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Great American Fiction Contest
Saturday Evening Post
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.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
The winning story will be published in The Saturday Evening Post. Five runners-up will each receive $200 and have their stories featured online.
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: July 01, 2025 (Expired)
Creative Writing Award for Short Fiction
Aesthetica Magazine
Genres: Fiction and Short Story
The Creative Writing Award celebrates outstanding new writing talents in poetry and short fiction, offering a platform for authors globally to showcase their work. It emphasizes innovation in content and form across any theme.
Top Prize:
$2,500
Additional prizes:
Publication in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual One-year subscription to The London Magazine, Granta, and Mslexia Consultation with Redhammer Management Six-week writing short stories course from Curtis Brown Creative
💰 Entry fee: $18
📅 Deadline: August 31, 2025 (Expired)
The Lascaux Prize in Short Fiction
The Lascaux Review
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The Lascaux Prize in Short Fiction accepts both previously published and unpublished stories, allowing simultaneous submissions.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
Jim Martin Memorial Story Contest
Arizona Mystery Writers
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.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
2nd Place: $100 3rd Place: $75 Winning stories will be published on the AMW website.
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: August 01, 2024 (Expired)
Lazuli Literary Group Writing Contest
Lazuli Literary Group
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)
Bridport Short Story Prize
Bridport Arts Centre
Genres: Fiction and Short Story
The Bridport Short Story Prize is an international competition for writers. It seeks to find new talent and help them get published. The prize offers significant opportunities for aspiring writers.
Top Prize:
£5000
Additional prizes:
2nd: £1000 | 3rd: £500 | 10 Highly Commended: £100.
💰 Entry fee: $17
📅 Deadline: May 31, 2026
The Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction
Association of Writers & Writing Programs
Genres: Fiction and Short Story
The Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction awards $5,500 and publication by Mad Creek Books, an imprint of The Ohio State University Press. It is part of the AWP Award Series open to all authors writing in English. The prize celebrates outstanding book-length works and is judged anonymously.
Top Prize:
$5,500
Additional prizes:
Publication by Mad Creek Books
💰 Entry fee: $30
📅 Deadline: February 28, 2026 (Expired)
Anthology Short Story Competition 2026
Anthology Magazine
Genres: Fiction and Short Story
The Anthology Short Story Competition invites original and unpublished short stories in English, with no restrictions on theme or style. Stories must not exceed 1,500 words. Winners are chosen based on literary merit, originality, and readability, and the competition aims to encourage creative writing.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: €250 | 3rd: €150 | Winning story published in Anthology magazine.
💰 Entry fee: $22
📅 Deadline: July 31, 2026
Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize 2026
Desperate Literature
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Short Story
The Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize aims to celebrate new short fiction under 2000 words and provide visibility to winners through various publishing opportunities. This year, the prize includes cash rewards and writing retreats, alongside publication chances in several literary journals.
Top Prize:
€2,000 + a week’s residency at the Civitella Ranieri Foundation, consultation with Literary Agent Charlotte Seymour, and a manuscript assessment with The Literary Consultancy.
Additional prizes:
2nd and 3rd place: €1000. Publication in partner journals for all shortlisted writers.
💰 Entry fee: $20
📅 Deadline: April 19, 2026 (Expired)
Artificial Intelligence Competition
New Beginnings
Genres: Essay, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, and Short Story
There is no topic relating to technology that brings more discussion than artificial intelligence. Some people think it does wonders. Others see it as trouble. Let us know your opinion about AI in this competition. Include experiences you have had with AI. 300-word limit. Winners will be selected January 1, 2024. Open to anyone, anywhere.
Top Prize:
$100 CA
Additional prizes:
Publication
💰 Entry fee: $5
📅 Deadline: December 15, 2023 (Expired)
Nimrod Literary Awards
The University of Tulsa
Genres: Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, and Novel
The Nimrod Literary Awards recognize outstanding writing in multiple genres. The contest is open to various forms of literature, offering recognition and opportunities for emerging writers.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
2nd: $200 | Publication for winner.
