The Ultimate List of Writing Contests in 2026 • Win Cash Prizes!

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.

Genres:
Essay and Memoir

The Write by the Sea Writing Competition features four categories: Fiction Short Story, Flash Fiction, Poetry, and Memoir/Personal Essay. It includes cash prizes and publication opportunities.

Genres:
Fiction and Short Story

The Lascaux Prize in Short Fiction accepts both previously published and unpublished stories, allowing simultaneous submissions. The winner receives $1,000, a bronze medallion, and publication in The Lascaux Review.

Genres:
Fiction and Novella

The Weatherglass Novella Prize 2027 invites submissions of novellas between 20,000 to 40,000 words. The winning novella(s) will be published by Weatherglass Books in 2027, with entries read by the Weatherglass Editorial team and shortlisted by Ali Smith.

Genres:
Fiction and Short Story

The Write by the Sea Writing Competition features four categories: Fiction Short Story, Flash Fiction, Poetry, and Memoir/Personal Essay. It includes cash prizes and publication opportunities.

Genres:
Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Children’s, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Young Adult

The North Street Book Prize focuses on self-published or hybrid-published books, offering significant cash prizes and marketing services to enhance visibility. The contest has been running for 11 years and encourages entries across various genres.

Genres:
Fiction and Short Story

The Moth Short Story Prize is an international contest open to anyone over 16, requiring original, unpublished stories up to 3,000 words. The winners are chosen by a single judge who reads entries anonymously. The contest is held annually, and the winning story is published in the Irish Times.

Genres:
Fiction, Novel, Young Adult, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, and Thriller

The Page One Prize seeks the best first page of an unpublished novel-in-progress. Open to writers over 18 worldwide, the prize highlights emerging and experienced authors. Winners are announced on the contest website and via email.

Genres:
Poetry

The Write by the Sea Writing Competition features four categories: Fiction Short Story, Flash Fiction, Poetry, and Memoir/Personal Essay. It includes cash prizes and publication opportunities.

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 excellence in small and independent publishing, recognizing outstanding books across various categories. The awards aim to provide visibility and recognition to authors and their works.

Genres:
Fiction and Romance

The Romance Through The Ages Contest invites authors to submit historical romance manuscripts. Categories are based on time period and author experience (published/unpublished). The contest emphasizes historical accuracy and romance as the central theme.

Genres:
Short Story and Fiction

The Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction is an internationally recognized writing contest that supports emerging writers. It offers monetary awards and publication opportunities, celebrating a diverse range of voices.

Genres:
Essay

The exhibition invites original quotations reflecting the theme ’embracing our differences.’ It showcases 50 artworks and selected quotations from artists and writers worldwide, emphasizing community voices.

Genres:
Fiction

The Ascent Novel Prize is a prestigious writing contest aimed at unpublished novelists. It encourages new talent by providing a platform to showcase their work.

Genres:
Fantasy, Fiction, and Science Fiction

A writing contest aimed at teen writers, encouraging them to submit stories centered on the theme of belonging. Accepted genres include contemporary, historical fiction, fantasy, and science fiction.

Genres:
Poetry

The Paz Prize for Poetry awards a $2,000 prize every other year for the publication of an unpublished book of poetry originally written in Spanish by an American resident. The winning manuscript will be translated into English and published in a bilingual edition.

Genres:
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult

The Reader Views Fiction Awards recognize outstanding independently published fiction, honoring work by independent authors and small presses. The program offers professional evaluations and promotional visibility.

Genres:
Poetry

The ‘I Matter’ Contest invites students in grades K-12 to submit original poetry or art focused on the theme of equality. It was founded to empower youth to express their feelings on racial injustice through creative means.

Genres:
Memoir

The Anthology Personal Memoir Competition invites entries for personal memoirs, encouraging emerging writers to share their stories. The winner will be published in Anthology magazine.

Genres:
Essay and Non-fiction

This contest invites young writers (ages 13-19) to share personal stories, focusing on the theme ‘Build a bridge.’ Participants are encouraged to include characters, descriptions, and narrative details.

Genres:
Fiction and Horror

Seeking novellas or novelettes in the Early Gothic tradition, set from after the Fall of Rome to 1500. Submissions should showcase excellent writing, engaging plots, and authentic historical settings.

Genres:
Fiction and Flash Fiction

The Lascaux Prize in Flash Fiction invites submissions of stories that may be previously published or unpublished. True stories are accepted if written in a narrative style. The contest emphasizes the importance of storytelling.

Genres:
Fiction and Romance

The Romance Through the Ages Contest is aimed at unpublished authors, focusing on historical romance set before 1980. The contest promotes the genre and connects writers through the Hearts Through History organization.

Genres:
Fiction and Non-fiction

An inclusive writing contest aimed at unpublished writers, offering a platform to showcase their completed manuscripts. The contest provides mentorship and publishing opportunities through a panel of industry professionals. | Use code “26REEDSY40” for free entry!

Genres:
Fiction

Any fiction, any style, any writer. Submit the first chapter of your novel-in-progress, and become eligible for cash prizes & shoutouts from @writesofnovember.

Genres:
Script Writing

The Scriptation Showcase competition circulates winners’ scripts to Hollywood professionals, providing exposure and feedback. It aims to connect writers with industry talent.

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.

Genres:
Children’s

The Amazing Women’s Edition Contest invites students in grades K to 8 to create books that feature the theme of ‘Local Heroines’. Each entry must include art and text created solely by the students. The contest aims to promote literacy and creativity among youth.

Genres:
Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, and Young Adult

The 2025 Book Pipeline Unpublished Contest aims to discover unpublished manuscripts across ten categories. Winners receive $25,000, industry circulation, and executive development opportunities. It is open to writers aged 18 and older, with specific submission guidelines based on categories.

Genres:
Fiction and Short Story

The contest invites 8-16 year olds to write a story on ‘the perfect summer day’ within 600 words. Participants can gain inspiration from past winning entries.

Genres:
Essay and Non-fiction

The competition celebrates the beauty of nature and encourages storytelling about environmental themes. Open to all writers, submissions must be original, unpublished, and in English, with a maximum of 1,500 words. Entries can cover various aspects of nature, from wildlife encounters to reflections on environmental challenges.

Genres:
Poetry

This contest is for emerging poets submitting their first or second book of poetry, which should contribute innovatively to American poetry. The awards include a $1,000 prize, publication, and twenty copies of the book. Manuscripts must be 48-120 pages long.

Genres:
Fantasy and Fiction

Fantasy may be the oldest form of storytelling. Long before the novel, long before the printing press, humans gathered to share tales of magic, wonder, and the impossible made real. In this contest, build a world of your own. Give it landscapes, creatures, and rules that only you could imagine. Then ask yourself: what truth about our own world are you hiding inside it?

Genres:
Poetry

The James Laughlin Award recognizes and supports a second book of poetry forthcoming in the next calendar year. It is endowed by a gift from the Drue Heinz Trust and is named after the poet and publisher James Laughlin.

Genres:
Short Story and Fiction

The Henshaw Press Short Story Competition accepts entries of up to 2,000 words on any theme. It is open to writers aged 16 and over.