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DIRECTORY

Best Writing Contests in 2026

Showing 468 contests that match your search.

Michael Waters Poetry Prize

University of Southern Indiana

Genres: Poetry

The Michael Waters Poetry Prize awards $6,000 and publication by SIR Press for a full-length poetry manuscript written in English annually. All entries are considered for publication.

Top Prize:

$6,000

Additional prizes:

Publication by SIR Press

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: February 03, 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The Ascent Novel Prize is a prestigious writing contest aimed at unpublished novelists.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

Genres: Essay

The 2025 contest is themed “Real or Fake: Discovering Authenticity”, and it invites submissions exploring the meaning of truth in a time of misinformation, imitation, and uncertainty.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

2nd: $500 | 3rd: $300 | 2x honorable mentions: $150

📅 Deadline: September 30, 2025 (Expired)

Platform Stories Literary Contest

Hyper Creative Studios

Genres: Fiction

A tribute to unpaid caregivers, this international contest invites stories based on personal experiences of caregiving. Emphasizes sensitivity, authenticity, and emotional honesty.

Top Prize:

$300

Additional prizes:

1st: $300 + publication in anthology + audiovisual capsule + certificate | 2nd: $200 + same benefits | 3rd: $100 + same benefits. | 4th to 13th: will receive publication in anthology and honorable mention certificates.

📅 Deadline: May 15, 2026 (Expired)

Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fiction

University of North Texas Press

Genres: Short Story, Flash Fiction, and Novella

The Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fiction is an esteemed competition for unpublished collections of fiction. The contest is open for submissions of flash fiction, short stories, or novellas, with a total manuscript length of 100 to 200 book pages.

Top Prize:

$1,000

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025 (Expired)

The Caledonia Novel Award

Caledonia Novel Award Organizers

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The Caledonia Novel Award is an international competition for unpublished and self-published novelists in all genres, encouraging writers to submit their original works.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.

Top Prize:

£1500

Additional prizes:

Exclusive framed award designed by Edinburgh artist Lucy Roscoe. | Highly Commended prize: £500 | Special prize: a free place on a writing course at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre.

💰 Entry fee: $37

📅 Deadline: October 15, 2025 (Expired)

Chalk Circle 1500

Chalk Circle

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Chalk Circle 1500 competition invites authors to submit short fiction of up to 1500 words on any subject or genre, excluding children's fiction. It aims to celebrate concise storytelling and creativity.

Top Prize:

£200

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: August 31, 2026

Maggie Award for Prepublished Writers

Georgia Romance Writers

Genres: Fiction, Novel, and Romance

The Maggie Award for Excellence aims to encourage and reward the mastery of romance writing by prepublished authors. Each entry receives two critiques from published authors, and finalists are reviewed by industry agents and editors.

Additional prizes:

Maggie Award medallion for highest-scored manuscript in each category; all finalists receive certificates. Critiques returned to all entrants.

💰 Entry fee: $40

📅 Deadline: April 25, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Christian, Fantasy, Novel, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, and Young Adult

The Christy Award, established in 1999, celebrates novels that explore themes of faith and their influence on modern culture. Over the years, these awards have become a cornerstone event that brings together writers and publishers within the Christian literary community.

Top Prize:

The Christy Book of the Year Award.

💰 Entry fee: $175

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Children's, Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, and Young Adult

The contest invites submissions for stories fitting the theme of 'Dreams & the Subconscious,' with a prompt to include something that needs to be unlocked. Up to 20 winners will be published in the anthology and receive professional editing.

Top Prize:

Winners will be published in the anthology.

💰 Entry fee: $26

📅 Deadline: April 15, 2026 (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)

Genres: Poetry

The Troubadour International Poetry Prize is an annual competition open to poets worldwide, judged by notable figures in the literary community. The 2024 prize includes cash awards for the top three poems, as well as opportunities for commended entries.

Top Prize:

$2,000

Additional prizes:

Second: £1,000 Third prize: £500 20 commended entries Winners read with judges at the online international prize-night celebration.

💰 Entry fee: $8

📅 Deadline: September 23, 2024 (Expired)

Ironclad Short Story Competition

Ironclad Creative CIC

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The competition invites short stories inspired by the prompt 'FOOTPRINT'. Open to writers globally, both published and unpublished. Winning entries will be included in an anthology.

