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Ambroggio Prize
Academy of American Poets
Genres: Poetry
The Ambroggio Prize is a $1,000 publication prize for a poetry manuscript originally in Spanish with an English translation. It honors American poets whose first language is Spanish and is awarded annually since 2017.
Top Prize:
$1,000
📅 Deadline: September 15, 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The Hudson Prize is awarded annually for an unpublished collection of poems or prose.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)
Jim Duggins, PhD Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist Prize
Lambda Literary
Genres: Fiction, LGBTQ, and Novel
This prize honors LGBTQ-identified authors who have published multiple novels, built a strong reputation, and show promise for future work. It is dedicated to Jim Duggins and supported by the James Duggins, PhD Fund.
Top Prize:
$5000 (x2)
📅 Deadline: May 16, 2025 (Expired)
International Welsh Poetry Competition 2024
International Welsh Poetry Competition
Genres: Poetry
The International Welsh Poetry Competition, established in 2007, aims to encourage creative writing in Wales and beyond, welcoming entries in English from around the world.
Top Prize:
£500
Additional prizes:
2nd place: £250 3rd place: £100 17 runners-up: commended entries and future publication in anthology. Winners acknowledged with a certificate and potential cash prizes; may also be included in future anthologies.
💰 Entry fee: $6
📅 Deadline: June 30, 2024 (Expired)
Benjamin Saltman Poetry Award
Red Hen Press
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Established in 1998, this award honors poet Benjamin Saltman and is for previously unpublished original poetry collections.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.
Top Prize:
$3,000
Additional prizes:
Book publication by Red Hen Press
💰 Entry fee: $25
📅 Deadline: November 01, 2025 (Expired)
Francine Ringold Awards for New Writers
University of Tulsa
Genres: Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story
The Francine Ringold Awards for New Writers honor the work of writers at the beginning of their careers. $500 prizes will be awarded in both the fiction and poetry categories, and the winning manuscripts will appear in the spring issue of Nimrod. Winners will have the chance to work with the Nimrod board of editors to refine and edit their manuscripts before publication.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
Publication
💰 Entry fee: $12
📅 Deadline: July 15, 2024 (Expired)
The Rooker Prize
Lewes FC
Genres: Fiction
Entrants need only write the first 250 words of their novel/story/memoir, and are judged on how much the judges want to read the rest of the story.
Top Prize:
£250 to a charity of your choice
Additional prizes:
Feedback/coaching session with an experienced editor at Hachette UK, plus a wooden trophy.
💰 Entry fee: $50
📅 Deadline: April 05, 2025 (Expired)
The Ozma Awards for Fantasy Fiction
Chanticleer Book Reviews
Genres: Fiction
The Ozma Awards for Fantasy Fiction seeks to discover the best fantasy works featuring magic, mythical beings, and imaginative worlds. The competition invites novels from various fantasy sub-genres, including Epic Fantasy and Steampunk, and rewards excellence in storytelling.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Exclusive Chanticleer Book Review Package and Author Interview.
💰 Entry fee: $99
📅 Deadline: June 30, 2025 (Expired)
Future Scholar Foundation Short Story Competition
Future Scholar Foundation
Genres: Fiction and Short Story
The competition invites elementary and middle school students to submit short stories (maximum 350 words) based on a monthly theme. Winners receive recognition and prizes, including Amazon gift cards and publication in the Hall of Fame.
Top Prize:
$60
Additional prizes:
2nd: $15 Amazon gift card | 3rd: $5 Amazon gift card | All winners are published in the Hall of Fame.
📅 Deadline: October 28, 2025 (Expired)
4th Annual Wine Country Writers' Festival Writing Contest
Wine Country Writers' Festival Society
Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry
The contest is open to writers over 18 worldwide and includes categories for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Each submission must adhere to specific formatting guidelines and word limits. Winners are selected through blind judging, and results are announced during the festival.
Top Prize:
$200 CAD per category
Additional prizes:
Second place: $100 Third place: $50 Winner also gets anthology publication, entry to next year's festival
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: June 02, 2024 (Expired)
Fiction Factory Poetry Competition
Fiction Factory
Genres: Poetry
The Fiction Factory Poetry Competition invites poets to submit original works on any topic, with a maximum length of 40 lines. The competition aims to celebrate creativity and diversity in poetry.
