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DIRECTORY

Best Fiction Writing Contests in 2026

Showing 253 contests that match your search.

The Homer Awards

Imagine Press / Homer Awards

Genres: Crime, Fiction, Humor, Mystery, Novel, Romance, and Thriller

The Homer Awards celebrate excellence in Thriller and Greece-set fiction. Nine awards across five categories, including the Penelope Award — a manuscript prize for unagented authors offering a full publishing deal with Imagine Press.

Top Prize:

A full publishing deal with Imagine Press (professional editing, cover design, formatting, and global distribution). Winner retains all rights.

💰 Entry fee: $30

📅 Deadline: December 31, 2026

Genres: Short Story and Fiction

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

Top Prize:

$1000 USD shared by 2 to 4 winners.

Additional prizes:

Publication by The Letter Review. Up to 20 writers shortlisted. Publication and consideration for the Pushcart Prize and anthologies.

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: July 31, 2026 (Expired)

Goldilocks Zone

Sunspot Literary Journal

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Script Writing, and Short Story

The Goldilocks Zone contest invites submissions for fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, artwork, and graphic novels, seeking works that combine craft with audience appeal. The prize includes cash and publication for winners and runners-up.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

Publication for the winner; publication offered to runners-up and finalists.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: May 01, 2025 (Expired)

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

The Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction invites writers to break traditional writing rules while crafting compelling stories. Participants have 60 hours to produce a story of up to 500 words in response to prompts. The contest is held quarterly, with cash prizes totaling AU$4,000 each round.

Top Prize:

$1,500 AUD

Additional prizes:

Winner receives AU$1,500 and the Not Quite Write Trophy. | 2nd place: AU$500 | 3rd place: AU$200 | Additional cash prizes for other positions.

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: April 26, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

The Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize celebrates emerging voices in life writing, poetry, and fiction. It supports writers who have not published book-length works and offers a platform for diverse backgrounds. Winners receive a £1,000 cash prize and publication in Wasafiri.

Top Prize:

£1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication in Wasafiri magazine, mentoring through Chapter and Verse or Free Reads, career discussions with The Good Literary Agency, and a one-year print subscription.

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: September 30, 2024 (Expired)

WOW! Spring 2026 Flash Fiction Contest w/Reedsy Learning

WOW! Women On Writing & Reedsy Learning

Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction

The WOW! Spring 2026 Flash Fiction Contest invites writers globally to submit original flash fiction. The contest has an open prompt and awards a total of $600 for first place, along with prizes for second and third places, as well as runners-up. Entries must be between 250 and 750 words. A critique option is also available.

Top Prize:

$600

Additional prizes:

2nd: $300 | 3rd: $200 | 7 runner-ups: $25 Amazon Gift Cards | Winner also receives a spot in Reedsy’s How to Write a Novel Course ($499 value) & a 12-month Reedsy Learning Membership ($249 value)

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction and Novel

The Annual Novel Opening Competition welcomes entries of up to 3,000 words for a novel opening, along with a synopsis (max 750 words). The contest is open to all novelists, provided the work is unpublished.

Top Prize:

£500

Additional prizes:

2nd Place: £200

💰 Entry fee: $13

📅 Deadline: October 31, 2026

Nimrod Literary Awards

The University of Tulsa

Genres: Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, and Novel

The Nimrod Literary Awards recognize outstanding writing in multiple genres. The contest is open to various forms of literature, offering recognition and opportunities for emerging writers.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

2nd: $200 | Publication for winner.

📅 Deadline: February 16, 2026 (Expired)

Swamp Pink Prizes

Swamp Pink

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

The Swamp Pink Prizes celebrate excellence in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Each winner receives $2,000 and publication in an upcoming issue of Swamp Pink. The contest is open for submissions throughout January.

Top Prize:

$200

Additional prizes:

Publication in an upcoming issue of Swamp Pink

💰 Entry fee: $3

📅 Deadline: June 01, 2026 (Expired)

Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award

Poets & Writers, Inc.

Genres: Fiction and Poetry

Established in 1984, this award connects emerging writers with the New York City literary community, facilitating professional advancement through a network of agents, editors, and authors. The winners receive an honorarium, a public reading, and participation in a residency program.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

Residency at the Jentel Artist Residency Program in Wyoming.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: March 01, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Horror, Mystery, and Science Fiction

The Fabula Press Short Story Contest encourages exceptional storytelling across genres, with no specific theme. Participants can submit entries for both free and paid categories. Winning stories may be published in an anthology.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

2nd place: $250 3rd place: $100 Stories selected for publication: $75

📅 Deadline: June 11, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Short Story

The Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize aims to discover and support new writing talent on an annual basis. The prize includes financial support for the best pieces of writing submitted on an announced theme. The contest is open to all writers aged 18 and above, regardless of nationality.

