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Writing Contests, Grants & Awards
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The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about the creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more—that we’ve published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it. Ours is the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.
Nonfiction Contest for Emerging Writers
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Boulevard is given annually for an essay by a writer who has not published a full-length book in any genre with a nationally...
Dzanc Books
Short story collection prize.
A prize of $2,500 and publication by Dzanc Books is given annually for a story collection. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript...
Prize for Fiction
A prize of $5,000 and publication by Dzanc Books is given annually for a novel. Farah Ali, Chika Unigwe,...
University of Mississippi
Willie morris award for southern poetry.
A prize of $3,000 is given annually for a single poem that evokes the U.S. South. The winner will also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Oxford, Mississippi, for the awards...
Ghost Story
Supernatural fiction award.
A prize of $1,500 and publication on the Ghost Story website is given biannually for a short story with a supernatural or magical realist theme. The editors will judge....
University of Massachusetts Press
Juniper prizes.
Five prizes of $1,000 each and publication by University of Massachusetts Press are given annually for a debut poetry collection, a poetry collection by an author who has...
PEN/Faulkner Foundation
Award for fiction.
A prize of $15,000 is given annually for a book of fiction published during the current year. Four finalists each receive $5,000. The winner and finalists will also be invited...
University of Iowa Press
Iowa short fiction award.
Two prizes of publication by University of Iowa Press are given annually for debut collections of short fiction. Submit a manuscript of at least 150 pages by September 30....
Lascaux Review
Prize in creative nonfiction.
A prize of $1,000 and publication on the Lascaux Review website is given annually for an essay. Previously published and unpublished essays are eligible. Using only the...
Connecticut Poetry Society
Vivian shipley poetry award.
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Connecticut River Review and on the Connecticut Poetry Society website is given annually for a single poem. Aaron Caycedo-Kimura...
Poetry Prize
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Dzanc Books will be given for a poetry collection. Jonathan Fink and Keith Taylor will judge. Using only the online submission system,...
Texas Review Press: The University Press of SHSU
X. j. kennedy poetry prize.
A prize of $10,000, publication by Texas Review Press: The University Press of SHSU, and 10 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. The winner also receives a...
California State University in Fresno
Philip levine prize for poetry.
A prize of $2,000, publication by Black Lawrence Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. The winner is also invited to give a public reading at...
Poetry Contest
A prize of $2,000 is given annually for a single poem. A second-place prize of $1,000 is also given. Mark Graham, Monique Jonath, Mridvi Khetan, and Ann Tinkham will judge....
Nature Writing Prize
A prize of €1,000 (approximately $1,094) and online publication in Irish Times is given annually for a poem, a story, or an essay that features “an exploration of the...
George Garrett Fiction Prize
A prize of $2,000, publication by Texas Review Press: The University Press of SHSU, and 10 author copies is given annually for a short story collection or novel. Using only the...
Hackney Literary Awards
Novel contest.
A prize of $5,000 is given annually for an unpublished novel. Submit a manuscript of any length with a $30 entry fee by September 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines...
Willie Morris Award for Southern Nonfiction
A prize of $12,000 is given annually for a book of nonfiction published during the current year that asks readers “to engage with or reflect on the complexities of the U.S....
Willie Morris Award for Southern Fiction
A prize of $12,000 is given annually for a novel published during the current year that asks readers “to engage with or reflect on the complexities of the U.S. South.” The...
Changes Press
Poetry book prize.
A prize of $10,000, publication by Changes Press, and 50 author copies is given annually for a first or second poetry collection. The winner will also receive an all-expenses-...
American Literary Review
Literary awards.
Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication in American Literary Review are given annually for a poem, a short story, and an essay. Using only the online submission...
A prize of $1,000 and publication by University of Alaska Press will be given in alternating years for a book of poetry, fiction, or nonfiction. The 2024 prize will be given in...
Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival
Fiction contest.
A prize of $1,500 is given annually for a short story by a writer who has not published a book of fiction. The winner also receives domestic airfare of up to $500, private...
Zoetrope: All-Story
Short fiction competition.
A prize of $1,000 and publication on the Zoetrope: All-Story website is given annually for a short story. The winner and finalists are considered for representation by...
American Poetry Review
Honickman first book prize.
A prize of $3,000 and publication by American Poetry Review is given annually for a debut poetry collection. The winning book is distributed by Copper Canyon Press...
50+ Writing Contests in 2024 with Awesome Cash Prizes
by Karen MacKenzie
on Sep 2, 2024
So you want to compete in writing contests for prizes and recognition?
Writing contests are a fun way to evolve your writing skills — and, yes, cash prizes are a nice bonus.
But remember, the emphasis is on fun .
If cash is your primary goal, you should focus your time and energy on landing freelance writing jobs .
However, if you’re looking for writing competitions and an enjoyable way to improve your writing skills , read on.
This roundup post includes both writing contests that are free to enter and writing contests with nominal entry fees.
Let’s begin!
Free Writing Contests with No Entry Fee (i.e. Free to Enter!)
Ernest j. gaines award for literary excellence.
“The Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence honors Louisiana’s revered storyteller, Ernest J. Gaines, and serves to inspire and recognize rising African-American fiction writers of excellence at a national level. The book award, initiated by donors of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, is now in its 13th year and has become nationally recognized in its role of enhancing visibility of emerging African-American fiction writers while also expanding the audience for this literature. The annual award of a $15,000 cash prize is to support the writer and help enable her/him to focus on her/his art of writing.”
Prerequisites for Entrants
- African American writers who have published a work of fiction
Submission Deadline
- $15,000 plus paid travel to Louisiana to receive the prize
Who Should Enter This Contest
African-American fiction writers who want to inspire kids to develop their own creativity. The award winner will work with students in small creative writing workshops held in Louisiana.
53-Word Story Contest
“It’s free, it’s fun, and the winner gets published in Prime Number Magazine and receives a free book from Press 53.”
Prerequisites for Contest Entry
- Open to all writers
- 15th day of each month
- Publication in Prime Number Magazine, along with your photo and a 53-word bio (plus a free book from Press 53)
Writers who enjoy the challenge of a 53-word short story competition based on a prompt.
Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards
“The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards recognizes outstanding works that contribute to our understanding of racism and our appreciation of cultural diversity. Awards are given for fiction, poetry and nonfiction.”
- Published authors ( self-published books excluded)
- Not yet open (previous year’s deadline was December 31)
Book authors who wish to compete for a generous book award. Your book must be written in English and published and copyrighted in the same year that you enter the contest.
Cabell First Novelist Award
“The VCU Cabell First Novelist Award honors an outstanding debut novel published in the preceding calendar year. Symbolized by a three-dimensional compass, the award is a tribute to writers who have navigated their way through the maze of imagination and delivered a great read, taking the reader someplace new.”
- First-time novelists only. You can have previously published poems or short stories, but this must be your first published novel. Novels distributed via self-publishing aren’t eligible.
- TBD (previous year’s deadline was December 30)
Novelists who have published a book in the year previous to the contest date, and feel that they have achieved something “notable and enduring.”
Short Fiction Prize
Stony Brook Southampton is accepting submissions of short fiction (7,500 words or less).
“Southampton Arts is a vibrant community within SUNY Stony Brook that gathers together graduate programs in creative writing, children’s lit, podcasting and film. Today’s professional practice as an artist demands well-rounded, independent, imaginative entrepreneurs, ones with the resourcefulness to draw on a range of media, technologies and genres.”
- Only full-time undergraduates in United States and Canadian universities and colleges are eligible.
- June 1 (Submissions open on March 1)
- $1,000 and a scholarship to the Southampton Writers’ Conference.
Undergraduate short story fiction writers who want to compete for both cash and a chance to participate in a writers’ conference.
The Wallace Stegner Prize in Environmental Humanities
“The Wallace Stegner Prize will be awarded to the best monograph submitted to the Press in the broad field of environmental humanities. (…) Preference will be given to projects that discuss issues related to the American West. We welcome book-length manuscripts that emphasize narrative form and draw on the humanities, as well as the particular methods and perspectives of history, geography, natural history, environmental science, creative nonfiction, or related disciplines to consider environmental subjects, broadly defined. These criteria reflect the legacy of Wallace Stegner as a student of the American West, as a spokesman for the environment, and as a teacher of creative writing.”
- Open to all writers except those associated with the University of Utah (current students, faculty, staff, or employees).
- TBD (previous deadline was December 31)
- $5,000 and a publication contract with the University of Utah Press.
Writers of monographs (essay or book-length) who have not previously submitted their work for publication.
W.Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction
“This award honors the best fiction set in a period when the United States was at war. It recognizes the service of American veterans and military personnel and encourages the writing and publishing of outstanding war-related fiction. Donated by William Young Boyd II.”
- Novelists who have been published in the year prior to the contest. Young adult and adult novels only.
- TBD (previous year’s deadline was December 1)
- $5,000 and a 24k gold-framed citation of achievement.
Writers who have published a novel of war-related fiction.
ServiceScape Short Story Award
“Calling all short story writers: Are you a short story writer interested in gaining more exposure and a bigger audience for your creative work? Would an extra $1,000.00 USD in your pocket be a great thing right now?”
- Open to all writers. Only original and unpublished work can be submitted.
- November 30
- $1,000 plus publication on the ServiceScape blog.
Short story writers (word count up to 5,000 words) of either fiction or nonfiction who are excited about entering a writing competition for cash and exposure.
Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award
“Since its early days, science fiction has played a unique role in human civilization. It removes the limits of what “is” and shows us a boundless vista of what “might be.” Its fearless heroes, spectacular technologies and wondrous futures have inspired many people to make science, technology and space flight a real part of their lives and in doing so, have often transformed these fictions into reality. The National Space Society and Baen Books applaud the role that science fiction plays in advancing real science and have teamed up to sponsor this short fiction contest in memory of Jim Baen.”
- Open to all writers who are not employees of Baen Books (or previous grand prize winners)
Grand prize winner:
- Paid .08 word, plus your story will be published as the featured story on the Baen Books main website
- An engraved award
- Free entry into International Space Development Conference
- A year of membership in the National Space Society
- A prize package with various Baen Books and National Space Society merchandise
Second and Third Place winners:
Science fiction short story writers who want to see their work in print and who would enjoy the prizes listed above.
James Laughlin Award
“Offered since 1954, the James Laughlin Award is given to recognize and support a second book of poetry forthcoming in the next calendar year. The award was endowed in 1995 by a gift to the Academy from the Drue Heinz Trust. It is named for the poet and publisher James Laughlin (1914-1997), who founded New Directions in 1936.”
- Poets who have already published their first book
- Submissions are accepted from January 1st to May 15th each year
- $5,000 plus an all-expenses-paid week at The Betsy Hotel in Florida. Also, the winner’s book is distributed to the members of the Academy of American Poets (approximately 1,000 members).
Poets who are working on their second book and want to earn a sweet prize of cash and recognition.
L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest
“L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest is an opportunity for new writers of science fiction and fantasy to have their work judged by some of the masters in the field and discovered by a wide audience.”
- Only amateur writers who have not been professionally published may participate. (See #5 in contest rules for more details.)
- Quarterly writing contests
- June 30, for 3rd Quarter contest
Cash Prizes
- Three prizes each quarter for $1,000, $750, and $500
- Quarterly first-place winners compete for the $5,000 annual contest prize
Science fiction and fantasy writers who want to write prose up to 17,000 words in length. Note that works intended for children are not eligible.
Poetry Foundation Emily Dickinson First Book Award
“The Emily Dickinson First Book Award is designed to recognize an American poet of at least 40 years of age who has yet to publish a first collection of poetry. The Poetry Foundation seeks one book-length poetry manuscript to be published as the winner of the Emily Dickinson First Book Award.”
- Poets over 40 years old who have not yet published a poem book
- TBD (contest is intermittent, with previous prizes awarded in 2017 and 2012)
- $10,000 plus publication and promotion by Greywolf Press
Late-blooming poets who have enough poems in them to fill a book of poetry .
Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize
“Graywolf Press publishes about 30-35 books annually, mostly poetry, memoirs, essays, novels, translations, and short stories. Our editors are looking for high quality literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry that combine a distinct voice with a distinct vision.”
- Writers “ not yet established in the genre ” of their nonfiction project
- Graywolf accepts submissions for the Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize every other year; the next open submission period will be in 2024.
- A $12,000 advance and publication by Graywolf
Authors willing to take on a project outside their established genre. If you don’t have one yet, here’s your chance to get started.
New Voices Award
“New Voices Award is given annually by children’s book publisher Lee & Low Books for a children’s picture book manuscript by a writer of color or Native/Indigenous writer.”
- Writers of color or Native/Indigenous writers who have not previously published a children’s picture book. Must be a United States resident.
- $2,000 and a publication contract, including royalties
- $1,000 for the Honor Award Winner
Authors who’d like to write stories to address the needs of children of color and Native nations. The children’s picture book manuscript can be fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.
Young Lions Fiction Award
“Established in 2001, The New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award is a $10,000 prize awarded each spring to a writer age 35 or younger for a novel or a collection of short stories. Each year, five young fiction writers are selected as finalists by a reading committee of Young Lions members, writers, editors, and librarians.”
- Fiction writers up to 35 years old
- TBD (previous year’s deadline was September 11)
Young writers who want to be recognized for their novel or collection of short stories.
PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction
Overview “The PEN/Faulkner Foundation celebrates literature and fosters connections between readers and writers to enrich and inspire both individuals and communities.” “The PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction is a national prize that honors the best published works of fiction by American citizens in a calendar year.”
- American authors published in the U.S. during the calendar year of the award
- October 31st for books published in that calendar year
- $15,000 for the winner
- 4 finalists receive $5,000 each.
Published authors who believe they can compete with the top writers in the United States. Novels and short story collections are considered.
PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers
“The PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers recognizes twelve emerging writers each year for their debut short story published in a literary magazine or cultural website and aims to support the launch of their careers as fiction writers. Each of the twelve winning writers receives a cash prize of $2,000 and the independent book publisher Catapult will publish the twelve winning stories in an annual anthology entitled The PEN America Best Debut Short Stories, which will acknowledge the literary magazines and websites where the stories were originally published.”
- New fiction writers. Note that submissions are only accepted from the editors of eligible publications.
- Submissions for the cycle close November 8.
- $2,000 plus publication for the 12 winning writers
Debut short story writers who aren’t afraid to ask their editor to enter them in this writing competition.
The Jeff Sharlet Memorial Award for Veterans
“This creative writing contest for U.S. military veterans and active duty personnel is hosted by The Iowa Review and made possible by a gift from the family of Jeff Sharlet (1942–69), a Vietnam veteran and antiwar writer and activist. The contest is open to veterans and active duty personnel writing in any genre and about any subject matter.”
- U.S. military veterans and active-duty personnel only
- Check the website for the latest deadlines
- First Place: $1,000 plus publication in The Iowa Review
- Second Place: $750
- Third Place (3 selected): $500
Any writers who have served in the military and wish to compete in this creative writing contest.
Hektoen Grand Prix Essay Competition
Content announcement: “We invite you to participate in the 2021 Hektoen Grand Prix Essay Competition in honor of Hektoen Institute Board Member Mrs. Hella Mannheimer (1924-2020).”
- Essays should be under 1,500 words
- September 15
- $5,000 for the winner
- $2,500 for the runner-up
Creative non fiction writers looking to enter an essay contest by writing on art, history, literature, education, etc. as they relate to medicine.
The Fountain Essay Contest
“We at The Fountain believe that every voice should be heard, and that every challenge should be respected and can offer insight into our own lives. We all face new challenges in our lives. They can be massive undertakings, such as moving across a country and beginning a new high school. Or sometimes the more routine tasks, such as getting out of the bed in the morning while undergoing depression, can themselves be massive challenges. We want to hear about your challenges and how you mentally, physically, and/or spiritually prepare for them.”
- Open to all (even high school writers)
- TBD (previous year’s deadline was March 1)
- First Place: $1,000
- Second Place: $500
- Third Place: $300
- Two Honorable Mentions: $150 each
If you are up to the challenge of writing a personal essay between 1,500 and 2,500 words on the topic of “facing challenges,” this essay contest is for you.
Tufts Poetry Awards
“Any poet will tell you that the only thing rarer than meaningful recognition is a meaningful payday. For two outstanding poets each year, the Kingsley and Kate Tufts awards represent both. The Tufts poetry awards – based at Claremont Graduate University and given for poetry volumes published in the preceding year – are not only two of the most prestigious prizes a contemporary poet can receive, they also come with hefty purses: $100,000 for the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award and $10,000 for the Kate Tufts Discovery Award.”
- Published poets who are citizens or legal resident aliens of the United States.
- Only mid-career poets are eligible for the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award.
- Poets with their first published full-length book are eligible for the Kate Tufts Poetry Award.
- $100,000 for the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award
- $10,000 for the Kate Tufts Poetry Award
Published poets who want recognition and a shot at a very generous award that will pay the bills and allow them to write more poetry.
The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing
“The ethos of the modern world is defined by immigrants. Their stories have always been an essential component of our cultural consciousness (…) In novels, short stories, memoirs, and works of journalism, immigrants have shown us what resilience and dedication we’re capable of, and have expanded our sense of what it means to be global citizens. In these times of intense xenophobia, it is more important than ever that these boundary-crossing stories reach the broadest possible audience.”
- The author must be a first-generation immigrant who has not previously published a book
Submission Deadlines
- March 31for the Prize in Nonfiction
- Fiction and nonfiction prizes alternate years
- $10,000 and publication by Restless Books
Authors who wish to “address some combination of identity, the meeting of cultures and communities, immigration and migration, and today’s globalized society,” in their first book.
St. Francis College Literary Prize
“The biennial $50,000 Literary Prize is sponsored by St. Francis College to offer its support and encouragement to the literary community and mid-career authors who have recently published their 3rd to 5th work of fiction.”
- Established fiction authors who have published at least 3 books already.
- Contest won’t be held in 2021 (content also wasn’t held in 2020; the 2019 winner was announced September 2019)
Published fiction authors who want to enter a writing competition for a very generous prize.
Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest
“Now in its 19th year, this contest seeks today’s best humor poems.”
- Authors from all eligible countries (Syria, Iran, North Korea, and Crimea excluded due to U.S. government restrictions)
- First prize: $1,000
- Second prize: $250
- 10 Honorable Mentions: $100 each
Poets with a sense of humor and a competitive drive to win poetry prizes.
Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award
“Established in 1984, the Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award introduces emerging writers to the New York City literary community. The prestigious award, which aims to provide promising writers a network for professional advancement, has helped to launch the careers of Sue Monk Kidd (The Invention of Wings, The Secret Life of Bees), Lidia Yuknavitch (The Book of Joan), Bryn Chancellor (Sycamore: A Novel), David Mura (Turning Japanese: Memoirs of a Sansei), and others.”
- Poets and fiction writers who are residents of Oklahoma and have published no more than one full-length book in their genre
- $500 cash prize
- Expenses paid for travel to New York City to meet with editors, literary agents, publishers, and other writers.
- A one-month residency at the Jentel Artist Residency Program in Wyoming.
Poets or fiction writers who live in Oklahoma.
The Gabo Prize
“Lunch Ticket is honored to host The Gabo Prize for Literature in Translation & Multilingual Texts. The Gabo Prize is funded by writers, translators, and Antioch University Los Angeles MFA Alumni Allie Marini and Jennifer McCharen, who launched the prize to support the work of peer translators.”
- Original bilingual work only (previously published work not accepted)
- The contest is held in February and August
- $200 plus publication in Lunch Ticket
Authors and translators of multilingual texts containing either poetry or prose.
Transitions Abroad Expatriate and Work Abroad Writing Contest
“Professionals and freelancers are encouraged to write non-fiction inspirational and practical articles that describe their experience living, moving, and working abroad. Often your experience is extended and transformed by activities in the host country, so living, working, studying, and traveling abroad are often inextricable — and we are interested in exploring all such organic interconnections.”
- TBD (previous year’s deadline was September 15)
- First Place: $500
- Second Place: $150
- Third place: $100
- All finalists: $50
Nonfiction writers who have lived and worked abroad who are interested in creating a helpful article about their experiences.
Drue Heinz Literature Prize
“The Drue Heinz Literature Prize recognizes and supports writers of short fiction and makes their work available to readers around the world. The award is open to authors who have published a book-length collection of fiction or at least three short stories or novellas in commercial magazines or literary journals.”
- Published writers only
- Manuscripts must be received during May and June.
- $15,000 plus publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press, and promotion of your book
Previously published short fiction authors looking to enter their latest creation in this writing contest.
Brooklyn Nonfiction Prize
“The Brooklyn Non-Fiction Prize, a cash award of $500, will be awarded to the best Brooklyn-focused non-fiction essay which is set in Brooklyn and is about Brooklyn and/or Brooklyn people/characters. We are seeking compelling Brooklyn stories from writers with a broad range of backgrounds and ages who can render Brooklyn’s rich soul and intangible qualities through the writer’s actual experiences in Brooklyn.”
- December 10
Nonfiction writers who have had experiences in Brooklyn, New York to share with the world, and potentially win a prize in the process.
VI International Flash Fiction Competition
“Once again, the César Egido Serrano Foundation returns to record figures in the call for its famous International Micro-Story Contest, which has been running for five editions.”
- Open to all fiction writers
- $20,000 first prize
- $2,000 each for the 3 runners-up
Fiction writers who wish to enter an international competition for hefty prize money.
John Gardner Fiction Book Award
“Sponsored by the Binghamton Center for Writers-State University of New York with support from the Office of the Dean of Binghamton University’s Harpur College of the Arts & Sciences”
- Published fiction writers
Writers who have published either a novel or a book of fiction in 2019 (for the 2020 contest).
St. Martin’s Minotaur / Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition
“Sponsored by Minotaur Books and Mystery Writers of America (MWA)”
- First-time novelists only
- $10,000 advance against future royalties and publication by Minotaur Books
Mystery writers who have finished their first crime novel and want to compete for a publishing contract.
Stowe Prize
“The Stowe Prize recognizes a distinguished book of general adult fiction or non-fiction that illuminates a critical social justice issue in contemporary society in the United States. (…) The book should apply informed inquiry, be accessible and engaging to a general audience, and promote empathy and understanding. Because Stowe’s writings challenged slavery and promoted women’s education, social issues impacted by racism and gender discrimination will be prioritized. In making this award, the Stowe Center recognizes the value of diversity to strengthen our communities and encourages submissions by authors from populations that have historically faced discrimination or marginalization.”
- Published U.S. authors
Fiction or nonfiction authors who have published a book within three years of the contest year. Note: That book must meet the criteria in the “Overview” to be considered for this book award.
Steinbeck Fellowships in Creative Writing
“The Steinbeck Fellows Program of San José State University was endowed through the generosity of Martha Heasley Cox. It offers writers of any age and background a $15,000 fellowship to finish a significant writing project. Named in honor of author John Steinbeck, the program is guided by his lifetime of work in literature, the media, and environmental activism. Fellowships are currently offered in Creative Writing (excluding poetry) and Steinbeck Studies. Fellows may be appointed in many fields, including literary scholarship, fiction, drama, education, science and the media.”
- Residency in the San Francisco Bay Area is required for the academic year (September through May)
- A $15,000 stipend
This program helps writers who have promising work, but who haven’t published extensively.
The Roswell Award
“Light Bringer Project and Sci-Fest L.A. present two science fiction writing competitions designed to identify and nurture the up-and-coming science fiction writing talent of Los Angeles and worldwide. Science fiction is a uniquely inspiring medium that has enabled many of our great thinkers and scientists to imagine the heights and limits of human achievement, leading to important moral and ethical debate, long range planning for humanity, and scientific innovation. Writers are encouraged to explore scientific, social, technological, environmental, and philosophical themes in their writing and always, at the core, to master the art of great storytelling.”
- Open to all writers over 18 years old
- First, Second, and Third place Roswell Award winners receive $500, $250, and $100 (USD) cash prizes
Science fiction writers in search of writing competitions. There is also a contest for the best feminist-themed science fiction story for an additional $100 prize.
Black Orchid Novella Award
“An important part of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe’s opus are novellas. To celebrate this format, the Wolfe Pack and Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine have partnered to sponsor the Black Orchid Novella Award.”
Entrant Fee
- May 31 each year
- $1,000 and publication in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
Mystery fiction writers who wish to write a novella in the tradition of the Nero Wolfe series.
Parsec Short Story Contest
“The theme for the contest is: Forging. This can be conveyed in the setting, plot, characters, dialogue…the only limit is your imagination. The theme must be integral to the story in some way and not just mentioned in passing. (…) All stories must be of the Science Fiction, Fantasy, or Horror genres.”
- Amateur writers only
- First Place: $200
- Second Place: $100
- Third place: $50
Non-professional writers who want to enter a short story contest for the opportunity to win book money.
Tony Hillerman Prize
“Welcome to the Tony Hillerman Prize for Best First Mystery Set in the Southwest Competition!”
- Writers who have not yet published a mystery novel
- $10,000 advance against future royalties and publishing by Minotaur Books
Unpublished mystery novel writers who are looking to compete for a potential publishing contract.
Owl Canyon Press Short Story Hackathon
“Writers are invited to create and submit a short story consisting of 50 paragraphs. The contest provides the 1st and 20th paragraphs, and the short story writer crafts the rest.”
- First Place: $3,000
- Second Place: $2,000
- Third Place: $1,000
- All finalists (24) will have their short stories included in an anthology
Short story writers of all genres, as long as you can make your story work with the provided paragraphs!
Marfield Prize (a.k.a. National Award for Arts Writing)
“Books must be nonfiction titles written in English for a general audience by a single, living author and originally published in the United States during the current calendar year. Books may be about any artistic discipline (visual, literary, performing, or media arts, as well as cross-disciplinary works). We seek art history and criticism, biographies and memoirs, and essays.”
- Published authors (self-published books excluded)
Authors who enjoy writing nonfiction regarding artistic disciplines and have a book scheduled to be published in the year of the contest.
Writing Contests with Entry Fees (i.e. Costs Money to Enter)
Don’t mind having a little skin in the game?
Here are writing contests that require an entry fee to enter:
Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition
“Writer’s Digest has been shining a spotlight on up and coming writers in all genres through its Annual Writing Competition for more than 80 years. Enter our 89th Annual Writing Competition for your chance to win and 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 89th Annual Writer’s Digest Competition Collection.”
- Poetry competition entry: $20 for first entry, $15 each additional entry
- Manuscript competition entry: $30 for first entry, $25 each additional entry
- Grand Prize winner receives $5,000 (plus additional prizes)
- First Place winner in each category: $1,000
- Second Place winner in each category: $500
- Third Place winner in each category: $250
- Fourth Place winner in each category: $100
- Fifth Place winner in each category: $50
- Sixth through Tenth Place winners in each category: $25
Multiple genres are available, so any writer who has a competitive spirit and doesn’t mind paying an entry fee.
Desert Writers Award
“The Fund supports writing that combines an engaging individual voice, literary sensibility, imagination and intellectual rigor to bring new perspectives and deeper meaning to the body of desert literature. All applications will be reviewed through a peer-panel process.”
- All writers in the field of literary nonfiction can apply
Literary nonfiction writers fascinated by the desert. You’ll be submitting a proposal for a writing project based on your travel to and experience in a desert region.
The Breakwater Fiction Contest
“We are seeking submissions for pieces that breathe freshness to the form. We are interested in previously unpublished prose ranging from 1,000 – 5,000 words, each with a $10 entry fee.”
- Open to everyone not associated with the MFA program at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, or Susanna Kaysen
- Open October 1 through December 1
- $1,000 plus the Winner and Finalists are published in Breakwater’s Winter issue
Fiction and short story writers who are interested in competing for a cash prize plus publication.
The Peseroff Prize Poetry Contest
“The Peseroff Prize honors Joyce Peseroff’s work as a poet, teacher, editor, innovator, and mentor. She helped found the MFA Program in Creative Writing at the University of Massachusetts Boston, served as its first director, and retired from teaching in 2014.”
- $10 for up to three poems
- Open February 1 to May 1
- $1,000 plus both the Winner and Finalists are published in the Breakwater Spring issue
Poets with previously unpublished poems with both a competitive drive and $10 for a poetry contest.
Marsh Hawk Press Poetry Prize
“Beginning December 1, 2019, Marsh Hawk Press is accepting submissions of poetry manuscripts to the annual Marsh Hawk Press Poetry Prizes.“
- $25 per submission
- Open to all poets
- $1,000 and publication by Marsh Hawk Press
Poets with a manuscript of poems ready for publication.
2021 Microfiction Contest
“Since 1975, River Styx has published an international, award-winning magazine of poetry, fiction, essays, interviews, and art. Work first published in its pages has been included in many editions of The Best American Poetry, Best New Poets, New Stories from the South, and Pushcart Prize anthologies.”
- $20 for up to 3 stories (includes a one-year subscription to River Styx )
- $15 fee if you only want the issue the winners are published in
- Open to all writers, but only unpublished stories qualify
Writers who enjoy writing micro-fiction stories of up to 500 words and who would be interested in subscribing to a literary magazine.
Horror Writing Contest
“Write a horror or thriller story for this writing contest. Put your readers on edge or terrorize them.”
- Only consider this contest if membership in FanStory.com interests you. Membership is $9.95 a month or $69 a year. (Note: this gives you access to multiple contests a year with varying prizes.)
- FanStory.com membership required
- $100 Visa gift card
Writers who are interested in joining a paid community to network with other readers and receive feedback on their stories.
