J. Michael Samuel Prize for Emerging Writers Over 50
Lambda Literary
Genres:
LGBTQ
This prize honors emerging LGBTQ writers over the age of 50. It recognizes unpublished LGBTQ writers working in any genre, emphasizing that writers who start later can be just as talented as those who begin earlier.
Top Prize:
$5,000
📅 Deadline:
May 16, 2025
(Expired)
Voice.club Monthly Flash Fiction Contest
Soft Designs, Inc.
Genres:
Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Short Story
The contest encourages participants to submit one fictional story (max 350 words) for a chance to win a prize. The contest requires a minimum of 10 shortlisted submissions to award a prize, which is a $25 Amazon Gift Card.
Top Prize:
$25 USD Amazon Gift Card
Additional prizes:
Publication
📅 Deadline:
August 01, 2024
(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)
The Global Thriller Awards for High Stakes Suspense
Chanticleer Book Reviews
Genres:
Fiction and Science Fiction
The Global Thriller Awards seek the best books featuring suspense and thrilling stories that can change the balance of world power. It includes the Lab Lit genre, focusing on stories based on real science.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Grand Prize winners receive exclusive Chanticleer Book Review Packages and author interviews, valued at $795, along with additional prizes.
💰 Entry fee:
$99
📅 Deadline:
July 31, 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The Raven Short Story Contest invites submissions of previously unpublished short fiction between 250 to 2500 words.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)
Fish Poetry Prize
Fish Publishing
Genres:
Poetry
The Fish Poetry Prize is an open competition judged by Billy Collins, offering significant monetary prizes and publication opportunities in the Fish Anthology 2025. It has been established since 2006, focusing on poems of any theme, restricted to 60 lines.
Top Prize:
€1000
Additional prizes:
2nd: writer’s retreat | 3rd: €300
💰 Entry fee:
$14
📅 Deadline:
March 31, 2025
(Expired)
Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award
Trio House Press
Genres:
Essay, Memoir, and Non-fiction
The Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award is an annual contest launched by Trio House Press, focused on creative nonfiction manuscripts. The award aims to recognize innovative and distinct works in this genre.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Publication
💰 Entry fee:
$25
📅 Deadline:
May 15, 2025
(Expired)
International Voices in Creative Nonfiction Competition
Vine Leaves Press
Genres:
Essay, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Novel
The competition aims to give marginalized voices the opportunity to establish literary legacies. It accepts unpublished creative nonfiction manuscripts and assesses entries based on originality, creativity, and writing quality.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Publication of the winning manuscript in 2026.
Runners up will also be considered for publication.
💰 Entry fee:
$25
📅 Deadline:
July 01, 2025
(Expired)
Southam Book Festival Flash Fiction Competition
Southam Book Festival
Genres:
Flash Fiction
The competition invites writers to submit original 100-word stories that include one of the specified words: PLACE, PLACED, or PLACES. The competition aims to celebrate concise storytelling.
Top Prize:
£60
Additional prizes:
2nd prize: £30
3rd prize: £20
💰 Entry fee:
$3
📅 Deadline:
September 07, 2025
(Expired)
Moment Magazine-Karma Foundation Short Fiction Contest
Moment Magazine and Karma Foundation
Genres:
Fiction and Short Story
The Moment Magazine-Karma Foundation Short Fiction Contest invites unpublished stories that focus on themes relating to Judaism or Jewish culture. Established in 2000, it has featured renowned judges and offers cash prizes for outstanding works.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Up to three prizes may be awarded.
💰 Entry fee:
$25
📅 Deadline:
November 01, 2025
(Expired)
Blue Lynx Prize for Poetry
Lynx House Press
Genres:
Poetry
The Blue Lynx Prize for Poetry is awarded for an unpublished, full-length volume of poems by a U.S. author, along with foreign nationals living and writing in the U.S. and U.S. citizens abroad. The prize includes $2000 and publication.
Top Prize:
$2,000
Additional prizes:
Publication
💰 Entry fee:
$28
📅 Deadline:
June 16, 2024
(Expired)
Best Indie Book Award
Best Indie Book Award
Genres:
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult
The Best Indie Book Award (BIBA) is an international literary contest that recognizes outstanding achievements by independently published authors. Entries are limited to indie published books, including those from small presses and self-published authors, judged on various writing skills.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
A physical trophy or plaque
💰 Entry fee:
$65
📅 Deadline:
August 01, 2025
(Expired)
F(r)iction Short Story Contest
Brink Literacy Project
Genres:
Fiction and Short Story
The F(r)iction Short Story Contest is open for submissions. It celebrates unique and boundary-pushing literature. The winning story will be published in F(r)iction’s print collection or online blog, and the contest encourages experimental writing.