Top Prize:

£3,000 cash grant

Additional prizes:

2nd: £1,000 travel expense | 3rd: £1,000 travel expense

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: March 01, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction

The competition invites stories reflecting contemporary political themes, such as healthcare, freedom of speech, and global politics. Entries must not exceed 5,000 words and must be original, unpublished works submitted as a .docx file.

Top Prize:

£50

Additional prizes:

2nd: £30 | 3rd: £20 | Publication of winning stories on the Claret Press website and in the Sip of Claret News newsletter.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: March 01, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult, Children's, Poetry, Romance, Short Story, Suspense, and Travel

The Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest welcomes entries of 100 words or less on any theme. It emphasizes creativity, uniqueness, and growth in writing, encouraging diverse voices.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

1st: $1000 + a 2-year Duotrope Gift Certificate | 2nd: Publishing and marketing package | 3rd: Manuscript assessment package | 4th place: Editing package with Tadpole Press | 5th & 6th: Writing coaching package | 7th to 30th: Additional cash prizes.

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: November 30, 2026

Genres: Fiction

The Dave Williamson National Short Story Competition is open to Canadian writers aged 18 and older, encouraging diversity and inclusion across all communities. Submissions are accepted in any fiction genre, with a word limit between 2,500 and 4,500 words. Winners will be published in the Guild's anthology, _Beyond Boundaries_.

Top Prize:

$1,000 CAD

Additional prizes:

2nd: $600 CAD | 3rd: $400 CAD

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: February 15, 2025 (Expired)

The Book of the Year Awards

The Independent Author Network

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

The 12th Annual 2026 IAN Book of the Year Awards is an international contest open to all authors with 75 categories. Winners are eligible for cash prizes totaling $6,000.

Top Prize:

$2,500

Additional prizes:

Minimum cash prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250 for category winners in fiction and non-fiction. Winners receive a digital award seal, membership benefits, and recognition.

💰 Entry fee: $49

📅 Deadline: August 15, 2026

F(r)iction Short Story Contest

Brink Literacy Project

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The F(r)iction Short Story Contest invites submissions of short stories, poetry, flash fiction, and creative nonfiction. It encourages experimental and boundary-pushing literature.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Up to five finalists will also be considered for publication.

📅 Deadline: May 15, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Children's and Fiction

The contest aims to elevate culturally relevant children's stories by authors of Asian heritage. It welcomes submissions of original children's books focusing on topics like resilience and identity.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

2nd: $500 | 3rd: $300 | Swag packages from Sambasivan & Parikh and Teacher Created Materials, and a meeting with the founders and an acquisitions editor.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Creative Writing Award celebrates outstanding new writing talents in poetry and short fiction, offering a platform for authors globally to showcase their work. It emphasizes innovation in content and form across any theme.

Top Prize:

$2,500

Additional prizes:

Publication in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual One-year subscription to The London Magazine, Granta, and Mslexia Consultation with Redhammer Management Six-week writing short stories course from Curtis Brown Creative

💰 Entry fee: $18

📅 Deadline: August 31, 2025 (Expired)

The Paul Cave Prize for Literature

Tim Saunders Publications

Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult

Established in 2023, this contest is a platform for writers and poets to get their work published. Categories include various forms of poetry and fiction, excluding erotic work. Winners receive feedback and cash prizes, while all approved submissions will be included in the anthology.

Top Prize:

£200

Additional prizes:

Feedback from the publisher + a complimentary copy of the anthology

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: September 30, 2025 (Expired)

Writers of the Future

Writers of the Future

Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Horror

The Writers of the Future Contest is an opportunity for new writers of science fiction and fantasy to have their work judged by professional writers. It has been established since 1983 and includes quarterly cash prizes and an annual grand prize.

Top Prize:

$5,000

Additional prizes:

2nd place: $750 | 3rd place: $500 | Trophy and the L. Ron Hubbard Golden Pen Award for the grand prize winner.

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2026 (Expired)

Lantern Lighters Contest 2026

The Lantern and the Pen

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, and Science Fiction

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

Top Prize:

$50 Amazon Gift Card, editorial feedback, publication on website and social media.

Additional prizes:

2nd: $25 Amazon gift card & publication | 3rd: publication

📅 Deadline: September 01, 2026

Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction

The contest honors George Dila, a friend of the magazine and its original fiction editor. It invites submissions of previously unpublished flash fiction under 1,000 words.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

Publication in Third Wednesday magazine

💰 Entry fee: $6

📅 Deadline: August 15, 2025 (Expired)

Farnham's First Five Pages Competition

Farnham Literary Festival

Genres: Fiction

The competition invites submissions of the first five pages of a novel and a 250-word synopsis. The work must be unpublished and original. There is no specific theme or style required.