Top Prize:

£100

Additional prizes:

2nd: £50 | 3rd: £25 | Publication for all shortlisted stories.

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: April 30, 2026 (Expired)

The BPA Short Story Award

Blue Pencil Agency

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The BPA Short Story Award is for unrepresented writers worldwide. Judges include literary agent Corissa Hollenbeck and writer Sussie Anie. Genres are any genre except children’s fiction and non-fiction (YA permitted with adult crossover).

Top Prize:

£1000 + Agent Introduction

Additional prizes:

2nd: £300 | 3rd: £100

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: September 13, 2026

The Raven Short Story Contest

Pulp Literature Press

Genres: Fiction

The Raven Short Story Contest invites submissions of previously unpublished short fiction between 250 to 2500 words. The contest is judged by Kelly Robson, a renowned author.

Top Prize:

$300

Additional prizes:

Publication in Pulp Literature

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: October 15, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, and Young Adult

The Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction invites writers to break traditional writing rules while crafting compelling stories. Participants have 60 hours to produce a story of up to 500 words in response to prompts. The contest is held quarterly, with cash prizes totaling AU$4,000 each round.

Top Prize:

$1,500 AUD

Additional prizes:

Winner receives AU$1,500 and the Not Quite Write Trophy. | 2nd place: AU$500 | 3rd place: AU$200 | Additional cash prizes for other positions.

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: April 26, 2026 (Expired)

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.

Top Prize:

£250

Additional prizes:

2nd: £100 | 3rd: £50 | Publication for winning poems. Winners may also be eligible for additional prizes like the Sussex Prize and Founder's Prize.

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025 (Expired)

Jane Martin Poetry Prize

Girton College, University of Cambridge

Genres: Poetry

The Jane Martin Poetry Prize is a national poetry competition established in 2010 in memory of Girton alumna Jane Elizabeth Martin. It aims to support young poets and promote literary excellence, judged by experts in the literary field.

Top Prize:

£1000

Additional prizes:

2nd place: £500 Opportunity to give a reading at Girton College.

📅 Deadline: January 31, 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)

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

The Lascaux Prize in Short Fiction accepts both previously published and unpublished stories, allowing simultaneous submissions. The winner receives $1,000, a bronze medallion, and publication in The Lascaux Review.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication in The Lascaux Review

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: December 31, 2026

The First 100 Days Contest

Disruption Books

Genres: Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Novel

The First 100 Days Contest seeks innovative book ideas from authors committed to promoting good work amidst challenging times. Participants submit a one-page book overview and a sample manuscript of up to 5,000 words. Winning authors receive feedback and an editorial consultation.

Top Prize:

Editorial consultation and feedback on up to 100 pages.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Short Story and Fiction

The Hastings Book Festival Short Story Competition invites entries of original short stories. The competition is open to all writers aged 18 and over, with submissions accepted in English. The judging process is anonymous, and entries must follow specific formatting guidelines.

Top Prize:

£250

Additional prizes:

2nd: £100 | 3rd: £50 | Winners may also be eligible for additional prizes like the Sussex Prize and Founder's Prize.

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025 (Expired)

Do WHA(TS) Write!

Julie Midroni

Genres: Flash Fiction and Short Story

An annual international writing competition aimed at fundraising for Tourette Canada. Participants submit flash fiction or short stories (up to 1000 words) without a specific prompt. The contest is open to everyone, not just those with Tourette Syndrome.

Top Prize:

$200

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: December 31, 2025 (Expired)

Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest

Jane Austen Society of North America

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.

Top Prize:

$1,000 scholarship

Additional prizes:

Two nights’ lodging for JASNA’s Annual General Meeting

📅 Deadline: June 02, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Romance and Thriller

The Mo Siewcharran Prize aims to discover unpublished fiction writers from diverse ethnic backgrounds. It is seeking commercial fiction in the genres of psychological thriller and romantic fiction. Entries must be original works aimed at adults.

Top Prize:

$2,500

Additional prizes:

2nd: $1500 | 3rd: $750 | First place also receives editorial feedback, an online editorial session, a meeting with a literary agent, an interactive session with the Bookouture team, and a hamper of books.

