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)
The Naomi Shihab Nye Prize
Barbara Nimri Aziz
Genres:
Children’s and Fiction
Established in 2024, this annual competition invites Arab American and Arab Canadian writers to submit English-language middle-grade manuscripts for young Arab readers. The prize aims to celebrate Arab creativity and storytelling traditions.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: $500
💰 Entry fee:
$25
📅 Deadline:
May 20, 2025
(Expired)
Southword Editor’s Poetry Award
Munster Literature Centre
Genres:
Poetry
Each entrant for their €24 entry fee will receive a complementary postage-free, one-year subscription to Southword. Poems will be read and judged anonymously. Poems must be previously unpublished. The winning poet will have their three poems published in Southword.
Top Prize:
€1000
Additional prizes:
The winning poet will have their three poems published in Southword.
💰 Entry fee:
$24
📅 Deadline:
September 30, 2024
(Expired)
Geminga Contest 2025
Sunspot Lit
Genres:
Non-fiction and Poetry
The Geminga Contest 2025 invites submissions of tiny fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, graphic novels, and art. Submissions should honor the power of brevity, with specific word limits for each category. Accepted works will be published in upcoming editions of Sunspot Lit.
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
Publication for the winner, with publication also offered to runners-up and finalists.
💰 Entry fee:
$5
📅 Deadline:
January 31, 2025
(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Plume Contest is aimed at supporting erotic fiction authors, offering various categories for both published and unpublished writers.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)
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)
Black Orchid Novella Award
Wolfe Pack & Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine
Genres:
Crime, Mystery, and Novella
The Black Orchid Novella Award celebrates the novella format, encouraging original, unpublished works that conform to the mystery genre’s traditional forms, specifically inspired by the Nero Wolfe series. The contest is designed to highlight the novella, requiring submissions that are tight and engaging, devoid of explicit content.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Publication in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine
📅 Deadline:
May 31, 2025
(Expired)
Chapter One Prize
Gutsy Great Novelist
Genres:
Fiction, Novel, Young Adult, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, and Thriller
The Chapter One Prize is an international writing contest for unpublished novelists. It aims to find the best opening chapter of a novel-in-progress written in English. Submissions open on February 3, 2025, and close on March 3, 2025.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: $500 | 3rd: $250. Honorable mentions may also be awarded.
💰 Entry fee:
$20
📅 Deadline:
March 03, 2025
(Expired)
BOMB Magazine’s 2025 Fiction Contest
BOMB Magazine
Genres:
Fiction
BOMB Magazine’s 2025 Fiction Contest invites submissions for a chance to win a $1,000 prize and publication. The contest is judged by Kelly Link, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and MacArthur Fellow.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Publication in BOMB Magazine
💰 Entry fee:
$30
📅 Deadline:
April 15, 2025
(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)
The $15,000 Writing Challenge
Storyshares
Genres:
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Short Story, and Young Adult
The annual Story of the Year contest is back with a new challenge! We’re looking for captivating, diverse stories that are “easy to read and hard to put down” for readers beyond the third grade. There are five categories aimed at young adult readers, and we encourage you to submit as many entries as you like—submission is free and unlimited!
Top Prize:
$15,000
Additional prizes:
Publication in digital and print
💰 Entry fee:
$0
📅 Deadline:
January 13, 2025
(Expired)
The Ozma Awards for Fantasy Fiction
Chanticleer Book Reviews
Genres:
Fiction
The Ozma Awards for Fantasy Fiction seeks to discover the best fantasy works featuring magic, mythical beings, and imaginative worlds. The competition invites novels from various fantasy sub-genres, including Epic Fantasy and Steampunk, and rewards excellence in storytelling.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Exclusive Chanticleer Book Review Package and Author Interview.
💰 Entry fee:
$99
📅 Deadline:
June 30, 2025
(Expired)
Fusilli Flash Fiction
Fusilli Writing
Genres:
Flash Fiction
An international flash fiction competition for stories up to 200 words with a twist. The competition is open to anyone 18+ and accepts any theme, with a focus on quality writing.
Top Prize:
£30
Additional prizes:
Publication on the winners’ page
💰 Entry fee:
$3
📅 Deadline:
December 31, 2025
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)
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, 2024
(Expired)
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)
The Letter Review Prize for Nonfiction
The Letter Review
Genres:
Essay, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Science Writing
The Letter Review Prize for Nonfiction encourages writers to showcase original nonfiction works, including memoirs, essays, and journalism. It aims to support writers at all stages of their careers and promotes accessibility in publishing.
Top Prize:
$1000 USD shared by 2 to 4 winners
Additional prizes:
Publication by The Letter Review. Up to 20 writers are shortlisted.
💰 Entry fee:
$20
📅 Deadline:
December 30, 2025
Oxford Flash Fiction Prize 2025
Oxford Flash Fiction
Genres:
Flash Fiction, Fiction, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Young Adult
The Oxford Flash Fiction Prize celebrates flash fiction, encouraging new voices and showcasing creativity in under 1000 words. This biannual competition invites writers to submit their stories for the chance to win cash prizes and publication.
Top Prize:
£1000
Additional prizes:
2nd Prize: £200 | 3rd Prize: £100 | New Voice Prize: £200 | Publication in the anthology for shortlisted entrants.
