Big List of Writing Contests
NewPages Guide to Writing Contests
The Guide to Writing Contests features a comprehensive list of magazine contests, book contests, chapbook contests, writing contests, audio contests, video contests, and competitions from independent publishers, literary magazines, alternative magazines, creative writing programs, and writing conferences and festivals. Currently we list contests that writers themselves can enter. We do not list contests in which a third party or publisher must enter on a writer’s behalf.
If you are interested in contests for young writers, check out our Young Writers Guide to Contests. Interested in listing your writing or book contest with NewPages? Please review our FAQ and contact us. Would you like to advertise a contest with NewPages? Learn more and submit your contest ad here.
Please note: NewPages does our best to vet these contests and organizations and provide a thorough list of reputable opportunities for writers. If you have any concerns about a contest listed here, please contact us. Featured writing contests are listings provided by advertisers.
Featured Writing Contests
Jerboa Lit 250: Open for Registration!
Deadline: June 26, 2026
The next Jerboa Lit 250 kicks off on June 26! At 10 pm Central, we’ll draw a random prompt (Genre and Character) from our Video Hat, live from our YouTube page. Writers will have until the following Sunday, June 28, 11:59 pm Central, to submit a 250-word story satisfying the prompt. Registration fee of $15, with prizes paid out for first through third – first place takes home $500! Sign up at: www.jerboalit.com/registration-250.
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Driftwood Press Fiction & Poetry Contests Judged by Diamond Forde & Beth Nguyen!
Incoming Deadline: July 15, 2026 (Adrift contests); Year-round (general submissions)
Driftwood Press is happy to share a plethora of submission opportunities for writers and artists! Our Adrift Short Fiction & Poetry Chapbook Contests, in which every work submitted is considered for publication as winner or runner-up, is open! Our guest judges this year are Diamond Forde (poetry) & Beth Nguyen (fiction)! For our yearly print anthology, we are looking for poems, short stories, comics, and visual art that will wow our readers, accepted as both contest and normal submissions. We are a paying market, and our published writers also get to take part in bespoke interviews about their work! Driftwood is also on the hunt for amazing book-length titles to grow our catalogue, so if you have a novella, poetry collection, comic collection, or graphic novel manuscript, we would love to read it! We also offer a premium poetry option for one-week responses. Visit us here for our Submittable page, and we encourage you to follow us on social media (@driftwoodpress) to learn about even more submission opportunities!
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The 2026 Orison Chapbook Prize
Deadline: July 1, 2026
The 2026 Orison Chapbook Prize will award $300 and publication by Orison Books for a manuscript of 20–45 pages in any literary genre (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, drama, or hybrid). Orison Books founder and editor Luke Hankins will judge. Submission period: April 1–July 1. Entry fee: $15. Find complete guidelines, see www.orisonbooks.com/submissions.
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$500 Prize for Poet Hunt 31, judged by Nandi Comer
Deadline: June 15, 2026
Poet Hunt 31, judged by Nandi Comer, 2023–2025 Michigan Poet Laureate, awards $500 and Publication to one Grand Prize winner, with up to two Honorable Mentions also recognized. Send up to 5 poems per $15 entry fee with each poem beginning on a new page. To preserve the anonymous review process, only include your contact info on the cover page. Enter via Submittable or mail your materials to: The MacGuffin • Attn: Poet Hunt 31 • 18600 Haggerty Road • Livonia, MI 48152. Make checks out to Schoolcraft College. For full rules, see our website: www.schoolcraft.edu/macguffin/poet-hunt-contest/.
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2027 Press 53 Award for Poetry
Deadline: July 31, 2026
First Prize $1,000, publication, and 53 copies will be awarded to an outstanding, unpublished poetry manuscript. Press 53 Poetry Series Editor Tom Lombardo is the only reader and judge. Prizes awarded upon publication. Deadline July 31. Winner and finalists announced by November 1. Reading fee $30. Complete information at www.press53.com/award-for-poetry/.
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2026 North Street Book Prize
Deadline: July 1, 2026
The North Street Book Prize is now in its 12th year sponsored by Winning Writers. Submit self-published or hybrid-published books to win $10,000. Additional benefits for entrants and winners from our co-sponsors. $23,500 in total cash prizes. Nine categories. Any year of publication eligible. Entry fee: $95. Everyone who submits online can receive feedback from a judge at no extra charge. Deadline: July 1. Learn more at winningwriters.com/northnp26.
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The Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction, Poetry, and Books
Deadline: July 29, 2026
The Letter Review Prizes awards 9–12 winners a share of a $3,000 USD prize pool and publication. 60 writers shortlisted. All entries considered for publication and submission to further anthologies such as The Pushcart Prize. Entry Fee: $20–$30 USD. Words: Up to 5,000 words of prose, or 70 lines of poetry. Details: Open to anyone in the world. No style or subject restrictions. Judged blind. Books must not be traditionally published. Enter here: letterreview.com/information/.
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Call for Entries: Gival Press Oscar Wilde Poetry Award
Deadline: June 27, 2026
Submissions are open for the 25th Annual Gival Press Oscar Wilde Award, honoring the best previously unpublished poem in English that engages with GLBTQ life. The winner receives $500 and publication on the Gival Press website. Poets may submit any style, form, or length, with a $20 reading fee per set of up to three poems. Submit via givalpress.submittable.com. More details at www.givalpress.com or by writing to Gival Press, PO Box 3812, Arlington, VA 22203.
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2026 Burnside Review Chapbook Contest
Deadline: June 30, 2026
Submit 18-24 pages of poetry, including a list of acknowledgments. Your name and contact information should not appear anywhere in the manuscript. Elegant design with letterpressed covers. A $15 entry fee must be paid at the time of submission. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please let us know immediately if your manuscript has been accepted elsewhere. The winner will receive $200, plus ten copies of the chapbook. Results will be announced by December. We only accept submissions through our online submission manager. Work sent by any other means will not be read. www.burnsidereview.org
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RED WHEELBARROW POETRY PRIZE 2026: $1,000 and letterpress broadside
Deadline: July 31, 2026
Red Wheelbarrow Poetry Prize 2026: $1,000 for first place and a letterpress broadside, $500 for second, $250 for third. Top five published in Red Wheelbarrow Literary Magazine. Submit up to 3 original unpublished poems. $15 entry fee. Deadline: July 31. For complete guidelines, visit redwheelbarrow.submittable.com.
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The Slate Roof Press 2026 Elyse Wolf Prize $500
Deadline: June 30, 2026
Member-run Slate Roof Press is pleased to announce the 2026 Elyse Wolf Prize for our annual poetry chapbook contest. The winner receives $500, becomes an active member of the press, and will have their chapbook published by Slate Roof. The runner up receives $100. We publish limited edition, art-quality chapbooks with letterpress covers. Winners make a 3-year commitment to Slate Roof, including monthly meetings via zoom, and share work responsibilities for many aspects of publishing. Submit no more than 28 pages of poetry. $10 reading fee; sliding scale available. Submit May 15 to June 30. Full guidelines at www.slateroofpress.com.
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2026 HEART Poetry Award — $500 Prize
Deadline: June 30, 2026
Nostalgia Press is accepting submissions for the 2026 HEART Poetry Award, offering a $500 prize and publication in HEART #21. A $10 reading fee covers up to 3 unpublished poems and includes a digital copy of the issue. Please include your name, mailing address, and email on each page; identifying information will be removed before judging. Submit your poems to [email protected], and complete payment at www.nostalgiapress.com. Visit the website for sample poems, judge information, and full guidelines. Deadline: Midnight, June 30, 2026.
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Create and Solve Mysterious with The Great Library of Alexandria!
Deadline: June 23, 2026
Project Infinity BP is hosting its thirteenth (13th) creative writing competition season! This writing competition is free and open to anyone. No applications are required and you can submit at any time before June 23, 2026 at 11:59pm UTC+8! Resubmissions are allowed every 24 hours!
Topic: Creating and Solving Mysterious with The Great Library of Alexandria.
Check out our community here for more details: projectinfinitybp.org!
All good-faith participants get guaranteed comprehensive and specific feedback. The winner has the option to have their work posted on our website’s Exemplar page.
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Swan Scythe Press Snnounces its 2026 Poetry Chapbook Contest
Deadline: June 15, 2026
Swan Scythe Press announces its 2026 poetry chapbook contest. Entry fee: $18. We are accepting submissions from March 1 to June 15 (postmark deadline). Winner receives $200 and 25 perfect-bound chapbooks. The 2025 winner is Catherine Allen for We Return as Rain. For full guidelines, visit www.swanscythepress.com and swanscythepress.submittable.com/submit.
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SOLSTICE: A MAGAZINE OF DIVERSE VOICES announces ANNUAL LITERARY CONTEST
Deadline: June 1
SOLSTICE: A MAGAZINE OF DIVERSE VOICES (Best American Essays, Best of the Net) announces ANNUAL LITERARY CONTEST open through June 1st. $1,000 Fiction Prize (Judged by Jessica Treadway); $500 Stephen Dunn Poetry (Judged by Porsha Olayiwola); $500 Michael Steinberg Nonfiction (Judged by Sven Birkerts); $500 Graphic Lit (Judged by John Vasquez Mejias). Details: solsticelitmag.org/contest.
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Call for Submissions: 2026 Gival Press Short Story Award
Deadline: August 8, 2026
Submissions are open for the 23rd Annual Gival Press Short Story Award, honoring the best previously unpublished literary short story in English. Stories should be approximately 5,000 words and must stand alone (not excerpted from a novel). The winner receives $1,000 and publication on the Gival Press website. The reading fee is $25 per story submitted. Writers of all backgrounds and styles are encouraged to submit their strongest work. Full guidelines and the submission portal are available at givalpress.submittable.com, with additional information at www.givalpress.com. Print correspondence may be sent to Gival Press, PO Box 3812, Arlington, VA 22203.
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2026 Housatonic Book Awards
Deadline: June 15, 2026
The MFA in Creative and Professional Writing at Western Connecticut State University is currently accepting submissions for their 2026 Housatonic Book Awards. The award will be given to book-length works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry published in 2025. The award carries a $1,000 honorarium in exchange for appearing at the winter or summer residency to give a public reading and a master class with MFA students. The award also includes a $500 travel stipend and hotel stay during the residency. For more information on submission guidelines and past winners, visit: Housatonic Book Awards website.
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International Voices in Creative Nonfiction Competition. Prize: $1000 and publication.
