba Writers’ Guild
Genres:
Fiction
The Dave Williamson National Short Story Competition is open to Canadian writers aged 18 and older, encouraging diversity and inclusion across all communities. Submissions are accepted in any fiction genre, with a word limit between 2,500 and 4,500 words. Winners will be published in the Guild’s anthology, _Beyond Boundaries_.
Top Prize:
$1,000 CAD
Additional prizes:
2nd: $600 CAD | 3rd: $400 CAD
💰 Entry fee:
$15
📅 Deadline:
February 15, 2025
(Expired)
The Betty Award
The Betty Award
Genres:
Children’s
The Betty Award is a writing contest for children ages 8-12, celebrating young authors since 2006. The contest encourages imagination and creativity, allowing entries in any topic as long as they are age-appropriate.
Top Prize:
$300
💰 Entry fee:
$20
📅 Deadline:
May 17, 2025
(Expired)
The Next Big Story
The Novelry Group Limited
Genres:
Fiction
The Next Big Story is a creative writing prize inviting submissions for the first 1,500 words of a work of fiction. The contest aims to encourage new voices in storytelling, offering a grand prize of $100,000 and eight shortlisting prizes of The Finished Novel Course to help writers finalize their projects.
Top Prize:
$100,000 or £75,000
Additional prizes:
Eight shortlists receive access to The Finished Novel Course (valued at approx $4,995 each).
💰 Entry fee:
$15
📅 Deadline:
July 31, 2025
(Expired)
Inkitt: Love at First Kick
Inkitt
Genres:
Fiction and Romance
The Love at First Kick Writing Contest invites authors to create soccer-themed romances where soccer is not just a backdrop but the heartbeat of the story. Stories can feature romantic rivalries, teammates, or journalists involved with players.
Top Prize:
$300
Additional prizes:
2nd: $150 | 3rd: $50 | All winners receive 1 year of Galatea Unlimited and GalateaTV, Inkitt VIP Badge, Contest Winner badge for book cover, and an Instagram feature.
📅 Deadline:
December 31, 2025
The Moth Poetry Prize
The Moth
Genres:
Poetry
The Moth Poetry Prize is one of the largest prizes for individual unpublished poems, open to anyone over 16 worldwide. The prize is judged anonymously and past winners have included notable poets. The 2025 competition is currently open.
Top Prize:
€6,000
Additional prizes:
3x runners up: €1,000 | 8x further prizes of €250 | Publication online in Irish Times
💰 Entry fee:
$15
📅 Deadline:
December 31, 2025
Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest
Jane Austen Society of North America
Genres:
Children’s and Essay
An annual contest encouraging students to explore and appreciate Jane Austen’s works. Open to high school, college, and graduate students worldwide, the contest offers scholarships for original essays focused on a specific topic related to Austen’s literature.
Top Prize:
$1,000 scholarship
Additional prizes:
Two nights’ lodging for JASNA’s Annual General Meeting
📅 Deadline:
June 02, 2025
(Expired)
The Cygnus Awards for Science Fiction
Chanticleer Book Reviews
Genres:
Fiction, Science Fiction, and Young Adult
The Cygnus Awards recognize the best Science Fiction books across various subgenres. It includes prizes, recognition, and promotional opportunities for winning entries.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Exclusive Chanticleer Book Review Package and Author Interview (valued at $795)
💰 Entry fee:
$99
📅 Deadline:
June 30, 2025
(Expired)
The Good Housekeeping Writing Competition
Good Housekeeping and Rachel Mills Literary
Genres:
Fiction
Good Housekeeping magazine has partnered with Rachel Mills Literary Agency to launch a competition for aspiring novelists that offers a cash prize.
Top Prize:
£1500
Additional prizes:
The winner will also receive a 1 hour, one-on-one mentoring session with literary agent Nelle Andrew. Their work will be published online by Good Housekeeping.
