/r/writingcontests

Photograph via snooOG

The Ultimate Source of Writing Contests (Poetry Contests, Short Story Contests, Nonfiction Contests, and Manuscript & Book Contests) & Other Writing Opportunities. We Welcome Posts About Writing Competitions, and Questions Concerning Contests, Competitions, Awards, Prizes, & General Writing Opportunities, & General Writing Questions etc.

Welcome to /r/WritingContests!

This subreddit is under new management. Please be patient as we get things up and running.

 

Posting Guidelines

Formatting

Please include the following information:

  • Category (e.g. [POEM], [NONFICTION], [FLASH FICTION], etc.)

  • Registration/Submission deadline (format of 'Dec 31 2020' preferred)

  • Contest name

  • Eligibility restrictions (if applicable, e.g. high school students, residents of a particular country, etc.)

Post body

  • Name of sponsor

  • Category (short story, poetry, essay, novel, nonfiction, etc)

  • Submission length

  • Entry fee if applicable

  • Link to official guidelines and/or submission form

  • Any other important information such as eligibility

All posts must be flaired appropriately.

 

Submitting a call for entries? Follow these guidelines to identify quality contests/sponsors

  • Sponsor is an established organization

  • Guidelines are clear and not unreasonable to authors (for example, the organization shouldn't do things like claim rights to all entries, even those that don't win, etc)

  • Cash prizes of no less than $100 are offered (some exceptions allowed)

  • Info about contest judging and past winners is clear and easy to find

  • Sponsors are prompt/polite in communication

  • Any entry fees are less than 10% of the top prize

 

Looking for other writing subreddits?

/r/writingcontests

11,343 Subscribers

3

Any essay competitions for high schoolers?

I am trying to look for a free high school competition,i am currently 18 as well if that helps and I wanna get some money if I can from any competitions rn if there are any.

I am going through the sub Reddit but I haven't found much so pls lmk if you know any specific ones

4 Comments
2024/12/15
09:51 UTC

2

should i change my scholastic writing category?

gang i submitted my essay, "our cave", in the critical essay category in the scholastic writing awards but now i'm worried that it relies too heavily on personal anecdote and broad analyzation to do well in that category. if y'all have the time can you read it and see what u think? id prefer opinions from people who have participated or won in the competition before, but any general advice is valued fs :)

they pushed the deadline by two days in my region so i can critique and change categories if needed, the essay is linked below

thanks gang!!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-3VsvOKwT6DCtHgw1nDWa80wb6LmnWZRkXxZjpFTcPY/edit

0 Comments
2024/12/06
07:03 UTC

2

Short Fiction Contest - Deadline Feb 15 2025. William Paterson University Short Fiction Contest for all Undergraduate NJ Students. NO FEE for first 50 submissions.

Winner will be published in the University's literary journal Map Literary as well as their undergraduate journal Zeitgeist as well as $250*.* All runner ups will be considered for publication. Link here.

Restrictions: 3000 words per submission MAX, and no more than one entry per person. You must be enrolled in a NJ undergraduate degree program at the time of submission. Your piece must be a work of prose fiction, but any genre and style is accepted.

Entered flair as no fee, but after the first 50 submissions, it will cost $5 to enter. If the cap is hit, I will update the post accordingly.

0 Comments
2024/12/04
18:13 UTC

2

5-year old Book Contest?

Hello- I am a mom to my wonderful 5-year old girl who wrote her very own story and illustrated it. I know I’m biased, but I am impressed that the story has a plot and a solid storyline. I so want to honor her hard work and am looking for a book contest that she could enter. I do not care about money or prizes but I just want her to have a space to feel proud of her hard work. Does anyone know of any book contests a 5-year old Pre-K student can enter?

0 Comments
2024/12/02
17:49 UTC

1

Inaugural Jerboa Lit Flash Fiction Contest!

Writers of flash/genre fiction and all writers besides!