Morton and McCarthy Prizes
“This contest is open to any short fiction writer of English. (…) Submissions may include a collection of short stories, one or more novellas, or a short novel.”
- Open to short fiction writers excluding employees and board members of Sarabande Books, Inc.
- February 15
- $2,000 plus publication of the winning manuscript and a standard royalty contract with Sarabande Books, Inc.
Short fiction writers who are looking for the opportunity to participate in a writing competition that could get their work published.
Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest
“For this contest, a story is any short work of fiction, and an essay is any short work of nonfiction. (…) Please submit as many entries as you like. All themes accepted. Entries may be published or unpublished. Length limit: 6,000 words maximum.”
- $20 per entry
- Open to all writers (except in countries excluded due to U.S. government restrictions)
- $3,000 for Story (fiction) category
- $3,000 for Essay (nonfiction) category
- $200 for each Honorable Mention
Fiction or nonfiction writers who are willing to spend $20 for a shot at winning the $3,000 prize.
Moment Magazine-Karma Foundation Short Fiction Contest
“The Moment Magazine-Karma Foundation Short Fiction Contest encourages writers to submit stories related to Judaism or Jewish culture or history.”
- $25 per entry
- Open to all writers (submissions must not have been published elsewhere)
- 3 prizes in total, including $1,000 for first place (other prize amounts are not given)
Short story writers interested in writing a story of up to 5,000 words with a Jewish theme.
K. Maragaret Grossman Fiction Awards
“In a world where it is harder than ever for new writers to get a foot in the door of the traditional publishing world, Literal Latté remains committed to finding and nurturing great talents, both on its website and in its new anthology, in book format.”
- $10 per story ($15 for two stories)
- 1st Prize: $1,000
- 2nd Prize: $300
- 3rd Prize: $200
All subjects and styles are welcome, so any writers with an unpublished story of up to 10,000 words.
James Jones First Novel Fellowship
“The award is intended to honor the spirit of unblinking honesty, determination, and insight into cultural and social issues exemplified by the late James Jones, author of From Here to Eternity and other prose narratives of distinction. Jones himself was the recipient of aid from many supporters as a young writer and his family, friends, and admirers have established this award of $10,000 to continue the tradition in his name.”
- $30 (plus $3 processing fee) per entry
- U.S. citizens who have never published a novel
- Runners-up receive $1,000
Writers with either unpublished or work-in-progress novels. To enter, you need to submit an outline and the first 50 pages of your novel.
WOW! Women On Writing Quarterly Flash Fiction Contest
“The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity, great writing, and provide well-rewarded recognition to contestants.”
- $10 (if you’d also like a critique of your entry, the total is $20)
- Entries must be written in English
- FALL: September – November 30th 11:59 PM (Pacific Time)
- WINTER: December – February 28th, 11:59 PM (Pacific Time)
- SPRING: March – May 31st, 11:59 PM (Pacific Time)
- SUMMER: June – August 31st, 11:59 PM (Pacific Time)
- $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
- Entry published on WOW! Women On Writing
- Interview on the WOW! Women On Writing Blog
- Name, state, and title entry published on WOW! Women On Writing
All styles and genres of flash fiction are welcomed. Entries need to be a minimum of 250 words (750 maximum).
WOW! Women On Writing Quarterly Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest
“The mission of this contest is to inspire creative nonfiction and provide well-rewarded recognition to contestants. (…) Your story must be true, but the way you tell it is your chance to get creative.”
- $12 (if you’d also like a critique of your entry, the total is $25)
- Q1: August 1 – October 31st, 11:59 PM (Pacific Time)
- Q2: November 1 – January 31st, 11:59 PM (Pacific Time)
- Q3: February 1 – April 29th, 11:59 PM (Pacific Time)
- Q4: May 1 – July 31st, 11:59 PM (Pacific Time)
All styles of essay — from personal essay to lyric essay to hybrid essay to critical essay (and beyond) are welcomed. Maximum length of 1,000 words.
Common Questions and Answers (and Resources)
Why should i enter writing contests (besides the cash prizes).
Because entering writing contests gives you a way to practice writing — the best way to improve your skills. You may even get feedback from some of the contests, and of course, the ultimate positive feedback if you win!
If you’ve wanted to experiment with different genres or different writing styles, this is your chance to play.
The deadlines in writing contests can make the difference between actually writing that next piece and doing it “someday.”
Plus, depending on the contest, entering is an automatic win since you’ll be creating another sample for your writing portfolio . And if you win the writing contest, even better!
What Happens After I Enter a Writing Contest?
Now you get to practice patience and the skill of waiting.
Not all contests will contact you to let you know who won. Some only contact the finalists or the winner(s).
In the contest instructions, you may find dates for when the finalists or winners will be announced. Add these dates to your calendar so you’ll know that if you aren’t contacted by then, you didn’t win this writing contest.
If you do win, and you’ve submitted the same piece of content to multiple contests, you should withdraw your submission(s) from the other contests.
And then celebrate!
What Are Some Good Resources That’ll Help Me Win Writing Contests?
The number one tip to help you win? Pay attention to the details! Ignoring or missing any of the contest rules or requirements could mean instant disqualification.
Merely following the rules can give you an edge over the competition.
Here’s a collection of blog posts to help you improve your writing skills.
- 18 Writing Tips That’ll Actually Make You a Better Writer
- Proofreading: 7 Editing Tips That’ll Make You a Better Writer
- 583 Sensory Words to Take Your Writing from Bland to Brilliant
- 57 Metaphor Examples That’ll Pack Your Prose With Persuasion
- 20 Stephen King Quotes to Turn You Into a Scary Good Writer
- How to Start a Blog: Easy, Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
- 27 Creative Writing Exercises That’ll Punch Up Your Writing
- A 5-Minute Guide to Fast-Paced Storytelling
- How to Put Your Thoughts Into Words: 3 Proven Strategies
- Writing Tips: 5 Ways to Quiet Your Inner Editor
- How to Practice Writing Fiction: 5 Core Skills to Improve Your Writing
- How Social Media Can Help Teach Good Writing
- Stuck? Try These 72 Creative Writing Prompts (+ 6 Bonus Tips)
Game on: Time to Enter Writing Contests For Fun and Money
Imagine how you’ll feel as a contest winner.
The confirmation of your writing skills. The recognition, the charge of seeing your work published.
You could use your winnings towards writing books , courses, or coaching to develop your talent and skills further.
A fun part of life is trying new things, and here is your opportunity.
So before you close out of this post, pick one contest. Then bookmark it and start working on your contest entry.
Karen MacKenzie
The ultimate toolkit for becoming one of the highest-paid writers online. Premium training. Yours for free.
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FreelanceWriting
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Writing contests, make money writing, hottest topics, submit a contest, writing contests - poetry, short story, essay, screenwriting & more.
On this page, you’ll find the web’s best and most updated selection of writing contests. If you’ve got a way with making your words come to life, try your hand at a poetry contest. If you’re a teen, there’s a special category of teen writing contests just for you. For everybody else, there’s a variety of other ways to test your writing skills, from essay contests to short story contests. Want to submit a contest? Simply click on our “Submit a Contest” button. Good luck everyone, and be sure to read our tips on how to win below!
7 Tips for Winning a Writing Contest
Are you interested in entering a writing contest, but don’t know how to win? After reading these seven tips, you’ll become a surefire contender for winning the top prize. 1…. Read more
Are you interested in entering a writing contest, but don’t know how to win? After reading these seven tips, you’ll become a surefire contender for winning the top prize.
1. Captivate from your first sentence
“The first sentence sets the tone for the entire piece.” You may have heard similar advice many times before, but it really does hold true of trying to produce a memorable piece of writing. Would you be inclined to continue reading a submission if the first line is dull, cliche, or doesn’t convey its intention effectively? The harsh truth is that due to time constraints and the large volume of entries received, many writing contest judges simply flick through the submissions they receive. The golden handful that are read properly are the submissions that capture the reader from the very beginning. Of course, your writing should be captivating from the first word to the last, but especially in the case of a writing contest, it should be one of your top priorities to ensure that the judges give your piece the consideration it deserves.
2. Think outside the box
Think about this: Hundreds or thousands of other people are likely to apply for the same competition as you. This means your goal should be to make your submission stand out . How? Give the judges something to “chew on”. Whether it be a different perspective, an innovative idea or perhaps a controversial topic, your submission should be memorable.
Try to consider the given topic from a number of angles. Sure, it’s “safer” to take the usual angle to a topic if you’re confident you can do it well. But once you think about all the other people who took a similar one, it doesn’t seem like such a safe bet after all. Push yourself to take a different perspective. Another important tip is to stay away from cliched phrases or anything that sounds overused and stale. Remember, as long as you can back up what you say and convey your ideas effectively, adopting a unique approach is easy way to make your submission stand out.
3. Be consistent
Consistency is a fundamental tenet of solid writing. Without consistency, your piece will be challenging for the judges to read. In order to ensure your submission demonstrates consistency, consider the following areas: Structure Organize your ideas so that there is a clear flow and structure. This rule applies to any type of piece- from a nonfiction essay to a short story or poem. Structure is king.
Your argument If you’re writing an essay or analysis, assert your standpoint or message from the beginning and ensure it is evident right through to the end. If you are arguing in favor of something, for example, don’t backtrack on your words later on in the piece. This is a common error of inexperienced writers, who have a tendency to flip flop on their views throughout. Be sure to highlight your standpoint with supporting evidence at all times.
Your plot and characters If you’re writing a story, you will need to develop the plot and characters skillfully . It is important that you do not have any plot holes, as this will throw out the whole balance of your story. Your characters should consistently reflect the personality and behavioral characteristics you attached to them in all their actions and dialogue.
Editing Your submission should have a uniform style, from punctuation to stylistic features like the font and headings. See Tip 5 and 6 for more information.
4. Emotionally engage
One of the hard and fast rules about writing well is to write in a way that emotionally engages the reader . Whatever topic you write about, try to hone in on an aspect which has the potential to tap into the reader’s experiences or bring about meaningful reaction in them. A judge is far more likely to remember your piece of writing if it prompted them to feel, think, or even reflect or question their own views. Unless the competition calls for it, try not to make your writing too specific to yourself. Try to write in a way which will allow anyone who reads your submission to find something they can identify with, or at least relate to. For instance, instead of writing about the impact a certain policy has on you, write about how it has affected your town, city, or the country as a whole. Everyone likes being able to see themselves in a piece of writing- make sure your piece speaks to everyone.
5. Edit, edit, edit
Any writer will tell you that writing is only half the battle- editing is where the real beast lies. A simple way to impress the judges of a writing contest is to make sure you have read and reread your article for errors. And no, a quick once-over won’t cut it. You’ll need to be vigilant in your search for typos, punctuation errors, structural weaknesses, cliches, overused words and any other problems. Once you learn how to edit effectively , and become more confident doing it, editing your piece won’t seem nearly as confronting.
Even when it’s not explicitly stated in the competition guidelines that editing will be considered, you can be certain that any judge will look more favorably on a well-edited piece than a poorly edited one. You never know, if your piece is running head-to-head with another contestant’s for the top prize, a “simple” mistake could cost you the whole contest. Ignore proofreading at your own peril.
6. Get a fresh set of eyes
It may be daunting to show your submission to someone you’re close to, but having another set of eyes to look over your writing is invaluable. As any writer who has spent hours mulling over their piece will know, it’s difficult to detect your own errors or weaknesses. When you ask someone to edit your work, it’s best to provide them with the competition guidelines so they know exactly what to be on the lookout for. If there is a particular area you are worried about, such as your punctuation or structure, let them know so they can better advise you. Receiving constructive criticism about your writing, and acting on it, is one of the best ways to improve your writing and have a good chance at winning a competition.
7. Mind your manners
Many contests require you to submit your entry by email, and this is where a lot of contestants fail to make a good impression. A surprising amount of participants simply attach the document without anything written in the body of the message. If a contest is by email submission, you need to follow proper etiquette. The following is a simple guide to writing an email to submit your piece to a writing competition:
- Subject line: First, title your email clearly. Something simple as “[Name of competition] Submission” and your own name is usually fine. Some competitions will request you title your email something specific- so read the guidelines carefully!
- Salutation: Open the body of your email with a salutation such as, “Dear [competition organization/person in charge]”.
- Self intro: Next, provide a very brief self-introduction which states who you are and what you do (e.g. student, freelance writer).
- Reason for emailing: Concisely explain that you are sending the email to enter their competition. Make sure to you specify the competition to which you submitting, as some organizations have a number of competitions running concurrently.
- Final thanks: Thank the organization/person for the opportunity to enter this competition. If you want you can express that you’re looking forward to hearing from them further.
- Sign off: End with a formal sign-off like “Yours sincerely/Kindest regards [your name]”
Here is a sample email:
[Email Subject: The Power of Science Competition Submission] To whom it may concern at Sunflower Writing,
My name is James West, and I am completing my Bachelor of Science at the University of Pennsylvania.
I am writing to submit my entry to your writing competition, “The Power of Science”. My submission answers the question, “Which Scientific Development has had the Greatest Impact on the 21st Century?”
Please find my entry attached to this email. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to enter this competition. Kindest, James West.
Final words
So writers, read over these tips (a few times if you need to!), be confident, and get to it! Writing competitions are a fantastic opportunity to polish your writing skills and get some feedback on your writing. The chance to win some prize money is just the *icing on the cake. *Yep, that’s a cliche there. Good spotting! For those who missed it, it’s back to Tip Number 2 for you!
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Your Ultimate Guide to Writing Contests Through 2024
Regardless where you are on your writing journey, you can benefit from entering contests.
The right contest can tell you:
- Where you stand
- How you measure up against the competition
- What you still need to learn
And you could win cash.
That’s why my team researched a wide range of high-quality contests. We’ve included free competitions and also many with modest entry fees.
- Short Story Writing Contests
- Full Manuscript Writing Contests
- Poetry Writing Contests
Great American Fiction Contest
Prize: 1st: $1,000, publication in The Saturday Evening Post
Runners-up (5): $200
Entry Fee: $10
Deadline: TBD 2024 (Annual Contest)
Sponsor: The Saturday Evening Post
From Website: “Unpublished short stories of 1,500 to 5,000 words in any genre touching on the publication’s mission, “Celebrating America—past, present, and future.” No extreme profanity or graphic sex. Work published on a personal website or blog is still eligible.”
SiWC Writing Contest
Prize: 1st: $1,000 plus publication
Honorable Mention: $150
Entry Fee: $15
Deadline: September 15, 2024
Sponsor: Surrey International Writers’ Conference
From Website: “Short stories in any genre must be 2,500-4,000 words. All submissions must contain original material and may not have been previously published, accepted for publication, or have been a winner in another contest prior to the deadline.”
WOW / Women On Writing Quarterly Flash Fiction Competition
Prize: 1st: $400, $25 Amazon gift certificate
2nd: $300, $25 Amazon gift certificate
3rd: $200, $25 Amazon gift certificate
Runners-up (7): $25 Amazon gift certificate
Honorable mentions (10): $20 Amazon gift certificate
Entry Fee: $10 (or $20 with feedback)
Deadline: Quarterly (next deadline February 2, 2024)
Sponsor: WOW / Women On Writing
From Website: “Runs four times a year and is open to all styles and genres. Closes each quarter after 300 entries have been received, or at the deadline. WOW also runs a quarterly nonfiction essay competition with cash prizes.”
Bristol Short Story Prize
Prize: 1st: £1,000 (~$1,242)
2nd: £500 (~$621)
3rd: £250 (~$310)
Shortlisted (17): £100 (~$124)
Entry Fee: £9 (~$11)
Deadline: TBD 2024
Sponsor: Bristol Short Story Prize
From Website: “Open to all published and unpublished writers 16 and up. No geographical restriction, but all entries must be in English. Maximum length 4,000 words (not including title). No minimum length. Stories can be on any subject.”
Aesthetica Creative Writing Award
Prize: £2,500 (~$3,105)
Winners also receive further non-monetary prizes including publication in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual.
Entry Fee: £18 (~$22) (Poetry Category entry fee is ~$15)
Deadline: August 31, 2024
Sponsor: Aesthetica Magazine
From Website: “Fiction entries should be no more than 2,000 words. Works published or entered elsewhere are accepted. Any theme accepted. You may enter as many times as you wish, however, each work requires a separate fee and submission form.”
The Lascaux Prize
Prize: $1,000
Finalists receive $100
Deadline: June 20, 2024
Sponsor: The Lascaux Review
“Flash Fiction and Creative Nonfiction categories.
Flash fiction entries should not exceed 1,000 words. All genres and styles welcome.
From Website: “Creative nonfiction entry length must not exceed 10,000 words. All topics welcome but should be written in a nonacademic style. May include memoirs, chronicles, personal essays, humorous perspectives, literary journalism—anything the author has witnessed, experienced, learned, or discovered.”
The Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize
Prize: First place: £3,000 cash grant (~$3,726)
Second place: £1,000 travel expense (~$1,242)
Third place: £1,000 travel expense (~$1,242)
Entry Fee: Free
Deadline: March 1, 2024
Sponsor: The Alpine Fellowship
From Website: “Entries must fit the annual theme. Maximum of 2,500 words. All genres of writing are permitted, including fiction, non-fiction, and non-academic essays. Open to all nationalities but must be written in English. Stories must not have been published, self-published or accepted for publication in print or online. No entries that have won or been placed in another competition at any time.”
ServiceScape Short Story Award
Deadline: November 29, 2024
Sponsor: ServiceScape
From Website: “All entries must be original, unpublished works of short fiction or nonfiction, up to 5,000 words in length. Any genre or theme accepted.”
Bacopa Literary Review Contest
Prize: $200 Award
$100 Honorable Mention in each of six categories
Sponsor: The Writers Alliance of Gainesville
From Website: “Awards in 6 categories (contestants may submit to only ONE category). Fiction (up to 2,500 words), Creative Nonfiction (up to 2,500 words), Humor (up to 2,000 words), Formal Poetry (1-3 poems), Free Verse Poetry (1-2 poems), Visual Poetry (1 poem).”
Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award
Prize: $.08 per word and publication
Deadline: February 1, 2024
Sponsor: National Space Society and Baen Books
From Website: “Write a short story of no more than 8,000 words, that shows the near future (no more than about 50-60 years out) of manned space exploration. What they want to see: Moon bases, Mars colonies, orbital habitats, space elevators, asteroid mining, artificial intelligence, nano-technology, realistic spacecraft, heroics, sacrifice, and adventure.”
Parsec Short Story Contest
Prize: First place: $200 and publication in the Confluence program book.
Second place: $100
Third place: $50
Best Youth Story: $50
Deadline: March 31st, 2024
Sponsor: Parsec, Inc.
From Website: “Each annual contest is based on a theme provided. This can be conveyed in the setting, plot, characters, and dialogue; the only limit is your imagination. The theme must be integral to the story in some way and not just mentioned in passing. No minimum word count, no more than 3500 words. The 2024 Contest theme is ‘AI mythology.’”
The Raymond Carver Short Story Contest
Prize: First place: $2000
Second place: $500
Third place: $250
Two Editor’s Choice: $125
Entry Fee: $18
Deadline: May 15, 2024
Sponsor: Carve Magazine
From Website: “One short story per entry. No limit to entries. Must be previously unpublished (including online) with a 10,000 maximum word count. We accept entries from anywhere in the world, but the story must be English-language. No genre fiction (romance, horror, sci-fi); literary fiction only.”
Blurred Genres Flash Contest
Prize: First Place: $750
Second Place: $350
Third Place: $150
Publication of Top Five
Sponsor: Invisible City (University of San Francisco)
From Website: “Based on a theme (for example last year’s theme was “Levity”) that can be interpreted through prose, poetry, or some combination of the two. All genres and themes are welcome. Contest submissions must be 750 words or less and can be flash fiction/nonfiction, prose poetry, or some unique combination of the three. Submissions must be the original work of the submitter and unpublished (and not slated for future publication).”
Imagine 2200: Write the future
Prize: First Place: $3,000
Second Place: $2,000
Third Place: $1,000
An additional nine finalists will each receive $300
All winners and finalists will have their stories published in an immersive collection on Grist’s website
Sponsor: Grist
From Website: “Imagine 2200 is an invitation to writers from all over the globe to imagine a future in which solutions to the climate crisis flourish and help bring about radical improvements to our world. 3,000 to 5,000 word stories envisioning a world where we prioritize our well-being, work to mend our communities, and lead lives that celebrate our humanity.”
The Elegant Literature Award For New Writers
Prize: First place: $3,000 and 10c/word and publication. Free enrollment in the New Novelist Accelerator.
Second – Tenth: 10c/word and publication.
Eleventh – Thirty-fifth: $20 and an honorable mention in the magazine
Entry Fee: Requires Elegant+ Membership ($9.99 a month)
Deadline: Ongoing (monthly)
Sponsor: Elegant Literature Magazine
From Website: “Write a story involving annual theme. New or unpublished authors may enter. Word count is 500-2000. All genres are welcome as long as it involves the theme.”
F(r)iction Contests
Prize: $300.00 and consideration for publication in F(r)iction
Entry Fee: $10 for a single entry, $12 for three entries
Deadline: April 30, 2024
Sponsor: F(r)iction
From Website: “Competitions in several categories, short stories (1,001 – 7,500 words), flash fiction (up to 1,000 words), and Poetry (up to three pages per poem). Entries are accepted regardless of genre, style, or origin. Experimental, nontraditional, and boundary-pushing literature is strongly encouraged. Their guidelines include the phrase ‘Strange is good.’”
Manchester Fiction Prize
Prize: £10,000 (~$12,420)
Entry Fee: £18 (~$22)
100 reduced-price (£10 or ~$13) entries are available to entrants who might not otherwise be able to take part in the competition.
Sponsor: Manchester Metropolitan University
From Website: “The Manchester Fiction Prize asks for a short story of up to 2,500 words in length. Stories submitted should be new work, not previously published elsewhere. The Prize is open internationally to those aged 16 or over.”
Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition
Prize: Grand Prize $5000, an interview with them in Writer’s Digest (Nov/Dec 2023 issue) and on WritersDigest.com, a paid trip to the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference, including a special trophy presentation at the keynote, a coveted Pitch Slam slot at the Writer’s Digest Conference where the winner will receive one on one attention from editors or agents, and publication of their winning piece on WritersDigest.com
First Place: $1,000 and publication of their winning piece on WritersDigest.com
Second Place: $500
Third Place: $250
Fourth Place: $100
Fifth Place: $50
Sixth through Tenth Place: $25 gift certificate for writersdigestshop.com.
Entry Fee: $20-30 (varies depending on category)
Deadline: May 6, 2024
Sponsor: Writer’s Digest
From Website: “Only original works that have not been published (at the time of submission) in print, digital, or online publications will be considered. Self-published work in blogs, on social media, etc. will be considered. For the script category, only unproduced scripts will be considered. Entries in the Nonfiction Essay or Article category may be previously published. All entries must be in English. Memoirs/Personal Essay, Nonfiction Essay or Article, and Children’s/Young Adult Fiction: 2,000 words maximum. Mainstream/Literary Short Story, Genre Short, Story, and Humor: 4,000 words maximum. Inspirational Writing: 2,500 words maximum. Rhyming Poem and Non-rhyming Poem: 40 lines maximum.”
Emerging Writer’s Contest
Prize: Publication, $2,000, review from Aevitas Creative Management, and a 1-year subscription for one winner in each of the three genres
Entry Fee: Free for subscribers to Ploughshares, $24 for nonsubscribers
Sponsor: Ploughshares (Emerson College)
From Website: “The contest is open to writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry who have yet to publish or self-publish a book. Fiction and Nonfiction: Under 6,000 words. Poetry: 3-5 pages.”
Wells Festival of Literature Short Story Competition
Prize: First Place £750 (~$932)
Second Place £300 (~$373)
Third Place: £200 (~$248)
Entry Fee: £6 (~$8)
Sponsor: Wells Festival of Literature
From Website: “Stories may be on any subject and should be between 1,000 and 2,000 words. All entries must be the exclusive and original work of the entrant. At the time of entry, the work submitted must not have been entered into any other Competition and must not have been published in any format or location.”
Anthology Short Story Competition
Prize: First Place: €1,000 (~$1098), the chance to see their work published in a future issue of Anthology, and a one-year subscription to Anthology
Second Place: €250 (~$275)
Third Place: €150 (~$165)
Entry Fee: Early Bird: €12 (~$13)
Standard fee: €18 (~$20)
Deadline: July 31, 2024
Sponsor: Anthology Publishing
From Website: “Established to recognize and encourage creative writing and provide a platform for publication, the Anthology Short Story Competition is open to original and previously unpublished short stories in the English language by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. There is no restriction on theme or style. Stories submitted must not exceed the maximum of 1,500 words.”
The Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize
Prize: £1,000 (~$1,246) and publication in Wasafiri’s print magazine
Entry Fee: £10 (~$12) for a single entry, £16 (~$20) for a double entry
Sponsor: Wasafiri Magazine
From Website: “Exceptionally international in scope, the prize supports writers who have not yet published a book-length work, with no limits on age, gender, nationality, or background. No entry may exceed 3,000 words. A single poetry entry can include up to three poems, which together total no more than 3,000 words.”
2024 Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize
Prize: $1000 and a free 10-week course with Gotham Writers
Entry Fee: $25
Sponsor: Gotham Writers and Selected Shorts
From Website: “This long-running series at Symphony Space in New York City celebrates the art of the short story by having stars of stage and screen read aloud the works of established and emerging writers. Selected Shorts is recorded for Public Radio and heard nationally on both the radio and its weekly podcast.”
Robert and Adele Schiff Awards
Prize: $1,000 All entries will be considered for publication in The Cincinnati Review
Entry Fee: $20
Sponsor: The Cincinnati Review (University of Cincinnati)
From Website: “Writers may submit up to 8 pages of poetry, 40 pages of a single double-spaced piece of fiction, or 20 pages of a single double-spaced piece of literary nonfiction, per entry. Previously published manuscripts, including works that have appeared online (in any form), will not be considered. There are no restrictions as to form, style, or content; all entries will be considered for publication. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable under the condition that you notify us if your manuscript is accepted elsewhere.”
Salamander 2024 Fiction Prize
Prize: First Place: $1,000 and Publication
Second Place: $500 and Publication
Deadline: TBD 2024
Sponsor: Salamander Magazine
From Website: “All entries will be considered for publication and will be judged anonymously. Each story must not exceed 30 double-spaced pages in 12-point font. Previously published works and works accepted for publication elsewhere cannot be considered. Salamander’s definition of publishing includes electronic publication.”
BOA Short Fiction Prize
Prize: $1,000 and publication by BOA Editions, Ltd.
Deadline: May 31, 2024
Sponsor: BOA Editions, Ltd.
From Website: “Entrants must be U.S. citizens, legal residents of the U.S., or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or Legal Permanent Status (LPS). Entrants must be at least 18 years of age. Minimum of 90 pages; maximum of 200 pages. Manuscript text should be at least 12 pt. font, double-spaced. As with all BOA fiction titles, our prize-winning short story collections are more concerned with the artfulness of writing than the twists and turns of plot. It is our belief that short story writing is a valuable and underserved literary form that we are proud to support, nurture, and celebrate.”
Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest
Prize: First Place: $3,000
Entry Fee: $22
Deadline: May 1, 2024
Sponsor: Winning Writers (Co-sponsored by Duotrope)
From Website: “For this contest, a story is any short work of fiction, and an essay is any short work of nonfiction. All themes accepted. Entries may be published or unpublished. Length limit: 6,000 words maximum. No restriction on the age of the author.”
Gabriele Rico Challenge for Nonfiction
Prize: $1,333
Deadline: November 1, 2024
Sponsor: Reed Magazine
From Website: “C reative nonfiction, such as personal essays or narratives, not scholarly papers or book reviews. All works should be stand-alone essays, not chapters of a longer work. Previously published work is not eligible. Up to 5,000 words.”
53-Word Story Contest
Prize: Publication in Prime Number Magazine and a free book from Press 53.
Deadline: Ongoing. 15th of each month
Sponsor: Prime Number Magazine
From Website: “New prompt each month. Judges are looking for stories with a surprising approach to the prompt, something unusual and creative. Stories must be 53 words—no more, no less. Stories with fewer than or more than 53 words will be disqualified. Send only stories; poetry with line breaks will not be considered.”
Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction
Prizes: Three Winners are announced who are published and share in the $1000 USD total prize pool. Twenty writers are Longlisted. All entries considered for publication, and for submission to the Pushcart Prize and other anthologies.
Deadline: Awarded every two months
Sponsor: Letter Review
From Website: “Word Length: 0 – 5000 words. Open to anyone in the world. There are no genre or theme restrictions.”
Letter Review Prize for Nonfiction
Entry Fee: $20.
From Website: “0 – 5000 words. Open to anyone in the world. We welcome all forms of nonfiction including: Memoir, journalism, essay (including personal essay), fictocriticism, creative nonfiction, travel, nature, opinion, and many other permutations.”
University of New Orleans Press Lab Prize
Prize: $10,000 advance on royalties and a contract to publish with the University of New Orleans Press
Entry Fee: $28
Sponsor: University of New Orleans
From Website: “Entries must be unpublished novels or short story collections. The work does not have to be regionally focused. There is no word limit. There is no restriction on subjects covered. The contest is open to all authors from around the world, regardless of publishing history. Works of fiction (novels and short story collections) only. Submissions must be your entire manuscript.”
The Bath Novel Awards
Prize: Two £3,000 (~$3738) prizes are awarded annually for the best manuscript as judged by literary agents
All shortlistees win feedback on their full manuscript.