Top Prize:

£1000

Additional prizes:

1st: The Paris Prize for Fiction, including a critique for the first place winner | 2nd: £300 | 3rd: £200

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: December 31, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction and Novel

This competition invites submissions of the first chapter of a novel along with a synopsis. The focus is on originality and engaging storytelling. The winner will receive feedback from a literary agent and a substantial cash prize.

Top Prize:

£500 + an appraisal

Additional prizes:

Free appraisal for the winning entry + all shortlisted entrants

💰 Entry fee: $18

📅 Deadline: January 31, 2026 (Expired)

The Shelley Awards for Paranormal Fiction

Chanticleer International Book Awards

Genres: Fiction

The SHELLEY Book Awards honor exceptional works in supernatural and paranormal fiction, evaluating based on compelling storytelling, professionalism, and uniqueness. The competition includes multiple categories and offers significant promotional opportunities.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Additional prizes include a Chanticleer Prize Package.

💰 Entry fee: $99

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Atom Learning Young Author Award encourages children aged 7-11 to express their creativity through writing. The contest invites submissions of up to 500 words based on a specific theme, fostering young authors' storytelling skills.

Top Prize:

A trip to Disneyland Paris, a Chromebook, a custom-illustrated cover art of the winner's story, and a subscription to Atom Home.

Additional prizes:

£50 book voucher or one month subscription to Atom Home for 10 runners-up.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: June 25, 2025 (Expired)

4th Annual Wine Country Writers' Festival Writing Contest

Wine Country Writers' Festival Society

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry

The contest is open to writers over 18 worldwide and includes categories for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Each submission must adhere to specific formatting guidelines and word limits. Winners are selected through blind judging, and results are announced during the festival.

Top Prize:

$200 CAD per category

Additional prizes:

Second place: $100 Third place: $50 Winner also gets anthology publication, entry to next year's festival

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: June 02, 2024 (Expired)

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, and Fiction

The Romantasy Short Story Challenge invites writers to craft a 2,000-word story based on the romantasy theme, incorporating specific prompts given at the challenge start. Participants have ten days to create and submit their stories.

Top Prize:

$1,800

💰 Entry fee: $38

📅 Deadline: March 02, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Short Story

The Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize aims to celebrate new short fiction under 2000 words and provide visibility to winners through various publishing opportunities. This year, the prize includes cash rewards and writing retreats, alongside publication chances in several literary journals.

Top Prize:

€2,000 + a week’s residency at the Civitella Ranieri Foundation, consultation with Literary Agent Charlotte Seymour, and a manuscript assessment with The Literary Consultancy.

Additional prizes:

2nd and 3rd place: €1000. Publication in partner journals for all shortlisted writers.

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: April 19, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry

A writing contest encouraging submissions about a woman, real or imagined, who claimed her own identity. The work must be original and unpublished, focusing on a specifically named woman. Eligible genres include fiction, creative non-fiction, personal essay, and poetry.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

2 Runners Up: $30 each

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Short Story

The Jerboa Lit 250 is a weekend-long mini-flash fiction contest where participants write a story of 250 words based on a prompt given 48 hours prior. The contest encourages creativity within genres and includes specific character requirements. Winners are announced within a month after submission.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

2nd: $300 | 3rd: $200

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: April 26, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

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

Top Prize:

£50

Additional prizes:

Publication on the blog & interview with the Lead Editor. Discounts on English Literature Masterclasses and certificates of commendation.

💰 Entry fee: $3

📅 Deadline: August 10, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, and Fantasy

The Not Quite Write Prize for FLESH Fiction invites submissions of erotic stories up to 1,500 words based on the theme 'Making the unsexy irresistible'. The competition is open to adults worldwide, free to enter, and aims to explore creative interpretations of erotic fiction. Judging is blind, and winners will be announced publicly.

Top Prize:

$500 AUS

Additional prizes:

Total prize pool of AU$1,000 plus a range of "spicy" prizes and a chance at print publication.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: August 24, 2025 (Expired)

The StorySloth 500

Story Sloth

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The StorySloth 500 is a short story writing competition where authors submit stories of up to 500 words without any genre restrictions. The competition encourages original work and has a simple entry process for registered authors.

Top Prize:

£50

Additional prizes:

£50 Amazon voucher & Founding Author badge | 5 entries receive £10 Amazon vouchers.

📅 Deadline: May 03, 2026 (Expired)

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