We're running our first flash fiction creative writing contest this January. Registration is open ($20), and there's prize money to be won ($1,000 for first place, with payouts made through fifth)!

On Friday, January 17, all registrants will be emailed a prompt consisting of a randomly chosen genre, item, and phrase. They then have 48 hours, until Sunday, January 19, to write a 500-word story incorporating all elements of the prompt. Winners will be announced in March. Details are on our website, www.jerboalit.com.

Feel free to ask questions here, or submit via the form on the website!

1 Comment
2024/11/30
21:56 UTC

1

Proofreading for contests

I have a brief question regarding proofreading. Is it generally acceptable to have someone else proofread your work before you enter it into a contest? I have a teacher that I graduated from but still stay in touch with. Would it be alright to ask her to proofread my work, or is that considered cheating?

1 Comment
2024/11/30
20:12 UTC

0

Micro Fiction. December 2nd. Writer Advice Micro Fiction Contest.

Message from Lynn: Writer Advice is running a micro fiction contest right now. The deadline is December 2 and the details are at Latest Contest Information - Writer Advice. We’ll be giving cash prizes and publication again this year, the fees are the same (unlike grocery prices), and we’d love to read your work.

Good memoir often reads like fiction, and if you have a scene, maybe about hearing the election results on Tuesday or about the fires and floods this year, or about anything that made you say, “ah-ha!” please send it our way.

More info: Latest Contest Information - Writer Advice

0 Comments
2024/11/30
12:55 UTC

1

Flash Fiction. Jan 31st 2025. New Writers Flash Fiction Competition.

New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2025 – https://newwriters.org.uk/flash-fiction-competition/

· Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on Friday 31st January 2025

· Entry Fee: £10 (one entry), £19 (two entries), £27 (three entries)

· Prizes: 1st Place: £1,100; 2nd Place: £300; 3rd Place: £200

· Head Judge: Shreya Sen-Handley (Author, Columnist, Playwright and Illustrator)

· Publication: The three winning entries will be published on the NewWriters.org.uk website and in a future New Writers Anthology

· Word Limit: 300 (excluding title and line spaces)

· Charity: £1 from each entry will be donated to First Story (England’s leading creative writing charity for young people)

0 Comments
2024/11/29
14:15 UTC

1

InFocus - Art & Literary Contest

World in Focus is excited to announce the return of the In Focus Contest—a celebration of creativity and a chance to promote awareness about eye health! This year’s contest features three categories: artphotography, and writingWorld in Focus is excited to announce the return of the In Focus Contest—a celebration of creativity and a chance to promote awareness about eye health! This year’s contest features three categories: artphotography, and writing.

Participants will not only have the opportunity to showcase their talents but also contribute to a meaningful cause—spreading awareness about eyesight and its importance. Our panel of esteemed Canadian judges will evaluate submissions, and winners will receive cash prizesgift vouchers, and exclusive gift cards!

This is an incredible opportunity for international young artists and writers to come together, share their perspectives, and make an impact.

Choose from one of these inspiring prompts to guide your submission:

  1. "Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others." — Jonathan Swift
  2. How do we find clarity in the midst of chaos?
  3. What can we learn by seeing the world through the eyes of another?

Ready to join the movement? Follow us on Instagram @/worldinfocuscanada for contest details and updates. Let your creativity shine and help us promote global eye health!