Top Prize:
£100
Additional prizes:
Feedback on poems, a Zoom mentorship call, and publication
💰 Entry fee: $5
📅 Deadline: July 31, 2025 (Expired)
National Poetry Competition 2025
The Poetry Society
Genres: Poetry
The competition, run by The Poetry Society since 1978, is one of the world’s most prestigious prizes for a single unpublished poem. Judged by Stephen Sexton, Romalyn Ante, John McAuliffe. Open to all poets worldwide aged 18+.
Top Prize:
£5,000
Additional prizes:
Runners-up receive £2,000 and £1,000. Commended entries receive £500
💰 Entry fee: $8
📅 Deadline: October 31, 2025 (Expired)
Fish Flash Fiction Prize
Fish Publishing
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.
Top Prize:
€1,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: €300 + Online Writing Course | 3rd: €300
💰 Entry fee: $14
📅 Deadline: February 28, 2025 (Expired)
Inkspot 2025 Short Story Competition
Inkspot Publishing
Genres: Short Story
The competition encourages original submissions from writers worldwide, with no age limit. It promotes quality writing and is open to both amateurs and professionals.
Top Prize:
£1000
Additional prizes:
2nd: £250 | 3rd: £100 | Top 12 stories will feature on FictionJunkies.com.
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: May 17, 2026
The Leslie Esdaile Banks Aspiring Author Contest
RSJ Convention
Genres: Fiction, Novel, Novella, and Romance
This contest celebrates diverse voices in literature. The winner will receive a 3 month membership with a published author to help them prepare their book for publishing.
Additional prizes:
1st: A 3 month mentorship with a published author. | 2nd: A 2 month mentorship with a published author. | 3rd: A 1 month mentorship with a published author. | 4th – 5th: A one hour coaching session with a published author.
💰 Entry fee: $45
📅 Deadline: July 31, 2025 (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 the runner up and three prizes of £150
💰 Entry fee: $29
📅 Deadline: May 31, 2025 (Expired)
Irene Adler Prize
Lucas Ackroyd
Genres: Essay and Non-fiction
The Irene Adler Prize is a scholarship for women writers, offering $1,000 to support their education in journalism, creative writing, or literature. The prize aims to celebrate and elevate women's voices in writing.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
2x honorable mentions: $250 Winner also receives a scholarship for education
📅 Deadline: January 31, 2025 (Expired)
The Adventure Writers Competition
Clive Cussler Collector’s Society
Genres: Fiction, Novel, Thriller, and Young Adult
The Adventure Writers Competition (AWC) is an annual event that recognizes and celebrates adventure writing. It invites unpublished or published writers in the action/adventure genre to participate by submitting original fiction manuscripts.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Two AWC Finalist Awards: $500 | The winner receives a 'Grandmaster Winner' trophy. Runners-up receive trophies and finalists receive a video book trailer and interview.
💰 Entry fee: $75
📅 Deadline: April 30, 2026
Places Writing Competition
Minds Shine Bright
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, and Short Story
The Places Writing Competition invites stories and poems about places that inspire or challenge writers. It includes various categories like poetry, short stories, and flash fiction, and aims to highlight the significance of places in literature.
Top Prize:
The overall winner receives $1500 AUD and publication in the anthology.
Additional prizes:
Up to $200 for commended entries, $50 for young writers.
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: May 31, 2025 (Expired)
Geminga Contest 2026
Sunspot Lit
Genres: Non-fiction and Poetry
The Geminga Contest 2026 invites submissions for Tiny Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Graphic Novels, and Art. The contest emphasizes the power of brevity, allowing a maximum of 100 words for fiction and nonfiction. Micropoetry is limited to 140 characters. Selected works will be published in Sunspot Lit's digital and print editions.
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
Cash prize of $100, publication for the winner, and publication offered to runners-up and finalists.
💰 Entry fee: $5
📅 Deadline: February 01, 2026 (Expired)
Rigel 2026 Writing Contest
Sunspot Literary Journal
Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry
The Rigel 2026 Writing Contest invites submissions across various genres, focusing on prose and poetry. Works must be unpublished, and simultaneous submissions are welcomed. The contest emphasizes creativity and diverse voices.
