Menu
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.
Dream Quest One Writing Contest
Andre L. West
Genres: Short Story
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.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
First Writing Prize: $500, Second Writing Prize: $250, Third Writing Prize: $100.
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: April 06, 2025 (Expired)
Fusilli Flash Fiction
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)
Black Orchid Novella Award
Wolfe Pack & Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine
Genres: Crime, Mystery, and Novella
The Black Orchid Novella Award celebrates the novella format, encouraging original, unpublished works that conform to the mystery genre's traditional forms, specifically inspired by the Nero Wolfe series. The contest is designed to highlight the novella, requiring submissions that are tight and engaging, devoid of explicit content.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Publication in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine
📅 Deadline: May 31, 2026 (Expired)
The Emma Awards Book Contest
RSJ Convention
Genres: Fiction, Novel, Novella, and Romance
The Emma Awards celebrate multicultural excellence in romance and women's fiction, promoting diverse voices and stories. The contest recognizes top entries in various romance subgenres, ensuring inclusion in literature.
Top Prize:
$250
Additional prizes:
Winner also receives the Book of the Year Award. The Emma Crystal Award for Diversity in Publishing and the Reader's Choice Certificate of Recognition will also be distributed.
💰 Entry fee: $60
📅 Deadline: July 31, 2025 (Expired)
Ascent Novel Prize
Ascent Literary
Genres: Fiction
The Ascent Novel Prize is a prestigious writing contest aimed at unpublished novelists. It encourages new talent by providing a platform to showcase their work.
Top Prize:
$39
Additional prizes:
Top 100 entries win a paragraph of personalised feedback from industry professionals
📅 Deadline: November 01, 2026
Fischer Prize
Telluride Institute
Genres: Poetry
A national poetry contest established in 1997 in memory of Mark Fischer. It aims to promote poetry and supports the Talking Gourds community poetry program. The contest is open to all poets writing in English, regardless of age or location, and it awards cash prizes to winners and finalists.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Five $250 Outstanding Finalist prizes
💰 Entry fee: $12
📅 Deadline: August 31, 2025 (Expired)
J. Michael Samuel Prize for Emerging Writers Over 50
Lambda Literary
Genres: LGBTQ
This award honors emerging LGBTQ writers over the age of 50, aiming to support those who have not yet been published in book form. It emphasizes that writers who start later can be just as accomplished.
Top Prize:
$5,000
📅 Deadline: February 20, 2026 (Expired)
AWP Prize for Creative Nonfiction
Association of Writers & Writing Programs
Genres: Non-fiction
AWP sponsors the Award Series, an annual competition for the publication of excellent new book-length works. The competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence, and is available to published and unpublished authors alike.
Top Prize:
$2,500
Additional prizes:
Publication by the University of Georgia Press
💰 Entry fee: $30
📅 Deadline: February 28, 2026 (Expired)
Black River Chapbook Competition
Black Lawrence Press
Genres: Poetry
Twice each year Black Lawrence Press will run the Black River Chapbook Competition for an unpublished chapbook of poems or prose between 16-36 pages in length. The contest is open to new, emerging, and established writers. The winner will receive book publication, a $500 cash award, and ten copies of the book. Prizes are awarded on publication.
Top Prize:
$500
💰 Entry fee: $18
📅 Deadline: October 31, 2025 (Expired)
National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award
First Coast Romance Writers
Genres: Fiction and Romance
The National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award celebrates published romance novels and novellas, judged by romance readers. Each book is assessed by three judges in the first round, with the highest scoring advancing to final round judging by bloggers, booksellers, and librarians.
Top Prize:
NERFA Winner web logo and trophy
Additional prizes:
Finalists receive a NERFA Finalist web logo and certificate, while winners receive a trophy and NERFA Winner web logo.
💰 Entry fee: $40
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2026 (Expired)
Future Leaders Competition
ChallengeUS
Genres: Non-fiction and Essay
The ChallengeUS Future Leaders Competition engages youth globally to advocate for civic ideas, spotlighting promising leaders through scholarship prizes. Participants envision their future by 2050 and can join the Future Leaders Network.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
Publication of submission, biographical article, Certificate of Special Achievement for 1st place winner. | Certificate of Achievement for honorable mentions.