📅 Deadline:
August 31, 2025
(Expired)
National High School Essay Contest
American Foreign Service Association (AFSA)
Genres:
Essay
The contest invites high school students to write an essay reflecting on the role of the U.S. Foreign Service during the Vietnam War and its impacts on contemporary U.S. diplomacy.
Top Prize:
$2,500
Additional prizes:
All-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C.
📅 Deadline:
March 01, 2025
(Expired)
The Raven Short Story Contest
Pulp Literature Press
Genres:
Fiction
The Raven Short Story Contest invites submissions of previously unpublished short fiction between 250 to 2500 words. The contest is judged by Kelly Robson, a renowned author.
Top Prize:
$300
Additional prizes:
Publication in Pulp Literature
💰 Entry fee:
$25
📅 Deadline:
October 15, 2025
(Expired)
Poetry Wales Award 2024-25
Poetry Wales
Genres:
Poetry
The Poetry Wales Award is a single-poem competition allowing poets worldwide to submit new, unpublished works. The competition opens on 17th December 2024 and closes on 17th February 2025. The judge for this year is Jeremy Dixon, a prize-winning poet.
Top Prize:
£500
Additional prizes:
First prize gets choice of a course or a writing retreat, one-year subscription to Poetry Wales, publication of winning poem. £100 for second place, £50 for third place, and invitations for ten highly commended poets to read at the award ceremony.
💰 Entry fee:
$5
📅 Deadline:
February 17, 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
#GWstorieseverywhere
Gotham Writers
Genres:
Fiction and Flash Fiction
The #GWstorieseverywhere contest invites participants to submit very short stories based on monthly themes. The stories can be fictional or true and must be original and unpublished. The winning entries are featured on Gotham’s website.
Additional prizes:
Winner receives a free Gotham class of their choosing, excluding premium classes
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
December 30, 2025
Gemini Magazine Flash Fiction Contest
Gemini Magazine
Genres:
Flash Fiction and Fiction
The Seventeenth Annual Flash Fiction Contest invites entries of up to 1,000 words on any subject or style. All finalists will be published online in the Fall 2025 issue.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: $100 | Four Honorable Mentions: $25 each. | All finalists will be published online.
💰 Entry fee:
$8
📅 Deadline:
September 02, 2025
(Expired)
New England Readers’ Choice Awards
New England Romance Writers
Genres:
Romance and Fiction
The contest recognizes excellence in published romance fiction and is judged by fans, including librarians and booksellers. The grand prize includes coaching from Jeannie Moon, and winners will receive a web badge and printed certificate.
Top Prize:
Two hours of Story & Character Development Coaching by Jeannie Moon; web badge and printed award certificate for winners.
Additional prizes:
Web badge and printed certificate for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category.
💰 Entry fee:
$30
📅 Deadline:
February 28, 2025
(Expired)
Ghost & Cryptid Short Story Anthology
Dragon Tomes Publishing
Genres:
Fiction, Horror, Short Story, and Humor
Dragon Tomes Publishing is compiling an anthology of ghost and cryptid stories. They seek short stories up to 6,000 words that explore themes of ghosts or cryptids, welcoming various genres.
Top Prize:
$20
Additional prizes:
Free author copy of the finished anthology.
📅 Deadline:
July 31, 2025
(Expired)
The Caledonia Novel Award
Caledonia Novel Award Organizers
Genres:
Fiction, Novel, and Young Adult
The Caledonia Novel Award is an international competition for unpublished and self-published novelists in all genres, encouraging writers to submit their original works. The award aims to connect new authors with literary agents.
Top Prize:
£1500
Additional prizes:
Exclusive framed award designed by Edinburgh artist Lucy Roscoe. | Highly Commended prize: £500 | Special prize: a free place on a writing course at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre.
💰 Entry fee:
$37
📅 Deadline:
October 15, 2025
(Expired)
Novel Fair 2025
Irish Writers Centre
Genres:
Fiction and Novel
Novel Fair is an annual competition for unpublished novelists, allowing winners to pitch their novels to publishers and agents. It includes a two-day event with workshops and meetings with industry professionals.
