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DIRECTORY
Showing 63 contests that match your search.
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
Ethos Literacy
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Short Story
The contest invites participants to write a story of exactly 100 words on topics like envy, eyeglasses, nightmares, or turtles. It is open to all ages, including international writers. Winning stories will be published in an e-zine.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
Best of Category: writer's gift for four winners; Best Youth Story: writer's gift.
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: March 01, 2026 (Expired)
The Berlin Literary Review
Genres: Flash Fiction
This contest is for flash fiction pieces of 1,500 words or less. Winning entries will be published in the magazine.
Top Prize:
€660
Additional prizes:
Second place: €100 Third place: €60 Winner has publication in the online magazine for winners and shortlisted participants.
💰 Entry fee: $6
📅 Deadline: May 31, 2024 (Expired)
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Desperate Literature
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)
Soft Designs, Inc.
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Short Story
The contest encourages participants to submit one fictional story (max 350 words) for a chance to win a prize. The contest requires a minimum of 10 shortlisted submissions to award a prize, which is a $25 Amazon Gift Card.
Top Prize:
$25 USD Amazon Gift Card
Additional prizes:
Publication
📅 Deadline: August 01, 2024 (Expired)
The Next Big Writer
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Short Story
In 500 words or less, write a story based on a character that has the opportunity to do-over one event in their life. The story can be any genre as long as it is based on this concept. Entrants must also leave at least three quality reviews on the work of other site members.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
$50 for two runner-ups.
💰 Entry fee: $9
📅 Deadline: July 18, 2025 (Expired)
Writing Battle, Inc.
Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Fantasy, and Flash Fiction
The Verdant Raven Battle is a 250 word short story contest where writers receive 3 prompts to incorporate into their narratives. It fosters a supportive community, allowing participants to share and receive feedback on their stories. Writers retain all rights to their stories, even if they win.
Top Prize:
$10,000 prize pool
Additional prizes:
$800 USD prize for 10x Genre Winners | $200 USD prize for 10x Genre Runners-Ups | Winners receive online publication, feedback from industry professionals.
💰 Entry fee: $23
📅 Deadline: May 10, 2026 (Expired)
Tadpole Press
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: April 30, 2026 (Expired)
Ireland Writing Retreat
Genres: Flash Fiction and Non-fiction
The WAWA challenges writers to explore the theme of 'Endings' through short stories of up to 500 words. Entries must not include the word 'endings' in the title or story itself. Winners will be announced in March 2025.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
Winner can choose either 500 euro or a voucher worth 1,000 euro for any writing retreat in 2025. Top ten stories in each category will be published on the Ireland Writing Retreat website, including a bio and photo of the author.
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: January 12, 2025 (Expired)
Oxford Flash Fiction
Genres: Flash Fiction, Fiction, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Young Adult
The Oxford Flash Fiction Prize celebrates flash fiction, encouraging new voices and showcasing creativity in under 1000 words. This biannual competition invites writers to submit their stories for the chance to win cash prizes and publication.
Top Prize:
£1000
Additional prizes:
2nd Prize: £200 | 3rd Prize: £100 | New Voice Prize: £200 | Publication in the anthology for shortlisted entrants.
💰 Entry fee: $7
📅 Deadline: August 31, 2025 (Expired)
Fairfield Scribes
Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction
The Scribes Prize is an annual writing contest open for submissions from July 1 to October 1. It invites stories between 90-110 words, with a focus on various genres of fiction and creative nonfiction. Winners will be published in ScribesMICRO and receive digital award seals.
Top Prize:
$250
Additional prizes:
Silver: $125 Bronze: $60 15 Honorable Mentions: $20 each Publication in ScribesMICRO and digital award seals for winners
💰 Entry fee: $5
📅 Deadline: October 01, 2025 (Expired)
Storyshares
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Short Story, and Young Adult
The annual Story of the Year contest is back with a new challenge! We’re looking for captivating, diverse stories that are "easy to read and hard to put down" for readers beyond the third grade. There are five categories aimed at young adult readers, and we encourage you to submit as many entries as you like—submission is free and unlimited!