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: July 25, 2025 (Expired)
F(r)iction Poetry Contest
Brink Literacy Project
Genres: Poetry
The F(r)iction Poetry Contest encourages innovative poetry with a narrative trajectory and imagery focus. Prizes include publication consideration in F(r)iction.
Top Prize:
$300
Additional prizes:
Up to five finalists will be considered for publication.
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: May 15, 2026 (Expired)
Op-Ed Competition 2026
Write the World
Genres: Essay and Non-fiction
The Op-Ed Competition 2026 invites young writers aged 13-19 to express their opinions on important topics. The competition emphasizes well-researched arguments and encourages directness in writing.
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
Winner receives $100; Runner-Up and Best Peer Review each receive $50.
📅 Deadline: February 23, 2026 (Expired)
Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction
Letter Review
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)
Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors
Grist Magazine
Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult
The Imagine 2200 contest invites writers to envision equitable climate progress stories, showcasing creative solutions and community resilience. It emphasizes hope and the potential for positive change through fiction.
Top Prize:
$3,000
Additional prizes:
Second place: $2000 Third place: $1000 Ten $300 awards for finalists. Opportunity for the winner to participate in Oregon State University's Environmental Writing Fellowship and Residency, including a four-week writing residency.
📅 Deadline: June 24, 2024 (Expired)
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
The Booby Prize
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)
The Hudson Prize
Black Lawrence Press
Genres: Fiction and Poetry
The Hudson Prize is awarded annually for an unpublished collection of poems or prose. It is open to new, emerging, and established writers. The winner receives book publication, a $1,000 cash award, and ten copies of the book.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Book publication and ten copies of the book
💰 Entry fee: $30
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2025 (Expired)
The Philip Hoare Competition
University of Southampton
Genres: Non-fiction and Short Story
The Philip Hoare Prize is an international competition for the best non-fiction writing, established in 2025, seeking vivid and original narratives that blend personal, historical, and natural themes.
Top Prize:
£300
Additional prizes:
2nd: £100 | 3rd: £50 | Winner also receives publication in the University of Southampton’s annual Avenues Creative Writing anthology.
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: July 31, 2025 (Expired)
Precocious Prize for Fantasy
Michelle Arden Moore
Genres: Fantasy and Fiction
The Precocious Prize for Fantasy is a short story competition seeking bold, character-driven fantasy fiction. The contest is open to both published and unpublished writers, with a focus on stories that feature strong characters and emotional stakes. Winners will be featured in an anthology.
Top Prize:
£100
Additional prizes:
Up to 10 shortlisted writers will also be published in the anthology.
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: July 31, 2026 (Expired)
The Masters Review Novel Excerpt Contest
The Masters Review
Genres: Fiction and Novel
The contest invites submissions of self-contained novel excerpts up to 6,000 words, focusing on strong voice, characters, and narrative arcs. The grand prize includes $3,000, online publication, and a consultation with a literary agent.
Top Prize:
$3,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: $300 | 3rd: $200 | Online publication + an hour-long consultation with a literary agent.
💰 Entry fee: $20
📅 Deadline: November 01, 2024 (Expired)
Genres: Poetry
The competition invites poets to submit works based on five given words each week over a 42-week period. It aims to encourage creativity and showcases poets' works in an anthology.
Top Prize:
$750
Additional prizes:
Second place: 500 euros Third place: 250 euros Travel fee and accommodation for winners attending the event. Physical award crafted by Michael Ray, plus opportunities for winners to read at events.
💰 Entry fee: $5
📅 Deadline: January 28, 2025 (Expired)
HOLT Medallion Contest
Virginia Romance Writers
Genres: Fiction and Romance
The HOLT Medallion Contest honors outstanding romantic fiction, evaluating entries through a panel of romance readers. It has been held annually since 1995, recognizing both published and unpublished authors. The winners receive a pewter medallion and a certificate.
