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DIRECTORY

Best Writing Contests in 2026

Showing 479 contests that match your search.

Page 14

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Rhys Davies Short Story Competition is a prestigious award for writers born or living in Wales. Established in 1991, it recognizes the best unpublished short stories in English, up to 5,000 words. The competition encourages new talent and is managed by Swansea University's Cultural Institute in association with Parthian Books.

Top Prize:

£1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication in short story anthology |

💰 Entry fee: $8

📅 Deadline: February 14, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Poetry.com Contest invites participants to submit original poems monthly for a chance to win cash prizes and gain recognition. The contest emphasizes community involvement, allowing participants to vote on entries.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

2nd Place: $300 | 3rd Place: $200 | Five runners-up receive a personalized mug and a chance to compete for Poem of the Year.

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: November 30, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year Competition invites entries of poems on any subject and in any format, with a maximum length of 60 lines. Judging is anonymous, and an entry fee of £5 per poem is required.

Top Prize:

£300

Additional prizes:

1st: £300 + title of Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year | 2nd: £150 | 3rd: £75

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: June 02, 2025 (Expired)

Science-me a story

Society of Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdon (SRUK/CERU)

Genres: Fiction and Science Writing

The Science-me a story contest invites submissions of science-themed stories for children. It aims to promote scientific literacy and inspire young minds through creative writing. The contest has been held annually since 2018, receiving hundreds of entries from around the world, evaluated for scientific accuracy and narrative quality.

Top Prize:

£100

Additional prizes:

2nd: £50 | 3rd: £20 | All finalist stories will be published.

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025 (Expired)

The Writers Cypher

The Writers Cypher

Genres: Poetry and Short Story

The Writers Cypher is a first year, three-round virtual creative writing competition sponsored by Writers' Row Publishing House. Participants will compete for cash prizes, including two grand prizes of $1,000 each and an additional $500 for two runners-up. To enter, review the rules and guidelines and submit your first-round entry and $20 registration fee by December 30th.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

$250 for 2x runner-ups

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: January 23, 2026 (Expired)

Winchester Poetry Prize

Winchester Poetry Festival

Genres: Poetry

The Winchester Poetry Prize is an annual poetry competition that began in 2016, attracting global entries. It features a blind judging process and culminates in a prize-giving ceremony during the Winchester Poetry Festival.

Top Prize:

£1000

Additional prizes:

2nd: £500 | 3rd: £250 | Kathryn Bevis Prize: £150 and a year's tuition from The Writing School Online for the best Hampshire-based poem.

💰 Entry fee: $6

📅 Deadline: July 31, 2026 (Expired)

Bridport Novel Award

Bridport Arts Centre

Genres: Fiction and Novel

The Bridport Novel Award invites submissions of original, unpublished novels. Authors must submit an opening of 5,000 to 8,000 words along with a 300-word synopsis. It's open to writers aged 16 and over from the UK and Ireland, including those living abroad.

Top Prize:

£1500

Additional prizes:

£750 for runner-up | 3 prizes of £150 plus a manuscript appraisal.

💰 Entry fee: $29

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2026 (Expired)

TWFest Poetry Contest

Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival

Genres: Poetry

The TWFest Poetry Contest encourages emerging writers to submit their original poems. The contest aims to support new literary works and provides a platform for diverse voices in poetry.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

VIP All-Access Pass ($600 value) for the next Festival, public reading at the Festival, publication in French Quarter Journal, photo and bio on website for one year, interview in newsletter and social media. LitPass ($100 value) for top finalists.

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: October 15, 2025 (Expired)

Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize

University of Pittsburgh Press

Genres: Poetry

The Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize, established in 1981, is awarded for a first full-length book of poems. The prize includes a cash award and publication as part of the Pitt Poetry Series.

Top Prize:

$5,000

Additional prizes:

Publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: April 30, 2025 (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: 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, 2026

Genres: LGBTQ, Novel, and Fiction

The Randall Kenan Prize honors Black LGBTQ writers of fiction, focusing on themes of Black LGBTQ life, culture, and history. Founded in memory of author Randall Kenan.

Top Prize:

$1,500

📅 Deadline: February 20, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Children's, Short Story, and Essay

The Vancouver Writers Fest hosts an annual youth writing contest for short stories and personal essays aimed at students in grades 5-12, focusing on themes like anti-bullying. The contest provides a platform for young writers to express their ideas and experiences.