Top Prize:
$15,000
Additional prizes:
Publication in digital and print
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: January 13, 2025 (Expired)
Onyx Publications
Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Fiction, Short Story, and Thriller
The contest awarded prizes for both prose and poetry categories, with multiple winners for each.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
Second place: $150 Third place: $75 Winner also gets publication and author interview on Story Discovery podcast.
💰 Entry fee: $12
📅 Deadline: May 05, 2024 (Expired)
Third Wednesday
Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction
The contest honors George Dila, a friend of the magazine and its original fiction editor. It invites submissions of previously unpublished flash fiction under 1,000 words.
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
Publication in Third Wednesday magazine
💰 Entry fee: $6
📅 Deadline: August 15, 2025 (Expired)
New Writers UK
Genres: Flash Fiction
The New Writers Poetry Competition offers a £1,200 top prize (with £1,800 total) and publication for the top six poems in its next New Writers Anthology. It is open globally to any English-language poet aged 18+. 10% of proceeds will be donated to charity. The head judge is prize-winning poet, Katrina Moinet.
Top Prize:
£1,200
Additional prizes:
2nd: £300 | 3rd: £150 | 4th to 6th: £50 each
💰 Entry fee: $14
📅 Deadline: July 17, 2025 (Expired)
Jerboa Lit
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)
The Booby Prize
Genres: Flash Fiction and Fiction
The Booby Prize is a quarterly flash fiction contest supporting the conservation of the Blue-Footed Boobys.
Top Prize:
£500
Additional prizes:
If you include a Blue-Footed Booby in your story, it will automatically be inducted into the Booby Hall of Fame and have a chance to win a booby soft toy.
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: October 19, 2025 (Expired)
Not Quite Write
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)
WOW! Women On Writing
Genres: Flash Fiction, Fiction, and Short Story
The WOW! Women on Writing Flash Fiction Contest aims to inspire creativity and recognition for writers. Open to all genres of flash fiction, it has been running since 2006 and has awarded over $100,000 in cash prizes to participants. The contest allows entries globally, and submissions must be in English.
Top Prize:
$400
Additional prizes:
2nd: $300 | 3rd: $200 | 7 runner-ups: $25 Amazon Gift Cards
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: February 28, 2026 (Expired)
Writer Advice
Genres: Flash Fiction and Fiction
This contest invites submissions of flash fiction and other prose forms, including creative non-fiction. Pieces should focus on critical moments in the protagonist's life, with a maximum length of 750 words. All entries receive consideration for publication, and those selected as winners receive small cash prizes.
Top Prize:
Small cash prizes for 3 to 8 published works.
💰 Entry fee: $5
📅 Deadline: September 02, 2025 (Expired)
South Warwickshire Literary Festival
Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Flash Fiction
The competition features an open theme and includes four categories: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, and Poetry. Each category has a defined maximum word count. Winners will be acknowledged at the festival and have the opportunity to read their entries.
Top Prize:
£75
Additional prizes:
£75 for first prize in each category, plus the opportunity to read the winning entry at the festival. £25 for commended entries in each category.
💰 Entry fee: $4
📅 Deadline: March 28, 2025 (Expired)
SmokeLong Quarterly
Genres: Flash Fiction
An annual competition celebrating excellence in flash fiction. Previous winners have been published in notable anthologies.
Top Prize:
$2,500
Additional prizes:
2nd: $1000 | 3rd: $500 | Finalists: $150 | Finalists: $150 each. All finalists will be published in the June 2026 issue.
💰 Entry fee: $17
📅 Deadline: May 10, 2026 (Expired)
Fiction Factory
Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, and Travel
The competition invites writers to submit short stories of up to 1000 words, excluding children's and young adult fiction. The entry fee varies based on the number of submissions. Winners will be announced in February 2026.
Top Prize:
£500
Additional prizes:
Publication on the website and free assessment for 2nd and 3rd placed entries.