0 Comments
2024/11/23
06:44 UTC

1

I hate Fanstory

The website sucks it’s so confusing to navigate. & I was overlooking it because I entered a contest and I was like whatever after the deadline I’ll just stop using it. But I forgot to pay because I was traveling & then just remembered the deadline so I went back to look and they actually remove your work if you don’t pay for your membership?? I submitted it at least a month ago. They couldn’t have just not showed me the contest results or something until I paid but to actually remove my submission?? Yeah, not using this site anymore. Glad I didn’t pay actually so I wouldn’t be shackled to the site for another month

1 Comment
2024/11/18
07:40 UTC

4

250 Word Holiday Flash Fiction Contest from November 15 - 30, 2004. “Holidays on Story Street" Capped at first 1000 submissions. Must be 18+

Story Street Writers is proud to announce our first annual holiday flash fiction contest with the theme: “The Aftermath”. The winner will be announced on January 1, and will pick up a $100 prize and publication in the Story Street Review online. The three runners-up will also be published, each receiving a $25 prize. The contest is open for entries from November 15 through November 30. 

For full contest rules and details, visit: https://storystreetwriters.com/word-on-the-street/holidays-on-story-street-contest/ 

https://preview.redd.it/220pp03ona1e1.png?width=3200&format=png&auto=webp&s=37c4796ec7e496142938b8784cafec626cd0f3b6

0 Comments
2024/11/16
16:56 UTC

2

Planet Profiling! Test your creativity by creating your own Exoplanet Profile! A new competition for those who love Astronomy, Sci-fi, and Creative Writing! (Fiction, 3 Weeks until Deadline!)

Category: Fiction

Registration/Submission Deadline: Saturday, December 7th, 2024 at 11:59pm EST

Contest Name: Planet Profiling

Do you love Astronomy? Do you love Sci-fi? Do you love creative writing? How would you like to put your creative writing skills to the test by making your own fictional Exoplanet Profile alongside other contestants?

We use the Donjon Star System Generator (https://donjon.bin.sh/) to create a randomly generated dataset about an exoplanet and its corresponding star system. Then, get ready to analyze and expand beyond the data and answer a set of creative writing questions about your exoplanet!

Here’s the catch: Once you’ve finished answering the questions, you must convey those answers by designing your own magazine article/digital poster/newspaper!

After all submissions are in, be ready to have your document judged in terms of its visual appeal, content, and realism. 

Not a professional in Astronomy? Don’t worry, we got you covered! Scientific accuracy will not be assessed, but rather your logic, reasoning, creativity, and use of the dataset. 

We present our brand new competition… Planet Profiling!

You have three weeks to complete this task on our website! Submissions are due on Saturday, December 7th, 2024 at 11:59pm EST!

https://www.mastermindbp.com/discussion-forum/planet-profiling/planet-profiling-series-premiere-submission-thread

Anyone with any background is welcome and we will be awarding cash prizes (via Paypal) to the top three contestants with the highest average scores!

If you would like to participate, please sign up for free on our website http://www.mastermindbp.com and keep in touch with us for any further updates on our Discord Community: https://discord.gg/xkXqs7YwhF

Note that you need to create a Discord account for free if you want to interact with other participants!

We look forward to seeing you in the competition and reading your exoplanet profiles!

Thank you!

1 Comment
2024/11/16
07:56 UTC

1

The 2nd JOHNNIE MAE KING Flash Fiction Contest - over $1,000 cash prizes - 300-550 words - Deadline: 24 November 2024

Welcome to the World of Johnnie Mae King.

Johnnie Mae King is a community narrative collaboration project. Johnnie is a character who invites you to write your own creative narrative for her, or to take her on a creative adventure being only limited by your imagination.

In this contest, we ask that you reference the backstory of the Johnnie character as a launching point for your unique story. You can read her backstory [found here].

Whether you choose speculative fiction, mystery, suspense, poetry, or drama, Aunt Johnnie’s world is yours to explore. With a firm word count of 300 to 500 words, craft a creative narrative that would leave the reader longing for more!

PRIZES AWARDED 

  • 1st place - $500
  • 2nd place - $300
  • 3rd place - $200
  • Five Honorable Mentions will receive $50 each.