Top Prize:
$1,000
📅 Deadline:
May 02, 2025
(Expired)
The Origin of Bigfoot
Tacoma Writes
Genres:
Fiction and Short Story
A writing contest inviting original short stories about the origin of Bigfoot, with no entry fee. Stories must be set in the Pacific Northwest and can be of various tones. The winner will be awarded cash prizes.
Top Prize:
$300
Additional prizes:
2nd: $100 | 2x runner ups: $50
📅 Deadline:
February 21, 2026
Fire & Ash Publishers Salon Competition
Fire & Ash Publishers
Genres:
Poetry
The Fire & Ash Publishers Salon Competition is designed for local poets to showcase their works to industry professionals. Each month, four poets are selected to read their poetry at salon nights. An adjudication panel anonymously selects finalists based on submitted poems, and finalists receive a $50 CAD honorarium and an invitation to perform.
Top Prize:
$50
Additional prizes:
Honorarium for finalists and an invitation to perform their poem.
📅 Deadline:
February 07, 2025
(Expired)
North Street Book Prize
Winning Writers
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.
Top Prize:
$10,000
Additional prizes:
$1,000 for top winner in each category | $300 for honorable mentions
💰 Entry fee:
$85
📅 Deadline:
July 01, 2025
(Expired)
Solas Awards
Travelers’ Tales, a division of Solas House, Inc.
Genres:
Essay, Non-fiction, and Travel
The Solas Awards honor excellence in travel writing, with cash prizes and publication opportunities. Entries must be original, true stories with specific word count guidelines. The contest runs annually, with winners announced on March 1 each year.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Silver: $750
Bronze: $500
Certificates of merit for Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners in other categories; $100 honorarium for publication in books.
💰 Entry fee:
$35
📅 Deadline:
September 21, 2024
(Expired)
Jim Martin Memorial Story Contest
Arizona Mystery Writers
Genres:
Fiction, Mystery, and Short Story
The Jim Martin Memorial Adult Story Contest invites submissions of mystery, suspense, or thriller stories from adults aged 18 and over. It honors Jim Martin, a long-time member of Arizona Mystery Writers, supported by his family’s generous contribution to the organization.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
2nd Place: $100
3rd Place: $75
Winning stories will be published on the AMW website.
💰 Entry fee:
$15
📅 Deadline:
August 01, 2024
(Expired)
7 Day Story Writing Challenge
Globe Soup
Genres:
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Young Adult
Participants write a short story of up to 2,000 words based on a secret theme and assigned genre for a chance to win £500. The competition is open to anyone aged 18 and older.
Top Prize:
£500
Additional prizes:
Publication on website. 12 genre finalists selected.
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
September 30, 2025
(Expired)
Annual Short Story Contest
Flash 500
Genres:
Fiction and Short Story
An open-themed contest accepting all genres, including those written by or for children. Stories must be between 1,000 and 3,000 words with strong characters and plots.
Top Prize:
£500
Additional prizes:
£200 for 2nd place, £100 for 3rd place
💰 Entry fee:
$8
📅 Deadline:
February 28, 2025
(Expired)
Environmental Writing Competition 2025
Write the World in partnership with Patagonia
Genres:
Essay and Non-fiction
The competition invites young writers aged 13-19 to craft a piece of creative nonfiction on their environment, blending fact with storytelling. The prompt emphasizes reflection on personal and global environmental challenges.
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
Winner receives $100; Runner-Up and Best Peer Review each receive $50.
📅 Deadline:
May 26, 2025
(Expired)
John Steinbeck Award for Fiction
Reed Magazine
Genres:
Fiction
The John Steinbeck Award recognizes exceptional works of fiction. Submissions are open from June 1 to October 1, with entries limited to 5,000 words. The winning story receives a $1,000 prize.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Entry includes a free copy of the latest edition of Reed.
💰 Entry fee:
$20
📅 Deadline:
October 01, 2025
(Expired)
“Matter” Poetry Contest
Oprelle Publications
Genres:
Poetry
The Matter Poetry Contest invites poets to showcase their work. Winners are selected based on the emotional impact and creativity of their submissions. The contest aims to highlight the significance of poetry in personal and societal contexts.
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
2nd: $100 | 3rd: $50 | Publication in anthology
💰 Entry fee:
$15
📅 Deadline:
October 31, 2025
(Expired)
Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition
Writer’s Digest
Genres:
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story
Enter our 91st Annual Writing Competition for the chance to have your work be seen by editors and agents! Almost 500 winners will be chosen. The top winning entries of this writing contest will also be on display in the Annual Writer’s Digest Competition Collection. [$20 for a poetry entry, $30 for a manuscript entry]
Top Prize:
$5,000
Additional prizes:
Grand prize winner receives $5000. In each category: 1st, $1000; 2nd, $500; 3rd, $250; 4th, $100; 5th, $50; 6th through 10th, $25 gift certificate. 1st place winners receive a one year subscription to Writer’s Digest magazine + tutorials.