Entry Fee: £29 (~$36)
Deadline: May 31st 2024
Sponsor: The Bath Novel Award (co-sponsored by Cornerstones Literary Consultancy and Professional Writing Academy)
From Website: “Submit the opening 5,000 words plus one-page synopsis of novel manuscripts for adults or young adults. Completed works must be over 50,000 words. Novels can be for adult or young adult readers and any genre. Must be your original work and submitted in English. Novels can be unpublished, self-published, or independently published.”
The Times/Chicken House Competition
Prize: First Place: worldwide publishing contract with Chicken House with a royalty advance of £10,000 (~$12,459), plus an offer of representation by this year’s agent judge, Davinia Andrew-Lynch of Curtis Brown.
Second Place: Lime Pictures New Storyteller Award. A publishing contract with a royalty advance of £7,500 (~$9,344) plus an offer of representation by Davinia Andrew-Lynch.
Entry Fee: £20 (~$25)
Deadline: June 1, 2024
Sponsor: The Times and Chicken House
From Website: “To enter, you must have written a completed full-length novel suitable for children/young adults aged somewhere between 7 and 18 years. A minimum of 30,000 words and a maximum of 80,000 words suggested.”
The Dzanc Books Prize for Fiction
Prize: $5,000 advance and publication by Dzanc Books
Deadline: September 30, 2024
Sponsor: Dzanc Books
From Website: “The Dzanc Books Prize for Fiction recognizes daring, original, and innovative novels (generally over 40,000 words, but there is no hard minimum). The contest is open to new, upcoming, and established writers alike. Agented submissions are also eligible, and we ask that you include all agency contact information with the application. All submitted works must be previously unpublished novel-length manuscripts and should include a brief synopsis, author bio, and contact information.”
Claymore Award
Prize: Discounted admission to Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference, with introductions to agents/editors (And probably publishing contract)
Entry Fee: $45 (Full critique included for $125)
Deadline: April 1, 2024
Sponsor: Killer Nashville
From Website: “The contest is limited to only the first 50 double-spaced pages of unpublished English-language manuscripts containing elements of thriller, mystery, crime, or suspense NOT currently under contract. These can include Action Adventure, Comedy, Cozy, Historical, Investigator, Juvenile/YA, Literary, Mainstream/Commercial, Mystery, Nonfiction, Sci-fi/Fantasy, Short Story Collections, Southern Gothic, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, and Western manuscripts, and any of their derivatives. (Self-published manuscripts are considered already published and are not eligible.)”
St. Martin’s Minotaur / Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition
Prize: Publication and a $10,000 advance
Sponsor: Minotaur Books and Mystery Writers of America
From Website: “Open to any writer, regardless of nationality, aged 18 or older, who has never been the author of any published novel and is not under contract with a publisher for publication of a novel. All Manuscripts submitted must be original works of book length (no less than 220 typewritten pages or approximately 60,000 words), written in the English language, written solely by the entrant, and must not violate any right of any third party or be libelous. Murder or another serious crime is at the heart of the story.”
The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing
Prize: $10,000 advance and publication
Sponsor: Restless Books
From Website: “Created in 2015 to honor outstanding debut literary works by first-generation immigrants, awarded for fiction and nonfiction in alternating years. Fiction manuscripts must be complete. Nonfiction submissions must consist of either a complete manuscript or a sample of at least 25,000 words and a detailed proposal that includes a synopsis and an annotated table of contents. All submissions must be in English (translations welcome). Fiction candidates must not have previously published a book of fiction in English. Nonfiction candidates must not have previously published a book of nonfiction in English.”
New American Fiction Prize
Prize: $1,500 and a book contract, as well as 25 author’s copies and promotional support
Deadline: January 15, 2024
Sponsor: New American Press
From Website: “Manuscripts should be at least 100 pages, but there is no maximum length. All forms and styles of full-length fiction manuscripts are welcome, including story collections, novels, novellas, collections of novellas, flash fiction collections, novels in verse, and other hybrid forms.”
Your Next Best Read
Prize: First Place (Fiction & Nonfiction): $100 Cash Price, 6-month Advertising Package, Press Release, Editorial Review, Newsletter Announcement, Promotional Creatives
Second Place Awards (Fiction & Nonfiction): 6-month Advertising Package, Editorial Review, Newsletter Announcement
Third Place (Fiction & Nonfiction): 3-month Advertising Package, Editorial Review, Newsletter Announcement
Deadline: May 5, 2024
Sponsor: Excalibre Publishing
From Website: “ The contest is open to writers of all backgrounds, ages, and nationalities. Both published and unpublished works are welcome. We encourage submissions in various/ALL genres – fiction, non-fiction, poetry (submit in nonfiction), and short stories. No specific wordcount requiered. Submissions must be in English.”
Letter Review Prize for Manuscripts
Prizes: Three Winners are announced who have a brief extract published, receive a letter of recommendation from our Judges for publishers, and share in the $1000 USD total prize pool. Twenty writers are Longlisted.
Entry Fee: $25.
Deadline: Awarded Every two months
From Website: “Please submit the first 5000 words of your manuscript, whether it be prose or poetry. Open to anyone in the world. The entry must not have been traditionally published. We are seeking all varieties of novels, short story collections, nonfiction, and poetry collections. We will accept manuscripts which are unpublished, self published, and some which are indie published. Review full entry guidelines for further details.”
2nd place in fiction & non-fiction $750 cash prize and trophy
3rd place in fiction & non-fiction $500 cash prize and trophy
Winner of each of the 80+ categories $100 cash prize and gold medal
Stan and Tom Wick Poetry Prize
Prize: $2,500 plus publication
Entry Fee: $30
Sponsor: Kent State University Press
From Website: “Offered annually to a poet who has not previously published a full-length collection of poems. The winner and the competition’s judge will give a reading together on the Kent State campus. The competition is open to poets writing in English who have not yet published a full-length collection of poems (a volume of 50 or more pages published in an edition of 500 or more copies).”
Blue Lynx Prize for Poetry
Prize: $2,000 plus publication
Sponsor: Lynx House Press
From Website: “Awarded for an unpublished, full-length volume of poems by a U.S. author, which includes foreign nationals living and writing in the U.S. and U.S. citizens living abroad. Manuscripts may include poems that have appeared in journals, magazines, or chapbooks. Poems that have previously appeared in full-length, single-author collections, are not eligible.”
Ó Bhéal Five Words International Poetry Competition
Prize: First Place: €750 ($890)
Second Place: €500 ($590)
Third Place: €250 ($295)
Entry Fee: €5 ($6)
Deadline: Every Tuesday at 12pm (Irish time) from April 11, 2023 – January 30, 2024
Sponsor: Ó Bhéal
From Website: “Five words will be posted on this competition page. Entrants will have one week to compose and submit one or more poems which include all five words given for that week. Entry is open to all countries. Poems cannot exceed 50 lines in length (including line breaks), and must include all five words listed for the week.”
Letter Review Prize for Poetry
Prizes: Three Winners are announced who are published and share in the $800 USD total prize pool. Twenty writers are Longlisted. All entries considered for publication, and for submission to the Pushcart Prize and other anthologies.
Entry Fee: $15.
From Website: “70 lines max per poem Open to anyone in the world. There are no style or subject restrictions.”
- Advice for Researching Writing Competitions
This list includes only a few of the many writing contests you can find online.
Here are some tips for looking into options on your own:
1. Narrow your search with details that are relevant to you, for example, “writing contests in Texas,” “writing contests for women authors,” or “writing contests for veterans.”
2. Be genre-specific.
3. Include the year in your search to ensure the most up-to-date results.
4. Carefully read the guidelines and eligibility requirements.
5. Pay attention to the contest sponsor. Only submit to reputable hosts.
Worried your writing isn’t quite ready to compete? Take my free writing assessment and see personalized guidance on how to improve your skills. https://jerryjenkins.com/quiz/
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The Best Student Writing Contests for 2023-2024
Help your students take their writing to the next level.
When students write for teachers, it can feel like an assignment. When they write for a real purpose, they are empowered! Student writing contests are a challenging and inspiring way to try writing for an authentic audience— a real panel of judges —and the possibility of prize money or other incentives. We’ve gathered a list of the best student writing contests, and there’s something for everyone. Prepare highly motivated kids in need of an authentic writing mentor, and watch the words flow.
1. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
With a wide range of categories—from critical essays to science fiction and fantasy—The Scholastic Awards are a mainstay of student contests. Each category has its own rules and word counts, so be sure to check out the options before you decide which one is best for your students.
How To Enter
Students in grades 7-12, ages 13 and up, may begin submitting work in September by uploading to an online account at Scholastic and connecting to their local region. There are entry fees, but those can be waived for students in need.
2. YoungArts National Arts Competition
This ends soon, but if you have students who are ready to submit, it’s worth it. YoungArts offers a national competition in the categories of creative nonfiction, novel, play or script, poetry, short story, and spoken word. Student winners may receive awards of up to $10,000 as well as the chance to participate in artistic development with leaders in their fields.
YoungArts accepts submissions in each category through October 13. Students submit their work online and pay a $35 fee (there is a fee waiver option).
3. National Youth Foundation Programs
Each year, awards are given for Student Book Scholars, Amazing Women, and the “I Matter” Poetry & Art competition. This is a great chance for kids to express themselves with joy and strength.
The rules, prizes, and deadlines vary, so check out the website for more info.
4. American Foreign Service National High School Essay Contest
If you’re looking to help students take a deep dive into international relations, history, and writing, look no further than this essay contest. Winners receive a voyage with the Semester at Sea program and a trip to Washington, DC.
Students fill out a registration form online, and a teacher or sponsor is required. The deadline to enter is the first week of April.
5. John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
This annual contest invites students to write about a political official’s act of political courage that occurred after Kennedy’s birth in 1917. The winner receives $10,000, and 16 runners-up also receive a variety of cash prizes. ADVERTISEMENT
Students may submit a 700- to 1,000-word essay through January 12. The essay must feature more than five sources and a full bibliography.
6. Bennington Young Writers Awards
Bennington College offers competitions in three categories: poetry (a group of three poems), fiction (a short story or one-act play), and nonfiction (a personal or academic essay). First-place winners receive $500. Grab a poster for your classroom here .
The contest runs from September 1 to November 1. The website links to a student registration form.
7. The Princeton Ten-Minute Play Contest
Looking for student writing contests for budding playwrights? This exclusive competition, which is open only to high school juniors, is judged by the theater faculty of Princeton University. Students submit short plays in an effort to win recognition and cash prizes of up to $500. ( Note: Only open to 11th graders. )
Students submit one 10-page play script online or by mail. The deadline is the end of March. Contest details will be published in early 2024.
8. Princeton University Poetry Contest for High School Students
The Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize recognizes outstanding work by student writers in 11th grade. Prizes range from $100 to $500.
Students in 11th grade can submit their poetry. Contest details will be published this fall.
9. The New York Times Tiny Memoir Contest
This contest is also a wonderful writing challenge, and the New York Times includes lots of resources and models for students to be able to do their best work. They’ve even made a classroom poster !
Submissions need to be made electronically by November 1.
10. Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest
The deadline for this contest is the end of October. Sponsored by Hollins University, the Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest awards prizes for the best poems submitted by young women who are sophomores or juniors in high school or preparatory school. Prizes include cash and scholarships. Winners are chosen by students and faculty members in the creative writing program at Hollins.
Students may submit either one or two poems using the online form.
11. The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers
The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers is open to high school sophomores and juniors, and the winner receives a full scholarship to a Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop .
Submissions for the prize are accepted electronically from November 1 through November 30.
12. Jane Austen Society Essay Contest
High school students can win up to $1,000 and publication by entering an essay on a topic specified by the Jane Austen Society related to a Jane Austen novel.
Details for the 2024 contest will be announced in November. Essay length is from six to eight pages, not including works cited.
13. Rattle Young Poets Anthology
Open to students from 15 to 18 years old who are interested in publication and exposure over monetary awards.
Teachers may choose five students for whom to submit up to four poems each on their behalf. The deadline is November 15.
14. The Black River Chapbook Competition
This is a chance for new and emerging writers to gain publication in their own professionally published chapbook, as well as $500 and free copies of the book.
There is an $18 entry fee, and submissions are made online.
15. YouthPlays New Voices
For students under 18, the YouthPlays one-act competition is designed for young writers to create new works for the stage. Winners receive cash awards and publication.
Scroll all the way down their web page for information on the contest, which accepts non-musical plays between 10 and 40 minutes long, submitted electronically. Entries open each year in January.
16. The Ocean Awareness Contest
The 2024 Ocean Awareness Contest, Tell Your Climate Story , encourages students to write their own unique climate story. They are asking for creative expressions of students’ personal experiences, insights, or perceptions about climate change. Students are eligible for a wide range of monetary prizes up to $1,000.
Students from 11 to 18 years old may submit work in the categories of art, creative writing, poetry and spoken word, film, interactive media and multimedia, or music and dance, accompanied by a reflection. The deadline is June 13.
17. EngineerGirl Annual Essay Contest
Each year, EngineerGirl sponsors an essay contest with topics centered on the impact of engineering on the world, and students can win up to $500 in prize money. This contest is a nice bridge between ELA and STEM and great for teachers interested in incorporating an interdisciplinary project into their curriculum. The new contest asks for pieces describing the life cycle of an everyday object. Check out these tips for integrating the content into your classroom .
Students submit their work electronically by February 1. Check out the full list of rules and requirements here .
18. NCTE Student Writing Awards
The National Council of Teachers of English offers several student writing awards, including Achievement Awards in Writing (for 10th- and 11th-grade students), Promising Young Writers (for 8th-grade students), and an award to recognize Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines.
Deadlines range from October 28 to February 15. Check out NCTE.org for more details.
19. See Us, Support Us Art Contest
Children of incarcerated parents can submit artwork, poetry, photos, videos, and more. Submissions are free and the website has a great collection of past winners.
Students can submit their entries via social media or email by October 25.
20. The Adroit Prizes for Poetry & Prose
The Adroit Journal, an education-minded nonprofit publication, awards annual prizes for poetry and prose to exceptional high school and college students. Adroit charges an entry fee but also provides a form for financial assistance.
Sign up at the website for updates for the next round of submissions.
21. National PTA Reflections Awards
The National PTA offers a variety of awards, including one for literature, in their annual Reflections Contest. Students of all ages can submit entries on the specified topic to their local PTA Reflections program. From there, winners move to the local area, state, and national levels. National-level awards include an $800 prize and a trip to the National PTA Convention.
This program requires submitting to PTAs who participate in the program. Check your school’s PTA for their deadlines.
22. World Historian Student Essay Competition
The World Historian Student Essay Competition is an international contest open to students enrolled in grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools, as well as those in home-study programs. The $500 prize is based on an essay that addresses one of this year’s two prompts.
Students can submit entries via email or regular mail before May 1.
23. NSHSS Creative Writing Scholarship
The National Society of High School Scholars awards three $2,000 scholarships for both poetry and fiction. They accept poetry, short stories, and graphic novel writing.
Apply online by October 31.
Whether you let your students blog, start a podcast or video channel, or enter student writing contests, giving them an authentic audience for their work is always a powerful classroom choice.
If you like this list of student writing contests and want more articles like it, subscribe to our newsletters to find out when they’re posted!
Plus, check out our favorite anchor charts for teaching writing..
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25 Best Writing Competitions for High School Students – 2024
April 12, 2024
Over the past several years, the number of college applicants has been steadily rising. [i] As college admissions become more competitive, there are many steps a student can take to achieve high school success and become an outstanding candidate for college admissions: earning high SAT scores, securing strong letters of recommendation , and participating in various competitions will all boost your admissions prospects. [ii] In particular, writing competitions for high school students are a popular way to win scholarships and prize money, receive feedback on writing, build a portfolio of public work, and add to college application credentials!
Below, we’ve selected twenty-five writing competitions for high school students and sorted them by three general topics: 1) language, literature and arts, 2) STEM, environment and sustainability, and 3) politics, history and philosophy. It’s never too soon to begin thinking about your future college prospects, and even if you are a freshman, many of these writing competitions for high schoolers will be open to you! [iii]
Writing Competitions for High School Students in Language, Literature, and Arts
1) adroit prizes for poetry and prose.
This prestigious creative writing award offers high school students the opportunity to showcase their work in Adroit Journal . Judges are acclaimed writers in their respective genres.
- Eligibility: All high school students (including international students) are eligible to apply. Poetry contestants may submit up to five poems. Prose contestants may submit up to three pieces of fiction or nonfiction writing (for a combined total of 3,500 words – excerpts accepted).
- Prize: Winners will receive $200 and their writing will be published in Adroit Journal . All submitted entries will be considered for publication!
- Deadline: May 1st (specific deadline may vary by year).
2) Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
This unique essay competition allows writers the chance to explore and respond to Ayn Rand’s fascinating and polemic 1957 novel Atlas Shrugged . Specific essay topics are posted every three months; prizes are granted seasonally with a grand prize winner announced every year.
- Prize: Annual grand prize is $25,000.
- Deadline: Deadlines occur every season, for each seasonal prompt.
- Eligibility: Essays must be written in English and be 800-1,600 words in length.
Writing Competitions for High School Students (Continued)
3) the bennington young writers awards.
Through Bennington College, this high school writing competition offers three prizes in three different genre categories: poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Winners and finalists who decide to attend Bennington College will ultimately receive a substantial scholarship prize.
- Eligibility: U.S. and international students in grades 9 through 12 may apply.
- Prize: First place winners receive $1,000; second place wins $500; third place winners receive $250. YWA winners who apply, are admitted, and enroll at Bennington receive a $15,000 scholarship per year (for a total of $60,000). YWA finalists who apply, are admitted, and enroll at Bennington will receive a $10,000 scholarship per year (for a total of $40,000).
- Deadline: The competition runs annually from September 1st to November 1st.
4) Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) Student Essay Contest
Do you love Jane Austen? If so, this is the high school writing competition for you! With the JASNA Student Essay Contest, high school students have the opportunity to write a six to eight-page essay about Jane Austen’s works, focused on a specific, designated topic for the competition year.
- Eligibility: Any high school student (homeschooled students also eligible) enrolled during the contest year may submit an essay.
- Prize: First place winner receives a $1,000 scholarship and two nights’ lodging for the upcoming annual JASNA meeting. Second place wins a $500 scholarship and third place wins a $250 scholarship. All winners will additionally receive a year membership in JASNA, the online publication of their article, and a set of Norton Critical Editions of Jane Austen’s novels.
- Deadline: Submission accepted from February-June 1st (specific dates may vary by year).
5) The Kennedy Center VSA Playwright Discovery Program
Young aspiring writers with disabilities are encouraged to apply to this unique program. Students are asked to submit a ten-minute play script that explores any topic, including the student’s own disability experience.
- Eligibility: U.S. and international high school students with disabilities ages 14-19 may apply.
- Prize: Multiple winners will receive exclusive access to professional development and networking opportunities at The Kennedy Center.
- Deadline: January (specific deadline date may vary by year).
6) Leonard M. Milburg ’53 High School Poetry Prize
Through Princeton’s Lewis Center for the Arts, this prestigious writing competition for high school students recognizes outstanding poetry writing and is judged by creative writing faculty at Princeton University.
- Eligibility: U.S. or international students in the eleventh grade may apply. Applicants may submit up to three poems.
- Prize: First place wins $1,500; second place wins $750; third place wins $500.
- Deadline: November (specific deadline date may vary by year).
7) Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest
Nancy Thorp was a student at Hollins University who showed great promise as a poet. After her death, her family established this scholarship to support budding young poets.
- Eligibility: Female high school sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
- Prize: First place wins $350 and publication in Cargoes literary magazine, along with a $5,000 renewable scholarship (up to $20,000 over four years) if the student enrolls in Hollins University, and free tuition and housing for Hollins University’s summer creative writing program (grades 9-12). Second place wins publication in Cargoes, along with a $1,000 renewable scholarship ($4,000 over four years) if the student enrolls at Hollins and $500 to apply toward Hollins’ summer creative writing program.
- Deadline: October (specific deadline date may vary by year).
8) National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Awards in Writing
Students may be nominated by their English teachers to win this prestigious writing award. Winners “exhibit the power to inform and move an audience through language” and prompts and genres may vary by competition year.
- Prize: A certificate will be awarded to students who are judged to have exceptional writing skills. Student names will be displayed on the NCTE website.
- Eligibility: U.S. high school sophomores and juniors are eligible for nomination.
- Deadline: February (specific dates may vary by year). Contest prompts released in August.
9) National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
At Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, numerous opportunities for scholarships and awards await those who submit writing in various genres: literary criticism, drama, poetry, and fiction. In all, there are 28 generic categories of art and writing to choose from!
- Eligibility: Teens in grades 7-12 (ages 13 and up) may apply.
- Prize: Various types of recognition and scholarships (up to $12,500) are offered for these award winners.
- Deadline: Scholastic Awards opens for entries in September; deadlines range from December to January.
10) National Society of High School Scholars Creative Writing Scholarship
In this creative writing competition for high schoolers, students have the opportunity to submit a piece poetry or fiction (or both – one in each category!) for the opportunity to be published on the NSHSS website and win a monetary prize.
- Eligibility: Rising high school students graduating in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027 may apply.
- Prize: There will be three $2,000 awards for the fiction category and three $2,000 awards for the poetry category.
- Deadline: Submissions Accepted from May to October (specific dates may vary by year).
11) National Writing Award: The Humanities and a Freer Tomorrow
This writing competition allows high school students the chance to be nominated by a teacher for a piece of writing in response to Ruth J. Simmons’ “Facing History to Find a Better Future.” Specific prompt topics may vary by year.
- Eligibility: Nominating teachers can submit work from 11th and 12th graders in one category (fiction, poetry, prose, or essay).
- Prize: One top prize of $1,000. Four additional prizes of $500 each. Winners will have the opportunity to have their work published by NCTE.
- Deadline: Applications are open September to October (specific dates may vary by year).
12) New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award
Although this prestigious award isn’t exclusively for high schoolers (anyone younger than 35 may submit a work of fiction), if you’ve written a collection of short stories or even a novel, you should certainly consider applying!
- Eligibility: Any writer below the age of 35 may submit a novel or collection of short stories to participate in this competition.
- Prize: $10,000 award.
- Deadline: September (specific date may vary by year).
13) Princeton University Ten-Minute Play Contest
This writing competition for high school students awards three annual top prizes for the best ten-minute play. Play submissions are judged each year by an acclaimed guest playwright.
- Eligibility: U.S. or international students in the eleventh grade may apply. Students may submit one play entry; entries must be ten pages or less. Plays must be written in English.
- Prize: First place prize is $500; second place is $250; third place is $100.
- Deadline: Varies by year. However, students are recommended to submit before the deadline date – the submission portal will close when a maximum of 250 applicants have applied.
14) YouthPLAYS New Voices One-Act Competition for Young Playwrights
In this exciting writing competition, students have the chance to submit an original play script for a play of around 10-40 minutes in length. An excellent competition choice for any student considering a future in the theatre!
- Eligibility: Prospective authors ages 19 and under may submit a script for consideration in the competition. See specific writing guidelines here .
- Prize: First prize wins $250 and publication with YouthPLAYS; second prize wins $100.
- Deadline: Submissions run from January 1st to May 1st.
STEM, Environment, and Sustainability High School Writing Competitions
15) engineergirl essay contest.
This wonderful essay contest invites students to explore topics related to engineering and science. Each year a new, specific prompt will be chosen for young writers who wish to compete.
- Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply. Previous winners and close family members of employees of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine are not eligible.
- Prize: First place winners receive $1,000; second place receives $750; third place receives $500.
- Deadline: Competition opens in September and submissions are due February 1st of the following year. Winners are announced in the summer.
16) Ocean Awareness Contest
The Ocean Awareness Contest is an opportunity for students to create written and artistic projects that explore sustainability, environmentalism, and positive change. High school freshmen (up to age 14) may apply to the Junior Division. Students ages 15-18 may enter the Senior Division.
- Eligibility: Students ages 11-18 may apply (international students included).
- Prize: Monetary prizes ranging from $100-$1000 will be awarded each year. Additionally, $500 will be awarded to ten students who identify as Black, Indigenous, or Latino via the We All Rise Prize program.
- Deadline: June 10, 2024 (specific deadline may vary by year).
17) Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of Wonder / Sense of Wild Contest
If you are interested in issues of sustainability, environment, biology and the natural world, this is one of the high school writing competitions that is just for you! Essay prompts explore the natural world and our place within it and may include poetry, essays, and photography.
- Eligibility: Students must pair with an adult from a different generation (e.g. parent, grandparent or teacher – contestants need not be related). Entries must be submitted as a team.
- Prize: Winners will receive a certificate from RCLA; their first names, ages, and entry titles will be posted on the RCLA website.
- Deadline: November 16th, 2024 (specific deadline may vary by year).
18) River of Words Competition
This writing competition for high school students is another top choice for those thinking of pursuing majors or careers in biology, environment, and sustainability; this specific contest hopes to promote positive education in sustainability by “promoting environmental literacy through the arts and cultural exchange.”
- Eligibility: Any U.S. or international student from kindergarten through 12th grade may apply.
- Prize: Winners will be published in the River of Words
- Deadline: January (specific deadline may vary by year).
Writing Competitions for High School Students in Politics, History and Philosophy
19) american foreign service association essay contest.
With this writing competition for high school students, entrants may submit essays ranging from 1,000-1,500 words about diplomacy, history, and international politics (specific prompts vary by year).
- Eligibility: Students in grades nine through twelve may apply. Students whose parents are in the Foreign Service Association are not eligible.
- Prize: The first-place winner will receive $2,500, an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the winner and the winner’s parents, and an all-expense paid voyage via Semester at Sea. The second-place winner receives $1,250 and full tuition for a summer session at the National Student Leadership Conference’s International Diplomacy program.
- Deadline: Early spring (specific deadline may vary by year).
20) Bill of Rights Institute We the Students Essay Contest
In this writing competition for high school students, civic-minded U.S. high schoolers may explore the principles and virtues of the Bill of Rights Institute. Interested applicants should review the specific submission guidelines .
- Eligibility: Any high school student aged 13 to 19 may apply.
- Prize: Prizes range from $1,500 to $10,000.
- Deadline: Submissions for 2024 due May 19th (specific deadline may vary by year).
21) JFK Presidential Library and Museum Profile in Courage Essay Contest
For students interested in history and political science, this competition offers the chance to write about U.S. elected officials who have demonstrated political courage.
- Eligibility: U.S. high school students from grades 9-12 may apply.
- Prize: First prize is $10,000; second prize receives $3,000; five finalists receive $1,000 each; ten semifinalists receive $100 each; eight students receive honorable mention.
- Deadline: Submissions accepted from September to January (specific deadline may vary by year).
- Sample Essays: 2000-2023 Contest Winner Essays
22) John Locke Institute Essay Competition
This essay competition is for students who would like to write about and cultivate “independent thought, depth of knowledge, clear reasoning, critical analysis and persuasive style” from one of seven intellectual categories: philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology or law.
- Eligibility: Students from any country may submit an essay.
- Prize: $2,000 for each subject category winner toward a John Locke Institute program; winning essays will be published on the Institute’s website.
- Deadline: Registration must be completed by May 31st, 2024; essay submission due June 30th, 2024 (specific deadline may vary by year).
23) Society of Professional Journalists and the Journalism Education Association Essay Contest
This exciting writing competition for high schoolers allows students to explore topics related to journalism, democracy and media literacy. Specific prompts will be provided for contestants each year.
- Eligibility: All U.S. students from grades 9-12 may submit original writing to participate in this contest.
- Prize: First-place winners will receive $1,000; second place is awarded $500; third place receives $300.
- Deadline: February (specific deadline may vary by year).
24) Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy Youth Scholarship Essay
This audio essay allows high school students the opportunity to “express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriot-themed recorded essay.” One winner will be granted a $35,000 scholarship to be paid toward their university, college, or vocational school of choice. Smaller prizes range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first-place winner in each VFW state wins $1,000.
- Prize: College scholarships range from $1,000-$35,000
- Eligibility: U.S. students in grades 9-12 may submit a 3-5-minute audio essay.
- Deadline: October 31st
- Sample Written Essay: 2023-2024 Prize-winning essay by Sophia Lin
25) World Historian Student Essay Competition
The World Historian Student Essay Competition recognizes young scholars who explore world historical events and how they relate to the student scholar personally. Ultimately the student writer must describe “the experience of being changed by a better understanding of world history.”
- Eligibility: Internationally, students ages K-12 may submit an entry. See specific prompt and submission guidelines for writing instructions.
- Prize: $500
Writing Competitions for High School Students – Sources
[i] Institute for Education Sciences: National Center for Education Statistics. “Number of applications for admission from first-time, degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students were received by postsecondary institutions in the fall.” https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/TrendGenerator/app/answer/10/101
[ii] Jaschik, Scott. “Record Applications, Record Rejections.” Inside Higher Ed . 3 April 2022. https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2022/04/04/most-competitive-colleges-get-more-competitive
[iii] Wood, Sarah. “College Applications are on the Rise: What to Know.” U.S. News & World Report. 21 June 2022. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/college-applications-are-on-the-rise-what-to-know
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Jamie Smith
For the past decade, Jamie has taught writing and English literature at several universities, including Boston College, the University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Mellon University. She earned a Ph.D. in English from Carnegie Mellon, where she currently teaches courses and conducts research on composition, public writing, and British literature.