Rules and Guidelines https://store.johnniemaeking.com/blogs/news

Previous JMK Flash Fiction Winner - Loophole by Denise Noel https://store.johnniemaeking.com/blogs/news/how-multiplayer-games-arent-as-bad-as-you-think

1 Comment
2024/11/10
02:46 UTC

2

Poetry, Fiction, Essays & Nonfiction, Unpublished Books. Deadline: December 31st 2024. The Letter Review Prize.

The Letter Review Prize (Categories: Short Fiction, Essays & Nonfiction, Poetry, and Unpublished Books): It’s always open. Yearly Prize Pool of $16,000 USD, and the Winners are published by The Letter Review. It’s open to everyone in the world, and there are no theme or style restrictions. 10-20 are Shortlisted in each category, all entries are considered for publication, and the Winners are considered for submission to anthologies such as the Pushcart Prize. More information here: https://letterreview.com/information/

0 Comments
2024/11/09
17:05 UTC

1

The Jerboa Lit 500: 48-hour flash fiction contest, January 17-19th, 2025

Registration is 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 for the inaugural 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐭 𝟓𝟎𝟎!

For fans of weekend-long, timed writing contests like 24-hour playwriting competitions, the 48-Hour Film Festival, and NYC Midnight: we’re a 48-hour, 500-word flash fiction competition open to writers of all ages from around the world. Entrants will receive a prompt that includes a genre, an item, and a short phrase (all randomly chosen from a hat), and will then have 48 hours to submit a story incorporating those elements into their piece. We have $𝟐,𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 to give out, including a $𝟏,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞, and we’d love for you to join us!

The prompt will be sent out just before midnight Central time (UTC-6) on 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, and the 500-word story is due back to us on January 19. Excited? We are too! You can read about all of the contest details at our website, and sign up here: https://www.jerboalit.com/registration

https://preview.redd.it/fmqf7l2onjzd1.png?width=3300&format=png&auto=webp&s=0c52ead810b2e533509607ed541c33f5565e6f97

0 Comments
2024/11/07
21:04 UTC

1

The Failing Writers Podcast - Flash Fiction Contest - £500 prize - DEADLINE 13th Dec 2024

Hello! We're the Failing Writers Podcast – a light-hearted and incredibly funny podcast designed to motivate, educate and commiserate with those who fancy having a go at writing!

We’ve just launched our fourth annual flash fiction competition – in association with Scrivener.

This year the theme is “FESTIVE” and we’re putting up a £500 first prize!

There’s a special phrase that needs to be included in the story – and you can find that out in our latest episode here - where you can also hear from our head judge.

• Organisation: The Failing Writers Podcast

• Deadline midday (BST) on Friday 13th Decemeber 2024

• Category/genre: “Festive” themed flash fiction - any genre!

• Submission length: 350 words max (excluding title)

• Entry fee: £1 (via paypal) (sorry for the charge... it's a probably hopeless attempt to get us off the radar of AI grifters)

• Prize/payment: £500 first prize + runners up prizes of Scrivener

Official t's & c's and entry details - https://www.failingwriterspodcast.com/post/win-500-in-our-festive-flash-fiction-competition

0 Comments
2024/11/05
09:26 UTC

5

Author Games, a Hunger Games-style writing competition

Name of Sponsor / Host:
Nox

Category:
Short story, fiction (character-based storytelling)

Submission Length:
Tasks are limited to 800-1500 words per entry (specific lengths provided for each round).

Entry Fee:
None

Registration Deadline:
October 31, 2024

Eligibility Restrictions:
Participants must be 13+ years old to comply with Discord’s policies. This competition is open to writers worldwide—no other restrictions apply.

Official Guidelines:
Participants create and write original characters to compete in a Hunger Games-inspired narrative. Entries are submitted weekly based on evolving prompts and tasks. Each week’s challenge focuses on different themes and strategies, from alliances and survival to emotional depth and character arcs.