Top Prize:
$100
Additional prizes:
Publication offered to winner and select finalists.
💰 Entry fee: $5
📅 Deadline: February 01, 2026 (Expired)
Heroica Poetry Prize
Heroica
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.
Top Prize:
£125
Additional prizes:
2nd: £50 | 3rd: £25 | Winning and long-listed poems will be published.
💰 Entry fee: $2
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2024 (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)
#GWstorieseverywhere
Gotham Writers
Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction
The #GWstorieseverywhere contest invites participants to submit very short stories based on monthly themes. The stories can be fictional or true and must be original and unpublished. The winning entries are featured on Gotham's website.
Additional prizes:
Winner receives a free Gotham class of their choosing, excluding premium classes
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: December 30, 2025 (Expired)
First Book Award
Academy of American Poets
Genres: Poetry
The First Book Award is a $5,000 prize for a first book of poetry. The winning manuscript is published by Graywolf Press, with additional benefits like a residency in Italy and extensive promotion.
Top Prize:
$5,000
💰 Entry fee: $35
📅 Deadline: September 01, 2025 (Expired)
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: Non-fiction
The Eunice Williams Nonfiction Prize is an annual contest that invites submissions of true, unpublished nonfiction essays under 5,000 words. It aims to amplify the voices of women identifying and nonbinary writers. The contest features a blind judging process.
Top Prize:
$400
Additional prizes:
2nd: $250 | 3rd: $100. Winner also receives publication + free membership for a year.
📅 Deadline: January 01, 2026 (Expired)
Money Chronicles: A Story Initiative
Principal Foundation
Genres: Fiction and Short Story
The contest invites writers aged 18 and up to submit short stories about personal finance and money-related experiences. It aims to facilitate discussions on financial matters through storytelling.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Honorarium for the winner and $150 for each of up to 20 finalists. Finalists' works will be published in Short Story Dispensers and considered for international publication.
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: October 12, 2025 (Expired)
2025 Canadian Jewish Playwriting Competition
Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
Genres: Script Writing
The Canadian Jewish Playwriting Competition is a bi-annual event that encourages playwrights to submit original works. It aims to promote Jewish culture and stories through theatre, with strong participation from across Canada and other countries.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
Winner receives $1,000 CDN and an 8-hour CAEA workshop with a director and up to six actors. This workshop concludes with a public reading.
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: May 25, 2025 (Expired)
Oxford Flash Fiction Prize 2025
Oxford Flash Fiction
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.
Top Prize:
£1000
Additional prizes:
2nd Prize: £200 | 3rd Prize: £100 | New Voice Prize: £200 | Publication in the anthology for shortlisted entrants.
💰 Entry fee: $7
📅 Deadline: August 31, 2025 (Expired)
New2theScene Flash Fiction Competition 2025
New2theScene
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.
Top Prize:
£50 book voucher
Additional prizes:
Publication, promotion, and a podcast interview | Potential publication and £15 vouchers for notable mentions.
💰 Entry fee: $5
📅 Deadline: June 01, 2025 (Expired)
Genres: Poetry
The competition runs for 42 weeks from April 9, 2024, to January 28, 2025. Each week, five words will be provided for poem submissions, which must incorporate all the words.
Top Prize:
€750
Additional prizes:
€500, €250
💰 Entry fee: $5
📅 Deadline: January 28, 2025 (Expired)
Wonder Fiction Battle
Writing Battle, Inc.
Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Fantasy, and Flash Fiction
The Wonder 2025 Flash fiction Battle is part of the Writing Battle series, where participants write stories based on prompts. Participants receive feedback from professionals.
Top Prize:
$3,400
Additional prizes:
$3400 prize for 4x Genre Winners; $500 prize for 4x Genre Runner-ups. Winners receive online publication, feedback from industry professionals
💰 Entry fee: $39
📅 Deadline: April 13, 2025 (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)
The Betty Award
The Betty Award
Genres: Children's
The Betty Award is a writing contest for children ages 8-12, celebrating young authors since 2006. The contest encourages imagination and creativity, allowing entries in any topic as long as they are age-appropriate.
Top Prize:
$300
💰 Entry fee: $20
📅 Deadline: May 17, 2025 (Expired)