Deadline: July 1, 2026 (11:59 PM EEST)
Not all true stories get told. Yours should. Small presses have the power to make a real impact, and at Vine Leaves Press, we take that responsibility seriously. We are committed to giving underrepresented voices the opportunity to build rich, lasting literary legacies. Why? To sustain hope for a more loving, tolerant, and open world. It begins with art. That’s why we invite you to submit your manuscript to the 2027 International Voices in Creative Nonfiction Competition. Prize: $1000 and publication in 2028. www.vineleavespress.com/international-voices-in-cnf.html
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Complete Writing Contests List
January February March April May June July August September October November December Special Deadlines
Please note these contests are organized alphabetically within their respective deadlines. NewPages does our best to maintain and update this list, but deadlines are subject to change and contests can close early or extend deadlines. Always check the organization’s website for updated information.
June Deadlines
Arizona Authors Association
Literary Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Drama
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Awards Luncheon Ticket
Opens 01/01 | Closes 06/01
Bard College
Bard Fiction Prize for Young Writers
Fiction
Free | Cash Award | Writer-in-Residence at Bard College
Closes 06/01
CBC Books
CBC Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Writing Residency | Online Publication
Opens 04/01 | Closes 06/01
Chicken House Books
The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition
Fiction, Writing for Children
Entry Fee
06/01
The Fiddlehead
Creative Nonfiction Contest
Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 06/01
The Fiddlehead annually awards $2,000 CAD for a short work of creative nonfiction under 6,000 words. Winners receive publication and an interview.
The Heron’s Nest
Peggy Willis Lyles Haiku Awards
Poetry
Free | Cash Award | Book | Miniature Crystal Turtle
Closes 06/01
Key West Literary Seminar
Cecelia Joyce Johnson Award, Scotti Merrill Award, and Marianne Russo Award
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Full Tuition for January Seminar & Writers’ Workshop | Round-trip Airfare, Lodging
Closes 06/01
Michigan Quarterly Review
James A. Winn Prize in Nonfiction
Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 04/01 | Closes 06/01
Midway Journal
-1000 Below: Flash Prose and Poetry Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 06/01
Raleigh Review
Geri Digiorno Multi-Genre Prize
Poetry, Nonfiction, Visual Art
Free (Duosuma) and Entry Fee (Submittable)
Opens 01/01 | Closes 06/01 [odd-numbered years]
Raleigh Review
Laux/Millar Raleigh Review Poetry Book Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Free (Duosuma) and Entry Fee (Submittable) | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 06/01 [even-numbered years]
River Arts Alliance
Maria F. Faust Sonnet Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Online Publication
Closes 06/01
Southern Humanities Review
Auburn Witness Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 05/01 | Closes 06/01
Southern Humanities Review awards an annual $1,000 prize and publication opportunity for a poem of witness in honor of the late poet Jake Adam York.
Writer Advice
Flash Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 03/15 | Closes 06/02
Flash Fiction Magazine
Writing Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | 12 Months of Workshops
Closes 06/04
Fence Books
Fence Modern Poets Series Book Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Copies | Two-week Residency
Closes 06/05 (will close early if cap met)
Fence Books
Ottoline Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Copies | Two-week Residency
Closes 06/05 (will close early if cap met)
RockPaperPoem
Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 04/03 | Closes 06/05
Garden Party Collective
Themed Poetry Contest
Poetry
Free | Cash Award
Closes 06/07
The Masters Review
Best Emerging Writers Anthology Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Anthology Publication | Contributor Copy
Opens 04/06 | Closes 06/07
Write by the Sea
Writing Competitions
Short Story, Memoir, Poetry, Flash Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication | Weekend Pass to Write by the Sea Festival
Opens 04/03 | Closes 06/07
Palette Poetry
The Nature Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 04/14 | Closes 06/14
42 Miles Press
Poetry Award
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Copies
Opens 02/01 | Closes 06/15
American Short Fiction
The Halifax Ranch Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 04/01 | Closes 06/15
Atlanta Review
Dan Veach Prize for Younger Poets (ages 18-23)
Poetry
Free | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 04/15 | Closes 06/15
Baltimore Science Fiction Society
Avery/Deutsch Amateur Writing Contest
Speculative Fiction
Open to Maryland residents or students attending 2–4-year colleges in Maryland.
Free | Cash Award | Free Balticon Membership
Opens 04/15 | Closes 06/15
The MacGuffin
Poet Hunt Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 04/01 | Closes 06/15
Miami Book Fair/National Poetry Series
Paz Prize for Poetry
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Bilingual Book Publication
Opens 05/01 | Closes 06/15 [even-numbered years]
Moon City Press
Moon City Short Fiction Award
Moon City Poetry Award
Fiction Manuscript, Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Royalty Contract
Closes 06/15
New American Press
New American Fiction Prize
Fiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Copies
Opens 02/15 | Closes 06/15
Parlor Press
New Measure Poetry Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 06/15 | Reopens in 2027
Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Society
William Faulkner – William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award
Opens 12/01 | Closes 06/15
PULP Literature
Hummingbird Prize for Flash Fiction
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 05/01 | Closes 06/15
Room Magazine
Creative Non-Fiction Contest
Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 04/15 | Closes 06/15
Slapering Hol Press
Chapbook Competition
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication | Copies | Reading
Closes 06/15
Swan Scythe Press
Chapbook Contest
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 06/15
Towson University English Department
Towson Prize for Literature
Must have been or is currently a resident of Maryland.
Published Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Drama
Free | Cash Award
Closes 06/15
Tusculum Review
Chapbook Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry (genres alternate)
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication
Closes 06/15
University of Akron Press
Akron Poetry Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 04/15 | Closes 06/15
Western Connecticut State University
Housatonic Book Awards
Fiction, Nonfiction, & Poetry Books published in the previous calendar year
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Public Reading | MFA Workshop
Closes 06/15
Omnidawn
Omnidawn Chapbook Poetry Contest
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication | Copies
Opens 05/01 | Closes 06/16
Tertulia
First Page Contest
Fiction
Free | Feature Spotlight | Social Media Promotion
Opens 06/01 | Closes 06/21
Toasted Cheese
A Midsummer Tale Narrative Writing Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction
Free | Gift Card | Publication
Opens 04/01 | Closes 06/21
Free Flash Fiction
Flash Fiction Competition
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 06/23
Narrative Magazine
Spring Story Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 06/26
Gival Press
Oscar Wilde Award
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens February | Closes 06/27
CRAFT
First Chapters Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication | Full Manuscript Critique
Opens 04/20 | Closes 06/28
Welsh Poetry Competition
International English language Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 06/28
Letter Review
The Letter Review Prize for Books
The Letter Review Prize for Poetry
The Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction
Fiction, Fiction Manuscript, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 06/29
Autumn House Press
Autumn House Poetry Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 05/01 | Closes 06/30
Barrow Street Press
Barrow Street Poetry Book Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Closes 06/30
Bauhan Publishing
May Sarton New Hampshire Poetry Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Closes 06/30
Burnside Review
Chapbook Contest
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication | Copies
Opens 05/01 | Closes 06/30
California State Poetry Society
Annual Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication in California Quarterly
Opens 03/01 | Closes 06/30
CALYX
Lois Cranston Memorial Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Online Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 06/30
Cider Press Review
Editors’ Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Copies
Opens 04/01 | Closes 06/30
Claremont Graduate University
Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award
Kate Tufts Discovery Award
Published Poetry Book
Free | Cash Award
Opens 07/01 | Closes 06/30
F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival
Short Story Contest
Open to residents of the DMV (DC Metro Area)
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Reading Invitation
Opens 03/01 | Closes 06/30
Fork Apple Press
The Slice Essay Collection Contest
Nonfiction Manuscript
Entry Fee (limited waivers available) | Cash Award | Book Publication | Copies
Closes 06/30
Haiku Society of America
Haiku Award | Senryu Award | Haibun Award
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 06/01 | Closes 06/30
The Lascaux Review
Lascaux Prize in Flash Fiction
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication | Medallion
Closes 06/30
Lee & Low Books
New Visions Award for Writers of Color & Indigenous/Native Writers
Young Adult Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Works in Verse, Graphic Novel
Free | Cash Advance | Book Publication | Royalty Contract
Opens 04/21 | Closes 06/30 [even-numbered years]
The Masters Review
The Reprint Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Online Publication
Opens 06/15 | Closes 06/30
Nostalgia Press
HEART Poetry Award
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 06/30
Each year, Nostalgia Press seeks unpublished prose poems for its HEART Poetry Award. Winner receives a cash award, publication in the annual issue of HEART, and a digital copy of the issue their work appears in.
The Review of English Studies
Essay Prize
Open to writers studying for a higher degree
Nonfiction
Free | Publication | £500 worth of Oxford University Press books | One Year Subscription
Opens 04/01 | Closes 06/30
Slate Roof Press
Elyse Wolf Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication
Opens 05/15 | Closes 06/30
Texas Review Press
George Garrett Fiction Prize
Fiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Advance | Book Publication | Copies
Opens 04/01 | Closes 06/30
University of North Texas Press
Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fiction
Fiction Collection Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 05/01 | Closes 06/30
Wasafiri
Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize
Fiction, Poetry, Life Writing
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 06/30
Washington Writers’ Publishing House
The Jean Feldman Poetry Prize
The Washington Writers’ Publishing House Fiction Prize
The Washington Writers’ Publishing House Nonfiction Prize
Fiction Manuscripts, Nonfiction Manuscripts, Poetry Manuscripts
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication | Copies
Closes 06/30
July Deadlines
Alison Wearing
International Amy MacRae Award for Memoir
Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award
Opens 04/15 | Closes 07/01
Bellevue Literary Review
BLR Literary Prizes
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
7/1
Blue Mountain Center
Richard J. Margolis Award
Nonfiction, Journalism
Free
07/01
Catamaran Literary Reader
Catamaran Poetry Prize for West Coast Poets
Must live in California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, or Hawaii
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 02/15 | Closes 07/01
Cheshire Novel Prize
Fiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Live Workshop
Opens 04/15 | Closes 07/01
Clavis Publishing
Key Colors Competition
Children’s Picture Book
Free | Cash Award | Book Publication
Closes 07/01 [even-numbered years]
Eden Mills Writers’ Festival
Read at the Fringe Literary Contest
Fiction, nonfiction, poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Free Festival Entry | Reading Invitation
Closes 07/01
Embracing Our Differences
Quotation Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction
Free
7/1
The Laurel Review
Midwest Chapbook Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
7/1
Orison Books
Orison Chapbook Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Cross-Genre
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 04/01 | Closes 07/01
Every year Orison Books accepts manuscripts of 20–45 pages in any genre for its Chapbook Prize. Winner receives $300 and publication.