Top Prize:
Winners receive a certificate and a pewter HOLT Medallion
💰 Entry fee: $35
📅 Deadline: January 31, 2025 (Expired)
Frances Browne Poetry Competition
Celine Mc Glynn and Dr. Pauline Holland
Genres: Poetry
This competition welcomes poets writing in English, Irish, and Ulster-Scots. It encourages participation from around the globe, emphasizing the importance of diverse voices.
Top Prize:
€250
Additional prizes:
A grand prize is available for each category. €100 for local winners in each language category.
💰 Entry fee: $5
📅 Deadline: August 20, 2025 (Expired)
The Selah Awards
Blue Ridge Mountains Conference
Genres: Christian
The Selah Awards celebrate published works from January 1 to December 31, 2024. Participants must submit a physical entry form alongside their works. The contest is part of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.
Top Prize:
The Selah Book of the Year is selected from first-place winners
Additional prizes:
The Selah Book of the Year selected from first-place winners
💰 Entry fee: $55
📅 Deadline: January 04, 2026 (Expired)
Willow Run Poetry Book Award
Hidden River Press
Genres: Poetry
The Willow Run Poetry Book Award is an annual contest open to poets worldwide. The winner receives a monetary prize of $1,000 and publication by Hidden River Press. Entries should be unpublished collections of poetry, between 75 and 100 pages.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Publication in Hidden River Press
💰 Entry fee: $20
📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025 (Expired)
Asian Voices in Children's Literature Writing Contest
Free Spirit Publishing
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)
Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition
Munster Literature Centre
Genres: Short Story
An annual short story competition dedicated to Seán Ó Faoláin, one of Ireland’s notable story writers. The competition is open to original, unpublished, and unbroadcast short stories in English.
Top Prize:
$2,000
Additional prizes:
2nd Place: €500 Four runners-up: €300 Publication in Southword for all
💰 Entry fee: $19
📅 Deadline: July 31, 2025 (Expired)
The Plough Prize
The Plough Arts Centre
Genres: Poetry
The Plough Prize is an international poetry competition open for poems in English, limited to 40 lines on any subject. The contest emphasizes anonymity in judging, with a focus on quality.
Top Prize:
£1,000
Additional prizes:
2nd place: £500 3rd place: £250 Highly Commended poems may be recognized.
💰 Entry fee: $5
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2025 (Expired)
Brink Fall 2025 Writing Contest
Brink Literary Journal
Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Flash Fiction, and Poetry
The Brink Fall 2025 Writing Contest invites submissions in multiple genres. Winning entries will be selected and published, emphasizing creative, boundary-pushing literature. The contest encourages diverse voices and innovative storytelling.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
First place prizes include cash awards of $1,000 for short stories, $300 for poetry, and $300 for flash fiction. Finalists will be considered for publication and may receive free edits.
💰 Entry fee: $3
📅 Deadline: November 07, 2025 (Expired)
Nature and Place Poetry Competition
The Rialto
Genres: Poetry
The Nature and Place Poetry Competition 2024 is a poetry contest organized by The Rialto in association with RSPB, BirdLife International, Cambridge Conservation Initiative, and The University of Leeds Poetry Centre. It invites poets to submit unpublished poems focused on nature and place. Free entries available for writers on low or supported incomes (up to two poems)
Top Prize:
£1000
Additional prizes:
2nd prize: £500, 3rd prize: £250
💰 Entry fee: $7
📅 Deadline: April 01, 2025 (Expired)
Tadpole Press Mini Moon Writing Contest
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: June 29, 2026 (Expired)
Season Themes
HAVOK Publishing
Genres: Fantasy, Flash Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Short Story, and Thriller
Season Themes is a flash fiction contest that invites authors to create stories inspired by monthly themes and prompts. Each theme features a specific character prompt that authors must incorporate into their stories, allowing for creative interpretations across various genres.
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
Publication in an anthology. Potential for larger gift card wins.
📅 Deadline: January 17, 2025 (Expired)
Annual Novel Opening Competition
Flash 500
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
BRMCWC Foundation Awards
Blue Ridge Mountains Conference
Genres: Christian
The BRMCWC Foundation Awards are open to unpublished works from attendees of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Participants must be registered for the entire conference to compete.
💰 Entry fee: $35
📅 Deadline: March 30, 2026 (Expired)
