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Best Mystery Writing Contests in 2026

Showing 37 contests that match your search.

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Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, and Young Adult

The 2025 Book Pipeline Unpublished Contest aims to discover unpublished manuscripts across ten categories. Winners receive $25,000, industry circulation, and executive development opportunities. It is open to writers aged 18 and older, with specific submission guidelines based on categories.

Top Prize:

$2,500

Additional prizes:

Winners receive additional development and mentoring, industry circulation to agents and publishers, and consideration for film/TV adaptations.

💰 Entry fee: $45

📅 Deadline: October 15, 2026

First 5 Pages Prize

Stockholm Writers Festival

Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Young Adult

The First 5 Pages Prize encourages writers to submit the first five pages of their unpublished work. The contest aims to inspire writers to polish their starting pages, crucial for capturing the attention of agents and editors. It welcomes entries from writers aged 16 and above, focusing on various genres. The prize promotes beautiful writing and offers support to aspiring authors.

Top Prize:

$2,000

Additional prizes:

Second Prize: $1,000 | Third Prize: $500.

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: March 01, 2026 (Expired)

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