Best Writing Contests in 2026

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.

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

Write a short story in ten words or fewer. Entry is free and must be original and unpublished. Judged on originality, quality, spelling, and grammar.

Genres: Flash Fiction

A flash fiction competition run by The Failing Writers Podcast and sponsored by Scrivener. This year the theme is "birthday", and every story must also work in a special phrase revealed in the podcast episode that launches the competition. Judges look for originality, creativity, characterisation and readability. Alongside the cash prize, winning and shortlisted stories are turned into professional audio productions and celebrated on the podcast.

Genres: Children's, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story, and Young Adult

The contest is open to both published and unpublished authors, featuring various categories. Each entry will be judged on literary merit by a panel. Winning entries will be featured in the Arizona Authors Literary Magazine.

Genres: Christian, Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Travel

The New Deal Writing Competition invites writers to create a short story inspired by a specific painting. The current painting is 'Playtime' by Fred Ross. This is the ninth annual contest, intended to celebrate creativity and connect art and writing.

Genres: Fiction, Novel, Novella, Romance, and Short Story

The Passionate Plume Contest is aimed at supporting erotic fiction authors, offering various categories for both published and unpublished writers. It encourages creativity and provides a platform for authors to showcase their work.

Genres: Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

The 20th Elmbridge Literary Competition invites submissions of short stories and poems on the theme of 'The River' to commemorate RC Sherriff. Open internationally, the competition includes age categories with specific word counts.

Genres: Poetry

The Robinson Jeffers Tor House Prize for Poetry is an annual contest honoring the poet Robinson Jeffers. Established as a living memorial, it aims to recognize outstanding poetry submissions. The prize includes an honorarium and honorable mentions.

Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Script Writing, Thriller, Children's, and Christian

Kinsman Black Box script submissions are open year-round for one-act and full-length plays, and the programme especially welcomes BIPOC and traditionally underrepresented playwrights. Selected scripts are published globally in the Kinsman Black Box online script database, which licenses work to schools, theatre groups and charitable organisations.

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

Submit your best short fiction for a chance to win cash prizes, publication on the Write Catalyst blog, and free memberships. Open genre (excluding extreme horror and gratuitous erotica).

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.

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The BBC National Short Story Award aims to celebrate and promote the short story form, providing a prestigious platform for both established and emerging writers. The award includes a significant monetary prize and recognition through BBC broadcasts.

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.

Genres: Fiction, Novel, and Young Adult

The Caledonia Novel Award is an international competition for unpublished and self-published novelists in all genres, encouraging writers to submit their original works. The award aims to connect new authors with literary agents.

Genres: Poetry

Established in 1998, this award honors poet Benjamin Saltman and is for previously unpublished original poetry collections. The competition is open to all poets.

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Novel

The Letter Review Prize for Books is an annual contest seeking excerpts from unpublished manuscripts across various genres. It aims to support writers at all stages and offers significant publication opportunities.

Genres: Fantasy and Short Story

The challenge invites participants to write a short story themed around dragons and wyverns within a ten-day period. Writers of all skill levels can join, and there are prompts provided at the start. The challenge emphasizes creativity and community, including workshops and feedback on submissions.

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

So to Speak is a feminist literary journal seeking diverse voices, focusing on intersectional feminism. They publish twice a year, accepting submissions of fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and visual art, with a particular emphasis on marginalized perspectives.

Genres: Poetry

Every year, the University of Arkansas Press accepts submissions for the Miller Williams Poetry Series and from the books selected awards the $5,000 Miller Williams Poetry Prize in the following summer. For almost a quarter century the press has made this series the cornerstone of its work as a publisher of some of the country’s best new poetry. The series and prize are named for and operated to honor the cofounder and longtime director of the press, Miller Williams.

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.

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.

Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction

The Eighteenth Annual Flash Fiction Contest from Gemini Magazine welcomes unpublished flash fiction on any subject and in any style. All entries are read blind, so emerging writers and experienced writers get an equal chance.

Genres:

The Nobleer Media Impact Award celebrates exceptional authors who have made a profound impact through their work.

Genres: Essay and Non-fiction

The Great American Think-Off is an annual philosophical essay contest that invites participants to submit essays on significant questions of life. The contest culminates in a live debate where finalists present their arguments, and the audience votes on the best perspective.

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.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, and Thriller

Inkitt and Ironblood invite writers to submit LitRPG stories where the game is real and the stakes sky-high: dungeon crawlers where each floor threatens death, System apocalypses where the rules change overnight, or virtual worlds where logging out is impossible. Stories with stats, skills, and a hero who bends the rules toward victory belong here.

Genres: Children's and Essay

An annual contest encouraging students to explore and appreciate Jane Austen's works. Open to high school, college, and graduate students worldwide, the contest offers scholarships for original essays focused on a specific topic related to Austen's literature.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Poetry, and Science Fiction

The contest is open to English-language entries globally. It features categories for Florida Fiction, Fantasy/Science Fiction, Poetry, Prose Poetry, and Haiku, allowing multiple entries per category.

Genres: Poetry

The Dream Quest One Poetry Contest is an international competition aimed at encouraging writers and poets to showcase their original works. The contest is open to all, regardless of experience, and accepts entries in various styles and themes. The mission is to inspire creativity and support literary talents.

Genres: Essay

The contest invites high school students to write an essay reflecting on the role of the U.S. Foreign Service during the Vietnam War and its impacts on contemporary U.S. diplomacy.

Genres: Memoir, Poetry, and Short Story

Celebrate the art of six-word storytelling by submitting your best six-word story, poem, memoir, or joke. The contest aims to discover impactful micro-stories.

Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novel, Romance, Science Fiction, and Thriller

The Pitch Prize is an international writing competition for unagented novelists. Submit the opening 500 words of your novel, a cover letter and a synopsis for the chance to pitch this year's judges, Kat Aitken and Seren Adams, co-founders of Lexington Literary Agency. Up to seven winners receive feedback and a one-to-one meeting with the agent judges.

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

This contest invites submissions that explore the theme 'Disability as a Strength', showcasing narratives around managing mental health, disabilities, and chronic illnesses. It is a chance for writers to express how these experiences have fortified their identities.

Genres: Poetry

The Clevedon Lit Fest Poetry Award 2026 invites UK residents aged 16 or older to submit original poetry entries. Each entry must be a maximum of 40 lines and typed in English. The contest emphasizes creativity and originality, disqualifying works that have previously won or been published. AI-generated entries will also be disqualified.

Genres: Poetry

The Hastings Book Festival Poetry Competition is an annual event inviting submissions from poets worldwide. The contest aims to celebrate new poetry and provides an opportunity for both established and emerging writers.