Best Writing Contests in 2026

Genres: Poetry

The Indiana Review Poetry Prize is part of an annual contest that awards a prize for excellent poetry submissions. The contest is open to submissions of poetry, and winners receive publication along with a monetary honorarium.

Genres: Novella and Short Story

The Drue Heinz Literature Prize recognizes and supports writers of short fiction, requiring eligible authors to have published a book-length collection or at least three short stories/novellas in commercial magazines. Manuscripts are judged anonymously by national writers.

Genres: Poetry

The Heroica Poetry Prize is a competition aimed at women and non-binary authors and poets, offering monetary rewards and publication in an anthology.

Genres: Poetry

The Matter Poetry Contest invites poets to showcase their work. Winners are selected based on the emotional impact and creativity of their submissions. The contest aims to highlight the significance of poetry in personal and societal contexts.

Genres: Fiction

The Salamander Fiction Prize offers writers the opportunity to submit their works for consideration. The contest includes a first prize of $1,000 and publication, and a second prize of $500 and publication. Entries will be judged anonymously, and all submissions are also considered for publication in the magazine.

Genres: Poetry

The Marsh Hawk Press Poetry Prize invites submissions of poetry manuscripts. The prize includes cash awards and publication for the winner.

Genres: Poetry

The 42 Miles Press Poetry Award aims to highlight urgent and original voices in poetry. Open to all poets writing in English, it accepts collections of poetry that showcase contemporary American poetic voices. The contest is judged by David Dodd Lee, and past winners include several notable poets.

Genres: Poetry

The Free Verse Prize is a new poetry prize, which supports the Free Verse Poetry Book and Magazine Fair. The judge is poet and former Poetry Book Fair director, Chrissy Williams. Poems can be on any theme, and should have fewer than 40 lines.

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: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Poetry, and Short Story

The Winter 2026 Prose & Poetry Contest runs two independently judged tracks: prose, covering short stories, memoirs and flash fiction, and poetry. Onyx Publications staff carry out the initial screening before finalists are selected.

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.

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.

Genres: Fiction and Novella

Established in 2001, this annual prize awards a novella that excels in the format, offering a $1,000 advance, publication, and 10 copies of the book. Recent judges include notable authors like Steven Dunn and Michael Martone. Submissions open January 1 and close March 31 each year.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, and Short Story

The Jim Martin Memorial Adult Story Contest invites submissions of mystery, suspense, or thriller stories from adults aged 18 and over. It honors Jim Martin, a long-time member of Arizona Mystery Writers, supported by his family's generous contribution to the organization.

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.

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Great American Fiction Contest celebrates the legacy of American authors through the submission of original short stories. The winning entry will be published in the January/February edition of the magazine.

Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Horror, and Mystery

The contest invites submissions of horror-themed short stories that embrace Christmas themes. Open to adult writers; stories should be original and unpublished. Judged based on storytelling quality, craft, originality, and voice.

Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction

The Fish Flash Fiction Prize invites submissions of compelling stories in 300 words or less, judged by Tania Hershman. The contest has been held annually since 2004.

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.

Genres: Short Story

The contest invites short stories in any genre, with a word count of 2,500 to 4,000 words. First prize is $1,000 and publication in Pulp Literature, while Honourable Mentions receive $150 and potential publication.

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: Crime, Humor, Romance, and Short Story

The Edinburgh Short Story Award is open to writers worldwide, welcoming stories of any genre. The award offers substantial cash prizes and the opportunity for publication in The Edinburgh Anthology. It emphasizes inclusivity through bursaries for underrepresented writers.

Genres: Children's

The Ascent Children's Book Prize is an annual competition aimed at recognizing outstanding works of children's literature. It encourages diverse voices and storytelling, celebrating creativity and the power of narrative.

Genres: Flash Fiction

The F(r)iction Flash Fiction Contest invites submissions of flash fiction up to 1,000 words. Winning entries will be published in F(r)iction's print collection or online blog, F(r)iction Log.

Genres:

This prize recognizes 12 emerging writers annually for their debut short story published in a literary magazine, journal, or cultural website. It supports new fiction writers and provides a cash award and publication in an anthology.

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.

Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction

The competition invites submissions of flash fiction with a maximum word count of 999. Entries can be on any topic, allowing writers to showcase their creativity.

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.

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry

The Unleash WIP Award supports writers in completing significant literary projects, offering $500, editorial feedback, coaching, and a feature in Unleash Lit.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, and Short Story

The Kiss & Verse Winter Romance Fiction Prize invites original romance short stories about love, desire, intimacy, longing, and romantic relationships, with literary ambition and a distinctive voice. The winning story is published in the inaugural Winter 2027 issue (Issue 0.01) of Kiss & Verse and becomes the inspiration for the Summer Romance Poetry Prize.

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.

Genres: Fiction and Young Adult

The Libraro Prize is a writing competition aimed at discovering new authors. It offers a £50,000 package and a book deal with Hachette UK for the winning entry. The contest also encourages reader engagement, offering two reader prizes worth £10,000 each for engagement and referrals.

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.

Genres: Children's, Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

This contest invites entrants to explore the theme of justice through an original poem, story, song, play, or other creative work. Entries can examine justice at any scale, from personal and everyday situations to broader social, national, global, or digital systems.

Genres: Fiction

BOMB Magazine's 2025 Fiction Contest invites submissions for a chance to win a $1,000 prize and publication. The contest is judged by Kelly Link, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and MacArthur Fellow.