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DIRECTORY

Best Science Fiction Writing Contests in 2026

Showing 44 contests that match your search.

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Writers of the Future

Writers of the Future

Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Horror

The Writers of the Future Contest is an opportunity for new writers of science fiction and fantasy to have their work judged by professional writers. It has been established since 1983 and includes quarterly cash prizes and an annual grand prize.

Top Prize:

$5,000

Additional prizes:

2nd place: $750 | 3rd place: $500 | Trophy and the L. Ron Hubbard Golden Pen Award for the grand prize winner.

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2026 (Expired)

Best Indie Book Award

Best Indie Book Award

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

The Best Indie Book Award (BIBA) is an international literary contest that recognizes outstanding achievements by independently published authors. Entries are limited to indie published books, including those from small presses and self-published authors, judged on various writing skills.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

A physical trophy or plaque

💰 Entry fee: $65

📅 Deadline: August 01, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult

The competition invites short story submissions of up to 8,000 words from writers of all genres. It aims to encourage creativity and provide feedback opportunities. Participants retain ownership of their work, with the winner receiving a cash prize along with chances to win in a bonus draw.

Top Prize:

£2,000

Additional prizes:

2nd: £1000 | 3rd: £500 | £1,500 Bonus Prize Draw shared among multiple winners

💰 Entry fee: $16

📅 Deadline: December 16, 2025 (Expired)

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, and Young Adult

The 2025 Book Pipeline Unpublished Contest aims to discover unpublished manuscripts across ten categories. Winners receive $25,000, industry circulation, and executive development opportunities. It is open to writers aged 18 and older, with specific submission guidelines based on categories.

Top Prize:

$2,500

Additional prizes:

Winners receive additional development and mentoring, industry circulation to agents and publishers, and consideration for film/TV adaptations.

💰 Entry fee: $45

📅 Deadline: October 15, 2026

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

The Reader Views Fiction Awards recognize outstanding independently published fiction, honoring work by independent authors and small presses. The program offers professional evaluations and promotional visibility.

Top Prize:

$1,000

Additional prizes:

Gold: $1000 | Silver: $350 | Bronze: $150 | Various sponsored awards and features in newsletters include marketing packages, interviews, and ads in our First Chapter Plus magazine.

💰 Entry fee: $89

📅 Deadline: September 30, 2026

Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Horror, Mystery, and Science Fiction

The Fabula Press Short Story Contest encourages exceptional storytelling across genres, with no specific theme. Participants can submit entries for both free and paid categories. Winning stories may be published in an anthology.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

2nd place: $250 3rd place: $100 Stories selected for publication: $75

📅 Deadline: June 11, 2024 (Expired)

The Rubery Prize

Rubery Book Awards

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

The Rubery Prize is an international award for indie writers and self-published authors. It aims to recognize outstanding works and elevate authors' profiles. Authors can submit self-published books or those from independent presses.

Top Prize:

£2000

Additional prizes:

Category winners receive £200

💰 Entry fee: $70

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2026 (Expired)

Next Generation Indie Book Awards

Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group

Genres: Children's, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ, Mystery, Science Fiction, and Travel

The Next Generation Short Story Awards is a not-for-profit program recognizing outstanding short stories. It includes cash prizes, medals, and publication opportunities for winners.

Top Prize:

$500

Additional prizes:

Gold Medal for Grand Prize Winners, $75 for category winners, and additional prizes for finalists. Gold medals for winners and finalists, inclusion in Anthology of Winners.

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: March 05, 2026 (Expired)

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Poetry, and Science Fiction

The contest is open to English-language entries globally. It features categories for Florida Fiction, Fantasy/Science Fiction, Poetry, Prose Poetry, and Haiku, allowing multiple entries per category. First, second, and third place winners receive cash prizes and will be published in the 2026 Seven Hills Review.

Top Prize:

$100 to $300 depending on genre

Additional prizes:

Winners receive electronic certificates and will be published in the 2026 Seven Hills Review, along with a short author bio. First-place winners also get a complimentary copy of the publication.

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: October 30, 2025 (Expired)

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