📅 Deadline: February 16, 2026 (Expired)
WOW! Women on Writing Quarterly Flash Fiction Contest
WOW! Women On Writing
Genres: Flash Fiction, Fiction, and Short Story
The WOW! Women on Writing Flash Fiction Contest aims to inspire creativity and recognition for writers. Open to all genres of flash fiction, it has been running since 2006 and has awarded over $100,000 in cash prizes to participants. The contest allows entries globally, and submissions must be in English.
Top Prize:
$400
Additional prizes:
2nd: $300 | 3rd: $200 | 7 runner-ups: $25 Amazon Gift Cards
💰 Entry fee: $10
📅 Deadline: February 28, 2026 (Expired)
Genres: Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story
The Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize celebrates emerging voices in life writing, poetry, and fiction. It supports writers who have not published book-length works and offers a platform for diverse backgrounds. Winners receive a £1,000 cash prize and publication in Wasafiri.
Top Prize:
£1,000
Additional prizes:
Publication in Wasafiri magazine, mentoring through Chapter and Verse or Free Reads, career discussions with The Good Literary Agency, and a one-year print subscription.
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: September 30, 2024 (Expired)
Brink Fall 2025 Writing Contest
Brink Literary Journal
Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Flash Fiction, and Poetry
The Brink Fall 2025 Writing Contest invites submissions in multiple genres. Winning entries will be selected and published, emphasizing creative, boundary-pushing literature. The contest encourages diverse voices and innovative storytelling.
Top Prize:
$1,000
Additional prizes:
First place prizes include cash awards of $1,000 for short stories, $300 for poetry, and $300 for flash fiction. Finalists will be considered for publication and may receive free edits.
💰 Entry fee: $3
📅 Deadline: November 07, 2025 (Expired)
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)
Emerging Author Dagger
Crime Writer's Association
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Suspense, Thriller, Crime, and Short Story
The Emerging Author Dagger is an international competition for unpublished crime novelists. It seeks submissions of a crime novel opening (max. 3,000 words) and a synopsis (max. 1,500 words) from writers who have never had a publishing contract for a full-length novel. The prize includes a cash prize of £500 and opportunities for shortlisted entrants to showcase their work to agents and publishers.
Top Prize:
$500
Additional prizes:
Shortlisted entries shown to agents and publishers
💰 Entry fee: $41
📅 Deadline: February 27, 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)
Write By The Sea Fiction Short Story Contest
Write By The Sea Literary Festival
Genres: Fiction and Short Story
The Write by the Sea Writing Competition features four categories: Fiction Short Story, Flash Fiction, Poetry, and Memoir/Personal Essay. It includes cash prizes and publication opportunities.
Top Prize:
€500
Additional prizes:
2nd: €300 | 3rd: €200 | Winner also gets a free weekend pass to the Write By The Sea Festival 2026 & publication in the Waxed Lemon Literary Journal.
💰 Entry fee: $15
📅 Deadline: June 07, 2026
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)
Voice.club Monthly Flash Fiction Contest
Soft Designs, Inc.
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)
The Philip Hoare Competition
University of Southampton
Genres: Non-fiction and Short Story
The Philip Hoare Prize is an international competition for the best non-fiction writing, established in 2025, seeking vivid and original narratives that blend personal, historical, and natural themes.
Top Prize:
£300
Additional prizes:
2nd: £100 | 3rd: £50 | Winner also receives publication in the University of Southampton’s annual Avenues Creative Writing anthology.
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: July 31, 2025 (Expired)
The Elmbridge Literary Competition 2025
The R C Sherriff Trust
Genres: Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story
The 20th Elmbridge Literary Competition invites submissions of short stories and poems on the theme of 'The River' to commemorate RC Sherriff. Open internationally, the competition includes age categories with specific word counts.
Top Prize:
£250
Additional prizes:
Cash prizes for adults + book tokens for children's categories
📅 Deadline: February 21, 2025 (Expired)
Parsec Short Story Contest
Parsec Inc.
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Science Fiction, and Short Story
The Parsec Short Story Contest aims to encourage non-professional writers to explore speculative fiction in genres like science fiction, fantasy, and horror. The theme for 2025 is 'ROOTS', and submissions should relate to this theme. The contest has no entry fee and supports young writers through a special Youth Story Prize.
Top Prize:
$200
Additional prizes:
2nd: $100 | 3rd: $50
💰 Entry fee: $0
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2026 (Expired)