📅 Deadline: May 02, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Short Story

The contest encourages participants to submit one fictional story (max 350 words) for a chance to win a prize. The contest requires a minimum of 10 shortlisted submissions to award a prize, which is a $25 Amazon Gift Card.

Top Prize:

$25 USD Amazon Gift Card

Additional prizes:

Publication

📅 Deadline: August 01, 2024 (Expired)

Rule of Law — Your Story

Write the World

Genres: Essay and Non-fiction

The contest invites young writers aged 13-19 to explore themes of justice and (in)justice through personal narratives, opinion writing, or creative writing. Participants can reflect on moments when laws impacted their lives or communities.

Top Prize:

$100

Additional prizes:

Runner-Up and Best Peer Review each receive $50. Recognition and publication opportunities for finalists.

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: October 27, 2025 (Expired)

Democracy School Essay Competition

Teen World of Arts and the European Democracy Institute at Bard College Berlin

Genres: Essay

Teen World of Arts and the European Democracy Institute at Bard College Berlin have teamed up to host an annual essay competition open to high school students (years 11 and 12) and undergraduates. Participants can choose from among four prompts that link the visual and performing arts to broader social, political, and historical topics.

Top Prize:

200 EUR

Additional prizes:

Publication on the TWoA website and Substack, and on the website of the European Democracy Institute, Bard College Berlin; written jury feedback and individual online feedback session; certificate

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: September 01, 2026

Harold Morton Landon Translation Award

Academy of American Poets

Genres: Poetry

The Harold Morton Landon Translation Award is an annual award recognizing the work of a translator for a poetry collection translated from any language into English, published in the previous calendar year. Established in 1976, the award amount is $1,000.

Top Prize:

$1,000

📅 Deadline: February 15, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Science Fiction, and Suspense

An annual fiction competition recognizing the finest speculative fiction. All forms of previously unpublished fiction are accepted, including fairy tales, magical realism, and science fiction. Winners may be published in the North American Review's summer issue.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication opportunities for runners-up and honorable mentions

💰 Entry fee: $23

📅 Deadline: November 02, 2024 (Expired)

"Write On!" Short Story Contest

Ann Arbor District Library

Genres: Children's

The 'Write On!' Short Story Contest is a writing competition for kids in grades 3-5, encouraging creativity and storytelling skills. Entries are submitted via email and winners are announced at an awards celebration.

Top Prize:

Winners will receive awards, with the top three writers in each grade recognized.

📅 Deadline: February 01, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Poetry

The TCK Publishing Poetry Awards Contest is an international poetry contest established in 2021. The contest invites writers from all backgrounds to submit poems. The winner receives a $1,000 honorarium and publication on the TCK Publishing website.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Publication on TCK Website

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2026 (Expired)

2025 STAR Award for Published Women’s Fiction

Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA)

Genres: Fiction

The STAR Award is designed for published women's fiction authors. It has two categories: a general category for all full-length published works and an 'Outstanding Debut' category for authors' first published work. Each category winner receives a $500 prize, along with a trophy and recognition. The contest is limited to the first 50 entries per category.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

Trophy and recognition by WFWA for category winners. For finalists, a digital badge and certificate will also be awarded.

💰 Entry fee: $65

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Flash Fiction

An annual competition celebrating excellence in flash fiction. Previous winners have been published in notable anthologies.

Top Prize:

$2,500

Additional prizes:

2nd: $1000 | 3rd: $500 | Finalists: $150 | Finalists: $150 each. All finalists will be published in the June 2026 issue.

💰 Entry fee: $17

📅 Deadline: May 10, 2026 (Expired)

The Book of the Year Awards

The Independent Author Network

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult, Crime, and Short Story

The 12th Annual 2026 IAN Book of the Year Awards is an international contest open to all authors with 75 categories. Winners are eligible for cash prizes totaling $6,000.

Top Prize:

$2,500

Additional prizes:

Minimum cash prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250 for category winners in fiction and non-fiction. Winners receive a digital award seal, membership benefits, and recognition.

💰 Entry fee: $49

📅 Deadline: August 15, 2026

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