💰 Entry fee: $7
📅 Deadline: November 30, 2025 (Expired)
Lascuax Review
Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction
The Lascaux Prize in Flash Fiction invites submissions of stories that may be previously published or unpublished. True stories are accepted if written in a narrative style. The contest emphasizes the importance of storytelling.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Winner also receives a bronze medallion and publication in The Lascaux Review
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: June 30, 2026
Alpine Fellowship
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)
The Failing Writers Podcast
Genres: Flash Fiction
The competition invites entries of flash fiction up to 300 words on the theme of 'a lie'. A special secret phrase must also be included, revealed in the podcast episode on September 29. The contest is sponsored by Scrivener.
Top Prize:
£500
Additional prizes:
Extra prizes may be awarded to runners-up.
💰 Entry fee: $5
📅 Deadline: October 24, 2025 (Expired)
Minds Shine Bright
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, and Short Story
The Places Writing Competition invites stories and poems about places that inspire or challenge writers. It includes various categories like poetry, short stories, and flash fiction, and aims to highlight the significance of places in literature.
Top Prize:
The overall winner receives $1500 AUD and publication in the anthology.
Additional prizes:
Up to $200 for commended entries, $50 for young writers.
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: May 31, 2025 (Expired)
Folly Journal
Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Essay, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry
The Folly Short Story Prize 2025 invites submissions for stories that challenge conventional norms. It aims to recognize innovative writing that resonates with contemporary themes.
Top Prize:
$1000 NZD
Additional prizes:
Two tickets to the Folly After Party.
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: June 01, 2025 (Expired)
MoonLit Getaway
Genres: Flash Fiction and Poetry
The contest invites submissions in visual art, poetry, and flash fiction. It aims to showcase innovative and authentic art while promoting diversity. Winners and runners-up will be featured on the website and in a Fall anthology.
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
Each category winner will receive $100 (USD). Winning submissions and two runners-up per category will be published in the Fall Anthology.
📅 Deadline: August 01, 2024 (Expired)
Hayden's Ferry Review
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Poetry
The contest welcomes submissions for fiction and poetry. Winners will be published and receive monetary prizes. Judges include established authors.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Winner also receives publication in Hayden's Ferry Review. $250 for runners-up in each genre and publication
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: February 28, 2026 (Expired)
Tadpole Press
Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction
A monthly writing contest inviting submissions of 10 words or less, without a specific theme. Winners are announced weekly after a community write-in event.
Top Prize:
$50
💰 Entry fee: $5
📅 Deadline: May 01, 2026 (Expired)
Flash 500
Genres: Fiction, Short Story, and Flash Fiction
The Flash Fiction Competition invites writers to submit stories of up to 500 words. It's a quarterly competition with prizes awarded for the top three entries each quarter. Winning entries are published on the website.
Top Prize:
£300
Additional prizes:
2nd: £200 | 3rd: £100
💰 Entry fee: $7
📅 Deadline: December 31, 2026
Southam Book Festival
Genres: Flash Fiction
The competition invites writers to submit original 100-word stories that include one of the specified words: PLACE, PLACED, or PLACES. The competition aims to celebrate concise storytelling.
Top Prize:
£60
Additional prizes:
2nd prize: £30 3rd prize: £20
💰 Entry fee: $3
📅 Deadline: September 07, 2025 (Expired)
Fusilli Writing
Genres: Flash Fiction
An international flash fiction competition for stories up to 200 words with a twist. The competition is open to anyone 18+ and accepts any theme, with a focus on quality writing.
Top Prize:
£30
Additional prizes:
Publication on the winners' page
💰 Entry fee: $3
📅 Deadline: December 31, 2025 (Expired)
Gemini Magazine
Genres: Flash Fiction, Short Story, and Fiction
The Gemini Magazine Short Story Contest is an annual contest open to all writers. Entries must be unpublished and can be of any subject, style, or length. The contest aims to discover and publish the best literary works.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: $100 | 3x honorable mentions: $25. Publication in the Summer 2026 issue of Gemini Magazine.
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2026 (Expired)
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