The Saturday Evening Post
Great American Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
7/1
The Story Prize
Book Award
Published Short Fiction Collections
Entry Fee | Cash Award
Closes 07/01 for books published in January through June
Vine Leaves Press
International Voices in Creative Nonfiction
Nonfiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 02/01 | Closes 07/01
Winning Writers
North Street Book Prize
Self-published Mainstream/Literary Fiction, Genre Fiction, Creative Nonfiction & Memoir, Inspirational/Self-Help, Poetry, Children’s Picture Book, Middle Grade, Graphic Novel & Memoir, Art Book
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Expert Marketing Services
Opens 02/15 | Closes 07/01
Exposition Review
Flash 405
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Drama, Screenplay, Experimental
Entry Fee
7/5
Conduit Books & Ephemera
Marystina Santiestevan First Book Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
7/7
Ledbury Poetry Festival
Poetry Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee
7/7
The Cincinnati Review
Robert and Adele Schiff Awards
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 06/01 | Closes 07/15
The Comstock Review
Muriel Craft Bailey Memorial Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
7/15
DIAGRAM
New Michigan Press/Diagram Chapbook Contest
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
7/15
Driftwood Press
Adrift Chapbook Series
Poetry
Entry Fee
7/15
Driftwood Press
The Adrift Short Story Competition
Fiction
Entry Fee
7/15
The Ghost Story
Summer Screw Turn Flash Fiction Competition
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 06/06 | Closes 07/15
Grist
Pro Forma Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Cross-Genre
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 06/01 | Closes 07/15
Key West Literary Seminar
Teacher & Librarian Scholarships
Free | Full Waiver for Seminar Registration
Closes 07/15
RATTLE
Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 07/15
Regal House Publishing
Petrichor Prize for Finely Crafted Fiction
Fiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 04/15 | Closes 07/15
William Faulkner Literary Competition
Novel Category
Fiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award
Closes 07/15
Gutsy Great Novelist
Page One Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
Opens 06/16 | Closes 07/16
Writing Battle
Solstice Owl
Fiction
Entry Fee
Register by 07/17
Write Catalyst
Short Story Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Online Publication | One-year Membership
Closes 07/22
Narrative Magazine
Annual Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 07/29
Poetry Society of Michigan
Poetry Contests
Entry Fee
7/30
The Adroit Journal
Editor’s Prize
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee (waivers available)
07/31
Anthology
Short Story Competition
Fiction
Entry Fee
07/31
Briefly Write
Briefly Write Poetry Prize
Poetry
Free
7/31
Connecticut River Review
Experimental Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
7/31
Harbor Review
Washburn Chapbook Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
7/31
Munster Literature Centre
Seán Ó Faoláin Short Story Competition
Fiction
Entry Fee
7/31
New England Poetry Club
Annual Writing & Book Contests
Poetry
7/31
Press 53
Award for Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee
7/31
Red Wheelbarrow
National Edition Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
7/31
San Luis Obispo NightWriters
Golden Quill Writing Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication in The NightWriter Review
Opens 05/01 | Closes 07/31
The Sewanee Review
Fiction, Poetry, & Nonfiction Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
7/31
Sheila-Na-Gig Editions
First Chap Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 07/01 | Closes 07/31
University of Pittsburgh Press
Drue Heinz Literature Prize
Fiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 07/01 | Closes 07/31
Whispering Wisdom
Poetry Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee
7/31.
William Faulkner Literary Competition
One Act Play Writing | Poetry Competition | Adult Short Story
Drama, Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 07/31
WOW! Women on Writing
Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
7/31
August Deadlines
Arizona Mystery Writers
Jim Martin Memorial Story Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
8/1
Granum Foundation
Granum Foundation Prize; Granum Foundation Translation Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translation
Free
8/1
The Greensboro Review
Robert Watson Literary Awards
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
8/1
Hidden Compass
Pathfinder Prize
Travel Writing
Free
8/1 (8/15 extended)
Key West Literary Seminar
Workshop Fellowship Award
Fiction, Poetry
Free | Full Tuition Waiver for Writers’ Workshop Program
Closes 08/01 (priority deadline)
The Malahat Review
Constance Rooke Creative Nonfiction Prize
Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 08/01
This contest is open to Canadian and international writers anywhere in the world. Creative nonfiction includes personal essays, memoir, narrative nonfiction, social commentary, travel writing, and more!
Moonlit Getaway
Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 05/01 | Closes 08/01
Prairie Schooner
Summer Creative Nonfiction Contest
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
8/1
Radar Poetry
The Coniston Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 06/01 | Closes 08/01
Seneca Review
Deborah Tall Lyric Essay Book Prize
Nonfiction, Hybrid, Cross-Genre
Entry Fee
8/1 [odd-numbered years]
West Trade Review
The 704 Prize for Flash Fiction
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 06/01 | Closes 08/01
Named after our area code, this flash fiction contest is open to anyone. Send a piece of flash of up to 704 words for a chance at $704 and publication in our Spring print edition.
Wisconsin Writers Association
The Jade Ring Writing Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award, Jade Ring, Publication, One Week Residency
Opens 06/01 | Closes 08/01
Writing Battle
Solstice Raven
Fiction
Entry Fee
Register by 08/06
Gival Press
Short Story Award
Fiction
Entry Fee
8/8
Bournemouth University MA in Creative Writing & Publishing
The Bournemouth Writing Prize
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
08/15
Futurepoem
Other Futures Award
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Cross-Genre
Entry Fee
8/15
Grayson Books
Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
8/15
History Through Fiction
Short Story Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
8/15
Indiana Review
1/2K Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
8/15
Inverted Syntax
Aggrey Tabbikha Prize for Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee
8/15
Inverted Syntax
Sublingua Prize for Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee
8/15
Ligonier Valley Writers
Flash Fiction Contest
Fiction
Free
8/15
Third Wednesday
George Dila Memorial Flash Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
8/15
Black Warrior Review
Annual Writing Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
8/16
Omnidawn Publishing
Omnidawn Open Poetry Book Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
8/16
Blue Earth Review
Summer Writing Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
8/21
Free Flash Fiction
Flash Fiction Competition
Fiction
Entry Fee
8/23
World History Encyclopedia
Ink of Ages Fiction Prize
Fiction
Free
Opens 07/28 | Closes 08/29
Aesthetica Magazine
Creative Writing Award
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
08/31 (09/08 late entries)
Anthology
Personal Memoir Competition
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
08/31
The Banyan Review
The Banyan Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
8/31
Black Lawrence Press
St. Lawrence Book Award
Prose, Poetry
Entry Fee
08/31
Button Poetry
Video Contest
Poetry, Video
Entry Fee
8/31
Dynamo Verlag
Book Contest
Poetry, Prose
Entry Fee
08/31 (or until 300 submissions received)
Grid Books
Off the Grid Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
8/31
Gulf Coast
Barthelme Prize for Short Prose
Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
8/31
Gulf Coast
Prize in Translation
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translations
Entry Fee
8/31
Howling Bird Press
Annual Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
8/31
Journal of Experimental Fiction
Kenneth Patchen Award
Fiction
Entry Fee
8/31
The Louisville Review
National Poetry Book Contest
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
8/31/27 [triennial]
Miami University Press
Novella Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
8/31
Munster Literature Center
Fool For Poetry International Chapbook Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee
8/31
Nine Syllables Press
Chapbook Contest
Poetry Manuscript
**Open to women, trans, and nonbinary poets**
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication | Copies
Opens 06/01 | Closes 08/31
Nine Syllables Press
Tammis Day Poetry Prize
Poetry Manuscript
**Open to women, trans, and nonbinary poets**
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Writing Residency
Opens 03/01 | Closes 08/31
Only Poems
Bob Hicok Fellowship for Poets
Poetry
Entry Fee
8/31
Oxford Flash Fiction Prize
Summer Flash Fiction Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee (need-based Free submissions available) | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 08/31
Oxford Poetry
The Oxford Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
8/31
Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association
Annual Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
8/31
Scottish Arts Trust
Edinburgh Flash Fiction Award
Fiction
Entry Fee
8/31
Telluride Institute
Cantor Prize Colorado State Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
8/31
Telluride Institute
Fischer Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
8/31
Under the Volcano
Full Named Fellowships
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Journalism
Free | Tuition, Accommodation, & RT Transportation coverage
Opens 07/01 | Closes 08/31
University of New Orleans Press
Publishing Lab Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
8/31
Utica College
Eugene Paul Nassar Poetry Prize
Poetry
Free
8/31
William Faulkner Literary Competition
Student Short Story
Fiction
Free | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 08/31
WOW! Women on Writing
Flash Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
8/31
September Deadlines
The Academy for Teachers
Stories Out of School Flash Fiction Contest
Fiction
Free
9/1
Academy of American Poets
First Book Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
9/1
The Fiddlehead
Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 06/01 | Closes 09/01
Frontier Poetry
Debut Chapbook Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
9/1
Last Syllable
Last Syllable Book Awards
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
9/1
Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition
Fiction
Entry Fee
9/1 (normal deadline); 9/15 (late deadline)
Naugatuck River Review
Narrative Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
9/1
Puerto del Sol
Poetry and Prose Contests
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
9/1
Gemini Magazine
Flash Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
9/2
International 3-Day Novel Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
8/31 – 9/2 [register by 8/30]
Terrain.org
Annual Contests
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 05/01 | Closes 09/07 (Labor Day)
Submissions are accepted annually from May 1 to U.S. Labor Day. More than $4,000 in prizes awarded!