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Essay COMPETITION
2024 global essay prize, the short list for the 2024 global essay prize was released on wednesday, 31 july..
The John Locke Institute encourages young people to cultivate the characteristics that turn good students into great writers: independent thought, depth of knowledge, clear reasoning, critical analysis and persuasive style. Our Essay Competition invites students to explore a wide range of challenging and interesting questions beyond the confines of the school curriculum.
Entering an essay in our competition can build knowledge, and refine skills of argumentation. It also gives students the chance to have their work assessed by experts. All of our essay prizes are judged by a panel of senior academics drawn from leading universities including Oxford and Princeton, under the leadership of the Chairman of Examiners, former Cambridge philosopher, Dr Jamie Whyte.
The judges will choose their favourite essay from each of seven subject categories - Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology and Law - and then select the winner of the Grand Prize for the best entry in any subject. There is also a separate prize awarded for the best essay in the junior category, for under 15s.
Q1. Do we have any good reasons to trust our moral intuition?
Q2. Do girls have a (moral) right to compete in sporting contests that exclude boys?
Q3. Should I be held responsible for what I believe?
Q1. Is there such a thing as too much democracy?
Q2. Is peace in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip possible?
Q3. When is compliance complicity?
Q1. What is the optimal global population?
Q2. Accurate news reporting is a public good. Does it follow that news agencies should be funded from taxation?
Q3. Do successful business people benefit others when making their money, when spending it, both, or neither?
Q1. Why was sustained economic growth so rare before the later 18th century and why did this change?
Q2. Has music ever significantly changed the course of history?
Q3. Why do civilisations collapse? Is our civilisation in danger?
Q1. When, if ever, should a company be permitted to refuse to do business with a person because of that person’s public statements?
Q2. In the last five years British police have arrested several thousand people for things they posted on social media. Is the UK becoming a police state?
Q3. Your parents say that 11pm is your bedtime. But they don’t punish you if you don’t go to bed by 11pm. Is 11pm really your bedtime?
Q1. According to a study by researchers at four British universities, for each 15-point increase in IQ, the likelihood of getting married increases by around 35% for a man but decreases by around 58% for a woman. Why?
In the original version of this question we misstated a statistic. This was caused by reproducing an error that appeared in several media summaries of the study. We are grateful to one of our contestants, Xinyi Zhang, who helped us to see (with humility and courtesy) why we should take more care to check our sources. We corrected the text on 4 April. Happily, the correction does not in any way alter the thrust of the question.
Q2. There is an unprecedented epidemic of depression and anxiety among young people. Can we fix this? How?
Q3. What is the difference between a psychiatric illness and a character flaw?
Q1. “I am not religious, but I am spiritual.” What could the speaker mean by “spiritual”?
Q2. Is it reasonable to thank God for protection from some natural harm if He is responsible for causing the harm?
Q3. Does God reward those who believe in him? If so, why?
JUNIOR prize
Q1. Does winning a free and fair election automatically confer a mandate for governing?
Q2. Has the anti-racism movement reduced racism?
Q3. Is there life after death?
Q4. How did it happen that governments came to own and run most high schools, while leaving food production to private enterprise?
Q5. When will advancing technology make most of us unemployable? What should we do about this?
Q6. Should we trust fourteen-year-olds to make decisions about their own bodies?
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS & FURTHER DETAILS
Please read the following carefully.
Entry to the John Locke Institute Essay Competition 2024 is open to students from any country.
Registration
Only candidates who registered before the registration deadline of Friday, 31 May 2024 may enter this year's competition.
All entries must be submitted by 11.59 pm BST on the submission deadline: Sunday, 30 June 2024 . Candidates must be eighteen years old, or younger, on that date. (Candidates for the Junior Prize must be fourteen years old, or younger, on that date.)
Entry is free.
Each essay must address only one of the questions in your chosen subject category, and must not exceed 2000 words (not counting diagrams, tables of data, endnotes, bibliography or authorship declaration).
The filename of your pdf must be in this format: FirstName-LastName-Category-QuestionNumber.pdf; so, for instance, Alexander Popham would submit his answer to question 2 in the Psychology category with the following file name:
Alexander-Popham-Psychology-2.pdf
Essays with filenames which are not in this format will be rejected.
The candidate's name should NOT appear within the document itself.
Candidates should NOT add footnotes. They may, however, add endnotes and/or a Bibliography that is clearly titled as such.
Each candidate will be required to provide the email address of an academic referee who is familiar with the candidate's written academic work. This should be a school teacher, if possible, or another responsible adult who is not a relation of the candidate. The John Locke Institute will email referees to verify that the essays submitted are indeed the original work of the candidates.
Submissions may be made as soon as registration opens in April. We recommend that you submit your essay well in advance of the deadline to avoid any last-minute complications. To submit your essay, click here .
Acceptance of your essay depends on your granting us permission to use your data for the purposes of receiving and processing your entry as well as communicating with you about the Awards Ceremony Dinner, the academic conference, and other events and programmes of the John Locke Institute and its associated entities.
Late entries
If for any reason you miss the 30 June deadline you will have an opportunity to make a late entry, under two conditions:
a) A late entry fee of 20.00 USD must be paid by credit card within twenty-four hours of the original deadline; and
b) Your essay must be submitted before 11.59 pm BST on Wednesday, 10 July 2024.
To pay for late entry, a registrant need only log into his or her account, select the relevant option and provide the requested payment information.
Our grading system is proprietary. Essayists may be asked to discuss their entry with a member of the John Locke Institute’s faculty. We use various means to identify plagiarism, contract cheating, the use of AI and other forms of fraud . Our determinations in all such matters are final.
Essays will be judged on knowledge and understanding of the relevant material, the competent use of evidence, quality of argumentation, originality, structure, writing style and persuasive force. The very best essays are likely to be those which would be capable of changing somebody's mind. Essays which ignore or fail to address the strongest objections and counter-arguments are unlikely to be successful .
Candidates are advised to answer the question as precisely and directly as possible.
The writers of the best essays will receive a commendation and be shortlisted for a prize. Writers of shortlisted essays will be notified by 11.59 pm BST on Wednesday, 31 July. They will also be invited to London for an invitation-only academic conference and awards dinner in September, where the prize-winners will be announced. Unlike the competition itself, the academic conference and awards dinner are not free. Please be aware that n obody is required to attend either the academic conference or the prize ceremony. You can win a prize without travelling to London.
All short-listed candidates, including prize-winners, will be able to download eCertificates that acknowledge their achievement. If you win First, Second or Third Prize, and you travel to London for the ceremony, you will receive a signed certificate.
There is a prize for the best essay in each category. The prize for each winner of a subject category, and the winner of the Junior category, is a scholarship worth US$2000 towards the cost of attending any John Locke Institute programme, and the essays will be published on the Institute's website. Prize-giving ceremonies will take place in London, at which winners and runners-up will be able to meet some of the judges and other faculty members of the John Locke Institute. Family, friends, and teachers are also welcome.
The candidate who submits the best essay overall will be awarded an honorary John Locke Institute Junior Fellowship, which comes with a US$10,000 scholarship to attend one or more of our summer schools and/or visiting scholars programmes.
The judges' decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
R egistration opens: 1 April, 2024.
Registration deadline: 31 May, 2024. (Registration is required by this date for subsequent submission.)
Submission deadline: 30 June, 2024.
Late entry deadline: 10 July, 2024. (Late entries are subject to a 20.00 USD charge, payable by 1 July.)
Notification of short-listed essayists: 31 July, 2024.
Academic conference: 20 - 22 September, 2024.
Awards dinner: 21 September, 2024.
Any queries regarding the essay competition should be sent to [email protected] . Please be aware that, due to the large volume of correspondence we receive, we cannot guarantee to answer every query. In particular, regrettably, we are unable to respond to questions whose answers can be found on our website.
If you would like to receive helpful tips from our examiners about what makes for a winning essay or reminders of upcoming key dates for the 2024 essay competition, please provide your email here to be added to our contact list. .
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The John Locke Institute's Global Essay Prize is acknowledged as the world's most prestigious essay competition.
We welcome tens of thousands of submissions from ambitious students in more than 150 countries, and our examiners - including distinguished philosophers, political scientists, economists, historians, psychologists, theologians, and legal scholars - read and carefully assess every entry.
I encourage you to register for this competition, not only for the hope of winning a prize or commendation, and not only for the chance to join the very best contestants at our academic conference and gala ceremony in London, but equally for the opportunity to engage in the serious scholarly enterprise of researching, reflecting on, writing about, and editing an answer to one of the important and provocative questions in this year's Global Essay Prize.
We believe that the skills you will acquire in the process will make you a better thinker and a more effective advocate for the ideas that matter most to you.
I hope to see you in September!
Best wishes,
Jamie Whyte, Ph.D. (C ANTAB )
Chairman of Examiners
Q. I missed the registration deadline. May I still register or submit an essay?
A. No. Only candidates who registered before 31 May will be able to submit an essay.
Q. Are footnote s, endnotes, a bibliography or references counted towards the word limit?
A. No. Only the body of the essay is counted.
Q. Are in-text citations counted towards the word limit?
A. If you are using an in-text based referencing format, such as APA, your in-text citations are included in the word limit.
Q. Is it necessary to include foo tnotes or endnotes in an essay?
A. You may not include footnotes, but you may include in-text citations or endnotes. You should give your sources of any factual claims you make, and you should ackn owledge any other authors on whom you rely.
Q. I am interested in a question that seems ambiguous. How should I interpret it?
A. You may interpret a question as you deem appropriate, clarifying your interpretation if necessary. Having done so, you must answer the question as directly as possible.
Q. How strict are the age eligibility criteria?
A. Only students whose nineteenth birthday falls after 30 June 2024 will be eligible for a prize or a commendation. In the case of the Junior category, only students whose fifteenth birthday falls after 30 June 2024 will be eligible for a prize or a commendation.
Q. May I submit more than one essay?
A. Yes, you may submit as many essays as you please in any or all categories.
Q. If I am eligible to compete in the Junior category, may I also (or instead) compete in another category?
A. Yes, you may.
Q. May I team up with someone else to write an essay?
A. No. Each submitted essay must be entirely the work of a single individual.
Q. May I use AI, such as ChatGPT or the like, in writing my essay?
A. All essays will be checked for the use of AI. If we find that any content is generated by AI, your essay will be disqualified. We will also ask you, upon submission of your essay, whether you used AI for any purpose related to the writing of your essay, and if so, you will be required to provide details. In that case, if, in our judgement, you have not provided full and accurate details of your use of AI, your essay will be disqualified.
Since any use of AI (that does not result in disqualification) can only negatively affect our assessment of your work relative to that of work that is done without using AI, your safest course of action is simply not to use it at all. If, however, you choose to use it for any purpose, we reserve the right to make relevant judgements on a case-by-case basis and we will not enter into any correspondence.
Q. May I have someone else edit, or otherwise help me with, my essay?
A. You may of course discuss your essay with others, and it is perfectly acceptable for them to offer general advice and point out errors or weaknesses in your writing or content, leaving you to address them.
However, no part of your essay may be written by anyone else. This means that you must edit your own work and that while a proofreader may point out errors, you as the essayist must be the one to correct them.
Q. Do I have to attend the awards ceremony to win a prize?
A. Nobody is required to attend the prize ceremony. You can win a prize without travelling to London. But if we invite you to London it is because your essay was good enough - in the opinion of the First Round judges - to be at least a contender for First, Second or Third Prize. Normally the Second Round judges will agree that the short-listed essays are worth at least a commendation.
Q. Is there an entry fee?
A. No. There is no charge to enter our global essay competition unless you submit your essay after the normal deadline, in which case there is a fee of 20.00 USD .
Q. Can I receive a certificate for my participation in your essay competition if I wasn't shortlisted?
A. No. Certificates are awarded only for shortlisted essays. Short-listed contestants who attend the award ceremony in London will receive a paper certificate. If you cannot travel to London, you will be able to download your eCertificate.
Q. Can I receive feedba ck on my essay?
A. We would love to be able to give individual feedback on essays but, unfortunately, we receive too many entries to be able to comment on particular essays.
Q. The deadline for publishing the names of short-listed essayists has passed but I did not receive an email to tell me whether I was short-listed.
A. Log into your account and check "Shortlist Status" for (each of) your essay(s).
Q. Why isn't the awards ceremony in Oxford this year?
A. Last year, many shortlisted finalists who applied to join our invitation-only academic conference missed the opportunity because of capacity constraints at Oxford's largest venues. This year, the conference will be held in central London and the gala awards dinner will take place in an iconic London ballroom.
TECHNICAL FAQ s
Q. The system will not accept my essay. I have checked the filename and it has the correct format. What should I do?
A. You have almost certainly added a space before or after one of your names in your profile. Edit it accordingly and try to submit again.
Q. The profile page shows my birth date to be wrong by a day, even after I edit it. What should I do?
A. Ignore it. The date that you typed has been correctly input to our database.
Q. How can I be sure that my registration for the essay competition was successful? Will I receive a confirmation email?
A. You will not receive a confirmation email. Rather, you can at any time log in to the account that you created and see that your registration details are present and correct.
TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR SUBMISSION
If you are unable to submit your essay to the John Locke Institute’s global essay competition, your problem is almost certainly one of the following.
If so, please proceed as indicated.
1) PROBLEM: I receive the ‘registrations are now closed’ message when I enter my email and verification code. SOLUTION. You did not register for the essay competition and create your account. If you think you did, you probably only provided us with your email to receive updates from us about the competition or otherwise. You may not enter the competition this year.
2) PROBLEM I do not receive a login code after I enter my email to enter my account. SOLUTION. Enter your email address again, checking that you do so correctly. If this fails, restart your browser using an incognito window; clear your cache, and try again. Wait for a few minutes for the code. If this still fails, restart your machine and try one more time. If this still fails, send an email to [email protected] with “No verification code – [your name]” in the subject line.
SUBMITTING AN ESSAY
3) PROBLEM: The filename of my essay is in the correct format but it is rejected. SOLUTION: Use “Edit Profile” to check that you did not add a space before or after either of your names. If you did, delete it. Whether you did or did not, try again to submit your essay. If submission fails again, email [email protected] with “Filename format – [your name]” in the subject line.
4) PROBLEM: When trying to view my submitted essay, a .txt file is downloaded – not the .pdf file that I submitted. SOLUTION: Delete the essay. Logout of your account; log back in, and resubmit. If resubmission fails, email [email protected] with “File extension problem – [your name]” in the subject line.
5) PROBLEM: When I try to submit, the submission form just reloads without giving me an error message. SOLUTION. Log out of your account. Open a new browser; clear the cache; log back in, and resubmit. If resubmission fails, email [email protected] with “Submission form problem – [your name]” in the subject line.
6) PROBLEM: I receive an “Unexpected Error” when trying to submit. SOLUTION. Logout of your account; log back in, and resubmit. If this resubmission fails, email [email protected] with “Unexpected error – [your name]” in thesubject line. Your email must tell us e xactly where in the submission process you received this error.
7) PROBLEM: I have a problem with submitting and it is not addressed above on this list. SOLUTION: Restart your machine. Clear your browser’s cache. Try to submit again. If this fails, email [email protected] with “Unlisted problem – [your name]” in the subject line. Your email must tell us exactly the nature of your problem with relevant screen caps.
READ THIS BEFORE YOU EMAIL US.
Do not email us before you have tried the specified solutions to your problem.
Do not email us more than once about a single problem. We will respond to your email within 72 hours. Only if you have not heard from us in that time may you contact us again to ask for an update.
If you email us regarding a problem, you must include relevant screen-shots and information on both your operating system and your browser. You must also declare that you have tried the solutions presented above and had a good connection to the internet when you did so.
If you have tried the relevant solution to your problem outlined above, have emailed us, and are still unable to submit before the 30 June deadline on account of any fault of the John Locke Institute or our systems, please do not worry: we will have a way to accept your essay in that case. However, if there is no fault on our side, we will not accept your essay if it is not submitted on time – whatever your reason: we will not make exceptions for IT issues for which we are not responsible.
We reserve the right to disqualify the entries of essayists who do not follow all provided instructions, including those concerning technical matters.
Essay Writing Contests: The Ultimate List of 2024
Did you know that the very first recorded essay contest can be traced back to the early 16th century, initiated by none other than the renowned philosopher and essayist Michel de Montaigne? In 1580, Montaigne published his collection of essays titled 'Essais,' which not only marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the essay as a literary form but also contained an implicit challenge to his readers. He encouraged them to engage with his ideas and respond by writing their own essays, essentially laying the groundwork for what we now recognize as essay contests.
Fast forward to the vibrant year of 2024, and this tradition of writing competitions has evolved into a global phenomenon, offering emerging writers from all walks of life a captivating platform to share their thoughts, emotions, and narratives with the world.
In this article, our essay writer will review essay writing contests, presenting you with an exclusive selection of the most promising opportunities for the year ahead. Each of these competitions not only provides a stage to demonstrate your writing prowess but also offers a unique avenue for personal growth, self-expression, and intellectual exploration, all while competing for impressive writing awards and well-deserved recognition.
Top Essay Writing Contests in 2024
If you enjoy expressing your thoughts and ideas through writing, you're in for a treat. Essay writing competitions in 2024 offer you a chance to do just that and win some great prizes in the process. We've put together a list of contests specially designed for students like you. These contests cover various interesting essay topics , giving you a unique opportunity to showcase your writing skills and potentially earn cash prizes or scholarships. So, let's jump right into these fantastic opportunities.
2024 International Literary Prize by Hammond House Publishing
The 2024 Writing Competition beckons writers with over £3000 in cash prizes, publication opportunities in anthologies, and a chance to participate in a televised Award Ceremony. Sponsored by the University Centre Grimsby, this annual contest, now in its eighth year, draws entries from approximately 30 countries worldwide. Entrants can vie for prizes across four categories, gaining exposure at the televised award ceremony and receiving expert feedback at the annual literary festival.
And if you're determined to learn how to overcome writer's block for this contest, we have a wealth of expert tips and strategies to guide you through the process!
Deadline: 30th September 2024
- 1st Prize: £1000
- 2nd Prize: £100
- 3rd Prize: £50
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International Voices in Creative Nonfiction Competition by Vine Leaves Press
Vine Leaves Press welcomes writers worldwide, prioritizing voices from marginalized communities such as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities, among others. Submissions, which must be in English and previously unpublished, are accepted from February 1, 2024, until July 1, 2024. Manuscripts can be either narrative (50,000 – 80,000 words) or experimental (at least 100 pages), adhering to specific formatting guidelines, including anonymity to ensure impartial judging. Each submission requires a $25 entry fee via Submittable, and multiple entries are allowed. Entries will be judged based on originality, creativity, writing quality, and adherence to genre, with finalists announced in October 2024, shortlisted in January 2025, and winners in March 2025.
Deadline: July 01, 2024
- The winner will receive a cash prize of $1000.
- Publication of the winning manuscript will occur in 2026 by Vine Leaves Press.
- Runners-up will also be considered for publication.
Solas Awards by Best Travel Writing
The Solas Awards, continuing a tradition since 1993, celebrate travel stories that inspire. They're looking for engaging tales that capture the essence of exploration, whether funny, enlightening, or adventurous. Winners may get published and join a community of fellow storytellers. Entries in essay, non-fiction, and travel genres are welcome with a $25 submission fee.
Deadline: September 21, 2024
- $1,000 Gold
- $750 Silver
- $500 Bronze
Vocal Challenges by Creatd
Vocal, in partnership with Voices in Minor (ViM), announces a creator-led challenge in celebration of International Women's Day, open to all Vocal creators. Participants are invited to write a 600-800 word piece about a woman who has inspired them for International Women's Day in the Year of the Dragon 2024. Submissions must adhere to specific length criteria and can be of any genre or format. Vocal will review entries and create a shortlist, from which ViM will select two co-grand prize winners and ten runners-up.
Deadline: Mar 12, 2024
- 2 Co-Grand Prizes: $200
- 10 Runners-up: $20
Cambridge Re:think Essay Competition 2024
The Re:think Essay Competition welcomes students aged 14 to 18 worldwide to participate in crafting essays under 2000 words, following MLA 8 citation style, with submissions undergoing plagiarism and AI checks. Essay prompts cover diverse themes, such as the role of women in STEM , provided by distinguished professors from prestigious institutions like Harvard, Brown, UC Berkeley, Cambridge, Oxford, and MIT. To maintain anonymity during review, submissions should be in PDF format without personal details.
Deadline : 10th May, 2024
- Gold: $150 cash, $500 CCIR scholarship, digital certificate, interview, Cambridge invite.
- Silver: $100 cash, $300 CCIR scholarship, digital certificate, interview, Cambridge invite.
- Bronze: $50 cash, $200 CCIR scholarship, digital certificate, interview, Cambridge invite.
The Hudson Prize by Black Lawrence Press
Each year, Black Lawrence Press presents The Hudson Prize, inviting submissions for an unpublished collection of poems or prose. This competition is open to writers at all stages of their careers, offering the winner book publication, a $1,000 cash prize, and ten copies of the published book. Entries are read blind by a panel of editors, requiring manuscripts to adhere to specific formatting guidelines, including pagination and font choice. Poetry manuscripts should be 45-95 pages, while prose manuscripts should range from 120-280 pages.
Deadline : March 31, 2024
- Top prize $1,000
Irene Adler Prize by Lucas Ackroyd
Introducing The Irene Adler Prize essay writing contest, offering a $1,000 US scholarship to the winner, with up to two $250 awards for honorable mentions. Open to women pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. degrees in journalism, creative writing, or literature worldwide, regardless of age. Unlike previous years, this year's competition welcomes applicants from any country. The application period runs from January 30, 2024, to May 30, 2024, with no late submissions accepted. Each application requires a 500-word essay on one of five provided prompts and a completed entry form, both submitted via email.
Deadline : May 30, 2024
- 2x honorable mentions: $250
100 Word Writing Contest by Tadpole Press
With a doubled first-place prize of $2,000 USD, participants are invited from all corners of the globe, regardless of age, gender, or nationality. Pen names are accepted, and winning entries will be published under those names. Previously published pieces are also welcome, with no restrictions. Any genre is accepted, with the theme centered around creativity. Each entry must be 100 words or less, including the title.
Deadline : April 30, 2024
- 1st place: $2,000 USD.
- 2nd place: Writing coaching package valued at $450 USD.
- 3rd place: Developmental and diversity editing package valued at $250 USD.
African Diaspora Awards 2024 by Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc
The African Diaspora Award 2024 seeks original works from Afro-descendants, including short stories, flash fiction, essays, poetry, or visual art. Winners can earn up to $1000 USD and publication in Kinsman Quarterly and "Black Butterfly: Voices of the African Diaspora." Submissions reflecting cultural themes are due by June 30, 2024. Authors retain copyrights, and entrants must be 18 or older. No plagiarism is allowed, and Kinsman Quarterly employees cannot enter. Various genres are accepted with specific word count limits.
Deadline : June 30, 2024
- Grand Prize: $1000 cash and publication in Kinsman Quarterly & anthology.
- 1st Runner Up: $300 cash and publication
- 2nd Runner Up: $200 cash and publication
- 3rd Runner Up: $50 cash and publication
- Top 6 Finalists: $25 Amazon gift card and publication
- 6 Honorary Mentions: Publication in Kinsman Quarterly & anthology.
Work-In-Progress (WIP) Contest by Unleash Press
The Unleash WIP Award 2024 offers $500, feedback, coaching, and a feature in Unleash Lit to help writers with their book projects in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. All writers can apply. So, if you're looking for resources like free Harvard online courses to hone your writing skills, consider entering this competition. Submissions of the first 25 pages and answers to questions are due by July 15, 2024. Multiple entries are okay, but follow the rules, especially keeping your submission anonymous. Unleash also welcomes previously self-published works.
Deadline : July 15, 2024
- Top prize: $500
- Additional prizes: Coaching, interview, and editorial support
Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award by Trio House Press
Open to all writers, the poetry manuscripts should be 48-70 pages, and the prose manuscripts should be up to 80,000 words. Submissions must be from U.S. residents and must be original works. AI-generated submissions and translations are not eligible. Manuscripts should be sent as a single Word doc. or docx. file with no identifying information, and a cover letter with bio and contact details should be uploaded separately.
Deadline: May 15, 2024
- $1,000, publication, and 20 books
Poetry & Spoken Word Competition 2024 by Write the World
Young writers aged 13 to 19.5 are invited to enter this upcoming competition, with submissions of 50 to 500 words. Inspired by Audrey Lorde's words and the power of poetry, participants are encouraged to craft original poems or spoken word pieces advocating for change and self-expression. Winners, including top prizes for written and recorded performances, will be announced on June 14. Malika Booker, a renowned British poet, serves as the guest judge. To enter, writers should sign up on Write the World, respond to the prompt, and submit their final entries before the deadline.
Deadline : May 27, 2024
- Best entry: $100
- Best Peer Review: $50
Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award
The Killer Nashville essay writing contests seek to uncover new talent and recognize outstanding works by established authors, aiming to introduce their works to a broader audience. With numerous fiction and non-fiction categories available, writers have the opportunity to showcase their talent across a wide range of genres. The top prize includes a $250 award, and entry requires a fee of $79. Genres eligible for entry encompass crime, essay, fantasy, fiction, humor, memoir, mystery, non-fiction, novel, poetry, science fiction, script writing, short story, and thriller.
Deadline : June 15, 2024
- Top prize: $250
Journalism Competition 2024 by Write the World
In this upcoming competition, young writers aged 13 to 19.5 are invited to participate, with entries ranging from 400 to 1000 words. Participants are tasked with exploring and reporting on significant events within their own country, fostering a deeper understanding of local issues. Optional draft submissions for expert review are available until July 8, with feedback returned to writers by July 12. Winners will be announced on August 9. To enter, writers must sign up for a free account on Write the World, respond to the prompt, and submit their final entries before the deadline.
Deadline : July 22, 2024
National Essay Contest by U.S. Institute of Peace
This year, AFSA is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the United States Foreign Service. They've been involved in important events throughout history, like making decisions about war and peace, supporting human rights, and responding to disasters. Now, AFSA wants students to think about the future of diplomacy. They're asking students to imagine how diplomats can adapt to the changing world and its challenges. It's a chance for students to explore how diplomacy can continue to make a difference in the world.
Deadline : April 01, 2024
- Top prize: $2,500
- Additional prizes: Runner-up: $1,250
In 2023, the world of writing competitions offers a diverse tapestry of opportunities for writers across the globe. From exploring the depths of nature to delving into the mysteries of microfiction, these competitions beckon with enticing prizes and platforms for your creative voice. So, pick your favorite, sharpen your pen, and embark on a journey of literary excellence!
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is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.
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The 17 Best Writing Contests for High School Students
Other High School
If you're a writer—fiction, non-fiction, or fanfiction—you can put those skills to work for you. There are tons of writing contests for high school students, which can award everything from medals to cash prizes to scholarships if you win .
Not only will a little extra money, whether cash or scholarships, help you when it comes time to pay for college, but the prestige of a respected reward is also a great thing to include on your college application.
Read on to learn more about what writing contests for high school students there are, how to apply, and what you could win !
Writing Contests With Multiple Categories
Some high school contests accept entries in a variety of formats, including the standard fiction and non-fiction, but also things like screenwriting or visual art. Check out these contests with multiple categories:
Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
- Award Amount: $1,000 to $12,500 scholarships
- Deadline: Varies between December and January, depending on your region
- Fee: $10 for single entry, $30 for portfolio
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards celebrate art by students in grades seven through twelve (age 13 or older) on a regional and national scale. These awards have a huge number of categories and styles, including cash prizes or scholarships for some distinguished award winners . Categories include science-fiction and fantasy writing, humor, critical essays, and dramatic scripts, among others.
Deadlines vary by region (but are mostly in December and January), so use Scholastic's Affiliate Partner search to find out when projects are due for your area.
Scholastic partners with other organizations to provide prizes to winners, so what you can win depends on what you enter and what competition level you reach. Gold medal portfolio winners can earn a $12,500 scholarship, and silver medal winners with distinction can earn a $2,000 scholarship , as well as many other options in different categories.
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are open to private, public, or home-schooled students attending school in the US, Canada, or American schools in other countries. Students must be in grades seven through twelve to participate. Eligibility varies between regions, so consult Scholastic's Affiliate Partner search tool to figure out what applies to you .
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards have a $10 entry fee for individual submissions and $30 for portfolio submissions, which may be waived for students in need . These fees may vary depending on location, so be sure to check your local guidelines .
Ocean Awareness Contest
- Award Amount: Scholarships up to $1,500
- Deadline: June 13, 2023 (submissions open in September)
The Ocean Awareness Contest asks students to consider the future of a coastal or marine species that is under threat from climate change. Submissions are accepted in a variety of art forms, but all must consider the way that climate change impacts ocean life .
Submissions for all categories, including art, creative writing, film, interactive and multimedia, music and dance, and poetry and spoken word are due in June, although the exact date varies slightly each year.
Winners may receive prizes of up to a $1,500 scholarship , depending on which division they fall into and what prize they win.
The contest is open to all international and US students between the ages of 11 and 18.
River of Words
- Award: Publication in the River of Words anthology
- Deadline: January 31, 2023
The River of Words contest asks students to consider watersheds—an area that drains into the same body of water—and how they connect with their local community. Students can explore this concept in art or poetry, with winners being published in the annual River of Words anthology .
Entries in all categories must be submitted by January 31, 2023.
The River of Words contest is primarily for recognition and publication, as the website doesn't list any prize money . The contest includes specific awards for certain forms, such as poetry, some of which may have additional prizes .