💰 Entry fee:
$30
📅 Deadline:
May 05, 2025
(Expired)
South Warwickshire Literary Festival Writing Competition 2025
South Warwickshire Literary Festival
Genres:
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Flash Fiction
The competition features an open theme and includes four categories: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, and Poetry. Each category has a defined maximum word count. Winners will be acknowledged at the festival and have the opportunity to read their entries.
Top Prize:
£75
Additional prizes:
£75 for first prize in each category, plus the opportunity to read the winning entry at the festival. £25 for commended entries in each category.
💰 Entry fee:
$4
📅 Deadline:
March 28, 2025
(Expired)
Writers of the Future
Writers of the Future
Genres:
Fiction, Short Story, Fantasy, and Science Fiction
The Writers of the Future Contest, initiated by L. Ron Hubbard in 1983, supports new writers in science fiction and fantasy, judged by leading authors. Winners receive cash prizes and recognition. The contest encourages original works and offers a platform for upcoming writers.
Top Prize:
$5,000
📅 Deadline:
September 30, 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)
Randall Kenan Prize for Black LGBTQ Fiction
Lambda Literary
Genres:
LGBTQ, Novel, and Fiction
The Randall Kenan Prize for Black LGBTQ Fiction honors Black LGBTQ writers of fiction, celebrating works that explore themes of Black LGBTQ life, culture, and history. The prize is awarded to writers who have published at least one book and show promise for future groundbreaking work.
Top Prize:
$3,000
📅 Deadline:
May 16, 2025
(Expired)
IndieReader Discovery Awards
IndieReader
Genres:
Fiction, Non-fiction, and Novel
The IndieReader Discovery Awards (IRDA) focus on recognizing outstanding self-published books in various genres, providing authors with exposure and opportunities for representation by literary agents. Each entry receives a professional review, and winners gain significant prizes, including cash awards, reviews, and promotional opportunities.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
Cash prizes for second ($250) and third place ($150) winners, as well as prizes for Best First Book and Best Cover Design.
💰 Entry fee:
$150
📅 Deadline:
February 12, 2025
(Expired)
Narrative High School Writing Contest
Narrative Magazine
Genres:
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story
The contest invites high school students globally, grades 9-12, to submit original works. This year’s prompt is ‘One True Thing.’ Submissions must be made by teachers on behalf of students. The contest aims to inspire young writers and culminates in mentorship from established authors.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
2nd: $250 | 3rd: $100 | Finalists receive $50, and winning works will be published in Narrative.
📅 Deadline:
June 15, 2025
(Expired)
Pocket FM: Medieval Fantasy
Pocket FM
Genres:
Fiction and Fantasy
Forge Your Legend in Realms of Magic and Might. Submit your medieval fantasy story and win from $10,000 prize pool.
Top Prize:
$5,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: $2500 | 3rd: $1250 | Each winner receives a certificate and social media promotion
📅 Deadline:
January 20, 2026
Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest
Winning Writers
Genres:
Humor and Poetry
Now in its 24th year, this contest seeks the best humor poems. There is no fee to enter, and both published and unpublished works are accepted. A total of $3,750 in prizes is available, with the first prize being $2,000.
Top Prize:
$3,750
Additional prizes:
Two-year gift certificate for Duotrope | 2nd: $500
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
April 01, 2025
(Expired)
The Adventure Writers Competition
Clive Cussler Collector’s Society
Genres:
Fiction, Novel, Thriller, and Mystery
The Adventure Writers Competition (AWC) celebrates adventure writing, accepting action/adventure novels. The 2024 contest finalists have been announced, and submissions for the 2025 competition will be open from January 1 to April 30, 2025. The AWC aims to promote and recognize quality adventure writing through a rigorous judging process.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Two AWC Finalist Awards: $500
💰 Entry fee:
$50
📅 Deadline:
April 30, 2025
(Expired)
The Philip Hoare Competition
University of Southampton
Genres:
Non-fiction and Short Story
The Philip Hoare Prize is an international competition for the best non-fiction writing, established in 2025, seeking vivid and original narratives that blend personal, historical, and natural themes.
Top Prize:
£300
Additional prizes:
2nd: £100 | 3rd: £50 | Winner also receives publication in the University of Southampton’s annual Avenues Creative Writing anthology.
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
July 31, 2025
(Expired)
Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award
Claremont Graduate University
Genres:
Poetry
The Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award is one of the most prestigious poetry awards, providing significant financial support to poets. It offers a $100,000 prize for a single poetry collection published within the eligibility year, aimed at supporting mid-career poets. The award encourages poets to continue developing their craft.
Top Prize:
$100,000
Additional prizes:
The Kate Tufts Discovery Award offers $10,000 for a first book of poetry.
📅 Deadline:
July 01, 2025
(Expired)