Arc Poetry Magazine
Diana Brebner Prize
Entry Fee
9/4
Dogwood
Annual Writing Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
09/05
Exposition Review
Flash 405
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Drama, Screenplay, Experimental
Entry Fee
9/5
Etchings Press
Book Prizes
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
09/06
The Masters Review
Short Story Award for New Writers
Fiction
Entry Fee
9/7
Quarter After Eight
Poetry Chapbook Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
9/8
Lewis Center for the Arts
Princeton Arts Fellowship
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Playwriting, Screenwriting, Cross-Genre
Free
9/10
Lewis Center for the Arts
The Hodder Fellowship
Creative Writing, Visual Art, Dance, Theater, Music
Free
9/10
Association of Jewish Libraries
Sydney Taylor Manuscript Award
Jewish Fiction
Free
9/13
Garden Party Collective
Mental Health Poetry Contest
Poetry
Free | Cash Award
Opens 09/06 | Closes 09/12
Gulf Coast
Toni Beauchamp Prize in Critical Art Writing
Nonfiction
Free
9/14
Boudin
Novelette Chapbook Contest
Fiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication | Author Copies | AWP Signing Event
Closes 09/15
Finishing Line Press
New Women’s Voices Series Chapbook Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee
09/15
Santa Fe Writers Project
Literary Awards Program
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
9/15
University of Wisconsin Press
Brittingham Prize in Poetry/Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee
9/15
Toasted Cheese
The Mollie Savage Memorial Science Fiction/Fantasy Writing Contest
Fiction
Free | Gift Card | Publication
Opens 9/18 | Closes 9/20
Coffee-House Poetry
Troubadour Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
9/23
Mslexia
Fiction Competitions
Flash Fiction, Short Story, Novel (Adult & Children’s & Young Adult alternate)
Entry Fee
9/23
Poetry Super Highway
Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
09/28
**all entrants receive a prize**
Homer Humanities
Fiction, Poetry, Cross-Genre, Songwriting, Art, Photography
Free
9/29
*Students age 10-22*
Anthology
Flash Fiction Competition
Fiction
Entry Fee
09/30
Anthology
Nature Writing Competition
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
09/30
The Bridport Prize
Bridport Prize International Creative Writing Competition
Memoir, Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | One Year Mentoring | Online Publication
Opens 06/15 | Closes 09/30
California State University, Fresno
Philip Levine Prize for Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 07/01 Closes 09/30
CALYX
Margarita Donnelly Prize for Prose Writing
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
9/30
Columbus State University/DLJ Books
Donald L. Jordan Prize for Literary Excellence
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
9/30
Connecticut River Review
Vivian Shipley Poetry Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
9/30
Dzanc Books
Prize for Fiction; Short Story Collection Competition; Poetry Prize
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
9/30
The Ghost Story
Fall Supernatural Fiction Award
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 08/01 | Closes 9/30
Gold Line Press
Chapbook Contests
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
9/30
International Human Rights Festival
Rhonda Gail Williford Award for Poetry
Poetry, Cross-Genre
Free
9/30
The Lascaux Review
Lascaux Prize in Creative Nonfiction
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
9/30
The Letter Review
The Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Books
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
9/30
PEN/Faulkner Foundation
Award for Fiction
Fiction
Free
9/30
Rare Swan Press
Kari Ann Biennial Memorial Literary Prize
Poetry
Free
9/30 [odd-numbered years]
RHINO
Founders’ Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
9/30
The Sejong Cultural Society
International Sijo Competition
Poetry
Free | Cash Award
Closes 09/30
Slippery Elm Literary Journal
Deanna Tulley Multimedia Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Cross-Genre, Photography, Art, Audio, Video
Entry Fee
9/30
Texas Review Press
X.J. Kennedy Poetry Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Advance | Book Publication | Copies | Fellowship
Opens 07/01 | Closes 09/30
University of Arkansas Press
Miller Williams Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
9/30
University of Iowa Press
Iowa Short Fiction Award/John Simmons Short Fiction Award
Fiction
Free
9/30
University of Massachusetts Press
Juniper Prize for Creative Nonfiction
Nonfiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 08/01 | Closes 09/30
University of Massachusetts Press
Juniper Prize for Fiction
Short Story Collections, Novels
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 08/01 | Closes 09/30
University of Massachusetts Press
Juniper Prize for Poetry
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 08/01 | Closes 09/30
University of Mississippi Department of Writing & Rhetoric
The Willie Morris Awards for Southern Writing
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Free
9/30
Whitefish Review
Montana Prize for Humor
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
9/30
October Deadlines
Action, Spectacle
Editor’s Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
10/01
African Poetry Book Fund
Glenna Luschei Poetry Prize
Poetry
Free
10/01
The American Poetry Review
APR/Honickman First Book Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Closes 10/01
Changes
The Changes Book Prize
Poetry
Free
10/01
The Missouri Review
Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 10/01
The Missouri Review annually awards $5,000, publication, and promotion per genre for its Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ Prize.
Moonlit Getaway
Short Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 07/01 | Closes 10/01
Poet’s Billow
Atlantis Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
10/01
RCAH Center for Poetry
Wheelbarrow Books Poetry Prize (Established)
Poetry
Entry Fee
10/01
Reed
Edwin Markham Prize for Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee
10/01
Reed
Gabriele Rico Challenge for Nonfiction
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
10/01
Reed
John Steinbeck Award for Fiction
Fiction
Entry Fee
10/01
ScribesMicro
The Scribes Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Prose Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 07/01 | Closes 10/01
Willow Springs
Surrealist Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 03/01 | Closes 10/01
Willow Springs Books
Spokane Prize for Short Fiction
Fiction
Entry Fee.10/01
Winning Writers
Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Online Publication
Opens 04/15 | Closes 10/01
Writing Battle
Harvest Owl
Fiction
Entry Fee
Register by 10/01
Hedge Apple
Penny Dreadfuls Halloween Contest
Fiction, Poetry
Free
10/09
Flume Press
Chapbook Contest
Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Hybrid Works
Entry Fee
Opens 8/25 | Closes 10/10
Zócalo Public Square
Zócalo Book Prize
Nonfiction
Free
10/10
Mad River Press/The Journal
Charles B
Wheeler Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
10/11
Australian Book Review
Peter Porter Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
10/13
Free Spirit Publishing / Con Todo Press
Latino Voices in Children’s Literature Writing Contest
Fiction, Community, Ethnic & Minority, Parenting & Families
Free | Cash Award | Swag Package | Publication Consideration
Opens 9/8 | Closes 10/13
Arkansas Writers MFA Workshop
Phillip H. McMath Post Publication Book Award
Poetry, Prose
Entry Fee
Closes 10/15 (postmark)
Bateau Press
Boom Chapbook Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Hybrid Writing
Entry Fee
Closes 10/15
Copper Nickel
The Jake Adam York Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 07/1 | Closes 10/15
CutBank
Big Sky, Small Prose: Flash Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
Opens 9/15 | Closes 10/15
EVENT
Non-Fiction Contest
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
10/15
Poetic Justice Institute
Poetic Justice Book Prizes
Poetry
Entry Fee (Free for BIPOC authors)
10/15
PULP Literature
Raven Short Story Contest
Fiction, Cross-Genre
Entry Fee
Opens 09/01| Closes 10/15
Saints & Sinners Literary Festival
Poetry Contest
Poetry, Fiction
Entry Fee
10/15
Saints & Sinners Literary Festival
Short Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
10/15
Silverfish Review Press
Gerald Cable Book Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
10/15
Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival
Very Short Fiction Contest | One Act Play Contest | Poetry Contest | Fiction Contest
Fiction, Poetry, Drama
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication | VIP Festival Pass
Opens 05/01 | Closes 10/15
University of Louisville
The Calvino Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
10/15
Cleveland Foundation
Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Free
Opens 04/10 | | Closes 10/16
Alice James Books
Alice James Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
10/17
Eyelands
Eyelands Book Awards
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Children’s Books, Graphic Novels
Entry Fee
Opens 06/20 | Closes 10/20
Free Flash Fiction
Flash Fiction Competition
Fiction
Entry Fee
10/23
Writing Battle
Harvest Raven
Fiction
Entry Fee
Register by 10/25
University of Central Oklahoma
Everett Southwest Literary Award
Fiction
Entry Fee
10/30 [even-numbered years]
Anthology
Poetry Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee
10/31
Arts Club of Washington
The Marfield Prize
Nonfiction
Free
10/31
Baton Rouge Area Foundation
Ernest J
Gaines Award for Literary Excellence
Fiction
Free
10/31
Black Lawrence Press
Black River Chapbook Competition
Poetry, Prose
Entry Fee
10/31
The Bedford Competition
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 05/01 | Closes 10/31
Carlow University Creative Writing Program
Patricia Dobler Poetry Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
10/31
Cloudbank Books
Vern Rutsala Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
10/31
The Comstock Review
Chapbook Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
10/31
The Ex-Puritan
Austin Clarke Prize in Literary Excellence
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
10/31
Gasher Press
Poetry Chapbook Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
10/31
Haiku Poets of Northern California
San Francisco International Haiku, Senryu, and Tanka Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
10/31
Headmistress Press
Sappho’s Prize in Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee
10/31
North Carolina Writers’ Network
Doris Betts Fiction Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
10/31
Persea Books
Lexi Rudnitsky First Book Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
10/31
Pithead Chapel
Larry Brown Short Story Award
Fiction
Entry Fee
10/31
The Poetry Society
The National Poetry Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee (fee waivers available) | Cash Award
Closes 10/31
Raleigh Review
Flash Fiction Prize
Fiction
Free (Duosuma) and Entry Fee (Submittable)
Opens 10/01 | Closes 10/31
Raven Chronicles Press
Keepers of the Fire Prize
Fiction Manuscript, Nonfiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 02/01 | Closes 10/31
Red Hen Press
Benjamin Saltman Poetry Award
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 04/30 | Closes 10/31
River Teeth
Literary Nonfiction Book Contest
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
10/31
Spoon River Poetry Review
SRPR Spoonfuls Chapbook Contest
Poetry Manuscript, Translations
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication | Copies
Opens 10/01 | Closes 10/31
Tucson Festival of Books
Literary Awards Competition
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
10/31
Tupelo Press
Helena Whitehill Book Award
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 08/15 | Closes 10/31
University of North Texas Press
Vassar Miller Prize in Poetry
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 09/01 | Closes 10/31
WOW! Women on Writing
Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
10/31
Searchlight Writing for Children Awards
Best Children’s Picture Book Text
Fiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award
October 2026 (exact dates TBA)
Searchlight Writing for Children Awards
Best Children’s Novel Award
Chapter Books, Middle-Grade, YA Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award
October 2026 (exact dates TBA)
November Deadlines
African Poetry Book Fund
Evaristo Prize for African Poetry
Poetry
Free
11/1
The Ashland Poetry Press
Annual Broadside Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Broadside Publication | Copies
Opens 09/01 | Closes 11/01
CBC Books
CBC Short Story Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Writing Residency | Online Publication
Opens 09/01 | Closes 11/01
Contemporary Verse 2
The Foster Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
11/01
Fiction Collective Two (FC2)
Catherine Doctorow Innovative Fiction Prize
Fiction, Cross-Genre
Entry Fee (fee waivers available)
Opens 08/15 | Closes 11/01
Fiction Collective Two (FC2)
Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest
Fiction, Cross-Genre
Entry Fee (fee waivers available)
Opens 08/15 | Closes 11/01
Grain Magazine
The Kloppenburg Hybrid Grain Contest
Hybrid Works
Entry Fee
11/1
The Malahat Review
Open Season Awards
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 11/01
The Malahat Review’s Open Season Awards accepts entries in poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction with the winner in each genre receiving CAD$2,000 and publication in the Spring issue.