💰 Entry fee:
$7
📅 Deadline:
August 31, 2025
(Expired)
Autumn Voices Poetry Competition 2025: ‘Play’
Autumn Voices
Genres:
Poetry
The competition theme is ‘Play’. It is open for entries from 1st to 30th November 2025. Entrants must be aged 60 or over. Multiple poems are allowed, with a maximum of 30 lines for each poem.
Top Prize:
£220
Additional prizes:
2nd: £110 | Book bundles for commended entries.
💰 Entry fee:
$6
📅 Deadline:
November 30, 2025
(Expired)
The Lascaux Prize in Poetry
The Lascaux Review
Genres:
Poetry
The Lascaux Prize in Poetry accepts previously published or unpublished poems, with no length restrictions. The winner receives $1,000, a bronze medallion, and publication in The Lascaux Review. The entry fee is $15, and poets may submit up to five poems per entry. The contest will reopen on 1 October 2025, and submissions close on 31 March 2026.
Top Prize:
$1,000
💰 Entry fee:
$15
📅 Deadline:
March 31, 2026
The Booksie 2025 Poetry Contest
Booksie
Genres:
Poetry
The Booksie 2025 Poetry Contest seeks original poems of any type or length. Entries can be serious or whimsical, but should evoke thought. Judges will select winners from six finalists.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Gold winner badge and promotion across Booksie. Runners-up receive $100 cash and a silver winner badge
💰 Entry fee:
$7
📅 Deadline:
October 17, 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)
Breakwater Fiction Contest
Breakwater Review
Genres:
Fiction
The Breakwater Fiction Contest is an annual contest that seeks fresh and unpublished prose submissions ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 words. It charges a $10 entry fee and offers a prize of $1,000 and publication in the upcoming issue.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Publication in the next forthcoming issue
💰 Entry fee:
$10
📅 Deadline:
December 01, 2025
(Expired)
Benjamin Saltman Poetry Award
Red Hen Press
Genres:
Poetry
Established in 1998, this award honors poet Benjamin Saltman and is for previously unpublished original poetry collections. The competition is open to all poets.
Top Prize:
$3,000
Additional prizes:
Book publication by Red Hen Press
💰 Entry fee:
$25
📅 Deadline:
November 01, 2025
(Expired)
Maggie Award for Published Writers
Georgia Romance Writers
Genres:
Novel and Romance
The Maggie Award for Excellence recognizes outstanding works of romantic fiction. Open to both traditional and self-published authors, the contest emphasizes quality storytelling. The award seeks submissions that showcase excellence in the romance genre.
Top Prize:
Trophy
💰 Entry fee:
$40
📅 Deadline:
April 06, 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)
Vocal Challenges
Creatd
Genres:
Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Short Story
Vocal Challenges invite writers to enter themed storytelling contests for a chance to win cash, prizes, experiences, and more.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
2nd place: $200, 15 runners-up: $15 each
💰 Entry fee:
$15
📅 Deadline:
January 11, 2025
(Expired)
The Happiful Poetry Prize
Happiful
Genres:
Poetry
The Happiful Poetry Prize is an annual competition that invites entries exploring themes of mental health and wellbeing. The contest is open to writers aged 18 and over from the UK and Northern Ireland. The competition aims to celebrate high-quality writing in poetry.
Top Prize:
£25
Additional prizes:
Four shortlisted poets will receive a £25 National Book Token. All winning poems will be published in issue 108 of Happiful.
📅 Deadline:
November 14, 2025
(Expired)
Subnivean Awards
Soma Mei Sheng Frazier (Fiction) and Albert Abonado (Poetry)
Genres:
Fiction and Poetry
The Subnivean Awards is an international literary competition that seeks outstanding fiction and poetry. The contest aims to highlight innovative works that break conventional molds.
Top Prize:
$150
Additional prizes:
Winner also receives a blurb by the appropriate final judge and publication in the May 2025 issue. Five finalists’ works will be published and featured in a virtual event.
📅 Deadline:
February 21, 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)
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)
The Hudson Prize
Black Lawrence Press
Genres:
Fiction and Poetry
The Hudson Prize is awarded annually for an unpublished collection of poems or prose. It is open to new, emerging, and established writers. The winner receives book publication, a $1,000 cash award, and ten copies of the book.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Book publication and ten copies of the book
💰 Entry fee:
$30
📅 Deadline:
March 31, 2025
(Expired)
Cranked Anvil Flash Fiction Competition
Cranked Anvil Press
Genres:
Fiction and Flash Fiction
The Cranked Anvil Flash Fiction Competition invites writers to submit stories with a maximum length of 500 words. The competition runs quarterly, with deadlines in February, May, August, and November. Up to three entries can be submitted per participant per quarter.
Top Prize:
£100
Additional prizes:
2nd: £50 + publication online
💰 Entry fee:
$6
📅 Deadline:
November 30, 2024
(Expired)
Genres:
Poetry
The competition runs for 42 weeks from April 9, 2024, to January 28, 2025. Each week, five words will be provided for poem submissions, which must incorporate all the words.
Top Prize:
€750
Additional prizes:
€500, €250
💰 Entry fee:
$5
📅 Deadline:
January 28, 2025
(Expired)
The Porter Fleming Literary Competition
The Morris Museum of Art
Genres:
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Script Writing
The Porter Fleming Literary Competition honors the memory of Porter Fleming. It awards $7,000 in cash across four categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and One-Act Play. Winners are invited to a literary program and awards ceremony in Spring 2026.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
2nd place: $500
3rd place: $250
Prizes available in each of the four genre categories
💰 Entry fee:
$15
📅 Deadline:
March 01, 2026