The contest is open to International and US students from kindergarten to grade 12 (ages 5 through 19). Students who have graduated from high school but are not yet in college are also eligible.
Adroit Prizes
- Award Amount: $200 cash award
- Deadline: Typically April of each year
Sponsored by the Adroit Journal, the Adroit Prizes reward high school students and undergraduate students for producing exemplary fiction and poetry. Students may submit up to six poems or three works of prose (totaling 3,500 words) for consideration. Submissions typically open in spring .
Winners receive $200 and (along with runners-up) have their works published in the Adroit Journal . Finalists and runners-up receive a copy of their judge's latest published work.
The contest is open to secondary and undergraduate students, including international students and those who have graduated early . The Adroit Prizes has a non-refundable fee of $15, which can be waived.
YoungArts Competition
- Award Amount: Up to $10,000 cash awards
- Deadline: October 15, 2022; application for 2024 opens June 2023
Open to students in a variety of disciplines, including visual arts, writing, and music, the YoungArts competition asks students to submit a portfolio of work. Additional requirements may apply depending on what artistic discipline you're in .
Winners can receive up to $10,000 in cash as well as professional development help, mentorship, and other educational rewards.
Applicants must be 15- to 18-year-old US citizens or permanent residents (including green card holders) or in grades 10 through 12 at the time of submission . There is a $35 submission fee, which can be waived.
Fiction Writing Contests for High School Students
Many contests with multiple categories accept fiction submissions, so also check out the above contests if you're looking for places to submit original prose.
EngineerGirl Writing Contest
- Award Amount: $100 - $500 cash prize
- Deadline: February 1, 2023
This year's EngineerGirl Writing Contest asks students (though the name of the organization is "EngineerGirl," students of any gender may participate) to submit a piece of writing that shows how female and/or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering’s great achievements. Word counts vary depending on grade level.
At every grade level, first-place winners will receive $500, second-place winners will receive $250, and third-place winners will receive $100 . Winning entries and honorable mentions will also be published on the EngineerGirl website.
Students of any gender from third to 12th grade may submit to this contest. Home-schooled and international students are also eligible.
Nonfiction Contests for High School Students
Like fiction, non-fiction is often also accepted in contests with multiple categories. However, there are quite a few contests accepting only non-fiction essays as well.
The American Foreign Services Association Essay Contest
- Award Amount: $1,250 to $2,500
- Deadline: April 3, 2023
The American Foreign Services Association sponsors a high school essay contest tasking students with selecting a country or region in which the United States Foreign Service has been involved at any point since 1924 and describe, in 1,500 words or less, how the Foreign Service was successful or unsuccessful in advancing American foreign policy goals in this country/region and propose ways in which it might continue to improve those goals in the coming years .
One winner will receive $2,500 as well as a Washington D.C. trip and a scholarship to attend Semester at Sea . One runner-up receives $1,250 and a scholarship to attend the International Diplomacy Program of the National Student Leadership Conference.
Entries must be from US students in grade nine through 12, including students in the District of Columbia, US territories, or US citizens attending school abroad, including home-schooled students.
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Contest
- Award Amount: $100 - $10,000
- Deadline: January 13, 2023
The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage contest tasks students with writing an essay between 700 and 1,000 words on an act of political courage by a US elected official serving during or after 1917 , inspired by John F. Kennedy's Profiles in Courage . Each essay should cover the act itself as well as any obstacles or risks the subject faced in achieving their act of courage. Essays must not cover figures previously covered in the contest, and should also not cover John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, or Edward M. Kennedy.
One first-place winner will receive $10,000, one second-place winner will receive $3,000, five finalists will receive $1,000 each, and eight semi-finalists will win $100 each.
The contest is open to students in grades nine through 12 who are residents of the United States attending public, private, parochial, or home schools . Students under the age of 20 in correspondence high school programs or GED programs, as well as students in US territories, Washington D.C., and students studying abroad, are also eligible.
SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest
- Award Amount: $300 - $1,000 scholarships
- Deadline: February 19, 2023 (submissions open in November)
The SPJ/JEA high school essay contest , organized by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Journalism Education Association, asks students to analyze the importance of independent media to our lives (as of now, the official essay topic for spring 2023 is TBD) . Essays should be from 300 to 500 words.
A $1,000 scholarship is given to a first-place winner, $500 to second-place, and $300 to third-place.
The contest is open to public, private, and home-schooled students of the United States in grades 9-12 .
Playwriting Contests for High School Students
For those who love the stage, playwriting contests are a great option. An original play can earn you great rewards thanks to any of these contests!
VSA Playwright Discovery Program Competition
- Award: Participation in professional development activities at the Kennedy Center
- Deadline: January 4, 2023 (Application opens in October)
The VSA Playwright Discovery Program Competition asks students with disabilities to submit a ten-minute script exploring their personal experiences, including the disability experience . Scripts may be realistic, fictional, or abstract, and may include plays, screenplays, or musical theater.
All entries are due in January. Scripts may be collaborative or written by individuals, but must include at least one person with a disability as part of the group .
One winner or group of winners will be selected as participants in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Winners will have access to professional assistance in developing their script as well as workshops and networking opportunities.
This contest is open to US and international students in ages 14 to 18 . Groups of up to five members may collaborate on an essay, but at least one of those students must have a disability.
Worldwide Plays Festival Competition
- Award: Professional production in New York
- Deadline: March (official 2023 deadline TBD)
In the Worldwide Plays Festival Competition , students from around the world can submit an eight-minute script for a play set in a part of a neighborhood —specifically, at a convenience store, outside a character's front door, or at a place where people convene. Each play must have roles for three actors, should not have a narrator who isn't also a character, and should not contain set changes.
Entries are due in February. Winners will have their play produced by professionals at an off-Broadway New York theater . Scholarships are also available for winners.
Any student, including US and international, in first through 12th grade may submit work for consideration.
- Award Amount: $50 - $200 cash prize
- Deadline: 2023 deadline TBD (application opens January 2023)
Students may submit a one-act, non-musical play of at least ten pages to YouthPLAYS for consideration . Plays should be appropriate for high school audiences and contain at least two characters, with one or more of those characters being youths in age-appropriate roles. Large casts with multiple female roles are encouraged.
One winner will receive $250, have their play published by YouthPLAYS, and receive a copy of Great Dialog , a program for writing dialog. One runner up will receive $100 and a copy of Great Dialog.
Students must be under the age of 19, and plays must be the work of a single author.
The Lewis Center Ten-Minute Play Contest
- Deadline: Spring of each year
Students in grade 11 may submit a ten-minute play for consideration for the Lewis Center Ten-Minute Play Contest . Plays should be 10 pages long, equivalent to 10 minutes.
One first-prize winner will receive $500, one second-prize winner will receive $250, and one third-prize will receive $100.
All entries must be from students in the 11th grade .
Poetry Writing Contests for High School Students
For those who prefer a little free verse or the constraints of a haiku, there are plenty of poetry-specific contests, too.
Creative Communications Poetry Contest
- Award Amount: $25
- Deadline: December
Students in ninth grade or below may submit any poem of 21 lines or less (not counting spaces between stanzas) for consideration in the Creative Communications Poetry Contest .
Students may win $25, a free book, and school supplies for their teacher .
Public, private, or home-schooled US students (including those in detention centers) in kindergarten through ninth grade may enter.
Leonard L. Milberg '53 High School Poetry Prize
- Award Amount: $500-$1500
- Deadline: November
Students in 11th grade may submit up to three poems for consideration in the Leonard L. Milberg '53 High School Poetry Prize . Submissions are due in November .
One first-prize winner will receive $1500, one second-prize winner will receive $750, and a third-prize winner will receive $500. Poems may be published on arts.princeton.edu. All entrants must be in the 11th grade.
Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest
- Award Amount: $500 - $5,000 renewable scholarship, $350 cash prize
- Deadline: October 31, 2022
Women poets who are sophomores or juniors in high school may submit two poems for consideration for the Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest .
One first-place winner will receive a $350 cash prize, publication in and ten copies of Cargoes , Hollins' student magazine, as well as a renewable scholarship of up to $5,000 for Hollins and free tuition and housing for the Hollinsummer creative writing program. One second-place winner will receive publication in and two copies of Cargoes, a renewable scholarship to Hollins of up to $1,000, and a $500 scholarship to attend Hollinsummer.
Applicants must be female students in their sophomore or junior year of high school .
What's Next?
If you're looking for more money opportunities for college , there are plenty of scholarships out there— including some pretty weird ones .
For those who've been buffing up their test scores , there are tons of scholarships , some in the thousands of dollars.
If you're tired of writing essays and applying for scholarships, consider some of these colleges that offer complete financial aid packages .
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Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.
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Ayn Rand Essay Contests
Enter one of our contests today for a chance to win up to $10,000!
Participating Students
$2,200,000+
Prize Money Awarded to Date
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Essay Contests
For nearly four decades, the Ayn Rand Institute has hosted annual student essay contests on Ayn Rand’s novels. These contests encourage students to seriously engage with Rand’s ideas through reflection on her profound and influential novels. Students who participate will need to read the book they have selected carefully, grapple with its complex themes, and push the boundaries of their writing ability. By doing so, we hope students will achieve a deeper appreciation for Rand’s literary works and develop a curiosity for the philosophy that underlies them.
Open to all 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students worldwide.
Deadline to enter: May 31, 2024
The Fountainhead
Open to all middle & high school students worldwide, ages 13 and older.
Deadline to enter: September 13, 2024
Atlas Shrugged
Open to all high school, college, and graduate students worldwide.
Deadline to enter: September 20, 2024
Read an Ayn Rand novel
Select the book according to your level of education, and begin reading. Pay attention to the themes and character motivations, and be thinking about how you might answer the essay topic questions.
Write an essay on the book
As you start to write, be thinking about how to answer the essay question you have chosen to write on. Be sure to give yourself enough time to construct a coherent outline, find supporting evidence, and revise your draft a couple times.
Submit for grading
Submit your essay online using ARI’s application portal. Be sure to check that the information you provide in your application is correct, and that your essay satisfies our requirements.
Wait for the results
Grading for all submissions begins once the deadline has passed. Essays go through three separate grading stages, and the final results are announced approximately three to four months after the entry deadline.
Our Grading Standards
Essays are judged on whether the student is able to justify and argue for his or her view, not on whether the Institute agrees with the view the student expresses.
Our graders look for writing that is clear, articulate, and logically organized. Essays should stay on topic, address all parts of the selected prompt, and interrelate the ideas and events in the novel.
Winning essays must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophic meaning of the novel.
Organization
Understanding.
Students can receive free digital copies of all of Ayn Rand’s novels at aynrand.org/freebooks . All you have to do is say a few words about who you are and why you want to read the book, and we’ll send you a copy within one business day—no strings attached. If you would prefer to read a physical copy, you may purchase them via the links on our website. They are also likely available at your local bookstore or library.
You may participate if you are in a lower grade than what is listed, but not if you are in a higher grade. Please email us at [email protected] if you have any questions about your eligibility status. (Note: Students must be at least 13 years of age or older in order to participate. We make no exceptions to this rule.)
Yes, please cite the page number(s) and place quotation marks around any material you choose to include from the novel you are writing on. A bibliography is only necessary if you choose to include secondary source material in your essay.
No. You may submit one essay per contest, per year—provided you meet the grade-level requirements and are eligible to enter.
Yes! You are more than welcome to enter multiple contests, provided you do not exceed any of the grade-level restrictions.
Yes, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements for the contest and were not previously a first-place winner. In fact, some students have won prizes multiple years in a row!
No. All awards are cash prizes. We place no restrictions on how the prize money is spent by recipients.
No, this will have no effect on your chances of winning. Judges look for writing that demonstrates a clear understanding of the novel, not whether the student agrees with it.
Have a different question?
Write to us at [email protected] . We typically respond within two to five business days.
Start Your Essay Today!
The Ayn Rand Institute has hosted annual essay contests on Ayn Rand’s fiction since 1985, awarding over $2.2 million in total prizes to students worldwide.
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- Writing Tips
7 Essay Writing Contests to Look Out For in 2023
7-minute read
- 28th December 2022
Essay contests are not only a great way to exercise your essay-writing skills but also an awesome way to win cash prizes, scholarships, and internship or program opportunities. They also look wonderful on college applications as awards and achievements.
In this article, you’ll learn about 7 essay writing contests to enter in 2023. Watch the video below, or keep reading to learn more.
1. Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest
Deadline: Now–April 30, 3023
Who may enter:
This is an international contest for people of all ages (except for residents of Syria, Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Russia, and Belarus due to US government restrictions).
Contest description:
● The contest is organized by Winning Writers, located in MA, USA.
● They accept stories and essays on any theme, up to 6,000 words each. This contest defines a story as any short work of fiction and an essay as any short work of nonfiction.
● Your stories and essays must be submitted in English.
● You may submit published or unpublished work.
Entry fee: USD 22 per entry
● Story: First Prize is USD 3,000.
● Essay: First Prize is USD 3,000.
● 10 Honorable Mentions will receive USD 300 each (any category).
● The top 12 entries will be published online.
Official website
Please visit the competition’s official website for more information on judges and submissions.
2. 2023 Calibre Essay Prize
Deadline: Now–January 15, 2023, 11:59 pm
Who may enter: All ages and any nationality or residency are accepted.
● This contest is hosted by the Australian Book Review.
● Your essay must be between 2,000 and 5,000 words.
● You may submit nonfiction essays of all kinds, e.g., personal, political, literary, or speculative.
● You may enter multiple essays but will need to pay separate fees for each one.
● Your essay must be unpublished.
Entry fee: AU 30 for non-members
Prize: AU 7,500
Official website:
For more information on this contest, please visit its official website.
3. John Locke Institute Essay Competition
Deadline: June 30, 2023
● Students from any country.
● Students aged 15 to 18 years by the competition deadline.
● Students aged 14 years or younger by the competition deadline are eligible for the Junior prize.
● The contest is organized by the John Locke Institute.
● Your essay cannot exceed 2,000 words.
● There are seven subjects or categories for essay submissions: Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, and Law.
Entry fee: Free to enter
● The best overall essay winner receives an honorary John Locke Fellowship, which comes with a USD 10,000 scholarship to attend one or more summer schools or gap year courses.
● There is also a prize for the best essay in each category. The prize for each winner of a subject category and the Junior category is a scholarship worth USD 2,000 toward the cost of a summer program.
● All winning essays will be published on the Institute’s website.
For more information about this competition and the John Locke Institute, please visit the official website . Also, be sure to check out our article on all you need to know about this contest.
4. The American Foreign Service Association 2023 Essay Competition
Deadline: April 3, 2023
● Students in grades 9–12 in any of the 50 states, DC, the US territories, or if they are US citizens or lawful permanent residents attending high school overseas.
● Students attending a public, private, or parochial school.
● Home-schooled students.
● Your essay should be 1,000–1,500 words.
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● You will select a country or region in which the United States Foreign Service has been involved at any point since 1924 and describe how the Foreign Service was successful or unsuccessful in advancing American foreign policy goals – including promoting peace – in this country or region and propose ways in which it might continue to improve those goals in the coming years.
● Your essay should follow MLA guidelines.
● Your essay should use a variety of sources.
● The first-place winner receives USD 2,500, a paid trip to the nation’s capital from anywhere in the U.S. for the winner and their parents, and an all-expense-paid educational voyage courtesy of Semester at Sea.
● The runner-up receives USD 1,250 and full tuition to attend a summer session of the National Student Leadership Conference’s International Diplomacy program.
Please visit the American Foreign Service website for more information.
5. The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) 2023 Essay Contest
Deadline: Mid-February 2023–June 1, 2023
Who may enter: High school (including homeschooled), college, and graduate students worldwide.
● The 2023 essay contest topic is marriages and proposals.
● High school students may focus on Pride and Prejudice only or bring in other Austen works.
● Undergraduate and graduate students should discuss at least two Austen novels of their choice.
● Your essay must be in MLA format and 6 to 8 pages (not including your Works Cited page).
● Your essay must be written in English.
● First place wins a USD 1,000 scholarship.
● Second place wins a USD 500 scholarship.
● Third place wins a USD 250 scholarship.
● Winners will also receive one year of membership in JASNA, publication of their essays on this website, and a set of Norton Critical Editions of Jane Austen’s novels.
For more information and submission guidelines, please visit JASNA’s official website .
6. 2023 Writing Contest: Better Great Achievements by EngineerGirl
Deadline: February 1, 2023
● Students in Grades 3–12. If international or homeschooled, please select your grade level based on if you were attending a public school in the U.S.
● This contest is organized by EngineerGirl.
● Students should write a piece that shows how female or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering’s great achievements.
● You should choose one of the 20 Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century as a topic and explore the technologies developed in the last century and the new ones being developed today. Make sure to follow the specific guidelines for your grade level.
● Essays should be 650–750 words based on your grade level.
● Please visit the contest’s website to see specific requirements based on your grade.
Winners in each grade category will receive the prizes listed below:
● First-place winners will be awarded USD 500.
● Second-place entries will be awarded USD 250 .
● Third-place entries will be awarded USD 100 .
For more information and submission guidelines, please visit the official website .
7. World Historian Student Essay Competition
Deadline: May 1, 2023
Who may enter: Students enrolled in Grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools and home-study programs worldwide.
● Your essay must address the following issue: In what way has the study of world history affected my understanding of the world in which I live?
● Your essay should be 1,000 words.
Prizes: USD 500
For more information and submission requirements, please visit the contest’s official website.
Essay contests are a great way to expand your writing skills, discuss a topic that is important to you, and earn prize money and opportunities that will be great for you in the long term. Check out our articles on writing thesis statements, essay organization, and argumentative writing strategies to ensure you take first place every time.
If you need help with your essays and would like to make sure that every comma is in place, we will proofread your first 500 words for free !
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- Tags: Essay , Novel , Poetry , Short Story , Writing Contests
At PaperTrue, we’ve always believed that writing competitions are more than just about winning. It’s a community experience where you can interact with fellow poets and writers, and learn from each other’s work. So, it’s our job to provide you with an updated and detailed list of writing contests 2023!
But which contests should you participate in? Out of the hundreds of poetry contests, short story competitions, and essay contests held each year, which ones will best reward your hard work? As experts who provide self-publishing services , we want nothing but success for you. What better way to ensure this than to bring you the best writing competitions 2023?
Transform your book, short story, essay, or poem into a masterpiece! Learn more
Here are the best international writing competitions 2023:
Poetry competitions 2023
1. the bridport poetry prize .
The top three winning poems are automatically entered into the Forward Prize For Poetry competition, with the chance to win a further £1000. The first prize also features in the Bridport anthology.
Word count: 42 lines
Prizes: £5,000, £1,000, £500, ten prizes of £100
Entry fee: £12
Closing date: 31 May 2023
2. International Poetry Contest
The winning entry for this poetry competition will be published in the Fall 2023 issue of Atlanta Review . Fifty additional entries will be published in the contest issue and will receive an award and a free copy.
Word count: 5 poems
Prize: $1,000
Entry fee: $15
Closing date: 01 May 2023
3. The 9th Singapore Poetry Contest
This poetry contest invites entries on any theme, provided they incorporate the word “snail”. Simultaneous submissions are not allowed, and the poems should be accompanied by a short letter and biographical note.
Prompt: Snail
Word count: 3 poems
Prizes: $300, $200, $100
Entry: Free!
Closing date: 15 May 2023
4. Kunitz Prize for Younger Poets
This poetry writing contest aims to honor the late Stanley Kunitz’s dedication to mentoring poets. The winning entry will be published in the September/October issue of The American Poetry Review and all entrants will receive a copy.
Word count: 3 pages
5. Patricia Cleary Miller Award for Poetry
New Letters has organized this poetry writing competition. Send six poems in one entry with a cover sheet stating the genre and title of each poem. All the best!
Word count: 30 pages
Prize: $2,500
Entry fee: $24
Closing date: 22 May 2023
6. The Auroras & Blossoms Haiku Anthology
This haiku contest is free to enter, but you may opt to donate to them. Donors will be eligible for royalties on every haiku that is published. With a 1% royalty rate for each haiku, you may earn up to 10% in royalties.
Word count: 3–10 haikus
Prize: 1% royalties per haiku (for donors)
Short story contests 2023
7. the bridport short story prize .
The organizers for this short story writing contest enter the shortlisted UK-based writers into the BBC Short Story Competition. Literary agent A.M. Heath reads the entire shortlist and considers representation.
Word count: 5,000
Entry fee: £14
8. Writing Battle
This exciting short story writing competition assigns you a genre when the contest starts, and you get two days to write your story. All entrants vote for the winners, which means everyone is a judge!
Word count: 300–500
Prizes: Four prizes of $800 and four prizes of $200
Entry fee: $20
Closing date: 05 May 2023
9. The Raymond Carver Short Story Contest
The mission for this short story competition is to “deliver exciting new fiction from writers all over the world”. It accepts entries in literary fiction alone, so genre fiction (horror, sci-fi, fantasy, romance) is not eligible.
Word count: 500–2,000
Prizes: $1000 NZD, $500 NZD, $200 NZD
Entry fee: $6 NZD
10. The Folly International Short Story Prize
The organizers of this short story contest in 2023 seek “content that takes risks, screams with honesty, and celebrates life’s extraordinary moments”. Winning and shortlisted stories will be published in Folly Journal.
Word count: 10,000
Prizes: $2000, $500, $250, two prizes of $125
Entry fee: $18
Closing date: 17 May 2023
11. Robert Day Award for Fiction
This short story writing competition is part of the New Letters group of contests. Make sure you attach one cover sheet stating the genre and the title of the story.
Word count: 8,000
12. The Writing District Prize 2023
This short story competition accepts entries on any theme, subject, or genre. The judges will select a longlist of 20 entries, from which 3 will be finalized. Make sure to go through the contest guidelines before you hit submit!
Word count: 3,000
Prizes: $1,000, two prizes of $100
13. WOW! Flash Fiction Contest
Open to women writers worldwide, this flash fiction competition awards Amazon gift certificates to 7 runners up and 10 honorable mentions. At a $20 entry fee, you may opt for a critique along the subject, content, and technicalities of your piece.
Word count: 250–750
Prizes: $400, $300, $200, and others
Entry fee: $10
14. Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction
The Flannery O’Connor Award series has published more than 70 short-story collections. Short stories may have appeared in magazines or online platforms, but may not have been published as a collection.
Word count: 40,000–75,000
Entry fee: $30
15. Autumn House Fiction Contest
Through this fiction contest, Autumn House awards one writer with publication, a $1,000 honorarium, and a $1,500 publicity grant. All fiction sub-genres (short stories, short-shorts, novellas, or novels) or any combination of sub-genres are eligible!
Word count: 37,500–75,000
Book writing contests
16. the bridport prize novel award .
This novel writing competition allows you to participate even if you haven’t finished writing it yet! Send up to 8,000 words from the first chapter(s) of your novel along with a 300-word synopsis.
Word count: 5,000–8,000
Prizes: £1,500, £750, three prizes of £150
Entry fee: £24
17. 2023 Gaudy Boy Poetry Book Prize
This poetry book contest awards an “unpublished manuscript of original Anglophone poetry by an author of Asian heritage residing anywhere in the world”. The winning manuscript will be published in Spring 2024 by Gaudy Boy.
Word count: 70–120 pages
Prize: $1,500
18. James Laughlin Award
This incredibly specific poetry competition honors “a second full-length print book of original poetry, in English, by a living poet, forthcoming in the next calendar year.” To be eligible, a book must be under contract with a U.S. publisher.
Word count: 48–100 pages
Prize: $5,000
19. Idaho Prize For Poetry
This poetry book competition awards one poet with publication and 20 complementary author copies. There are no restrictions on the genre, style, or subject—the organziers are simply looking for the best manuscript!
Entry fee: $28
20. 2023 Fugere Book Prize
Regal House Publishing has organized this book writing contest to award finely-crafted novellas. Translations, previously published, and collaborative manuscripts are not eligible. Make sure you follow their submission guidelines!
Word count: 17,000–40,000
Entry fee: $25
21. 2023 Adaptation Contest
This interesting book writing contest seeks “published books (fiction and nonfiction), graphic novels/comics, and short stories for film & TV development”. Go through all the criteria for picture books and short stories before you hit submit!
Word count: 5,000 words (plus a 1–3 page-long synopsis)
Entry fee: $45 / $50 / $55
Closing date: 20 May 2023 / 15 August 2023 / 31 August 2023
22. 2023 Unpublished Contest
Book Pipeline has organized this writing contest in 2023 “exclusively for unpublished manuscripts across eight categories of fiction and nonfiction”. Aside from the cash prizes, the finalists receive circulation to publishers, agents, editors, and film and TV producers.
Word count: 5,000 (plus a 1–3 page-long synopsis)
Prizes: $20,000, $2,500 per category
Entry fee: $45 / $55 / $60
Closing date: 25 May 2023 / 20 August 2023 / 05 September 2023
23. The Bath Novel Award 2023
Along with the cash prize, the winner of this esteemed novel contest receives the Minerva trophy. Send the first 5,000 words with a one-page synopsis. Self-published writers are welcome to participate!
Word count: 50,000
Prize: £3,000
Entry fee: £29
Closing date: 31 May 2023
24. 2023 Anhinga Prize for Poetry
This 2023 poetry competition awards one poet with publication by Anhinga Press and 25 author copies. Make sure to add a cover page with your manuscript. Octavio Quintanilla will judge the contest.
Prize: $2,000
25. Autumn House Poetry Contest
The Autumn House staff and select outsiders are the preliminary readers for this poetry competition and the final judge is Toi Derricotte. The winner receives a $1,000 honorarium and a $1,500 publicity grant to promote their book.
Word count: 50–80 pages
26. Max Ritvo Poetry Prize
Louise Glück is the judge for this exciting poetry book contest! The contest awards publication and a comprehensive marketing campaign to one unpublished poet. Translations are not eligible.
Word count: More than 48 pages
Prize: $10,000
Flash fiction competitions 2023
27. the bridport flash fiction prize .
The flash fiction competition is part of the Bridport Prize family of writing contests. The winning entry will be published in an anthology. Fiction written for children is not recommended.
Word count: 250
Prizes: £1,000, £500, £250, five prizes of £100
Entry fee: £11
28. Pulp Fictional Flash Fiction Contest
The organizers of this flash fiction competition prefer stories that are “scary and unusual, strange and unnerving”. The cash prizes may increase depending on the number of writers that submit their entries!
Word count: 1,000
Prizes: £250, £100, £50
Entry fee: £6
Mixed writing contests
29. the 2023 bloom writing contest .
The European Society of Literature invites poets and writers to send entries on the theme of beauty. The organizers of this writing competition believe that “good literature isn’t confined to a particular category”, so be sure to do your best!
Theme: Beauty
Categories: Short story, essay, and poetry
Word count: 2,500
Prize: €500
Entry fee: €3
30. Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition
This esteemed writing contest will award almost 500 winners with cash prizes and publication. The competition will be held in nine categories, so be sure to check out their submission guidelines!
Categories: Various
Prizes: $5,000 grand prize and $1,000, $500, $250, $50 per category
Entry fee: $20–$30 (depending on categories)
Closing date: 05 May 2023
31. The Emerging Writer’s Contest
Ploughshares encourages emerging writers to send their entries, and self-published writers don’t qualify. The winners also receive a conversation with Aevitas Creative Management regarding their writing careers.
Categories: Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry
Word count: 6,000 for fiction and nonfiction, 3–5 pages for poetry
Prize: $2,000 per category
32. Yeovil Literary Prize
Yeovil Community Arts Association has organized this set of writing competitions to encourage poets and writers worldwide. The contest is a great opportunity to get your work read by major agents and publishers!
a. Novel Writing Contest
Prizes: £1250, £500, £125
Entry fee: £14.5
b. Short Story Competition
Word count: 2,000
Prizes: £600, £250, £125
Entry fee: £8
c. Poetry Competition
Word count: 40 lines
Entry fee: £5
d. Children’s and Young Adult Novel
Word count: 3,000 words, 500-word synopsis
Entry fee: £12.5
e. Writing Without Restrictions
Word count: —
f. Western Gazette Best Local Writer Award
Prize: £100
33. The Synopsis Skirmish
The organizers of this unique writing contest in 2023 want you to write a synopsis of your novel “with style but without gimmick”. Can you walk the fine line between understanding the form and introducing a fresh take?
Word count: 500
Prizes: $700 CAD, $200 CAD, $100 CAD
Entry fee: $5 CAD
1. Annual Mudfish Poetry Contest
Mudfish has organized this poetry contest to award deserving poets with publication in the magazine. All entries will be considered for publication. Deborah Landau is the judge for this contest.
Word count: 3 poems of any length
Prize: $1,200
Closing date: 15 June 2023
2. The Poetry London Prize
The poetry competition provides some free entries for writers from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. Unfortunately, self-published poets are not eligible for this contest.
Word count: 80 lines
Prizes: £5,000, £2,000, £1,000
Entry fee: £10
Closing date: 30 June 2023
3. Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors
The organizers of this short story contest seek “stories set between today and the year 2200, in a future that shows the path to a clean, green, just world.” Make sure you go through their guidelines before you participate!
Word count: 3,000–5,000
Prizes: $3,000, $2,000, $1,000, nine prizes of $300
Closing date: 13 June 2023
4. Anthology Short Story Competition
Anthology has organized this short story contest in 2023 “to recognize and encourage creative writing and provide a platform for publication”. Make sure you go through some issues of the magazine for some context!