North American Review
Kurt Vonnegut Fiction Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 08/01 | Closes 11/01
North American Review
James Hearst Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 08/01 | Closes 11/01
Reed
Mary Blair Award for Art
Art
Entry Fee
11/1
Stowe Center for Literary Activism
Stowe Prize for Literary Activism
Fiction, Nonfiction
Free
11/1
Washington Square Review
Spring New Voices Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
11/1
The Writer’s Center
Compass Fellowship
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Drama, Screenplays Free
11/1
CRAFT
Flash Prose Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
11/2
Conduit Books & Ephemera
Minds on Fire Open Book Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
11/3
Narrative Magazine
Fall Story Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 11/06
F(r)iction
Fall Writing Contests
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
11/7
Only Poems
Leonard Cohen Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
11/7
University of Wisconsin Press
The Wisconsin Prize for Poetry in Translation
Poetry, Translations
Entry Fee
11/8
Cutthroat
Annual Writing Contests
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
11/15
Curious Curls Publishing
Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
11/15
Mukoli: The Magazine for Peace
The Mukoli Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Art, Multimedia, Poetry
Free
11/15
New Ohio Review
NORward Prizes
Fiction, Nonfiction Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 08/15 | Closes 11/15
Nightboat Books
Nightboat Poetry Prize
Poetry Entry Fee
11/15
North Carolina Writers’ Network
Barrax/Bayes Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
11/15
Perugia Press
Perugia Press Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
11/15
Quarterly West
Poetry & Prose Contests
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Cross-Genre
Entry Fee
11/15 (poetry, prose closes after 500 submissions received)
SmokeLong Quarterly
Grand Micro Competition
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
11/15 [odd-numbered years]
Terrain.org
Sowell Emerging Writers Prize
Nonfiction, Poetry, Fiction (genres rotate)
Entry Fee
11/15
Yale University Press
Yale Series of Younger Poets
Poetry
Entry Fee
11/15
The Story Prize
Book Award
Published Short Fiction Collections
Entry Fee | Cash Award
Closes 11/16 for books published in July through December
West Chester University Poetry Center
Donald Justice Poetry Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens September | Closes 11/16
Gunpowder Press
Alta California Chapbook Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
11/17
Anthology
Travel Writing Competition
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
11/30
Baltimore Review
Winter Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
11/30
Bath Children’s Novel Award
Fiction
Entry Fee
11/30
Beloit Poetry Journal
Chad Walsh Chapbook Series
Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 10/01 | Closes 11/30
Boa Editions
A. Poulin Jr
Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
11/30
Chautauqua Institution
Chautauqua Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
11/30
Cider Press Review
Book Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
11/30
Fish Publishing
Short Story Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
11/30
Green Linden Press
Wishing Jewel Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
11/30
Indiana Review
Fiction Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
11/30
Magpie Zine
Clark Closser Memorial Literature Award
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
11/30
Michigan Quarterly Review
Jesmyn Ward Prize in Fiction
Fiction
Entry Fee
11/30
Michigan Quarterly Review
Laurence Goldstein Prize in Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee
11/30
Munster Literature Center
Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
11/30
Prairie Fire
McNally Robinson Booksellers Poetry, Short Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction Contests
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 11/30
Prism Review
Poetry & Short Story/Non-Fiction Contests
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry | Short Story and Non-Fiction alternate each year
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 09/10 | Closes 11/30
Red Hen Press
Quill Queer Prose Award
Prose Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 06/01 | Closes 11/30
River Heron Review
Editors’ Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
11/30
The River Heron Editors’ Prize awards the winning poet $500 plus publication and a Zoom reading. Four finalists will also be named, awarded $100 each, published and a Zoom reading.
University of North Texas
Rilke Prize
Poetry
Free
11/30
WOW! Women On Writing
Flash Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
11/30
December Deadlines
African Poetry Book Fund
Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets
Poetry
Free
12/01
Agnes Scott College Writers’ Festival
Steven R. Guthrie Memorial Writers’ Festival Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Drama, Screenplay
Free
12/01
American Library Association
Schneider Family Book Awards
Children’s/YA Fiction, Children’s/YA Nonfiction
Free
12/01
Breakwater Review
Breakwater Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
Opens 10/01 | Closes 12/01
Briarpatch
Writing in the Margins
Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
12/01
The Fiddlehead
Ralph Gustafson Prize for Best Poem
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 12/01
The Hole in the Head Review
Charles Simic Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
12/01
The Langum Foundation
Gene E. & Adele R. Malott Prize for Recording Community Activism
Books, Magazine Articles, Newspaper Articles, Films
Free
12/01 [even-numbered years]
The Langum Foundation
David J. Langum, Sr. Prize in American Legal History or Biography
Nonfiction
Free
12/01
Moment Magazine/Karma Foundation
Short Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
12/01
Morehead State University
Thomas & Lille D. Chaffin Award
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Free
12/01
Poetry International
C.P. Cavafy Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
12/01
Quarter After Eight
Robert J. DeMott Short Prose Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Cross-Genre
Entry Fee
12/01
Regal House Publishing
W.S. Porter Prize for Short Story Collections
Short Fiction Collection Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 09/01 | Closes 12/01
Smith College
Poetry Prize for High School Girls in New England
Poetry
Free
12/01
Waywiser Press
Anthony Hecht Poetry Prize
Poetry
12/01
Weird Christmas
Flash Fiction Contest
Fiction
Free
12/01
The Writing Salon
Jane Underwood Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
Closes 12/01
Writers’ Trust of Canada
RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers
Fiction, Poetry
Free
12/02
Writer Advice
Scintillating Starts Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
Closes 12/02
Columbia Journalism School
J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize & Mark Lynton History Prize
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
12/04
Columbia Journalism School
J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Awards
Nonfiction
Free
12/04
Killer Shorts
Killer Shorts Horror Short Screenplay Competition
Fiction, Screenplays
Entry Fee
12/05
LitMag
Emily Dickinson Poetry Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
12/05
Narratively
Memoir Prize
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
Closes 12/07
Palette Poetry
The Love & Eros Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
12/07
Mslexia
Poetry Competitions (Pamphlet)
Poetry
Entry Fee
12/08
Mslexia
Poetry Competitions (Single Poem)
Poetry
Entry Fee
12/08
Friends of American Writers Chicago
Literature Awards
Fiction, Nonfiction
Free
12/13
Center for Book Arts
Poetry Chapbook Contest
Poetry
Free
12/15
Eggtooth Editions
Any Genre Chapbook Contest
Free for first 100 entries otherwise $10 fee
Opens 09/15 | Closes 12/15
The Kenyon Review
Developmental Editing Fellowship for Emerging Writers
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee (No Fee for hardship available)
12/15 [odd-numbered years]
LitMag
Anton Chekhov Award for Flash Fiction
Fiction
Entry Fee
12/15
Poetry Society of America
Anna Rabinowitz Prize
Poetry Collaborations
Entry Fee
12/15
The Outpost Foundation
Outpost Residency for Creative Writers of Color
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Free | Cash Award | Residency
Closes 12/15
Story
Story Foundation Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
12/15
The Twin Bill
E. Ethelbert Miller Poetry Prize | Sidd Finch Fiction Prize | Jackie Mitchell Creative Nonfiction Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
Closes 12/15
University of Southern Indiana
New Harmony Book Award & Residency
Published Books of Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Travel Stipend | 7-day Residency
Closes 12/15 (postmark)
The Southeast Review
Gearhart Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 09/26 | Closes 12/19
The Southeast Review
Ned Stuckey-French Nonfiction Contest
Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 09/26 | Closes 12/19
The Southeast Review
World’s Best Short-Short Story Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 09/26 | Closes 12/19
The Louisville Review
Annette Allen Poetry Prize
Poetry
Free
12/20
*Open all university & college students residing in Louisville Metro area*
Toasted Cheese
Dead of Winter Horror Fiction Writing Contest
Fiction
Free | Gift Card | Publication
opens 10/01 | Closes 12/21
Free Flash Fiction
Flash Fiction Competition
Fiction
Entry Fee
12/23
Letter Review
The Letter Review Prize
Short Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Unpublished Books
Entry Fee
12/29
Codhill Press
Pauline Uchmanowicz Poetry Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
12/30
Virginia Commonwealth University
Cabell First Novelist Award
Fiction
Free
12/30
Action, Spectacle
Chapbook Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
12/31
Action, Spectacle
Full-length Poetry Manuscripts Open Reading Period
Poetry
Entry Fee
12/31
The Adroit Journal
The Anthony Veasna So Scholarships
Fiction
Entry Fee (waivers available)
12/31
**Can’t have published a full-length collection or novel**
The Adroit Journal
The Gregory Djanikian Scholarships
Poetry
Entry Fee (waivers available)
12/31
**Can’t have published a full-length collection.**
American Library Association
W.Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction
Fiction
Free
12/31
Atlanta Review
Chapbook Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
12/31
Booth
Susan Neville Prizes in Fiction & Poetry
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
12/31
Burnside Review Press
Book Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
12/31
Do Wha(TS) Write
Creative Writing Contest
Flash Fiction, Short Stories
Entry Fee
Opens 09/01 | Closes 12/31
Fork Apple Press
The Slice Contest
Poetry Chapbook
Entry Fee
12/31
Hub City Press
C. Michael Curtis Short Story Book Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
12/31 [odd-numbered years]
The Kenyon Review
Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
12/31
The Kenyon Review
The Short Nonfiction Contest
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
12/31
The Lascaux Review
Lascaux Prize in Short Fiction
Fiction
Entry Fee
12/31
Lilith
Annual Fiction Contest
Fiction
Free
12/31
LitMag
Virginia Woolf Award for Short Fiction
Fiction
Entry Fee
12/31
The Lyric
College Poetry Contest
Poetry
Free
12/31
Ohio University Press/Swallow Press
Hollis Summers Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 04/01 | Closes 12/31
Poetry by the Sea
The Kim Bridgford Memorial Sonnet Contest
Poetry
Entry fee
12/31
Poetry Society of America
Annual Awards
Poetry
Entry Fee
12/31
Poetry Society of America
Chapbook Fellowships
Poetry
Entry Fee
12/31
Poetry Society of America
Four Quartets Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
12/31
Press 53
Award for Short Fiction
Fiction
Entry Fee
12/31
The Society of Classical Poets
International Poetry Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 01/01 | Closes 12/31
Tampa Review
Danahy Fiction Prize
Short Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 12/31
Tampa Review
Richard Mathews Prize for Poetry
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Closes 12/31
Tupelo Press
Dorset Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | 2-week Residency
Opens 10/31 | Closes 12/31
Two Sylvias Press
Wilder Series Poetry Book Prize
Poetry Manuscripts by Women over 50
Entry Fee
Opens 09/01 | Closes 12/31
Wolfson Press
Wolfson Prose Prize
Fiction Manuscript, Nonfiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Copies
Opens 09/01 | Closes 12/31
January Deadlines
American Poetry Review
The Stern Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Closes 01/01
Defenestrationism.net
Lengthy Poem Contest
Poetry
Free
01/01
Gunpowder Press
John Ridland Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
01/01
Mississippi Review
Mississippi Review Prize
Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
01/01
Slipstream
Poetry Chapbook Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee
Closes 01/01
North Carolina Writers’ Network
Jacob/Jones African-American Literary Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
01/02
Gemini Magazine
Poetry Open
Poetry
Entry Fee
01/02
The Florida Review
Jeanne Leiby Memorial Chapbook Award
Fiction, Nonfiction, Graphic Narratives
Entry Fee
Opens 09/01
| Closes 01/07
Washington-Centerville Public Library
Erma Bombeck Writing Competition
Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Free Registration to Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop
01/08 [even-numbered years]
Teachers & Writers
Bechtel Prize
Nonfiction
Free | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 01/11
Button Poetry
Chapbook Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
01/12
DISQUIET
DISQUIET Literary Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
01/12
Colorado Review
Colorado Prize for Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
01/14 (+5-day grace period)
The Colorado Prize for Poetry is an international poetry book manuscript contest established in 1995. The winner receives a $2,500 honorarium and publication of his or her book by the Center for Literary Publishing.