Top Prize:
Present your novel to leading publishers and agents at the Irish Writers Centre
Additional prizes:
Shortlisted applicants receive feedback on their submissions.
💰 Entry fee:
$55
📅 Deadline:
September 30, 2024
(Expired)
The Christy Award
ECPA
Genres:
Christian, Fantasy, Novel, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, and Young Adult
The Christy Award, established in 1999, celebrates novels that explore themes of faith and their influence on modern culture. Over the years, these awards have become a cornerstone event that brings together writers and publishers within the Christian literary community.
Top Prize:
The Christy Book of the Year Award.
💰 Entry fee:
$175
📅 Deadline:
March 31, 2025
(Expired)
Storytrade Book Awards
Storytrade
Genres:
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Script Writing, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult
The Storytrade Book Awards celebrate literary excellence in small and independent publishing, featuring over 70 categories for fiction and nonfiction. The awards spotlight outstanding books and provide industry recognition for authors.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
$1,000 for each Book of the Year (Fiction & Nonfiction).
Medals, book stickers, and digital seals for Winners and Finalists
💰 Entry fee:
$75
📅 Deadline:
June 30, 2025
(Expired)
Annual Flash Fiction Competition
Flash 500
Genres:
Fiction and Short Story
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:
£200, £100
💰 Entry fee:
$7
📅 Deadline:
September 30, 2025
(Expired)
The Rooker Prize
Lewes FC
Genres:
Fiction
Entrants need only write the first 250 words of their novel/story/memoir, and are judged on how much the judges want to read the rest of the story.
Top Prize:
£250 to a charity of your choice
Additional prizes:
Feedback/coaching session with an experienced editor at Hachette UK, plus a wooden trophy.
💰 Entry fee:
$50
📅 Deadline:
April 05, 2025
(Expired)
International Welsh Poetry Competition 2024
International Welsh Poetry Competition
Genres:
Poetry
The International Welsh Poetry Competition, established in 2007, aims to encourage creative writing in Wales and beyond, welcoming entries in English from around the world.
Top Prize:
£500
Additional prizes:
2nd place: £250
3rd place: £100
17 runners-up: commended entries and future publication in anthology. Winners acknowledged with a certificate and potential cash prizes; may also be included in future anthologies.
💰 Entry fee:
$6
📅 Deadline:
June 30, 2024
(Expired)
Genres:
Flash Fiction
The Weird West Quick Draw contest invites submissions of flash fiction set in the weird west genre, which combines traditional western elements with speculative fiction. The contest opens for entries on July 1, 2025, and closes on July 15, 2025.
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
2nd: $50 | 3rd: $25 | Publication in Apex Magazine issue 151 for the first prize winner, and publication on the Reach Your Apex website for second and third prize winners.
📅 Deadline:
July 15, 2025
(Expired)
Summer Short Story Award for New Writers
Masters Review
Genres:
Essay, Fiction, and Non-fiction
This bi-annual contest recognizes emerging writers with submissions of previously unpublished fiction or nonfiction up to 6,000 words. Judged by Colin Barrett, it awards $3,000 for first place, $300 for second, and $200 for third, along with agency reviews for finalists.
Top Prize:
$3,000
Additional prizes:
Second place: $300
Third place: $200
Agency review for all finalists
💰 Entry fee:
$20
📅 Deadline:
August 25, 2025
(Expired)
Scriptation Showcase
Showcase Script Competition
Genres:
Script Writing and Short Story
The Scriptation Showcase is a screenwriting contest that offers exposure to Hollywood industry professionals. Winners’ scripts are circulated to directors, showrunners, and producers. The contest includes analysis and feedback on submissions through ScreenplayIQ.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
$500 cash for best script in each category
💰 Entry fee:
$59
📅 Deadline:
July 20, 2025
(Expired)