Important Information:

  • This is a writing competition hosted on Discord.
  • 4 spots remain.
  • Participants will interact through their character’s point of view as they progress through the competition. Elimination rounds will occur until one victor remains.
  • https://discord.gg/ezkPQkjvxZ is the link to join! :)
0 Comments
2024/10/28
03:06 UTC

6

Friends Who Write Season 3 is here with $7000 prize pool and more

Your unconventional writing event is back this November. This contest is focused on helping writers build confidence, writing cadence, and finding communities along the way. In addition to submissions, we also organized free writing workshops for writers to improve their skills.

  • Category: all genres welcome
  • Registration deadline: 14 November
  • Contest submission window: 1-30 November
  • Eligibility restrictions: 18+, writing in English or Spanish
  • Name of host: t2.world
  • Submission length: more than 1000 words/week
  • No fee
  • Official guidelines
  • Registration form
  • Any other important information such as eligibility: you need to join with at least 1 friend, if you want to meet new friends, check out the friend-seeking billboard here.
13 Comments
2024/10/23
10:13 UTC

6

Fiction Writing Contest on Lucid Dreaming! Submissions due on November 5th 2024 at 11:59pm EST!

  • Organization: Mastermind | Creative Writing Community
  • Contest Name: Mastermind Season 8
  • Category: Fiction
  • Registration/Submission Deadline: Nov 5, 2024 (11:59pm EST)
  • Eligibility Restrictions: Standard Proficiency in High School English
  • Entry fee: None
  • Submission Length: 2000 words Maximum
  • Prize/s: $100 USD for 1st place, $50 USD for 2nd and 3rd place
  • Link to submission page/official rules:

Official Format and Rules: https://www.mastermindbp.com/discussion-forum/official-mastermind-contests/read-here-first-new-format-and-rules-for-seasons-8

Current Season Submission Thread: https://www.mastermindbp.com/discussion-forum/official-mastermind-contests/mastermind-season-8-submission-thread

  • Other information:

Please click on the link to the Current Season Submission Thread to see the prompt. In order to submit a response, all contestants are required to create an account on our website https://www.mastermindbp.com and must follow all instructions on the season 8 submission thread.

4 Comments
2024/10/20
00:29 UTC

5

Simily Fiction Contest - $1k Prize, Nov 1, 2024 Deadline

Hi everyone - sharing details of Simily's first ever fiction short story contest!!

CASH PRIZE OF $1,000

Simily Fiction Short Story Contest

0 Comments
2024/10/13
17:31 UTC

4

Fiction. Deadline is 12/02/24. Writer Advice’s Current Contest.

Writer Advice’s Current Contest, www.writeradvice.com, seeks Micro Fiction, including “dribbles” (exactly 50 words), “drabbles” (exactly 100 words) and any fiction (or fictionalized but true experience) up to 500 words. Deadline is 12/02/24. Details, tips, tiered fees, and prizes explained at https://writeradvice.com/latest-contest-information/

0 Comments
2024/10/13
10:02 UTC

6

POETRY--BOOK Deadline for submission December 30, 2024: Codhill Press Pauline Uchmanowicz Poetry Award (Poems in English; $30 reading fee; $1,000 and 25 copies of book to winner)

The Codhill Press Pauline Uchmanowicz Poetry Award 2024 is open for submissions. The competition is open to any poet who writes in English. Previously published poems with proper acknowledgment are acceptable. Translations and previously self-published books are not eligible. Poets should submit forty-eight to seventy (48-70) pages (no more than one poem per page) and a $30 reading fee. Winner receives 25 copies of the published book and $1,000.

Submit here via Submittable.

0 Comments
2024/10/08
16:18 UTC

12

2025 Dead Cat Poetry Prize

3rd semi-annual Dead Cat Poetry Prize: a call for loving poems about dearly-departed cats. (We kept hearing of editors complaining about the vast quantities of poems they receive about dead cats. We thought it was time that this eternal human passion was celebrated.)

Entry fee: free to enter, donations gratefully accepted and go towards the prize fund.