New Ohio Review
The Ellis Prizes
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 11/15 | Closes 01/14
Fourteen Hills
Gina Berriault Work-in-Progress Award
Prose
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication | Complimentary Copy
Closes 01/15
Fourteen Hills
Stacy Doris Poetry Memorial Award
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication | Complimentary Copy
Closes 01/15
French-American Foundation
Translation Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction
Free
01/15
The Frost Place
Dartmouth Poet-in-Residence
Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 10/15 | Closes 01/15
The Georgia Review
The Georgia Review Prose Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
01/15
Guernsey Literary Festival
Guernsey International Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
01/15
Interim
Test Site Poetry Series
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 09/15 | Closes 01/15
Longleaf Press
Book Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
01/15
New American Press
New American Poetry Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Copies
Opens 09/15 | Closes 01/15
North Carolina Writers’ Network
Rose Post Creative Nonfiction Competition
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
01/15
Poetry Society of Virginia
North American Book Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
01/15
Rattle
Chapbook Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication
Closes 01/15
Red Hen Press
Cai Emmons Fiction Award
Fiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 07/15 | Closes 01/15
Washington Center for the Book
Washington State Book Awards
Creative Nonfiction/Memoir, Fiction, General Nonfiction/Biography, Poetry, Picture Books, Books for Young Readers, Books for Young Adults published in the previous calendar year
Free
Closes 01/16
StoryBottle Co
Short Story Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
01/22 (extended)
Etchings Press
Whirling Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
01/23
Zócalo Public Square
Poetry Prize
Poetry
Free
01/23
CRAFT
Memoir Excerpt & Essay Contest
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
01/25
North Carolina Writers’ Network
Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
01/30
Passager
Henry Morgenthau III First Book Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
Closes 01/30 [even-numbered years]
**Poets must be 70 or older**
Stanford Libraries
William Saroyan International Prize for Writing
Published Fiction and Nonfiction Books
Entry Fee | Cash Award
Closes 01/30 [even-numbered years]
After Happy Hour
Print Issue Themed Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Cross-Genre
Entry Fee
01/31
Black Lawrence Press
The Big Moose Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
01/31
Chautauqua Institution
Janus Prize for Emerging Writers
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
01/31
Connecticut Poetry Society
Nutmeg Poetry Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
01/31
Cúirt International Literary Festival
Cúirt New Writing Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
01/31
Driftwood Press
In-House Poem Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
01/31 (extended)
Driftwood Press offers two in-house contests annually in poetry and fiction. The winners receive a cash prize, copies of the issue they appear in, and the opportunity to be interviewed about their work.
Driftwood Press
In-House Short Story Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
01/31 (extended)
Driftwood Press offers two in-house contests annually in poetry and fiction. The winners receive a cash prize, copies of the issue they appear in, and the opportunity to be interviewed about their work.
Fish Publishing
Short Memoir Prize
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
01/31
Flash Frog
The Blue Frog
Flash Fiction
Entry Fee
01/31
The Ghost Story
Winter Screw Turn Flash Fiction Competition
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 12/01 | Closes 01/31
Graysons Books
Poetry Chapbook Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
01/31
Haiku Poets of Northern California
San Francisco International Rengay Contest
Rengay
Entry Fee
01/31
The Iowa Review
The Iowa Review Awards
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 01/31
Kenyon Review
Short Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
01/31
The Louisville Review
Frederick Smock Poetry Prize
*Open to Kentucky-affiliated poets.*
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Closes 01/31 [triennial]
Magma Poetry
Magma Poetry Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 10/01 | Closes 01/31
Nimrod
Katherine Anne Porter Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
01/31
Nimrod
Pablo Neruda Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
01/31
Northern California Book Reviewers
Northern California Book Awards
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translation, Children’s Literature
Free
01/31
The Passionfruit Review
Being in Bodies
Poetry
Entry Fee
01/31
Pinch Journal
Pinch Literary Awards
Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 01/31
Regal House Publishing
Terry J. Cox Poetry Award
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 11/15 | Closes 01/31
swamp pink (formerly Crazyhorse)
swamp pink Prizes
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 01/31
Each year during the month of January, swamp pink is open to submissions of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for the annual swamp pink Prizes. The winners in each genre receive a cash award and publication.
University of Bristol
Bristol Short Story Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
Closes 01/31
University of Utah Press
Don D. and Catherine S. Fowler Prize
Anthropology Manuscript
Free | Cash Award | Book Publication
Closes 01/30 in odd-numbered years
WOW! Women on Writing
Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
01/31
February Deadlines
American Short Fiction
American Short(er) Fiction Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 11/20 | Closes 02/01
Arc Poetry Magazine
Poem of the Year Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/01
Bournemouth University
New Media Writing Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction
Free
02/01
CutBank
Montana Prizes for Fiction and Creative Nonfiction
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
Opens 12/01 | Closes 02/01
CutBank
Patricia Goedicke Prize in Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 12/01 | Closes 02/01
The Madison Review
Phylis Smart-Young Prize in Poetry, Chris O’Malley Prize in Fiction
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
02/01
The Malahat Review
Long Poem Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 02/01 [odd-numbered years]
The biennial Long Poem Prize from The Malahat Review is open every odd-numbered year and welcomes submissions from Canada and around the world. Two winners receive a cash prize (in CAD) and are published in the summer issue.
The Malahat Review
Novella Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 02/01 [even-numbered years]
The Malahat Review offers its Novella Prize in even-numbered number years. This international prize offers a cash prize (in CAD) and publication in the summer issue.
The Masters Review
Winter Short Story Award for New Writers
Fiction
Entry Fee
02/01
Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College
Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
02/01
The Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College honors Allen Ginsberg’s contributions to American Literature and his Paterson upbringing with the annual Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards. Winner receives publication in Paterson Literary Review and a cash award.
Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College
Paterson Poetry Prize
Poetry
Free
02/01
The Paterson Poetry Prize, sponsored by The Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College, is a $2,000 award for a book of poems. Winner must participate in a reading to receive the prize.
Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College
Paterson Prize for Books for Young People
Writing for Children & Young Adults
Free
02/01
The Paterson Prize for Books for Young People seeks to honor the most outstanding books published for young people in the previous year. There are three categories: Pre-K – Grade 3, Grades 4-6, and Grades 7-12.
Slippery Elm Literary Journal
Slippery Elm Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
02/01
Soundings East
Claire Keyes Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/01
Viriginia Commonwealth University English Department
Levis Reading Prize
Poetry
Free
02/01 (extended)
Washington Square Review
Fall New Voices Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/01
Keats-Shelley Memorial Association
Keats-Shelley Essay Prize
Nonfiction
Free
02/02
Keats-Shelley Memorial Association
Keats-Shelley Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/02
Australian Book Review
The Calibre Essay Prize
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
02/03
Southern Indiana Review
Michael Waters Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/03
Palette Poetry
The Rejected Poem Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/08
Writing Battle
Tempest Raven
Fiction
Entry Fee
Register by 02/03 | Enter by 02/08
The Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group
Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Writing for Young People
Entry Fee
02/13
Arrowsmith Press
Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/15
Center for African American Poetry & Poetics
CAAPP Book Prize
Poetry, Hybrid Work, Speculative Prose, Translations
Free
02/15
Finishing Line Press
Open Chapbook Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/15
Furious Flower Poetry Center
Furious Flower Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/15
Georgia Writers Association
Georgia Author of the Year Awards
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Children’s Books, Young Adult Books, Cookbooks/Culinary Books, Specialty Books
Entry Fee
Opens 11/15 | Closes 02/15
Haiku Society of America
Merit Book Awards
Published books of Haiku, Senryu, Haibun
Free | Cash Award
Opens 01/01 | Closes 02/15
Jericho Writers
Ultimate Novel Writing Programme Alum Bursary
Fiction
No Fee
Closes 02/15
Pulp Literature
Bumblebee Flash Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
02/15
Sarabande Books
Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction
Fiction Collection Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 02/15
Sarabande Books
Kathryn A. Morton Prize in Poetry
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 02/15
Sarabande Books
Sarabande Prize in the Essay
Nonfiction Collection or Full-length Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 02/15
Smartish Pace
Beullah Rose Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/15
Smartish Pace
Erskine J. Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/15
Syracuse University Press
Veterans Writing Award
Fiction, Nonfiction (genres alternate)
Free
02/15 [odd-numbered years]
Third Coast
Fiction Contest, Poetry Contest
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 01/01 | Closes 02/15
Washburn University
Hefner Heitz Kansas Book Award
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry (genres alternate)
Free
02/15
WB Yeats Society of NY
Yeats Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication | 2-year Membership
Closes 02/15 (extended)
Whitefish Review
Rick Bass/Montana Prize for Fiction
Fiction
Entry Fee
02/15
Huizache
Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize
Poetry
Free
02/16 [even-numbered years]
Morris Museum of Art
Porter Fleming Literary Competition
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Drama
Entry Fee
02/16
Omnidawn Publishing
First/Second Book Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/16
West Chester University Poetry Center
Iris N. Spencer Poetry Award | Myong Chao Son Haiku Award | Rhina P. Espaillat Award | Sonnet Award | Villanelle Award for Undergraduates
Poetry, Translations
Free | Cash Awards | Publication
Closes 02/17
West Chester University Poetry Center
Wil Mills Award
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication
Closes 02/17
Writers’ Union of Canada
Short Prose Competition for Emerging Writers
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
02/17
The Good Life Review
HoneyBee Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
02/22
Free Flash Fiction
Flash Fiction Competition
Fiction
Entry Fee
02/23
The Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group
Next Generation Short Story Awards
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Writing for Children, Writing for Young Adults, Cross-Genre
Entry Fee
02/26
3 Mile Harbor Press
Poetry Book Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/28
American Buffalo Books
American Buffalo Books Fiction Prize
Fiction Manuscript
Free | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 02/01 | Closes 02/28 (or until 100 submissions reached)
AWP
Award Series
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 01/01 | Closes 02/28
Austin Community College
Balcones Literary Prizes
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
02/28
Autumn House Press
Autumn House Fiction Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
02/28
Black Caucus of American Library Association
Self-Publishing Literary Awards
Fiction, Poetry
Free
02/28
Fish Publishing
Flash Fiction Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
02/28
Gotham Writers
Invent a Word
Free
02/28
Hayden’s Ferry Review
Poetry & Fiction Contest
Poetry, Fiction
Entry Fee
Closes 02/28
Hippocampus Magazine
We Love Short Shorts Contest
Flash Creative Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 02/01 | Closes 02/28
I-70 Review
Bill Hickok Humor Award
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
02/28
The Bill Hickok Humor award for a single unpublished poem was created and funded by the N.W
Dible Foundation. Winner receives a cash award and publication in I-70 Review.
