January 1, 2026 12:00 am – January 31, 2026 12:00 am
The WOW! Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest 2026 is organised by WOW! Women on Writing, an online community and resource site dedicated to supporting writers of all genders. This quarterly contest encourages excellence in creative nonfiction, welcoming storytelling that’s true to life but crafted with creativity and voice.
Entrants must submit original nonfiction essays written in English on an open topic, including personal essay, lyric essay, hybrid forms, and other creative nonfiction styles. Submissions should be previously unpublished and fall between 200 and 1,000 words (titles are not counted in the word total). The contest limits entries to 300 essays per season to ensure thorough judging and timely feedback.
The competition is international, open to writers anywhere, regardless of age or gender. Entries are judged anonymously by a panel of experienced editors and writers; winners receive cash prizes, publication on the WOW! Women on Writing site, interviews, and additional perks such as gift codes.
Top prize: $500, online publication, interview, and a gift code for CreateWriteNow’s store
Is this competition legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any event, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work.
FAQ
If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it’s your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.
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