Top Prize:

$200

Additional prizes:

2nd for high school: $100 | 2nd for Elementary: $50 | Publication in the Books & Ideas Newsletter, social media shout-out, and certificates.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: July 23, 2026 (Expired)

New England Readers' Choice Awards

New England Romance Writers

Genres: Romance and Fiction

The contest recognizes excellence in published romance fiction and is judged by fans, including librarians and booksellers. The grand prize includes coaching from Jeannie Moon, and winners will receive a web badge and printed certificate.

Top Prize:

Two hours of Story & Character Development Coaching by Jeannie Moon; web badge and printed award certificate for winners.

Additional prizes:

Web badge and printed certificate for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category.

💰 Entry fee: $30

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Short Story Competition is organized by Exeter Writers, aiming to encourage and showcase emerging writing talent. This competition invites entries from writers of various backgrounds.

Top Prize:

£700

💰 Entry fee: $9

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2026 (Expired)

Eyelands Book Awards

Strange Days Books

Genres: Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

The Eyelands Book Awards are international awards aimed at recognizing talent among published and unpublished authors. The contest is based in Greece and encourages submissions across various literary genres.

Top Prize:

A five-day stay in Athens

Additional prizes:

Winner also receives translation into Greek and publication. Handmade ceramics for winners in each category.

💰 Entry fee: $45

📅 Deadline: October 20, 2025 (Expired)

Literary and Photographic Contest

Hispanic Culture Review

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

The contest theme is 'Hecho a mano', focusing on the creativity of handmade works. Categories include photography, poetry, and narrative/essay/academic investigation. Selected works will be published, and winners will receive monetary prizes and certificates of recognition.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

Certificate of recognition

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: February 15, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry

The Emerging Writer's Contest, held by Ploughshares since 1971, recognizes outstanding work by emerging writers in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Winners are announced in the fall and their works are published in the Winter 2024-25 issue of Ploughshares.

Top Prize:

$2,000

Additional prizes:

Publication in Ploughshares and a conversation with Aevitas Creative Management.

💰 Entry fee: $30

📅 Deadline: May 15, 2025 (Expired)

Ann Press Poetry Award

Red Hen Press

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Short Story, Essay, Memoir, and Novel

The Ann Petry Award seeks to publish prose literature by Black authors. It is awarded for a work of previously unpublished prose, either a novel or a collection of short stories or novellas, with a minimum of 150 pages, selected through an annual submission process.

Top Prize:

$3,000

Additional prizes:

Publication by Red Hen Press

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2026 (Expired)

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

The contest seeks linguistically, intellectually, and emotionally engaging work, aiming for complexity and beauty. It accepts various forms of writing including fiction, poetry, essays, and experimental pieces. The contest emphasizes artistic intent and thematic depth.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

Publication in "AZURE: A Journal of Literary Thought"

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: February 26, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The inaugural National Poetry Competition at Stainsby Festival invites unpublished poems on any subject, with a maximum of 42 lines. Judged by Roger McGough, shortlisted poets will read their work at the festival. Winning poems may be published in the festival programme.

Top Prize:

A paid residency at the 2027 Stainsby Festival.

Additional prizes:

Three winning poems will be published online.

💰 Entry fee: $6

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Short Story

This year's theme is 'Facing the Storm', commemorating J. M. W. Turner's 250th anniversary. Entries can include poems or stories inspired by the theme, interpreted freely. National and International entries are welcome.

Top Prize:

$200

Additional prizes:

Second Place: £100 Third Place: £50

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: August 31, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Short Story

The Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest invites unpublished and published works. This year, it offers $12,000 in prizes, including $3,500 for the best fiction and best essay. Submissions should not exceed 6,000 words and must be original, without identifying information. The contest is open worldwide, but excludes some locations due to US restrictions. The deadline for entries is May 1, 2026.

Top Prize:

$3,500

Additional prizes:

Two-year gift certificate from Duotrope; 10 Honorable Mentions will receive $500 each

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: May 01, 2026 (Expired)

Poetry International Prize 2025

Poetry International

Genres: Poetry

The Poetry International Prize is an annual contest to award a cash prize of $1000 and publication for a single poem of any length. Submissions are accepted via Submittable and all entries are considered for publication.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication in Poetry International

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: September 06, 2025 (Expired)

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