James Dain
Indie Gold Awards
Fiction
Entry Fee
02/28
James River Writers
Best Self-Published Novel Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
02/28 [triennial]
James River Writers
Shann Palmer Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/28 [triennial]
Letter Review
Prize for Short Fiction, Prize for Nonfiction, Prize for Poetry, Prize for Unpublished Books
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
02/28
Memoir Magazine
The Memoir Prize for Books
Memoir, Creative Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award
Closes 02/28
A contest dedicated solely to memoir and creative nonfiction, the Memoir Prize awards cash prizes in three categories: traditional, self-published, and previously published.
New England Romance Writers
New England Readers Choice Award
Fiction
Entry Fee
02/28
The New Quarterly
Nick Blatchford Occasional Verse Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/28
Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop
International Writing Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Critical Reviews
No Fee (members); Entry Fee (non-members)
02/28
Pinch Journal
Pinch Literary Awards
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 02/01 | Closes 02/28
Scottish Arts Club
Edinburgh Short Story Award
Fiction
Entry Fee
02/28
The Sejong Cultural Society
Sejong Sijo Competition (USA & Canada)
Poetry
Free | Cash Award
Closes 02/28
Third Wednesday
Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/28
Tom Grass Spirit of Adventure Literary Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction
Free | Cash Award
Opens 11/01 | Free Entry Closes 02/28
Tupelo Press
Snowbound Chapbook Award
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication
Opens 12/01 | Closes 02/28
Wesleyan University Press
The Cardinal Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
02/28 [even-numbered years]
WOW! Women On Writing
Flash Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
02/28
March Deadlines
CBC Books
CBC Nonfiction Prize
Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Writing Residency | Online Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 03/01
Ethos Literacy
Short Short Story Contest
Flash Fiction
Entry Fee
Opens 12/15 | Closes 03/01
FLARE Magazine
Strength in Stories Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Hybrid Works
Free
03/01
**Open to people who identify as having chronic illness, disability, and/or mental health conditions.**
Mudfish
Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
03/01
Mudfish annually awards a cash prize and publication in their annual issue for a single poem. Two honorable mentions will also be published, and all entries will be considered for publication.
North Carolina Literary Review
Alex Albright Creative Nonfiction Prize
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
03/01
North Carolina Writers’ Network
Randall Jarrell Poetry Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee
03/01
Poetry by the Sea
Book Awards
Poetry
Entry fee
03/01
Stockholm Writers Festival
First 5 Pages Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
03/01
Tennessee Williams Museum
Tennessee Williams Writing Contests
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award
Opens 01/05 | Closes 03/01
Frontier Poetry
Hurt & Healing Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
03/02
The Rumpus
The Rumpus Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
03/02
StoryQuarterly
Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
03/02
Writer Advice
Flash Memoir Contest
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
Closes 03/02
Gutsy Great Novelist
Chapter One Prize for Novelists
Fiction
Entry Fee
Opens 02/03 | Closes 03/03
Exposition Review
Flash 405
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Drama, Screenplay, Experimental
Entry Fee
03/05
Blue Mesa Review
Spring Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
03/07
Gotham Writers Workshop
Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
03/07
Frontier Poetry
Hurt & Healing Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 01/05 | Closes 03/08
Subnivean
The Subnivean Awards
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 03/13
Modern Haiku
Robert Spiess Memorial Award Haiku Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 03/13
Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation
Tor House Prize for Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award
03/14 (postmark)
Bellingham Review
49th Parallel Award for Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 02/01 | Closes 03/15
Bellingham Review
Annie Dillard Award for Creative Nonfiction
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
Opens 02/01 | Closes 03/15
Bellingham Review
Tobias Wolff Award for Fiction
Fiction
Entry Fee
Opens 02/01 | Closes 03/15
Boudin
Pet Writing Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Hybrid Works
Entry Fee
03/15
Cloudbank
Cloudbank Prize
Poetry, Fiction
Entry Fee
03/15
Harpur Palate
Harpur Palate Prize for Creative Nonfiction
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
03/15
Harpur Palate
John Gardner Prize for Fiction
Fiction
Entry Fee
03/15
Harpur Palate
Milton Kessler Memorial Prize in Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee
03/15
Iron Horse Literary Review
Chapbook Competition
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
03/15 (genres alternate)
Jabberwock Review
Nancy D
Hargrove Editors’ Prize
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
03/15
James Jones Literary Society & Wilkes University
James Jones First Novel Fellowship
Fiction
Entry Fee
Opens 10/01 | Closes 03/15
James River Writers
Best Unpublished Novel Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
03/15 [triennial]
Missouri Review
Perkoff Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 03/15
The Perkoff Prize is an annual tri-genre contest that awards $1000 and publication each to writers of the best story, set of poems, and essay that engage in evocative ways with health, wellness, and medicine as judged by the editors.
Persea Books. Lexi Rudnitsky Editor’s Choice Award
Poetry
Entry Fee
03/15
Phoebe
Annual Writing Contests
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
03/15
The Poetry Box
Chapbook Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 02/01 | Closes 03/15
Prairie Schooner
Raz-Shumaker Prairie Schooner Book Prize Contest
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
03/15
Slope Editions
Annual Book Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Free Copies
Closes 03/15
West Trade Review
Phyllis Grant Zellmer Prize for Fiction
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 03/15
The West Trade Review Phyllis Grant Zellmer Prize for Fiction is an annual contest awarding a $1,000 grand prize and publication in the Spring print edition.
West Trade Review
Prize for Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 03/15
The West Trade Review Prize for Poetry is an annual contest awarding a $1,000 grand prize and publication in the Spring print edition.
Word Works
Washington Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
03/15
Verse
Tomaž Šalamun Prize
Poetry, Cross-Genre
Entry Fee
03/15
CRAFT
Novelette Print Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee
03/16
North Dakota State University Press
Poetry of the Plains and Prairies Award
Poetry
Free
Opens 01/17 | Closes 03/17
National Poetry Series
Open Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee
03/21
Wolfson Press
Wolfson Poetry Chapbook Competition
Poetry Manuscripts
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Copies
Opens 10/01 | Closes 03/22
Toasted Cheese
The Mollie Savage Memorial Mystery Writing Contest
Fiction
Free | Gift Card | Publication
Opens 03/20 | Closes 03/22
National Baseball Poetry Festival
Baseball Poetry Contests
Poetry
Free
03/27
The New Quarterly
Edna Staebler Personal Essay Contest
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
03/28
Plough Arts Center
The Plough Prize
International Poetry Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee
03/28
Garden Party Collective
Garden Party Chapbook Contest
Poetry Manuscript, Fiction Manuscript, Nonfiction Manuscript, Cross-Genre Manuscript
Free | Chapbook Publication | Copies
Opens 03/15 | Closes 03/21
Airlie Press
Airlie Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
03/31
Black Fox Literary Magazine
Winter Black Fox Prize Themed Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
03/31
Black Lawrence Press
The Hudson Prize
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
03/31
Fall for the Book/Institute for Immigration Research
New American Voices Award for Immigrant Writers
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee
03/31
Fish Publishing
Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
03/31
Four Way Books
Levis Prize in Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee
03/31
Gemini Magazine
Short Story Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee
03/31
The Headlight Review
Chapbook Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 03/31
Indiana Review
Creative Nonfiction Prize & Poetry Prize
Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
03/31
The Lascaux Review
Lascaux Prize in Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee
03/31
Letter Review
Prize for Nonfiction
Nonfiction
Entry Fee
03/31
Letter Review
Prize for Poetry
Poetry
Free
03/31
Letter Review
Prize for Short Fiction
Fiction
Free
03/31
Letter Review
Prize for Unpublished Books
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Free
03/31
Narrative Magazine
Winter Story Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 03/31
National Indie Excellence Awards
action/adventure, biography, career, children, fiction, fantasy, history, memoir, mystery, nonfiction, picture books, poetry, photography, self-help, suspense, young adult, and many more
Entry Fee
03/31
Parsec
Parsec Short Story Contest
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror
Free
03/31
Pinch Journal
Pinch Literary Awards
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 03/31
Ploughshares
Emerging Writers’ Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 02/01 | Closes 03/31
Prime Number
Magazine Awards
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 03/31
This annual award is open to poetry and short fiction from writers around the world, ages 18 and older. Winners receive a cash prize and publication.
A Public Space
Writing Fellowships
Free
03/31
Red Hen Press
Ann Petry Award
Prose Manuscript by Black Writers
Free | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 09/30 | Closes 03/31
The Robert Frost Farm
Frost Farm Prize for Metrical Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee
03/31
Rubery Book Award
International Rubery Book Award
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Cross-Genre, Comics, Graphic Narratives, Plays, Art, Photography, Writing for Children, Writing for Young Adults
Entry Fee
03/31
Switchback Books
The Gatewood Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
03/31
Texas Review Press
Clay Reynolds Novella Prize
Fiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Advance | Book Publication | Copies
Opens 01/01 | Closes 03/31
Texas Review Press
Robert Phillips Poetry Chapbook Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Advance | Chapbook Publication | Copies
Opens 01/01 | Closes 03/31
Tom Grass Spirit of Adventure Literary Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award
Paid Entry Opens 03/01 | Closes 03/31
Trio House Press
Louise Bogan Award for Excellence in Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee
03/31
Trio House Press
Trio Award for a First or Second Book of Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee
03/31
Triquarterly. Reginald Gibbons Editor’s Prize for Short Fiction
Fiction
Entry Fee
Closes 03/31
April Deadlines
The Capilano Review
Spring Writing Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Experimental Works
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 04/01 | Closes 04/30
Grain Magazine
Short Grain Writing Contest
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 04/01
Hurston/Wright Foundation
Hurston/Wright Award for College Writers
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Free Summer Workshop
Closes 04/01
Killer Nashville
Claymore Award
Fiction Manuscript, Nonfiction Manuscript, Play, Screenplay
Entry Fee (Free for registered conference attendees)
Closes 04/01
Killer Nashville
Silver Falchion Award
Fiction Books, Nonfiction Books
Entry Fee (Free for registered conference attendees)
Closes 04/01
Millay House Rockland
Writer-in-Residence Competition
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Drama, Screenplays, Journalism
Entry Fee | Residency | Stipend
Opens 02/22 | Closes 04/01 (will close early if submissions cap met)
North American Review
The Short Story Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 12/01 | Closes 04/01
North American Review
Terry Tempest Williams Prize for Creative Nonfiction
Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 04/01
Orison Books
Orison Prizes
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 12/01 | Closes 04/01
Orison Books annually accepts full-length manuscripts in poetry and fiction for the Orison Prizes. Winner in each genre receives a cash prize, publication, and standard royalties contract.