Word count: 1,500
Prizes: €1,000, €250, €150
Entry fee: €18
Closing date: 31 August 2023
5. The Moth Short Story Prize
This prestigious short story competition is open to anyone over the age of 16 with no restrictions of theme or style. The winning entry will be published in the Irish Times while other finalists will be published online.
Prizes: €3,000, travel stipend for a week at Circle of Misse, €1,000
Entry fee: €15
Closing date: 30 June 2023
6. The Writers College Short Story Competition
This short story contest is for unpublished writers or writers who have been published fewer than four times in any genre. Only per entry is allowed for each writer, so make sure you send your best work!
Prizes: $1,000 NZ, $500 NZ, $250 NZ
Essay writing contests
7. the international peace essay contest for ukraine war .
This essay contest has been organized to encourage writers to share their ideas on peacebuilding. Answer one of the three provided questions in your essay and send it across. All the best!
Prize: $100
Closing date: 01 June 2023
8. International Essay Contest for Young People
This writing competition for teenagers and young writers invites entries in English, French, and Japanese. The contest is “an effort to harness the energy, creativity and initiative of the world’s youth”.
Theme: Youth Creating a Peaceful Future
Word count: 700
Prizes: $740, $370, gift certificates
9. Free Global Writing Competition
The winning entry for this essay contest will be published in The Writers College newsletter and blog. Entries are restricted to one entry per writer, so make sure you send nothing short of your best essay!
Theme: The best writing tip I’ve ever received
Word count: 600
Prize: $200
10. 2023 Housatonic Book Awards
This book writing contest awards three writers with a cash prize in exchange for appearing at Western Connecticut State University, including a $500 travel stipend and hotel residency.
Categories: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry
Word count: Various
Prize: $1,000 per category
11. Green Stories Novel Prize
The aim of this novel writing contest is to “use fiction as a way to reach a wider audience, and support winning authors to translate their stories into published books”. Your novel should be at least 60,000 words, but you’re required to send only three chapters.
Word count: 4,000–10,000
Prizes: $1200, $600
Closing date: 26 June 2023
12. North Street Book Prize
The top prize winner in this book contest also gets a one-hour phone conversation with the contest judge, Carolyn Howard-Johnson. Self-published writers are welcome to enter!
Categories: Various (eight genres)
Word count: 200,000
Prizes $10,000 (grand prize) and $1,000, $300 (per category)
Entry fee: $75
13. Geri Digiorno Prize
Raleigh Review has organized this interesting writing competition to recognize the work of multi-disciplinary artists. Send a combination of poetry, visual art, and flash nonfiction and get a chance to be published in the magazine!
Categories: Nonfiction, poetry, visual art
Prize: $300
Entry fee: $5
14. 2023 International Competitions
The Wells Festival of Literature has arranged four writing competitions in 2023 that accept entries in different genres. All the contests feature an additional prize for local poets and writers.
a. 2023 Open Poetry Competition
Word count: 35 lines
Prizes: £1,000, £500, £250, and £100 for a local poet
b. 2023 Short Story Competition
Word count: 1,000–2,000
Prizes: £750, £300, £200, and £100 for a local writer
c. 2023 Book for Children Competition
Word count: first two chapters or first twenty pages
Prizes: £150, £75, £50
d. 2023 Young Poets Competition
Entry fee: £3
1. Submit | Valiant Scribe
Prizes: £1,000, £500, £250
Closing date: 15 July 2023
2. Amy Award | Alison Wearing
Closing date: 09 July 2023
3. Ledbury Poetry Competition 2023
Closing date: 10 July 2023
4. Doris Gooderson Short Story Competition
Closing date: 12 July 2023
5. The Sentence Expansion Extravaganza
Closing date: 15 July 2023
6. Bardsy – Current Short Story Anthology Contest
Closing date: 07 July 2023
7. Page One Prize
Closing date: 14 July 2023
8. 2023 Start Here | Hastings Book Fest
Category: Poetry and short fiction
August 2023
1. the coniston prize .
Radar Poetry has organized this poetry competition to award a group of poems. The contest is open to people who self-identify as women and welcomes poems that are “cohesive in some way, whether connected by subject matter, theme, voice, style, or imagery.”
Word count: 3–5 poems in a single document
Prizes: $1,000, ten prizes of $175
Closing date: 01 August 2023
2. Fischer & Cantor Prizes
The Telluride Institute has simultaneously organized these two poetry contests 2023. The Fischer Prize welcomes entries on all subject matter, while the Cantor Prize is open to poets living in or writing about Colorado.
Prizes: $1,000, five prizes of $250 | $500, two prizes of $250
Entry fee: $10 | $6
Closing date: 30 August 2023
3. 2023 Unpublished Contest
4. 20th annual gival press short story award 2023.
Gival Press has organized this short story contest 2023 in the hopes of eventually publishing an anthology of contest winners. There is a long list of submission guidelines, so make sure you follow them all!
Word count: 5,000–15,000
Closing date: 08 August 2023
5. Summer Short Story Award for New Writers
The organizers of this short story writing competition are looking for the best literary fiction. They ask only one thing from today’s new writers: “Dazzle us, take chances, and be bold.” All finalists receive agency reviews from six agencies!
Word count: 6,000
Prizes: $3,000, $300, $200
Closing date: 27 August 2023
6. Flash Fiction Contest 2023
Gemini Magazine has organized this flash fiction contest to award six finalists with online publication in its October 2023 issue. Entries on any subject and style are eligible. All entries are read blind.
Prizes: $1,000, $100, four prizes of $25
Entry fee: $7
Closing date: 31 August 2023
7. WOW! Women On Writing Contests: Flash Fiction and Essay Contest
The organizers of this flash fiction competition seek “to provide well-rewarded recognition to contestants.” The top 10 stories are published in the WOW! Women On Writing e-zine. The contest is limited to only 300 entries!
Prizes: $400, $300, $200
8. Oxford Flash Fiction Prize
This flash fiction competition runs in partnership with the Bodleian Libraries’ Gifts and Books exhibition at the University of Oxford. The £50 prize recognizes a new voice and shortlisted entrants are offered publication in an end-of-year anthology.
Theme: Gifts
Prizes: £1000, £200, £100, £50
9. The University of New Orleans Press Publication Prize
The organizers of this competition seek to “bring innovative publicity and broad distribution to authors”. Short story collections and novellas are eligible for entry. Self-published writers are welcome to enter!
Prize: $10,000 advance on royalties
10. Granum Foundation Fellowship Prize [Free Contest!]
This book writing competition awards a US-based writer with the opportunity to complete a substantive literary work or to launch one. An additional prize is awarded to a work of translation by a US-based writer.
Categories: Novel, memoir, short story, essay, and poetry
Word count: Variable
Prizes: $5,000, $1,500
13. The Deborah Tall Lyric Essay Book Prize
Seneca Review Books has organized this contest to “encourage and support innovative work in the essay”. Essay writers are welcome to submit cross-genre and hybrid work, verse forms, text and image, connected pieces, and “beyond category” projects.
Word count: 48–120 pages
Entry fee: $27
14. 2023 Omnidawn Open Poetry Book Contest
One of several Omnidawn poetry contests 2023, this competition awards one poet with publication, a cash prize, and 20 printed copies. If your manuscript contains images, make sure they’re completely original!
Word count: 40–90 pages
Prize: $3,000 and 20 printed copies
Entry fee: $35
Closing date: 13 August 2023
15. Grayson Books Poetry Contest
One of two poetry competitions 2023 organized by Grayson Books, this contest offers publication to a single poet. You may include a brief bio in the submission form and add acknowledgments in the manuscript, but it’s not compulsory.
Word count: 50–90 pages
Prize: $1,000 and 10 printed copies
Entry fee: $26
Closing date: 15 August 2023
16. Fool for Poetry International Chapbook Competition
Munster Literature Centre has organized this poetry writing competition to award both new and established poets with publication. Aside from the winners, the organizers will list 25 poets as “highly commended”.
Word count: 16–24 pages
Prizes: €1,000, €500, and 25 printed copies for both winners
Entry fee: €25
17. The 2024 Kenneth Patchen Award for the Innovative Novel
Journal of Experimental Fiction has organized this novel writing competition with Carla M. Wilson as the judge. Make sure your manuscript doesn’t contain any identifying information and add a separate sheet with your contact information.
18. The St. Lawrence Book Award
Black Lawrence Press has organized this book writing contest with its editorial staff and previous winners as the judges. The competition is open to poets and writers who have not published a full-length manuscript in any genre.
Categories: Prose and poetry
Word count: 120–280 pages for prose; 45–95 pages for poetry
Prize: $1,000 and ten printed copies
19. The Kindle Storyteller Award [Free Contest]
This book writing contest is open to poets and writers of all genres who have published their work through Kindle Direct Publishing. While there is a judging panel, readers also play a role in selecting the winner.
Categories: Any genre
Word count: At least 25 pages
Prize: £20,000, a book launch merchandising package, and a Kindle Oasis E-reader
20. The Eugene Paul Nassar Poetry Prize [Free Contest!]
This contest is open to books of poems published between 01 July 2021 and 30 June 2022 by a resident of Upstate New York. Unfortunately, self-published works are not eligible.
Word count: At least 48 pages
21. Off the Grid Press
This poetry competition 2023 is open to poets aged 60 and above. Along with the cash prize, the winner receives publication, promotion, and distribution for their book in print and audiobook formats.
Word count: At least 50 pages
Other interesting contests in 2023
22. aesthetica creative writing award .
This writing competition invites poets and writers to submit entries on any theme. The cash prizes come with additional prizes such as magazine subscriptions and course enrolments!
Categories: Poetry and fiction
Word count: 40 lines for poetry and 2,000 words for fiction
Prizes: £2,500 per category and several other exciting prizes
Entry fee: £12 for poetry and £15 for fiction
23. Stories That Need to Be Told Contest
This interesting writing contest 2023 invites you to tell a story—whether you do it in a poem or an essay is up to you! Along with the grand prize, five prizes will be awarded for “stories that excel in the merits of Humor, Passion, Depth, and (any form of) Love”.
Prizes: $1,000, six prizes of $200
Closing date: 09 August 2023
September 2023
1. four-line poem contest.
Part of the Fanstory group of writing contests 2023, this poetry competition is sure to get you excited. Write a poem in four lines with a 1-5-5-9 syllable structure. Think you’re up to the challenge?
Word count: 20 syllables
Entry fee: $12.95
Closing date: 14 September 2023
2. Letterkenny Literary Festival Poetry Competition [Free Contest!]
Open to poets from Ireland, this poetry contest celebrates the birth of Brendan Behan and his connections with Letterkenny. Five shortlisted entrants will be invited to read their entry at the literary festival, where the winners will be announced.
Theme: Against the Odds
Word count: 30 lines
Prizes: €150, €1000
Closing date: 15 September 2023
3. TRIO International Poetry Competition
Trip Uganda has organized this poetry competition with Jon Sait as its administrator, who won the 2004 National Poetry Competition. All entries will be considered for publication in the next edition of Red Poets .
Prizes: £1,000, £300, £100, four prizes of £25
Closing date: 30 September 2023
4. VII International Short Tales Contest [Free Writing Contest!]
The César Egido Serrano Foundation has organized this international short story contest 2023 to promote “harmony between different cultures, religions and ideologies”. Writers can submit entries in Spanish, English, Arabic or Hebrew.
Word count: 100
Prizes: $20,000, three prizes of $2,000 each
5. Manchester Writing Competition
Manchester Metropolitan University invites poets and writers worldwide to participate in their writing competition. The organizers offer 100 reduced-price (£10) to participants with low income.
Categories: Short story and poetry
Word count: 2,500 for short story, 120 lines for poetry
Prize: £10,000 per category
Closing date: 01 September 2023
October 2023
1. 2024 peter porter poetry prize .
Australian Book Review has organized this poetry contest 2023 to honor the poet Peter Porter. The five shortlisted poems will be published in the January–February 2024 issue of ABR . Entrants will receive digital access to ABR for four months!
Word count: 70 lines
Prizes: $6,000 AUD, four prizes of $1,000 AUD
Entry fee: $30 AUD
Closing date: 09 October 2023
2. Editor’s Choice Award
This interesting contest invites poets and writers to send “hybrid work—your lyric essays, prose poems, short-shorts, collages, micro-memoirs”. The competition begins accepting entries on 01 May 2023, so keep your drafts ready!
Word count: 8,000
Closing date: 16 October 2023
3. Diode Editiona Full-Length Book Contest
Diode Editions has organized this poetry writing competition to award an unpublished poet. The winning manuscript will be published within a year and select poems from it will appear in the 17th Anniversary Issue of diode poetry journal .
Word count: 55–95 pages
Prize: $1,500 and 10 author copies
Closing date: 30 October 2023
4. Diode Editions Chapbook Contest
The organizers of this poetry contest allow collaborations and hybrid work. Diode Editions may select more than one chapbook as the winner, and each winner will receive a cash prize and publication.
Word count: 25–55 pages
Prize: $750 and 10 author copies
5. Anthology Poetry Competition
Well-known among writing contests 2023, this poetry competition was “established to recognise and encourage excellence in the craft of poetry writing”. There is no restriction on theme and style, but you can refer to past issues for a better idea of what they publish.
Closing date: 31 October 2023
6. National Poetry Competition
One of the most prestigious poetry contests in 2023, The Poetry Society has been organizing this competition since 1978. Jane Draycott, Will Harris, Clare Pollard comprise the panel of judges for this year.
Prize: £5,000
7. The Chilling Pen Award [Free Contest!]
This short story competition seeks to unearth hidden gems in the horror genre. The judging criteria are as follows: Quality, Originality, Fear Factor, and Overall Impact. So go ahead and write something to chill the panel to its bones!
Prizes: $500, $300, $100
Closing date: 01 October 2023
8. Anthology Flash Fiction Competition
Anthology has organized this flash fiction contest to “inspire creativity, great writing and to provide a platform for publication.” The winning entry will be published in a future issue of the magazine.
Prize: €300
Entry fee: €8 / €10
Closing date: 31 May 2023 / 31 October 2023
Mixed Contest 2023
9. the bedford competition .
The organizers of this writing contest help poets and writers get published and donate all proceeds to charities that support literary and literacy skills. All winning and shortlisted entries will be published by Ostrich Books.
Word count: 3,000 for short story; 40 lines for poetry
Prizes: £1,500, £300, £200
Entry fee: £9
November 2023
There are few poetry contests this month, but the wealth of short story competitions more than makes up for it. We hope that the two essay contests we managed to find keep the nonfiction writers happy!
Poetry contests 2023
1. edwin markham prize for poetry 2023 .
Reed Magazine welcomes poets to submit entries in a wide variety of forms and styles. You may send up to five poems in a single document with a 50-word bio. Make sure to pay attention to the formatting guidelines when you submit!
Closing date: 01 November 2023
2. James Hearst Poetry Prize
North American Review has organized this poetry competition to honor its past contributing editor and celebrated poet, James Hearst. While there’s no restriction on form, the organizers suggest that you submit shorter poems.
Entry fee: $23
3. Cafe Writers Poetry Competition 2023
This international poetry contest offers one free entry to any UK resident who can’t pay the entry fee. One Norfolk resident is awarded the Norfolk Prize and a cash prize of £100. Martin Figura is the sole judge this year.
Prize: £1,000, £300, £200, £100, five prizes of £50
Entry fee: £4
Closing date: 30 November 2023
4. Poulin, Jr. Poetry Prize
BOA Editions, a not-for-profit publishing house of poetry and poetry in translation, has organized this contest to honor its late founder. The contest is only open to poets who are yet to publish a full-length manuscript.
5. Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition
Suji Kwock Kim is the judge for this international poetry competition 2023. The poem can be on any subject or style. The organizers offer free entries of two poems each for thirty poets currently residing in a developing country.
Prize: €2,000, €500, €250, two prizes of €50
Entry fee: €7
6. John Steinbeck Award for Fiction 2023
Reed Magazine has organized this story writing contest to invite entries for its Issue 157. The organizers are open to all styles, including experimental and literary. Make sure to add a 50-word bio with your entry!
7. The Scribble Annual Short Story Competition 2023
Park Publications, the publisher of Scribble , has organized this short story contest. The winning entry will be published in the winter 2023 edition of the magazine. Annual subscribers of Scribble receive a free entry.
Prizes: £100, £50, £25
8. Kurt Vonnegut Speculative Fiction Prize
This short story contest is open to entries in all genres of speculative fiction, from fairy tale and horror to afro-futurism and science fiction. The results will be announced in January 2024. The winning entry will be published in North American Review ’s summer issue.
Prize: $1,333
9. Commonwealth Short Story Prize [Free Writing Contest!]
Commonwealth Foundation has organized this free short story contest to offer publication to writers residing in Commonwealth countries. The winning story, along with four regional winning stories, will be published in Granta .
Word count: 2,000–5,000
Prizes: £5,000, four prizes of £2,500
10. Curious Curls Fiction Contest
Curious Curls Publishing has organized this short story competition in an effort to begin publishing shorter fiction. Besides the cash prizes, the winners will receive video promotion and a free book!
Prizes: $250, $125, $100
Entry fee: $2.50
Closing date: 15 November 2023
11. Ironclad Creative Short Story Competition
In its second year, this short story competition welcomes writers to submit entries in any genre. Alongside the winners, ten longlisted writers will be offered publication in the contest anthology. All the best!
Theme: Dusk
Closing date: 16 November 2023
12. WOW! Quarterly Flash Fiction Contest
WOW! welcomes women writers to submit their best work to this open-prompt flash fiction contest 2023. You can opt for a critique of your work at an entry fee of $20. There are only 300 entries, so hurry up and start writing!
13. New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2024
New Writers has organized this flash fiction contest to award three writers with publication on their website. Entries published online or on social media are not eligible. Stephanie Curly is the head judge.
Word count: 300
Prizes: £1,000, £300, £200
Entry fee: £8 (early bird entry fee) / £10
Closing date: 30 November 2023 / 31 January 2024
Essay contests
14. gabriele rico challenge for nonfiction 2023.
This nonfiction writing contest welcomes creative nonfiction such as essays and narratives, but not scholarly papers or book reviews. The piece you send must be a stand-alone work and not part of a larger manuscript.
15. Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest [Free Contest!]
The Atlas Shrugged novel essay contest is open to all high school and college students globally. Atlas Shrugged is a heroic mystery novel written by Ayn Rand. Choose from three prompts and submit an award-winning essay!
Word count: 800–1,600
Prizes: $10,000, 3 prizes of prizes $2,000, 5 prizes of $1,000, 25 prizes of $100, 50 prizes of $50
Closing date: 06 November 2023
Book writing contests 2023
16. the changes book prize .
This poetry book competition awards a first or second book of poetry with publication. The winner also receives national distribution, extensive publicity, and a launch event for their book. Eileen Myles is the judge for the contest.
Word count: 48–80 pages
17. Evaristo Prize for African Poetry [Free Contest!]
This poetry contest 2023 is open to African poets who haven’t yet published a full-length poetry book. Self-published poets are welcome to enter! In the case of a translated work, a percentage of the prize will be awarded to the translator.
Word count: 10 poems, no more than 40 lines each
18. Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest
Fiction Collective Two (FC2) has organized this writing contest 2023 for American writers who haven’t published with them before. You may submit a piece previously published in anthologies, but self-published manuscripts are not eligible!
Mixed writing contests
19. f(r)iction contests 2023 .
The organizers of this contest invite poets and writers to submit work that “actively pushes boundaries, that forces us to question traditions and tastes.” Make sure you follow their formatting guidelines while submitting your entry!
Categories: Poetry, short story, and flash fiction
Word count: 3 pages for poetry; 1,001–7,500 words for short story; 1,000 words for flash fiction
Prizes: $300 for poetry; $1,000 for short story; $300 for flash fiction
Entry fee: $10 for poetry; $15 for short story; $10 for flash fiction
20. The SmokeLong Grand Micro Competition 2023
This microfiction writing competition welcomes entries in fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid genres. All shortlisted entries will be published in the winter 2023 issue of SmokeLong Quarterly.
Word count: 400
Prizes: $1500, $500, $300, some prizes of $100
Entry fee: $13
Closing date: 10 November 2023
21. McNally Robinson Booksellers Writing Competitions 2023
Prairie Fire has organized these creative writing contests to offer outstanding poets and writers with publication in its summer issue. Note that a poetry entry consists of three poems and your total line count should be less than 150.
Categories: Poetry, short story, and creative nonfiction
Word count: 150 lines for poetry; 5,000 words for short story and nonfiction
Prizes: $750, $350, $150 per category
Entry fee: $34
Closing date: 30 November 2023
Other interesting writing competitions 2023
22. ink 2 screen one act challenge .
This unique writing competition challenges screenwriters to write a one-act screenplay during the month of November. You can discuss your progress with other participants and you’ll receive detailed feedback on your entry!
Word count: 60 pages
Entry fee: $45
23. Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest
This exciting contest welcomes poets and writers to try their hand at creating written beauty in just 100 words. The judges are looking for “creativity, uniqueness, and how the story captures a new angle, breaks through stereotypes.”
Prizes: $2,000, a writing coaching program, an editing package
24. Anthology Travel Writing Competition
The organizers of this travel writing contest are looking for “an engaging article that will capture the reader’s attention, conveying a strong sense of the destination and the local culture”.
Entry fee: €10/€15
December 2023
Poetry competitions 2023 dominate December, but we’ll keep looking for more short story contests and essay writing contests. Our beloved poets and writers have had a great year of writing, and it’s our job to help them further! We have also included many free writing contests in 2023 for budding and seasoned writers.
1. Joy Bale Boone Poetry Prize
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College has organized this poetry competition 2023. Winners and finalists will be published in the Spring 2024 issue of The Heartland Review , of which 20 finalists will receive a free copy.
Prizes: $500, $140, $100
Closing date: 01 December 2023
2. Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry [Free Contest!]
This poetry writing contest rewards one unpublished poet with a cash prize and publication. While self-published poets are not eligible, editors or anthology contributors are welcome to submit!
Prizes: $1,000
3. Women’s Poetry Competition 2023
Mslexia has organized this poetry contest to offer the 4 winners and 16 additional finalists with publication. Previously unpublished poets are eligible for the Unpublished Poetry Prize and £250 cash prize!
Prizes: £2,000, £500, two prizes of £250
Closing date: 04 December 2023
4. 21st Gival Press Poetry Award 2023
Gival Press has organized this poetry contest 2023 to reward one unpublished manuscript. Self-published books are not allowed. There are no restrictions on the theme or style, the organizers want “simply good poetry”.
Word count: At least 45 pages
Closing date: 15 December 2022
5. The Moth Poetry Prize 2023
Among the most reputed poetry competitions worldwide, The Moth Poetry Prize invites poets to submit their unpublished poems. Four shortlisted poems will appear in the Irish Times online and the overall winner will be announced in spring 2024.
Prizes: €6,000, three prizes of €1,000, eight prizes of €250
Closing date: 31 December 2023
6. The 2023 Society of Classical Poets International Poetry Competition
This 2023 poetry contest requires all entries to be in meter. Rhyme and other traditional techniques are encouraged as well, but not required. You may submit up to three poems in an entry if the total line count is below 108.
Word count: 108 lines
Prize: $2,000, three prizes of €1,000, eight prizes of €250
Closing date: 31 December 2023
7. The Tampa Review Prize for Poetry
One of the best poetry contests out there, this competition accepts previously unpublished manuscripts. Individual poems may have appeared in periodicals, chapbooks, or anthologies. All entries include a one-year subscription to Tampa Review .
Short story contest 2023
8. the w.s. porter prize for short story collections .
This short story competition in 2023 honors the master of the genre, O. Henry himself. Regal House Publishing will publish the winning short story collection. The organizers seek “a masterfully written short story collection”.
Word count: 100–350 pages
9. Short Short Story Competition 2024
The grand prize winner of this contest gets a paid trip to the Writer’s Digest Conference along with a cash prize. All finalists will be published in the September/October 2024 issue of Writer’s Digest .
Prizes: $3,000, $1,500, $500, $100
Closing date: 15 December 2023
10. The Danahy Fiction Prize
While the organizers of this short story contest have provided an ideal word count, entries falling slightly outside the range are allowed. Make sure your entry is double-spaced and attach a cover page with your details.
Word count: 500–5,000
11. 2024 MWA First Crime Novel Competition [Free Contest!]
Minotaur Books and Mystery Writers of America (MWA) has organized this novel writing contest in 2024 to offer a deserving writer with publication. Self-published works are not eligible, but self-published writers are welcome to submit a new manuscript!
Word count: 60,000–65,000
Prize: $10,000 (as an advance against royalties)
12. The Masters Review Chapbook Open
The Masters Review has organized this prose chapbook contest to offer one emerging writer with publication. The organizers “encourage you to be bold, to experiment with style and form.” Think you’re up for the challenge?
Word count: 25–45 pages
Prize: $3,000 and 75 contributor copies
Closing date: 17 December 2023
13. Valorious Awards
This science fiction contest for published writers only features 100 entries. The organizers stress the quality of writing, so make sure your book has been meticulously edited and proofread!
Word count: At least 65,000
Prize: $500, $250, $150
Writing contests 2024
The year 2024 brings us a fresh crop of writing contests for poets and writers. Stay tuned as we keep adding more competitions to our ever-expanding list!
1. Colorado Prize for Poetry
Colorado State University has organized this poetry competition to offer one poet with publication. The Center for Literary Publishing will publish 500 copies of the winning entry! Translations and self-published manuscripts are not eligible.
Closing date: 14 January 2024
2. Rattle Chapbook Prize
This poetry contest honors the form of chapbooks by offering publication to three poets. Each winning copy will reach Rattle ’s 8,000 subscribers. As the organizers say, “This will be a chapbook to launch a career.”
Word count: 15–30 pages
Prizes: Three prizes of $5,000
Closing date: 15 January 2024
3. New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2024
Entry fee: £8 / £10
Closing date: 31 January 2024
4. Terry Tempest Williams Creative Nonfiction Prize
This essay contest welcomes all kinds of creative essays from lyric essays to literary journalism. Objective essays are also allowed but should have a personal touch. All semi-finalists will be considered for publication!
Word count: 500–10,000
Closing date: 01 April 2024
Read our latest article, to know more about writing competitions 2024 .
If you were hoping for some more short story, poetry, or essay contests, don’t worry! As more contests are announced, we’ll keep adding to this list. So make sure to bookmark this page for the latest writing competitions 2023!
For more resources on writing and editing, feel free to explore our Resource Center. For now, here are a few articles you may be interested in:
- 2024’s Top 10 Self-Help Books for Better Living
- 5 Elements of a Short Story & 6 Stages of a Plot
- How to Create Powerful Conflict in Your Story
- Theme of a Story | Meaning, Common Themes & Examples
- How to Write Dialogue: 7 Rules, 5 Tips & 65 Examples
Found this article helpful?
9 comments on “ Writing Contests 2023: Cash Prizes, Free Entries, & More! ”
Thanks for compiling this list, it’s very helpful for poets & writers like myself!
Please add this writing contest to your list: Biopage Storytelling Writing Contest (Biannual) Thank you!
Hi Paul! The contest has been added to the list. Thanks for reaching out!
Hello! You might be interested in featuring the Anthology Short Story and Poetry Competitions 2023 in this list. Thanks!
Hi Dearbhaile, I’ve added the writing contests to our list. Thanks for suggesting them!
The Atlas Shrugged Novel Essay Contest is open to all students globally. Kindly add it to your list!
Thank you for reaching out, Nelly! I’ve added the contest to our list.
Anthology now has a Flash Fiction competition!
Thank you for compiling the list!
Leave a Comment: Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published.
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Looking for a Writing Contest to Enter?
By Hannah Yang
Writing contests can be a useful way to send your work out into the world. With a strong submission and a bit of luck, you can win publication, recognition, and even cash prizes.
This article will give you the inside scoop on the most high-quality writing contests to enter.
Are Writing Contests Worth Entering?
What are some writing contests that are free to enter, how can i increase my chances of winning, where can i find more writing contests.
Entering writing contests can be useful for several reasons:
- They give you a deadline and often even a prompt to write about , which many writers find motivating
- The results can help you get a sense of where you are on your writing journey and how you can improve your craft
- Winning a contest can be a fantastic boost to your journey as a writer
On the other hand, it’s important to keep in mind that it takes a lot of luck to win a contest, since there are usually only a few winners chosen from among hundreds of strong contestants.
If your goal is to get your writing published, you’ll likely fare better by submitting to magazines and anthologies than by entering contests.
If your goal is to make money, you should prioritize freelance writing jobs instead.
With that being said, there are many incredible writing contests out there that can absolutely be worth your while, as long as you enter with realistic expectations.
Many writing contests cost fees to enter, since they give out cash prizes and hire guest judges that they need to pay for their time.
Charging an entry fee doesn’t necessarily mean the contest is a scam. It does mean, however, that you need to be judicious about which contests to submit your work to.
Free writing contests are more accessible to all writers, and there’s nothing to lose from giving them a shot.
We’ve compiled a list of legitimate, high-quality writing contests that charge no entry fees.
Prose Weekly Challenge
Prose, a social network for readers and writers, offers weekly challenges meant to spark your creativity. This is a fun, low-stakes challenge, with a small cash prize to sweeten the deal.
Prize: Each week’s winner receives $100. Guidelines: Submit a short piece of writing (up to 500 words) related to the weekly prompt. Deadline: Weekly.
Prime Number Magazine 53-Word Story Contest
Press 53’s Prime Number Magazine hosts a monthly micro-fiction contest based on a theme.