Prizes: £75, £30 & £15

Maximum length: 60 lines, must fit on 2 pages.

Open to: International (Poems must be in English, or include a translation.) Ages 16+. Authors retain rights to their work; by entering, you agree that we may publish your poem on our site.

Deadline: 17th March 2025 by 11:59 pm GMT.

See our website for rules, FAQs, and previous winning poems.

1 Comment
2024/10/04
09:44 UTC

5

The Jerboa Lit 500: 48-hour Flash Fiction Contest NOW OPEN

Registration is 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 for the inaugural 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐭 𝟓𝟎𝟎!

For fans of weekend-long, timed writing contests like 24-hour playwriting competitions, the 48-Hour Film Festival, and NYC Midnight: we’re a 48-hour, 500-word flash fiction competition open to writers of all ages from around the world. Entrants will receive a prompt that includes a genre, an item, and a short phrase (all randomly chosen from a hat), and will then have 48 hours to submit a story incorporating those elements into their piece. We have $𝟐,𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 to give out, including a $𝟏,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞, and we’d love for you to join us!

The prompt will be sent out just before midnight Central time (UTC-6) on 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, and the 500-word story is due back to us on January 19. Excited? We are too! You can read about all of the contest details at our website, and sign up here: https://www.jerboalit.com/registration

It’s going to be a blast, and we can’t wait to read what you come up with!—Hallie and David, the Jerboa Lit team

0 Comments
2024/10/01
17:26 UTC

3

Jerboa Lit: Long Ears, Short Fiction

Flash fiction writers! We're Jerboa Lit, a new flash fiction contest opening for registration this October. All entrants will receive a random prompt including a genre, an item, and a phrase (chosen out of our coveted Video Hat), all of which must be incorporated into a short story of 500 words to be submitted 48 hours later. Winners split $2,200 in cash prizes!

If that sounds fun (and we hope it does), registration will open in October, but you can sign up for newsletters here: www.jerboalit.com

Jerboa Lit, LLC! This small desert mouse reading a book wants to be reading your flash fiction!

2 Comments
2024/09/13
20:22 UTC

0

Drunk and high

0 Comments
2024/09/12
18:48 UTC

0

Turn on the lights

0 Comments
2024/09/12
18:44 UTC

9

Hundred Word Horror Flash Fiction Contest from September 15 - 30, 2004. "Nightmare on Story Street" Capped at first 1000 submissions. Must be 18+. 

Story Street Writers is proud to announce our first annual Hundred Word Horror fiction contest. The winner will be announced on October 31, naturally, and will pick up a $100 prize and publication in the Story Street Review online. The three runners-up will also be published, each receiving a $25 prize. The contest opens for entries on September 15 and runs through September 30. 

For full contest rules and details, visit: https://storystreetwriters.com/word-on-the-street/first-annual-hundred-word-horror-contest/ 

0 Comments
2024/09/10
15:21 UTC

5

Bridport short story prize

Has anyone heard back from this competition yet? They're releasing the short list tomorrow. They haven't declined my story in submittable, it still says 'in progress' so I'm hoping that's a good sign I could be on a longlist? I've never entered this competition before so I'm not sure they send rejections before the announcement

8 Comments
2024/09/02
19:27 UTC

4

Health Poetry Competition

Hello! I am excited to announce that there is a poetry competition being held on the topic of Improper Health Resources for Children by Health Goes Global. Here is some more info:

Topic: Improper Health Resources for Children

Due Date: September 25th

Fee: $10 (all proceeds go to helping underserved communities, its for a good cause!!)

Applicability: Age 13-18

Prize:

1st place winner: 50 dollar gift card

2nd place winner : 25 dollar gift card

Character max count: 1500 (quality over quantity)!

Link to sign up: https://forms.gle/ZQdMTwGwY2BL2A4S9

0 Comments
2024/08/26
22:17 UTC

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