All stories must be exactly 53 words long. There’s no cash prize, but this can be a fun and low-stakes contest to participate in if you’ve got some spare time and are looking for a writing prompt.
Prize: Publication, a free book from Press 53. Guidelines: Submit a 53-word story based on a monthly prompt. Open to writers around the world who write in English. Deadline: Monthly on the 15th of each month.
Dinesh Allirajah Prize for Short Fiction
The Dinesh Allirajah Prize for Short Fiction is an annual short story contest co-hosted by Comma Press and the University of Central Lancashire.
If you live in the UK and are interested in crime stories, this is a great contest to consider, with a £500 for the winner and publication for the runners-up.
Prize: £500 ($692) for first place, and publication for 10 shortlisted authors. Guidelines: Submit a short story (between 2,000 and 6,000 words). The theme for the 2022 Prize is "Crime Stories." Only residents of the UK age 18 or older are eligible. Deadline: October 29, 2021.
Commonwealth Short Fiction Prize
The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is an annual short fiction contest administered by the Commonwealth Foundation.
If you’re a short story writer and a citizen of a Commonwealth country, this contest is a fantastic option, with a generous £5,000 cash prize for the winner.
Prize: £5,000 ($6,922) for the overall winner and £2,500 ($3,461) for regional winners. Guidelines: Entrants must be citizens of a Commonwealth country and age 18 or over. Submit a short story (between 2,000 and 5,000 words). As well as English, stories are accepted in the Bengali, Chinese, French, Greek, Kiswahili, Malay, Portuguese, Samoan, Tamil, and Turkish languages. Translated entries from any language into English are also eligible. Deadline: November 1, 2021.
ServiceScape Short Story Award
ServiceScape is a platform that matches freelance writers, editors, and graphic designers with clients. They offer a yearly Short Story Award with a $1,000 prize.
Prize: $1,000 for first place and publication on the ServiceScape blog. Guidelines: Accepts original, unpublished work (5,000 words or fewer) in any genre, fiction or non-fiction. Writers must be age 18 or older. Deadline: November 29, 2021.
The Roswell Award
The Roswell Award is an annual science fiction contest with a $500 prize, co-presented by Sci-Fest L.A. and the Light Bringer Project.
This is a great option if you like using your writing to unite the worlds of science and art.
Prize: $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $100 for third place. Guidelines: Submit a science fiction story. Open to writers around the world age 16 or older. Writers are encouraged to explore scientific, social, technological, environmental, and philosophical themes in their writing and always, at the core, to master the art of great storytelling. Deadline: December 21, 2021.
L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest
The Writers of the Future Contest is the most enduring and influential contest in the history of science fiction and fantasy.
The contest is held once every three months, with a generous $1,000 prize.
Prize: $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place, and $500 for third place. Guidelines: Submissions must be short stories or novelettes (up to 17,000 words) in the genre of science fiction or fantasy. Open to new and amateur writers around the world. Deadline: Quarterly on December 31, March 31, June 30, and September 30.
Find Out More
Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award
The Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award is an annual contest, co-hosted by the National Space Society and Baen Books, for stories about manned space exploration.
If you’re interested in the role that science fiction plays in advancing real science, this is a great option that pays professional rates.
Prize: Professional paying rates (8 cents per word). The winner’s story will be published as the featured story on the Baen Books main website. The winner will also receive free entry into 2020 International Space Development Conference and a prize package with various Baen Books and National Space Society merchandise. Guidelines: Submit a short story (up to 8,000 words) that shows the near future (no more than about 50-60 years out) of manned space exploration. The judges want to see moon bases, Mars colonies, orbital habitats, space elevators, asteroid mining, artificial intelligence, nano-technology, realistic spacecraft, heroics, sacrifice, and/or adventure. Open to writers around the world who write in English. Deadline: TBD 2022 (the previous year’s deadline was February 1, 2021).
The Fountain Essay Contest
Fountain Magazine holds an annual contest for essays related to the personal challenges you’ve faced in your life.
Challenges can span from moving across the country and starting at a new high school or getting out of bed in the morning while undergoing depression. There are generous cash prizes for the winners.
Prize: $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, $300 for third place, and $150 each for two honorable mentions. Guidelines: Submit a personal essay (between 1,500 and 2,500 words) on the annual theme. All writers worldwide are eligible. Deadline: TBD 2022 (the previous year’s deadline was March 1, 2021).
The Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize
Every year, The Alpine Fellowship awards writing, visual arts, and theater prizes related to an annual theme.
This is an extremely competitive fellowship, with global recognition for the winner and a whopping £10,000 first place prize.
Prize: £10,000 ($13,840) for first place, £3,000 ($4,150) for second place, and £2,000 ($2,770) for third place. Guidelines: Submit a piece of writing related to the annual theme (2021’s was "Untamed: On Wilderness and Civilization"). Entries must be unpublished and a maximum of 2,500 words. Poetry, prose, or non-academic essays welcome. Deadline: TBD 2022 (the previous year’s deadline was April 1, 2021).
Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest
The Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest is a contest for humor poems. This is a really fun contest if you like wordplay and witticisms, and you might even win $2,000.
Prize: $2,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $100 each to 10 honorable mentions. Guidelines: Writers of all ages can submit an original, humorous poem with 250 lines or less. The poem you submit should be in English. Inspired gibberish is also accepted. Deadline: April 1, 2022.
Parsec Short Story Contest
Parsec Ink holds an annual contest for science fiction, fantasy, and horror short stories from non-professional writers, with a small cash prize for the winners.
Prize: $200 for first place, $100 for second place, and $50 for third place. Guidelines: Submit a short story (up to 3,500 words) based on the annual theme. The 2022 theme has not yet been announced. (The 2021 theme was "Still Waters, Deep Thoughts"). Deadline: TBD 2022 (the previous year’s deadline was April 15, 2021).
Bacopa Literary Review Contest
Bacopa Literary Review is an international journal published by the Writers Alliance of Gainesville. They hold an annual contest that welcomes fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.
Prize: $300 for first place and $100 for second place in each of four genres: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, and Prose Poetry. Guidelines: Submit a piece of writing in one of the four genres. You can find detailed guidelines for each genre on the website. Deadline: TBD 2022 (the previous year’s deadline was May 31, 2021).
Stony Brook Southampton Short Fiction Prize
The Stony Brook Southampton Short Fiction Prize is a short story contest specifically for college students.
If you’re an undergraduate and want to try a writing contest, this is a fantastic option because you have a smaller set of competitors.
Prize: $1,000, a scholarship to the 2021 Southampton Writers’ Conference, and consideration for publication in TSR: The Southampton Review . Guidelines: Only full-time undergraduates in United States and Canadian universities and colleges are eligible. Submissions must be short fiction (7,500 words or less). Deadline: June 1, 2022.
Insecure Writer’s Support Group Annual Anthology Contest
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group holds an annual contest for short stories based on a theme.
There’s no cash prize, but all winning stories are published in their anthology, and you can receive royalties from sales.
Prize: Winning stories will be edited and published, and authors will receive royalties from the anthology. Guidelines: Submit a short story (between 5,000 and 6,000 words) related to the annual theme. Deadline: TBD 2022 (the previous year’s deadline was September 1, 2021).
Hektoen Grand Prix Essay Contest
Hektoen International, an online journal dedicated to medical humanities, holds an annual contest for essays related to medicine, with a generous $5,000 cash prize.
Prize: $5,000 for the winner and $2,500 for the runner-up. Guidelines: Submit a short essay (up to 1,500 words) on any topic so long as it has a relation to medicine. The essay can include art, history, literature, education, and more. Writers must be age 18 or older. Deadline: TBD 2022 (the previous year’s deadline was September 15, 2021).
Owl Canyon Press Short Story Hackathon
Owl Canyon Press holds an annual “ hackathon ” for 20-paragraph stories, with a $1,000 prize.
The contest provides the first and last paragraph and the short story writer crafts the rest.
Prize: $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place, and $500 for third place. Publication in a short story anthology for 24 finalists. Guidelines: Writers are invited to create and submit a short story consisting of 20 paragraphs. The contest provides the 1st and 20th paragraphs, and the short story writer crafts the rest. There is no entry fee for submissions received during the first month of the contest. Deadline: TBD 2022 (last year’s deadline was September 30, 2020).
Transitions Abroad Expatriate and Work Abroad Writing Contest
The Transitions Abroad Writing Contest is an annual contest for essays related to your experience abroad. If you’ve ever lived and worked abroad, this is a great contest with a $500 cash prize.
Prize: $500 for first place, $150 for second place, $100 for third place, and $50 for all finalists. Guidelines: Submit a practical and inspiring essay or mini-guide (between 1,200 and 5,000 words) that provides in-depth descriptions of your experience moving, living, and working abroad (including any form of work such as teaching English, internships, volunteering, short-term jobs, etc.). The contest is open to writers from any location around the globe. Deadline: TBD 2022 (last year’s deadline was October 15, 2020).
Writing Battle Summer Flash Fiction
Writing Battle is a quarterly contest where writers are assigned prompts and have 2 days to write 1000 words. You are guaranteed feedback from you writing peers, plus you can win some money
Prize: $5,000 split between the four winners and publication.
Guidelines: Accepts original, unpublished work that matches the prompts and genre assigned. Writers must be aged 18 or older.
Deadline: August 7, 2022
Atlas Shrugged Novel Essay Contest
The Atlas Shrugged novel essay contest is open to all students globally. Atlas Shrugged is a heroic mystery novel written by Ayn Rand. Choose a prompt and write a 800-1,600 word essay in English. First prize: $10,000; 3 second prizes: $2,000; 5 third prizes: $1,000; 25 finalists: $100; 50 semi-finalists: $50.
Prize: First prize: $10,000, 3 second prizes: $2,000, 5 third prizes: $1,000, 25 finalists: $100, 50 semi-finalists: $50.
Guidelines: Choose a prompt and write an 800–1,600 word essay in English. All students globally can apply.
Deadline: Annually on November 6
Each of these contests has different requirements. What works for one probably will not work for another.
But what will increase your chance in every contest is good grammar and a solid structure. This is where ProWritingAid can help.
We may not be able to write your story for you, but we can help you submit your best work.
ProWritingAid’s 25 reports provide personalized, in-depth feedback on everything from grammar and spelling to pacing, word choice, passive voice, and more.
Sign up for a free account to see how ProWritingAid can help you.
There are many resources for writers that compile lists of writing contests. You should check these regularly, as different writing contests have different submission periods. Some of my favorite resources include:
With many writers’ sites, you can filter for free contests specifically, and you can also filter by the type of work you want to submit. I usually check these sites once a season (fall, winter, spring, summer) to compile a list of the contests I want to submit to. Do you have a favorite writing contest? Let us know in the comments. FREE WEBINAR: How to Improve Your Chances of Winning the Debut Dagger , Nov 11, 2pm ET / 7pm UKHave you been thinking about entering your story for the CWA Debut Dagger this year? The deadline isn’t until the end of February but we want to help you prepare. We’ve invited Dea Parkin, Secretary of the Crime Writers’ Association, and Leigh Russell, Chair of the Debut Dagger judges, to come and share their insider information. Learn what the judges are looking for and how to give your story the best shot at winning. Be confident about grammarCheck every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send. Hannah YangHannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates. Get started with ProWritingAidDrop us a line or let's stay in touch via:
Advertisement Supported by The Winners of Our 3rd Annual Personal Narrative Essay Contest for StudentsEight short, powerful essays from teenagers about the moments, big and small, that have shaped them. By The Learning Network For a third year, we invited students from 11 to 19 to tell us short, powerful stories about a meaningful life experience for our Personal Narrative Writing Contest . And for a third year, we heard from young people across the globe about the moments, big and small, that have shaped them into who they are today: a first kiss that failed to meet expectations, a school assignment that led to self-acceptance, an incident at airport security that made the world look much less sweet, and more. Our judges read more than 11,000 submissions and selected over 200 finalists — eight winners, 16 runners-up, 24 honorable mentions and 154 more essays that made it to Round 4 — whose stories moved us and made us think, laugh and cry. “I’m always blown away by the vulnerability and tenderness so many of these stories hold,” one judge commented. Below, you can read the eight winning essays, published in full. Scroll to the bottom of this post to find the names of all of our finalists, or see them here in this PDF . Congratulations, and thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us. (Note to students: We have published the names, ages and schools of students from whom we have received permission to do so. If you would like yours published, please write to us at [email protected] .) The Winning Essays“the best friend question”.
By Blanche Li, age 13, Diablo Vista Middle School, Danville, Calif. We are having trouble retrieving the article content. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in . Want all of The Times? Subscribe . Writing Contests for Young Writers – the NewPages GuideUpdated September 22, 2024 View Publications for Young WritersWhere young writers can find print and online literary magazines to read, places to publish their own works, and legitimate contests. Some publish only young writers, some publish all ages for young readers. For specific submission guidelines, visit the publication’s website. Ages can include elementary, teen, or early college. This is an ad-free resource: publications and writing contests listed here have not paid to be included. This guide is maintained by Editor Denise Hill, a teacher who loves to encourage young writers. Safety Matters! We expect sites listed in this guide to adhere to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act . This includes a transparent method for obtaining parental/guardian permission when collecting information from contributors under the age of 13 years old. This is a select list of contests from reputable sources. There are many contests that charge fees, but for this resource, I have sought contests which mean to recognize and encourage young writers and do not charge reading or entry fees. Of those listed that do charge a fee, some provide a publication subscription in return as they are trying to gain new readers; that seems fair and the publishers are upfront about it. Other fee-based contests are from reputable members of the literary community, and the fee is considered reasonable in relation to the prize winnings being offered. Please avoid contests that tell you you’ve won and then want you to purchase expensive copies of the book in which you have been published. These types of “scam” contests publish hundreds, even thousands of entrants, and profit greatly from book sales. These contests take advantage of young writers and inexperienced writers of all ages. Also see the NCTE Guidelines for Contests , which is helpful for contest organizers who want to reach out to K-12 students and for teachers assessing the legitimacy of contests for their students. Contest Deadlines : I make every effort to update the contest list monthly and update deadline dates as the contest sponsors update them on their websites. Contest dates may change without anyone notifying me, so users of this guide should check the contest website for the most accurate information. If a previous year’s date is noted here, then the contest sponsor may not have updated their website yet, but they will likely be running the contest again. Please check back here or on the contest sponsor’s site if you are interested in that contest. January February March April May June July August September October November December The Alliance for Young Artists and WritersScholastic Art & Writing Awards Grades 7-12 during the current school year Deadline: Varies by Region – Enter zip code to find deadline The Earth ChroniclesMonthly Summer Writing Contests June/July/August Grades 9-12 Future Scholars FoundationShort Story, Fan Fiction, Story Art, Story Review, Math Elementary and Middle School Grades Deadline: Monthly on the 28th Homer HumanitiesPrompt-based Ages 10-22 Bimonthly Manningham Trust Student Poetry ContestNational Federation of State Poetry Societies Grades 6-12 Each participating state conducts its own contest with deadline. Each participating state sends its top entrants to the national contest. Click here for a list of participating states. NAACP ACT-SO ProgramOpen to U.S. citizen students of African descent grades 9-12 Multiple categories within academic, scientific, and artistic achievement Requires local program oversight and participation that culminates in a national competition. National History Day Project CompetitionJunior Division (grades 6, 7, 8) and Senior Division (grades 9, 10, 11, 12) Categories: Paper, Performance, Documentary, Exhibit, Website Check the website for an affiliate region near you for timelines. National PTA Reflections AwardsGrades Pre-K to 12 Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and Visual Arts Each state holds its own contest, submitting winners to the national contest. National Writing InvitationalFiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Essays Ages K-12 Chosen submissions published online monthly with “Best of” awards made on October 1. The New York TimesAges 13-19 Various contests with varying deadlines Editorial Cartoon Contest, Civil Conversation Challenge, Review Contest, Year in Rap Contest, Vocabulary Video Contest, Editorial Contest, Found Poetry Contest, Summer Reading Contest Poetry in VoiceA monthly poetry contest for Canadian students grades 9-12. Based on a monthly prompt. All poems submitted are considered for publication in Voices/Voix. Six Word MemoirsSix Words hold monthly contests for which writers must respond to a prompt in exactly six words. Stone Soup Flash ContestStone Soup holds a monthly flash contest challenge based on a prompt for writers 13 and under. Under the Madness MagazineA magazine for and by teens under the mentorship of the New Hampshire Poet Laureate. They offer multiple contests per year for writers ages 13-19. Write the WorldWtW holds monthly contests based on an idea or genre (poetry, fantasy, sports journalism, fiction, etc.). For young writers 13-18 years old. An organization that runs quarterly writing contests with topics centered around different world issues, encouraging charity donations, and prompting teens 12-18 years old to reflect on current crises and inspiring solutions. Young Writers ProjectA free online community of writers and visual artists ages 13-18 (12-year-olds with permission). Teachers are also invited and have a “For Teachers” space on the site. YWP holds regular challenges and seasonal contests. Youth CommunicationEvery three months, YC will highlight five recent articles and ask readers ages 14-19 to write a response to the author of a story (up to 300 words). Three winners will receive prizes of $150 (1st prize), $75 (2nd prize), and $50 (3rd prize.) Arizona Mystery WritersMary Ann Hutchison Memorial Story Contest for Youths Ages 9-13; 14-17 Both age groups awarded prizes. Deadline: January 1, 2025 Northeastern University – LondonEssay Competition Prompts provided in humanities and social sciences. Grade 12 only Deadline: October 1, 2024 – January 6, 2025 Quantum ShortsShort Story “Entries must take inspiration from quantum physics and be no longer than 1000 words.” Ages 13+ Alternates between sci-fi and sci films each year. Deadline: January 8, 2024 National Youth FoundationAmazing Women Writing Contest Theme: Local Heroines Grades K-8 Deadline: January 9, 2025 VSA Playwright Discovery CompetitionGrades 6-12 / Ages 11-18 Ten-minute play, screenplay, or music theater exploring the disability experience Written by young writers with disabilities and collaborative groups that include students with disabilities Deadline: January 10, 2024 Atkins Center for Ethics Essay ContestCarlow University Grades 11 and 12 Deadline: January 15, 2023 [Sent inquiry 12/2] International Bipolar FoundationHigh School Essay Contest Ages 13-29 Deadline: January 15, 2024 Ringling College of Art and DesignHigh School Creative Writing Contest High School Age Writers Deadline: January 15, 2024 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay ContestSponsored by the JFK Memorial Library and John Hancock Grades 9-12 Deadline: January 17, 2025 postmark Columbus State UniversityThe Carson McCullars Literary Award Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, Expository Essay, Playwriting, Screenwriting High School Age Category for Georgia and Alabama High School Students Deadline: January 17, 2025 Power to Explore Writing ChallengeCalifornia Institute of Technology U.S. Students in grades K-12 Deadline: January 26, 2024 Saint Mary’s CollegeRiver of Words Poetry and Art Contest Grades K-12 (Ages 5-19) Deadline: January 31, 2024 The Stirling ReviewThe Rising Voices Awards Poetry, Fiction, Critical Writing Ages 13-18 Deadline: January 31, 2024 Follow on Instagram for updates @thestirlingreview Outdoor Writers Association of AmericaNorm Strung Youth Writing Awards Grades 6-8 or 9-12 For outdoor-oriented works. Deadline: January 31, 2024 Bluefire 1000-word Story ContestLeyla Beban Young Authors Foundation Grades 6-12 Deadline: February 1, 2024 EngineerGirl Writing ContestFiction in which the main character is a female who uses engineering skills to solve a problem. Grades 3-12 Deadline: February 1, 2024 Gannon UniversityHigh School Poetry Contest Grades 9-12 Deadline: February 1, 2024 Go On Girl! ScholarshipsAspiring Writer and Unpublished Writer Each has unique criteria; See website Deadline: February 1, 2024 Narrative High School Writing ContestPrompt provided in guidelines. Grades 9-12 Deadline: February 1, 2024 Paterson Prize for Books for Young PeopleOpen to books published in the previous year FOR young readers. Categories: Pre-K to Grade 3; Grades 4-6; Grades 7-12 Deadline: February 1, 2024 Holocaust Art and Writing ContestChapman University Grades Middle and High School Deadline: Postmark February 2, 2024 or by February 5, 2024 for digital submissions North Carolina Poetry SocietyStudent Poetry Contest Grades 3-College Undergraduate North Carolina Residents Only Deadline: February 2, 2024 U.S. Kids Annual Cover Art ContestAges 2-12 Deadline: February 1, 2024 Write On! Story Writing ContestAnn Arbor District Library Flash Fiction and Short Story Grades 3-5 Open to Michigan Residents Only Deadline: February 5, 2024 [See March for Grades 6-12 contest.] ukiaHaiku FestivalHaiku Contest All Ages – Some Regional to California Counties No Fee (except for Adult Contemporary Haiku) Deadline: February 8, 2024 The website includes helpful guidelines for writing haiku. Korean Spirit & Culture Promotion ProjectNationwide Essay Contest Topic provided on website. Middle School and High School Deadline: February 15, 2024 Davidson Fellows ScholarshipDavidson Institute, Reno, NV Ages 18 and under as application date For completion of a significant work in STEM or Humanities categories Deadline: February 14, 2024 NCTE Achievement Awards in WritingFor Juniors in the current academic school year Students must be nominated by their school’s English Department Deadline: February 15, 2024 NCTE Promising Young Writers ProgramFor 8th grade students in the current academic year Students must be nominated by a school committee or department Deadline: February 15, 2024 West Chester UniversityIris N. Spencer Poetry Award Myong Cha Son Haiku Award Rhina P. Espaillat Award for Poetry Sonnet Award Villanelle Award Undergraduate student poets who are enrolled in a United States College or University Deadline: February 16, 2024 Society of Professional Journalists and Journalism Education AssociationEssay based on prompt. Grades 9-12 U.S. Public, Private, & Home Schools Deadline: February 19, 2024 Curieux Research Scholarship AwardMiddle or High School Students Deadline: February 20, 2024 Polyphony Lit Black History Month ContestOpen to High School Students Globally Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction Deadline: Open February 1-February 28, 2024 Polyphony Lit Winter ContestOpen to High School Students Globally Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction Deadline: Open February 1 – February 28, 2024 The Sejong Cultural SocietyEssay, Sijo (Poetry) Open to Pre-college and Young Adults Deadline: February 29, 2024 Cancer Unwrapped Teen Essay Writing ContestCancer Pathways Grades: 9-12 Deadline: March 1, 2024 Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings SocietyUniversity of Central Florida Middle & High School Writing Contest Story, Poem, Essay Deadline: March 1, 2024 Project Yellow LightScholarship Competition Grades High School or College Video, Billboard, Radio PSA on not driving distracted [Also listed under April] Deadline: March 1, 2024 Writing Contest Grades 3-12 Poetry Deadline: March 1, 2024 It’s All Write! Teen Writing ContestAnn Arbor District Library Flash Fiction and Short Story Grades 6-12 Open to Michigan Residents Only Deadline: March 3, 2024 [See February for Grades 3-5 contest.] Carl Sandburg Student Poetry ContestGrades 3-12 Deadline: March 4, 2024 Elephant Aid International Essay ContestEssay Prompts Grades 3-5 and 6-8 Deadline: March 4, 2024 American Society of Human GeneticsDNA Day Essay Contest Grades 9-12 Deadline: March 6, 2024 Taradiddle Youth Writing ContestsAnimal-themed prompt-based fiction Age Categories: Elementary under 13; High School 14-18 Deadline: March 14, 2024 The Blank Theatre Young Playwrights Festival CompetitionOriginal Plays or Musicals on any subject Ages 19 years or younger Deadline: March 15, 2024 Jacklyn Potter Young Poets CompetitionThe Word Works Grades 9-12 Deadline: March 15, 2024 The Haiku Society of AmericaNicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Haiku Competition Grades 7-12 Deadline: March 27, 2024 Voyage of VerseAnnual Poetry Anthology For current high school students Deadline: March 30, 2024 Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship ProgramPoetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction/Memoir Online Flexible Dates June 20-August 1 High School and Gap Year Students Financial Aid Available Deadline: March 31, 2024 The CaterpillarBest Poem for Children Contest This contest is for adults writing for readers ages 7-11(ish). Deadline: March 31, 2024 Sarah Mook Poetry PrizeGrades K-12 Deadline: March 31, 2024 American Foreign Service AssociationHigh School Essay Contest Grades 9-12 Deadline: April 1, 2024 Princeton UniversityLewis Arts Center Ten-Minute Play Contest Grades 11 and 12 in the current school year Deadline: April 1, 2024 (or as soon as 250 entries are received) Scholarship Competition Grades High School or College Video, Billboard, Radio PSA on not driving distracted [Also listed under March] Deadline: April 1, 2024 United States Institute for PeaceHigh School Essay Contest Deadline: April 3, 2023 [Sent inquiry 3/17] All-Media Public Anti-Hate Message Contest Grade Categories: K12; 7-12 Grade; Higher Education Individual and Class Group Submissions Deadline: December 1, 2023 and April 5, 2024 The Legacy Project“Listen to a Life” Writing Contest Ages 8-18 Deadline: April 12, 2024 We the Students Essay ContestBill of Rights Institute Ages 14-19 Deadline: on hiatus for 22-23 Americans Against Gun ViolenceNational High School Essay Contest Theme provided on website. Deadline: April 20, 2024 Dear Poet ProjectGrades 5-12 Letters written in response to poets reading poems Select letters will be published online; Select letters will receive a response Deadline: April 22, 2024 Short on WordsPoetry or Prose in response to one of ten photographs. Age Categories 17 and under, 18 and older $10 Nonprofit fundraising entry fee Deadline: Hiatus for 2024 fingers comma toesNational Flash Fiction Day Youth Competition All ages Deadline: April 30, 2023 The Wilbur & NISO Smith FoundationAuthor of Tomorrow Adventure Writing Contest Ages 11 and under; 12-15; 16-21 Deadline: April 30, 2024 Leaders Igniting Generational Healing & Transformation Under 18 category Art, Letters, Poetry, Stories Deadline: May 1, 2024 Stone Soup Contest SeriesAges 80-13 Short Story, Poetry, Artwork Deadline: May 1, 2024 New Voices One-Act Competition for Young PlaywrightsYouthPLAYS Non-musical, one-act play suitable for HS audience Written by Playwrights 19 years and under Deadline: May 1, 2024 World Historian Student Essay CompetitionWorld History Association Grades K-12 Deadline: May 1, 2023 Skipping Stones Asian Celebration Haiku ContestAges 7-18 Deadline: May 5, 2024 Skipping Stones Youth Honors AwardPromoting Multicultural Awareness, International Understanding and Nature Appreciation Original Writing and Art Ages 7-17 Deadline: May 5, 2024 Holocaust Center for HumanityHolocaust Art Contest Open to ages 9-18 in WA, OR, ID, AK Deadline: May 17, 2024 Last House Writing Contest for Emerging WritersSponsored by Audubon Canyon Ranch Essay, Short Story, Poetry Age Categories 8-12 years old and 13-17 years old Deadline: May 17, 2024 Quills and KeyboardPoetry, Song Lyrics, SciFi, Fantasy, Short Story, Personal Essay, Memoir, Novel Excerpts, Journalism, Humor, Flash Fiction, Dramatic Script, Critical Essay, Horror, Philosophy, Speeches, Classic Literary Adaptations High School Students 14+ Deadline: May 20, 2023 Humane Education NetworkA Voice for Animals Essay Contest for 14-15 and 16-18-year-olds Video Action Project for 16-18-year-olds Essay with Photos for 16-18-year-olds Deadline: May 31, 2024 The Adroit JournalPrizes for Poetry and Prose Open to Secondary and Undergraduate Students Fee Waiver Request Form available Deadline: May 31, 2023 California Young Playwrights ContestOpen to residents of California only. Ages Under 19 as of June 1 Deadline: June 1, 2024 Fraser Institute Student Essay ContestOpen to students studying in Canada and Canadian students studying abroad. High School / Undergraduate / Graduate Categories Topic changes each year Deadline: June 1, 2024 Jane Austen Society of North America Essay ContestAges High School / College / Graduate School Topic changes each year Deadline: June 1, 2024 Maria W. Faust Sonnet Contest“Youth” Category of High School Age and Younger Deadline: June 1, 2024 Natures Wild Neighbour Society“Get to Know Your Wild Neighbors” Art, Writing, Photography, Videography, Music Ages 11-18 Deadline: June 1, 2024 John Estey Student Writing CompetitionAmerican Writers Museum Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Cross-Genre, Drama/Playwriting, Hybrid Elementary, Middle, and High School Categories Deadline: June 7, 2024 Bow Seat Ocean Awareness ContestArt, Poetry, Prose, Film, Music, Multimedia, Performing Arts, Spoken Word Ages 11-18 Deadline: June 10, 2024 Theme Essay Contest Grades 9-12 Deadline: June 15, 2024 Goi Peace Foundation International Essay ContestTheme Essay Contest Ages 25 and under Deadline: June 15, 2024 National Teen Storyteller Contest: SolidarityThe Center for Fiction and The Decameron Project Ages 13-18 Deadline: June 1-June 25, 2022 Earth4All Creative ChallengeWriting, Art, Video (any language) Ages 15 and under, 16-18, 19-21 Deadline: June 30, 2024 The Geek Partnership SocietyScience Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural and Alternate History Fiction Poetry, Fiction, Graphic Novel Various age categories (K-Adult) Deadline: [on hiatus for 2023] Polyphony Lit Pride Month ContestOpen to High School Students Globally Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction Deadline: Open June 1-June 30, 2024 Polyphony Lit Summer ContestTheme: “2020 Hindsight” Open to High School Students Globally Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction Deadline: Open June 1-June 30, 2024 Embracing Our DifferencesArt Exhibit and Quote Contest For all ages Deadline: July 1, 2024 Stony Brook Short Fiction PrizeState University of New York Only undergraduates enrolled full-time in American and Canadian universities and colleges for the academic year are eligible Deadline: July 14, 2024 Barbara Mandigo Kelly Peace Poetry AwardAges: Adult; Youth (13-18); Youth (12 and under) No fee for 12 and under. Deadline: Postmark July 15, 2024 Student Book ScholarsNational Youth Foundation Theme: Anti-Bullying Grades K-8 Deadline: July 15, 2024 Black Voices in Children’s LiteratureCon Todo Press & Free Spirit Publishing Children’s books for ages 0–4 (50–125 words); for ages 4–8 (300–800 words) Black Authors 18+ Deadline: July 22, 2024 “I Matter” Poetry ContestNational Youth Foundation Topic: “Black Lives Matter” Grades: K-12 Deadline: July 23, 2024 Foyle Young Poets of the Year AwardThe Poetry Society Ages 11-17 Deadline: July 31, 2024 NCTE Excellence in Student Literary MagazinesOpen to all accredited middle and secondary schools (US, CA, VI, US schools abroad) Deadline: July 31, 2024 Hindus for Human RightsEssay and Art Contest on Human and Civil Rights Open to South Asian American students in grades 6-12 Deadline: August 20, 2024 Wax Poetry and Art Poetry ContestAges under 25 Deadline: August 20, 2024 The Lincoln ForumPlatt Family Scholarship Prize Essay Contest Specific topic posted on the website. For full-time college/university students. Deadline: August 31, 2024 William Faulkner Literary CompetitionStudent Short Story Category Open to Mississippi High School Students Deadline: August 31, 2024 Youth Free Expression Film ContestNational Coalition Against Censorship Ages 19 and under Deadline: September 9, 2024 Animal-themed prompt-based fiction Age Categories: Elementary under 13; High School 14-18 Deadline: September 19, 2024 Art of Unity Creative AwardInternational Human Rights Art Festival Poetry, Short Story, Essay as well as any creative media Youth Age Category 18 and under Deadline: September 30, 2023 (will not be held in 2024) Creators of Justice Literary AwardsInternational Human Rights Art Festival Poetry, Short Story, Essay 2500 words or less on Human Rights Theme Youth Age Category 18 and under Deadline: September 30, 2023 (will not be held in 2024) National YoungArts FoundationAges 15-18 Various Arts Categories Receive up to $10k + educational support Deadline: October 17, 2024 American Geosciences InstituteEarth Science Week Essay Contest Theme: “Finding ‘Art’ in Earth” Grades 6-9 Deadline: October 18, 2024 Polyphony Lit Latin Heritage ContestOpen to High School Students Globally Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction Deadline: Open September 15 – October 15, 2024 Latino Voices in Children’s LiteratureCon Todo Press & Free Spirit Publishing Children’s books for ages 0–4 (50–125 words); for ages 4–8 (300–800 words) Latino Authors 18+ Deadline: Open September 9 – October 14, 2024 International High School Writing ContestWriting Waves, Inc. Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Cross-genre, Screenplays Grades 9-12; Ages 14+ Deadline: October 5, 2024 Polyphony Lit Fall ContestOpen to High School Students Globally Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction Deadline: Open October 1 – October 31, 2024 VFW Patriot’s PenThemed Essay Competition Grades 6-8 Deadline: October 31, 2024 VFW Voice of DemocracyAudio Essay Competition Grades 9-12 Deadline: October 31, 2024 Hollins UniversityNancy Thorp Poetry Contest For High School Sophomore and Junior Girls Deadline: October 31, 2023 Bennington CollegeYoung Writers Competition Grades 10-12 Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction Deadline: November 1, 2024 Interlochen Arts AcademyVirginia B. Ball Creative Writing Competition Fiction, Poetry, Spoken Word Personal essay or memoir, Screenwriting, Playwriting, Comics, Experimental or unclassifiable writing Grades 8-11 Deadline: November 15, 2024 Lions InternationalInternational Peace Essay Contest Ages 11, 12, 13 years old on November 15, 2024 Open to students who are considered visually impaired according to their national guidelines. Rachel Carson Sense of the Wild ContestPoetry and Prose w/ or w/o Photograph Intergenerational Team of two or more only Deadline: November 16, 2024 Rattle Young Poets AnthologyOpen Call for Submissions Ages 15 or younger Deadline: November 15, 2024 One Teen Story ContestOpen Call for Submissions Ages 13-15, 16-17, 18-19 Deadline: November 27, 2023 Leonard Milberg ’53 Secondary School Poetry Prize Any student who is in the eleventh grade in the academic year is eligible. Deadline: November 26, 2023 Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young WritersThe Kenyon Review High School Sophomores and Juniors Award: First place: Full scholarship to the Kenyon Review Young Writers workshop and publication. Second and third place: Publication. Deadline: November 1 – 30, 2023 NaNoWriMo’s Young Writers ProgramNational Novel Writing Month November 1 – 30, 2024 Many free events year-round; visit their website for details. The Telling RoomThemed Poetry and Fiction Grades 6-12 / Ages 11-18 For Maine Residents only Deadline: November 30, 2023 The Upper New ReviewEssay Contes: A Sense of Place Ages 13-17; 18-older Deadline: November 30, 2023 Literacy In PlaceRural Teen Writing Contest Fiction, Nonfiction Grades 9-12 Deadline: July 1 – December 1, 2024 Smith CollegeThe Poetry Center High School Prize An annual prize for sophomore & junior girls in New England Deadline: September 1 – December 1, 2024 Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation Essay ContestKemper Human Rights Education Foundation Essay Contest High School Students Deadline: December 10, 2024 Rider UniversityAnnual High School Writing Contest Grades 9-12 Essay, Short Story, Poetry Deadline: December 20, 2023 The Fire Scholarship ContestEssay: Prompt using video examples on topic of Free Speech Grades High School Juniors & Seniors Deadline: December 31, 2021 [On hiatus 2022-23; check back in 2024] The Fitzgerald MuseumFiction, Poetry, Multi-Genre High School and College Students Deadline: September 1 – December 31, 2023 The Lyric MagazinePoetry Contest Undergraduate Students – USA and Canada Deadline: Postmark December 31, 2024 Poetry Society of AmericaLouise Louis/Emily F. Bourn Student Award Poetry Award Teacher/Administrator Nominated unpublished poem by 9-12 grade student. Deadline: Postmark October 1-December 31, 2024 The Society of Classical PoetsPoetry Competition Ages 13-19 Deadline: December 31, 2024 Looking for a list of publications that publish young writers? Check out our guide here . The NewPages Young Writers Guide to Contests is a free and ad-free resource for anyone looking for writing contests for teens, writing contests for high school students, scholastic writing contests, writing contests for middle school students, writing contests for kids, high school writing contests, writing contests for elementary students, creative writing contests for high school students, poetry contests for high school students. Looking to publish? Meet your dream editor, designer and marketer on Reedsy. Find the perfect editor for your next book 1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them. Best Short Story Writing Contests in 2024Showing 146 contests that match your search. The Reedsy Prompts ContestGenres: 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. Additional prizes: $25 credit toward Reedsy editorial services 💰 Entry fee: $5 📅 Deadline: December 31, 2024 Passionate PlumePassionate Ink Genres: Fiction, Novel, Novella, Romance, and Short Story The 2024 Passionate Plume celebrates the best in erotic fiction, both long and short, and features a special category for emerging authors. Engraved award Publication in the Passionate Ink Charity Anthology 💰 Entry fee: $40 📅 Deadline: March 21, 2024 (Expired) Western Writing ContestFanStory.com Inc. Share your Western story for this writing contest. Share your story that has a clear western theme. Your old west story can earn you a cash prize. Winning stories will be features on the FanStory.com welcome page. 💰 Entry fee: $10 📅 Deadline: December 21, 2024 Craft your masterpiece in Reedsy StudioPlan, write, edit, and format your book in our free app made for authors. Learn more about Reedsy Studio . Reader Views Literary AwardsReader Views 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 Literary Awards program aims to honor independent authors and their self-published works. The awards are recognized industry-wide as a significant platform for independent authors. Gold: $750 Silver: $350 Bronze: $150 sponsored awards including include marketing packages, interviews, and ads. 💰 Entry fee: $89 📅 Deadline: December 15, 2024 New Writers 1000-Word Short Story Competition 2024New Writers Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Short Story This competition is open to writers globally offering a total prize fund of £1,500, with prizes of £1,000 for first place, £300 for second, and £200 for third. The competition encourages diverse storytelling without specific themes. 2nd: £300 | 3rd: £200 📅 Deadline: April 30, 2024 (Expired) The $15,000 Writing ChallengeStoryshares 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! Publication in digital and print 💰 Entry fee: $0 📅 Deadline: January 13, 2025 Rigel 2024: $500 for Prose, Poetry, Art, or Graphic NovelSunspot Literary Journal Genres: Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, and Short Story The Rigel 2024 writing contest invites submissions in various formats, including prose, poetry, art, and graphic novels, with a focus on creative expression across genres. The contest aims to support diverse voices and original works. Runners-up and finalists are offered publication 💰 Entry fee: $12 📅 Deadline: October 01, 2024 The International Amy MacRae Award for MemoirMemoir Writing Ink Genres: Memoir, Non-fiction, and Short Story Original, unpublished works of memoir writing up to 2000 words. The winner will be interviewed and the winning story published on Alison Wearing’s website and featured in the Memoir Writing Ink program. This award was created in celebration of the life of Amy Macrae and in support of her living legacy to improve the outcomes of women with ovarian cancer. Submissions accepted between April 15 to June 30, 2024. 💰 Entry fee: $25 📅 Deadline: June 30, 2024 (Expired) Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay ContestWinning Writers Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Short Story Welcome to the 31st annual Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest. Submit published or unpublished work. $9,000 in prizes. Two-year gift certificate from Duotrope; 10 Honorable Mentions will receive $300 each 💰 Entry fee: $22 📅 Deadline: May 01, 2024 (Expired) The Booksie 2024 Short Story ContestGenres: Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Romance, and Short Story The Booksie 2024 Short Story Contest invites writers to submit original short stories, with a maximum length of 5,000 words. The contest offers a grand prize of $500, along with badges for winners encoded on the blockchain. The contest aims to promote creativity and originality across all genres. Gold winner badge, optional publication contract worth $100. Runners-up receive $100 cash and a silver winner badge 💰 Entry fee: $7 📅 Deadline: August 31, 2024 (Expired) Stringybark Open Short Story Award 2024Stringybark Publishing Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Short Story, Crime, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Young Adult Our annual flagship competition, the Stringybark Stories Open Short Story Award 2023, is now bigger than ever! Thanks to Graeme Simpson and Anne Buist, a record prize pool of over $1300 is on offer. The theme is open, the only constraint is that there must be a reference to Australia somewhere in the story. It doesn't matter how small a link there is (it could be a jar of vegemite on the counter), there just needs to be one! 2nd: $360 | 3rd: $210 | 4th: $110 💰 Entry fee: $15 📅 Deadline: February 25, 2024 (Expired) Writers of the Future Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Fantasy, and Science Fiction L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest is an opportunity for new writers of science fiction and fantasy to have their work judged by some of the masters in the field and discovered by a wide audience. Prizes of $1000, $750 and $500 are awarded every three months. From the four 1st Place winners each year, one story is selected as the grand prize winner and the author receives an additional $5000 cash prize. $750 for 2nd place, $500 for 3rd, £5000 annual grand prize Bacopa Literary Review Annual Writing ContestWriters Alliance of Gainesville Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story The Bacopa Literary Review is an annual international print journal seeking engaging and original submissions across multiple genres. The contest includes various categories with specific guidelines to encourage diverse forms of writing. $100 Honorable Mention in each of six categories 📅 Deadline: May 02, 2024 (Expired) F(r)iction Short Story ContestGenres: Fiction, Short Story, and Flash Fiction 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. Up to five finalists may also be considered for publication. 📅 Deadline: November 01, 2024 Artificial Intelligence CompetitionNew Beginnings Genres: Essay, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, and Short Story There is no topic relating to technology that brings more discussion than artificial intelligence. Some people think it does wonders. Others see it as trouble. Let us know your opinion about AI in this competition. Include experiences you have had with AI. 300-word limit. Winners will be selected January 1, 2024. Open to anyone, anywhere. Publication 📅 Deadline: December 15, 2023 (Expired) Historical Fiction ChallengeGenres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult For this short story challenge, all participants will be randomly assigned a period in history. As soon as you receive your assignment, you'll have until the closing time to research, write, and submit a short story of no more than 4,000 words, set during this historical period. 💰 Entry fee: $17 📅 Deadline: October 28, 2022 (Expired) Fiction Factory Short Story CompetitionFiction Factory Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, and Travel The Fiction Factory Short Story Competition invites writers to submit stories of up to 3,000 words. The competition is open to all genres excluding Children's and Young Adult Fiction. Winning stories will be published on the website and potentially in an anthology. Winning stories will be published and included in an anthology. 📅 Deadline: July 31, 2024 (Expired) SaveAs Writers' International Writing CompetitionSaveAs Writers Genres: Short Story The competition centered on the theme 'Myth', inviting entries in poetry and prose. The contest closed in August 2022, and it welcomed both national and international submissions. Second Place: £100 Third Place: £50 2024 International Literary PrizeHammond House Publishing Genres: Poetry, Script Writing, and Short Story The 2024 International Literary Prize invites writers to submit entries in four categories: Short Stories, Poetry, Scriptwriting, and Songwriting. The contest emphasizes anonymity in submissions and offers cash prizes, publication opportunities, and feedback options. 1st prize for Short Story and Poetry: £1000 1st prize for Scriptwriting: £500 1st prize for Song writing: £250 2nd and 3rd prizes for all categories: £100 and £50 respectively, along with publication for all shortlisted entries. 📅 Deadline: September 30, 2024 The Moth Short Story Prize 2024An international writing contest for original, unpublished short stories. Winners are selected anonymously by a judge. 2nd prize: a week at Circle of Misse plus open travel stipend; 3rd prize: €1,000 Desperate Literature Short Fiction PrizeDesperate Literature The Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize aims to celebrate new short fiction, providing visibility for winners through cash prizes, residencies, and publication opportunities in various literary journals. It welcomes stories under 2000 words, with a commitment to supporting authors by connecting them with agents and opportunities. €2,000 + a week’s residency at the Civitella Ranieri Foundation, consultation with Literary Agent Charlotte Seymour, manuscript assessment with The Literary Consultancy. 2nd and 3rd place: €1000, publication in a limited edition anthology, and participation in events. 💰 Entry fee: $20 📅 Deadline: December 04, 2024 Crossings Travel Writing CompetitionIntrepid Times Genres: Non-fiction, Short Story, and Travel The competition invites writers to explore the theme of 'crossings' through original, factual, first-person travel stories. Entries must be between 1200 and 2000 words and should depict a personal travel experience that embodies the theme. The winner's story will be published on Intrepid Times. Up to five shortlisted entries will also be published under standard terms. Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story PrizeGotham Writers Workshop Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult The Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize is a writing competition sponsored by the Selected Shorts series at Symphony Space, NYC. It celebrates short stories by having them read aloud by actors. The contest is judged by Carmen Maria Machado, and the winner's work will be performed live and published on Electric Literature. $1000 + free 10 week course with Gotham Writers 📅 Deadline: March 01, 2024 (Expired) Letter Review Prize for Short StoriesLetter Review The Letter Review Prize for Short Stories (1000-3000 words) is open to writers from anywhere in the world and has no theme or genre restrictions. Winners are published and every entry is considered for publication. 20 entries are Longlisted. $1000 prize pool 2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150 Annual Flash Fiction CompetitionThis quarterly open-themed competition has closing dates of 31st March, 30th June, 30th September and 31st December. The results will be announced about six weeks after each closing date and the three winning entries each quarter will be published on the website. Killer Nashville Silver Falchion AwardKiller Nashville Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Science Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story, and Thriller The Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award is committed to discovering new writers, as well as superlative books by established authors and, upon discovery, sharing those writers and their works with new readers. There are a large number of both fiction and non-fiction categories you can enter. 💰 Entry fee: $79 📅 Deadline: June 15, 2024 (Expired) 7 Day Story Writing ChallengeGenres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Young Adult Register now for our next 7-day story writing challenge. A secret theme, a randomly assigned genre, and just 7 days to write a story of no more than 2,000 words. Our 7-day story writing challenges take place throughout the year. The challenges are free and you can even get feedback on your story. Take part in one challenge or take part in all of them! Publication on website 📅 Deadline: April 22, 2024 (Expired) The Screw Turn Flash Fiction CompetitionThe Ghost Story Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Short Story, and Thriller We’re interested in flash fiction pieces of between 250 and 1,000 words. We’re seeking the finest work we can find that incorporates an uncanny element. Ghost stories are welcome, of course—but your submission may involve any paranormal or supernatural theme, as well as magic realism. What we’re looking for is superb writing, fresh perspectives, and maybe a few surprises. print and online publication 📅 Deadline: January 31, 2024 (Expired) Jim Martin Memorial Story ContestArizona 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. 2nd Place: $100 3rd Place: $75 Winning stories will be published on the AMW website. 📅 Deadline: August 01, 2024 (Expired) Anthology Flash Fiction AwardAnthology Magazine The Anthology Flash Fiction Competition is open to original and previously unpublished flash fiction on any theme in the English language by writers of any nationality. We are looking for writing that is clever and unique, inspires us, and crafts a compelling story. Max 250 words. Dream Quest One Writing ContestAndre L. West The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest aims to inspire and encourage writers and poets to showcase their talents. The contest accepts entries in the forms of poems (up to 30 lines) and short stories (up to 5 pages) on any subject or theme. First Writing Prize: $500, Second Writing Prize: $250, Third Writing Prize: $100. Stories Through The Ages - Baby Boomer PlusStories Through The Ages Genres: Short Story, Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Non-fiction Stories Through The Ages - Baby Boomers Plus 2023 is open to people born 1966 or earlier. The deadline for entries is June 15, 2023. There is no prompt for the contest. Authors may write about any topic. The entry fee is $20 ($15 if submitting more than one story). The word count for this contest is 900 - 5000 words. Cash prizes of $500, $200 and $100 will be awarded. There will be a minimum of 15 finalists whose story will appear in the book. 2nd: $200 | 3rd: $100 Writing MAGICSadie Tells Stories Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, and Young Adult The Writing MAGIC contest invites authors to write a short story under 500 words about anything magical. Open to all age groups, stories can be fiction or non-fiction. The contest aims to celebrate creativity and share magical experiences. Second place: $150 📅 Deadline: April 01, 2024 (Expired) WOW! Women on Writing Summer 2024 Flash Fiction ContestWOW! Women On Writing Genres: Flash Fiction, Fiction, and Short Story Seeking short fiction of any genre between 250 - 750 words. The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity and great writing and provide well-rewarded recognition to contestants. Guest Judge: Tom Bromley, Head of Learning at Reedsy $600 cash, Reedsy's How to Write a Novel class ($1249 value), $25 Amazon Gift Card 2nd: $300 | 3rd: $200 | 7 runner-ups: $25 Amazon Gift Cards TWFest Very Short Fiction ContestTennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival The TWFest Very Short Fiction Contest invites emerging writers to submit original short stories up to 1,000 words. The contest promotes new work and is open to writers who have not published a book of fiction. Discover the finest writing contests of 2024 for fiction and non-fiction authors — including short story competitions, essay writing competitions, poetry contests, and many more. Updated weekly, these contests are vetted by Reedsy to weed out the scammers and time-wasters. If you’re looking to stick to free writing contests, simply use our filters as you browse. Why you should submit to writing contestsSubmitting to poetry competitions and free writing contests in 2024 is absolutely worth your while as an aspiring author: just as your qualifications matter when you apply for a new job, a writing portfolio that boasts published works and award-winning pieces is a great way to give your writing career a boost. And not to mention the bonus of cash prizes! That being said, we understand that taking part in writing contests can be tough for emerging writers. First, there’s the same affliction all writers face: lack of time or inspiration. Entering writing contests is a time commitment, and many people decide to forego this endeavor in order to work on their larger projects instead — like a full-length book. Second, for many writers, the chance of rejection is enough to steer them clear of writing contests. But we’re here to tell you that two of the great benefits of entering writing contests happen to be the same as those two reasons to avoid them. When it comes to the time commitment: yes, you will need to expend time and effort in order to submit a quality piece of writing to competitions. That being said, having a hard deadline to meet is a great motivator for developing a solid writing routine. Think of entering contests as a training session to become a writer who will need to meet deadlines in order to have a successful career. If there’s a contest you have your eye on, and the deadline is in one month, sit down and realistically plan how many words you’ll need to write per day in order to meet that due date — and don’t forget to also factor in the time you’ll need to edit your story! For tips on setting up a realistic writing plan, check out this free, ten-day course : How to Build a Rock-Solid Writing Routine. In regards to the fear of rejection, the truth is that any writer aspiring to become a published author needs to develop relatively thick skin. If one of your goals is to have a book traditionally published, you will absolutely need to learn how to deal with rejection, as traditional book deals are notoriously hard to score. If you’re an indie author, you will need to adopt the hardy determination required to slowly build up a readership. The good news is that there’s a fairly simple trick for learning to deal with rejection: use it as a chance to explore how you might be able to improve your writing. In an ideal world, each rejection from a publisher or contest would come with a detailed letter, offering construction feedback and pointing out specific tips for improvement. And while this is sometimes the case, it’s the exception and not the rule. Still, you can use the writing contests you don’t win as a chance to provide yourself with this feedback. Take a look at the winning and shortlisted stories and highlight their strong suits: do they have fully realized characters, a knack for showing instead of telling, a well-developed but subtly conveyed theme, a particularly satisfying denouement? The idea isn’t to replicate what makes those stories tick in your own writing. But most examples of excellent writing share a number of basic craft principles. Try and see if there are ways for you to translate those stories’ strong points into your own unique writing. Finally, there are the more obvious benefits of entering writing contests: prize and publication. Not to mention the potential to build up your readership, connect with editors, and gain exposure. Resources to help you win writing competitions in 2024Every writing contest has its own set of submission rules. Whether those rules are dense or sparing, ensure that you follow them to a T. Disregarding the guidelines will not sway the judges’ opinion in your favor — and might disqualify you from the contest altogether. Aside from ensuring you follow the rules, here are a few resources that will help you perfect your submissions. Free online coursesOn Writing:
On Editing:
Bonus resources
After you submit to a writing competition in 2024It’s exciting to send a piece of writing off to a contest. However, once the initial excitement wears off, you may be left waiting for a while. Some writing contests will contact all entrants after the judging period — whether or not they’ve won. Other writing competitions will only contact the winners. Here are a few things to keep in mind after you submit: Many writing competitions don’t have time to respond to each entrant with feedback on their story. However, it never hurts to ask! Feel free to politely reach out requesting feedback — but wait until after the selection period is over. If you’ve submitted the same work to more than one writing competition or literary magazine, remember to withdraw your submission if it ends up winning elsewhere. After you send a submission, don’t follow it up with a rewritten or revised version. Instead, ensure that your first version is thoroughly proofread and edited. If not, wait until the next edition of the contest or submit the revised version to other writing contests. Join a community of over 1 million authors Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book. Save your shortlistEnter your email address to save your shortlist so that you don't lose it! By continuing, you will also receive Reedsy's weekly publishing tips and access to our free webinars. We sent over your shortlist. Thank you for using Reedsy's Writing Contest Directory, happy publishing! 🙌 Join our weekly contestGet 5 new writing prompts every Friday. Write and submit a story for a chance to win $250. 1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.Enter your email or get started with a social account: |
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Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Science Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story, and Thriller The Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award is committed to discovering new writers, as well as superlative books by established authors and, upon discovery, sharing those writers and their works with new readers.
The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about the creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more—that we've published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it.
The contest alternates annually between fiction (novel or short story collection) and nonfiction (memoir, essay collection, narrative nonfiction). In 2021, it went to a work of nonfiction of at least 25,000 words; 2022 will be fiction.
From January 1st to January 31st, submit short stories and essays of up to 25 pages or a set of 1-3 poems. Winners in each genre will receive $2,000 and publication. Top Prize: $2,000 ... JASNA conducts an annual student Essay Contest to foster the study and appreciation of Jane Austen's works in new generations of readers. Students world-wide ...
This short story and essay contest offers anthology publication to the winners and some shortlisted writers. The royalties from the anthology will be donated to Beyond Blue, an Australian mental health charity. Categories: Short story and essay. Theme: Hope. Word count: 2,000-5,000. Prize: 10,000 AUD, 2,000 AUD, 1,000 AUD. Entry fee: 22 AUD
Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest Overview "For this contest, a story is any short work of fiction, and an essay is any short work of nonfiction. (…) Please submit as many entries as you like. All themes accepted. Entries may be published or unpublished. Length limit: 6,000 words maximum." Entry Fee. $20 per entry
Writing Contests - Poetry, Short Story, Essay, Screenwriting & More. On this page, you'll find the web's best and most updated selection of writing contests. If you've got a way with making your words come to life, try your hand at a poetry contest. If you're a teen, there's a special category of teen writing contests just for you.
Their short story titles published in Writer's Digest magazine's September/October 2025 issue and on Writer's Digest.com. Eleventh through Twenty-Fifth Place Winners will receive: A $50 gift certificate for writersdigestshop.com. Their name and story title published on WritersDigest.com in conjunction with Writer's Digest magazine's ...
Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest. Prize: First Place: $3,000 Entry Fee: $22. Deadline: May 1, 2024. Sponsor: Winning Writers (Co-sponsored by Duotrope) From Website: "For this contest, a story is any short work of fiction, and an essay is any short work of nonfiction. All themes accepted. Entries may be published or unpublished.
4. American Foreign Service National High School Essay Contest. If you're looking to help students take a deep dive into international relations, history, and writing, look no further than this essay contest. Winners receive a voyage with the Semester at Sea program and a trip to Washington, DC.
19) American Foreign Service Association Essay Contest. With this writing competition for high school students, entrants may submit essays ranging from 1,000-1,500 words about diplomacy, history, and international politics (specific prompts vary by year). Eligibility: Students in grades nine through twelve may apply.
An updated list of free-to-enter writing contests—short story, flash fiction, poetry, essays, songwriting, articles, feature articles, interviews and memoirs. ... covering essays, poetry, short story, and creative nonfiction, just to name but a few. The writing contests curated within this article are genuine; you don't have to worry about ...
Academic conference: 20 - 22 September, 2024. Awards dinner: 21 September, 2024. Contact. Any queries regarding the essay competition should be sent to [email protected]. Please be aware that, due to the large volume of correspondence we receive, we cannot guarantee to answer every query.
Each submission requires a $25 entry fee via Submittable, and multiple entries are allowed. Entries will be judged based on originality, creativity, writing quality, and adherence to genre, with finalists announced in October 2024, shortlisted in January 2025, and winners in March 2025. Deadline: July 01, 2024.
YoungArts Competition. Award Amount: Up to $10,000 cash awards. Deadline: October 15, 2022; application for 2024 opens June 2023. Fee: $35. Open to students in a variety of disciplines, including visual arts, writing, and music, the YoungArts competition asks students to submit a portfolio of work.
Start Your Essay Today! The Ayn Rand Institute has hosted annual essay contests on Ayn Rand's fiction since 1985, awarding over $2.2 million in total prizes to students worldwide. Enter one of our contests today for a chance to win up to $10,000! Enter Contest.
Deadline: Mid-February 2023-June 1, 2023. Who may enter: High school (including homeschooled), college, and graduate students worldwide. Contest description: The 2023 essay contest topic is marriages and proposals. High school students may focus on Pride and Prejudice only or bring in other Austen works.
The organizers of this short story contest in 2023 seek "content that takes risks, screams with honesty, and celebrates life's extraordinary moments". Winning and shortlisted stories will be published in Folly Journal. Word count: 10,000. Prizes: $2000, $500, $250, two prizes of $125. Entry fee: $18.
Hektoen International, an online journal dedicated to medical humanities, holds an annual contest for essays related to medicine, with a generous $5,000 cash prize. Prize: $5,000 for the winner and $2,500 for the runner-up. Guidelines: Submit a short essay (up to 1,500 words) on any topic so long as it has a relation to medicine. The essay can ...
Published Jan. 20, 2022 Updated Jan. 25, 2022. For a third year, we invited students from 11 to 19 to tell us short, powerful stories about a meaningful life experience for our Personal Narrative ...
Genres: Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, and Short Story. The Rigel 2024 writing contest invites submissions in various formats, including prose, poetry, art, and graphic novels, with a focus on creative expression across genres. The contest aims to support diverse voices and original works.
Annual High School Writing Contest Grades 9-12 Essay, Short Story, Poetry Deadline: December 20, 2023. The Fire Scholarship Contest. Essay: Prompt using video examples on topic of Free Speech Grades High School Juniors & Seniors Deadline: December 31, 2021 [On hiatus 2022-23; check back in 2024]
Welcome to the 31st annual Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest. Submit published or unpublished work. $9,000 in prizes. Top Prize: $3,000 ... The Booksie 2024 Short Story Contest invites writers to submit original short stories, with a maximum length of 5,000 words. The contest offers a grand prize of $500, along with badges for ...