The Rialto
Nature & Place Poetry Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 04/01
Saturnalia Books
Poetry Prize & Alma Book Awards
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 02/15 | Closes 04/01
Winning Writers
Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest
Poetry
Free | Cash Award | Online Publication
Opens 08/15 | Closes 04/01
Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park
Hemingway Shorts Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 04/03
Book of Matches Literary Journal
The Nag Tooth Prize for Poetry
Poetry
Free | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 01/15 | Closes 04/08
Kansas City Public Library
Maya Angelou Book Award
Published Fiction (even-numbered years), Poetry (odd-numbered years)
Free | Cash Award | Reading Tour
Opens 01/01 | Closes 04/08
Palette Poetry
The Rising Poet Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication | Interview
Opens 02/09 | Closes 04/12
Writing Battle
Verdant Owl
Fiction
Entry Fee
Register by 04/12
AEI Dancing Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Choregraphed Dance Performance
Opens 01/01 | Closes 04/15
Arkansas International
The Henry Dumas Fiction Prize for Emerging Writers
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 04/15
BOMB
Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 04/15 [odd-numbered years]
Breakwater Review
Peseroff Prize for Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 02/15 | Closes 04/15
Broad River Review
Rash Awards
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 02/01 | Closes 04/15
Epiphany
Breakout Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 04/15 (may close early if genre submissions cap met)
The Florida Review
Editors’ Award
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee
Opens 01/01 | Closes 04/15
Fourth Genre
Multimedia Essay Prize
Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 04/15
Fourth Genre
Steinberg Essay Prize
Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 04/15
Fugue
Prose Contest, Poetry Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 04/15
Gulf Coast
Gulf Coast Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 04/15
Lily Poetry Review Books
Paul Nemser Book Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 04/15
New Ohio Review
Literary Prizes
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 01/15 | Close 04/15
Passager
Poetry Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication | Interview
Opens 02/15 | Closes 04/15
**Writers must be age 50 or older**
Passages North
Elinor Benedict Poetry Prize; Ray Ventre Nonfiction Prize
Poetry, Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 02/15 | Closes 04/15 [odd-numbered years]
Passages North
Waasnode Fiction Prize; Neutrino Short-Short Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Cross-Genre
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 02/15 | Closes 04/15 [even-numbered years]
PULP Literature
Magpie Award for Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 04/15
University of Utah Press
Agha Shahid Ali Poetry Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 02/01 | Closes 04/15
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University Literary Prize in Poetry
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Reading | Residency
Opens 01/01 | Closes 03/15
Omnidawn Publishing
Omnidawn Broadside “Single Poem” Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication | Copies
Opens 03/01 | Closes 04/16
Hub City Press
New Southern Voices Poetry Book Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 01/01 | 04/18 [odd-numbered years]
Contemporary Verse 2
2-Day Poem Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Register by 04/10 | | Opens 04/17 | Closes 04/19
University Press of Kentucky
Screen Door Press
Fiction Manuscript
Free | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 03/09 | Closes 04/20
Free Flash Fiction
Flash Fiction Competition
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 04/23
Spoon River Poetry Review
SRPR Editors’ Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 12/01 | Closes 04/24
Autumn House Press
Autumn House Nonfiction Prize
Nonfiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Publicity Grant
Opens 03/01 | Closes 04/30
Bacopa Literary Review
Annual Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 04/30
Beloit Poetry Journal
Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award
Opens 02/01 | Closes 04/30
Clive Cussler Collector’s Society
Adventure Writers Competition
Fiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Trophy
Opens 01/01 | Closes 04/30
Desperate Literature
Short Story Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Residency | Consultation | Manuscript Assessment
Closes 04/30
erbacce-press
erbacce-prize for poetry
Poetry Manuscript
Free | Publishing Contract | Book Publication
Close 04/30
Freefall
Annual Prose & Poetry Contest
Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award
Opens 12/01 | Closes 04/30
Friends of Falun Gong
Poetry Competition
Poetry
Free | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 04/30
Ghost Peach Press
Prize in Poetry
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Copies
Opens 01/01 | Closes 04/30
The Ghost Story
Supernatural Fiction Award
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 02/15 | Closes 04/30
Glenville State University
Little Kanawha Reading Series Chapbook Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication | Author Copies
Opens 11/01 | Closes 04/30
Gunpowder Press
Barry Spacks Poetry Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Copies
Opens 01/01 | Closes 04/30
Inlandia
Hillary Gravendyk Poetry Book Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Closes 04/30
Jacar Press
Full-Length Poetry Book Contest; Poetry Chapbook Competition
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Book Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 04/30
Leapfrog Press
Global Fiction Prize Contest
Adult Fiction, Young Adult/Middle Grade Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Advance | Book Publication
Opens 11/15 | Closes 04/30
Mad Creek Books
Gournay Prize
Nonfiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 4/30
Marsh Hawk Press
Robert Creeley Memorial Award
Rochelle Ratner Memorial Award
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 12/01 | Closes 04/30
Narrative Magazine
The Narrative Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Novel Excerpt, Poetry, Graphic Story
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 04/30
New Writers
100-Word Writing Competition
Poetry, Prose
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 04/30
North Carolina Literary Review
Jaki Shelton Green Performance Poetry Prize
Must be a subscriber or North Carolina Poetry Society member
Poetry
Free | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 04/01 | Closes 04/30
North Carolina Literary Review
James Applewhite Poetry Prize Competition
Must be a subscriber or North Carolina Poetry Society member
Poetry
Free | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 04/01 | Closes 04/30
Only Poems
Poet of the Year Award
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 04/30
Poetry International
Poetry International Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 04/30
Tupelo Press
Berkshire Prize for a First or Second Book of Poetry
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 04/30
University of Iowa Press
Iowa Poetry Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Book Publication
Opens 04/01 | Closes 04/30
University of Pittsburgh Press
Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 04/30
Vallum
Vallum Chapbook Award
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication
Closes 04/30
Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation
New Voices Award
Fiction
Entry Fee | Mentorship | Editorial Guidance
Opens 01/09 | Closes 04/30
**Must be unagented, unpublished writer**
WOW! Women on Writing
Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest
Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Online Publication | Interview
Opens 02/01 | Closes 04/30
May Deadlines
The Adroit Journal
The Adroit Prizes
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee (waivers available)
Closes 05/01
**Open to secondary and undergraduate students only.**
The Alpine Fellowship
Writing Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award
Opens 01/01 | Closes 05/01
Americana: The Institute for the Study of American Popular Culture
Prize Americana for Poetry
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Book Publication
Closes 05/01 [odd-numbered years]
Americana: The Institute for the Study of American Popular Culture
Prize Americana for Prose
Fiction Manuscript, Nonfiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Book Publication
05/01 [even-numbered years]
confluence
confluence Poetry Prize
Japanese Short Form Poetry
Free | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 05/01
Haiku Poets of Northern California
San Francisco International Haibun Contest
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award
Closes 05/01
The Malahat Review
Far Horizons Award
Fiction (odd-numbered years), Poetry (even-numbered years)
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 05/01
The Far Horizons Awards honors short forms. Genres alternate between fiction and poetry each year. Only open to writers who have yet to publish a book in that year’s genre.
Midwest Writing Center
Great River Writers’ Retreat Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Writing Retreat | Travel Stipend | Reading Invitation
Closes 05/01
Moonlit Getaway
Visual Art Contest
Art
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 02/01 | Closes 05/01
Moonshine Review Press
Kakalak Anthology of Poets & Artists
Poetry, Art
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication | Anthology Copy
Opens 03/01 | Closes 05/01
Ninth Letter
Literary Awards
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication | Copies
Opens 03/01 | Closes 05/01
Noemi Press
Book Award for Poetry
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee (waiver available) | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 01/02 | Closes 05/01
Press Pause Press
The Beautiful Pause Prize
Nonfiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 11/15 | Closes 05/01
University of Nebraska Press
The Backwaters Prize in Poetry
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 04/01 | Closes 05/01
Wick Poetry Center
Stan & Tom Wick Poetry Prize
**Cannot have previously published a collection**
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Closes 05/01
Winning Writers
Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Online Publication
Opens 10/15 | Closes 05/01
F(r)iction
Spring Writing Contests
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Cross-Genre
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 01/16 | Closes 05/15
Exposition Review
Flash 405
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Drama, Screenplay, Experimental
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 04/04 | Closes 05/05
Writing Battle
Verdant Raven
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Register by 05/08
SmokeLong Quarterly
Award for Flash Fiction
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 02/01 | Closes 05/10
The American Poetry Review
Stanley Kunitz Memorial Prize
**Must be under 40 years of age**
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 05/15
The Ashland Poetry Press
Richard Snyder Memorial Book Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Copies
Opens 01/01 | Closes 05/15
Atlanta Review
International Poetry Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 02/01 | Closes 05/15
[will close early if submissions cap met]
Crab Creek Review
Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 02/15 | Closes 05/15
Crook’s Corner Book Prize
Debut Novel Prize
Published Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award
Closes 05/15
The Georgia Review
Loraine Williams Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 05/15
Lost Horse Press
Idaho Prize for Poetry
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Copies
Closes 05/15
Lost Kite Editions
Lost Kite Chapbook Prize
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Cross-genre, Translations, Art, Photography
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication | Author Copies
Opens 04/01 | Closes 05/15
McGill University
Montreal International Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Anthology Publication
05/01 (early), 05/15 (final) [even-numbered years]
Pittsburg State University
Cow Creek Chapbook Contest
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication | Copies
Opens 02/15 | Closes 05/15
Regal House Publishing
The Fugere Book Prize for Finely Crafted Novellas
Fiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 02/15 | Closes 05/15
Santa Clara Review
Flash in Bloom
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Close 05/15
Open to flash fiction and creative nonfiction under 1,000 words by BIPOC, queer, and trans writers. Cash award and publication in an issue of Santa Clara Review.
Santa Clara Review
Flash Takes Flight
Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 05/15
Send your best fiction and creative nonfiction under 1,000 words! All styles/genres welcome: realism, fantasy, SF, speculative, experimental, hermit crabs, etc. Multiple prizes.
Trio House Press
Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award
Nonfiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 02/01 | Closes 05/15
Australian Book Review
Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 03/02 | Closes 05/18
New Letters
Conger Beasley Award
Nonfiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 11/01 | Closes 05/18
Annual award for essays that do not exceed 8,000 words. Entry fee includes 1-year subscription. Winner receives $2,500 and publication.
New Letters
Patricia Cleary Miller Award
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 11/01 | Closes 05/18
Annual poetry prize. Poets may enter up to 6 poems of no more than 30 pages. Entry fee includes 1-year subscription. Winner receives $2,500 and publication.
New Letters
Robert Day Award
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 11/01 | Closes 05/18
Annual fiction prize for stories that do not exceed 8,000 words. Entry fee includes 1-year subscription. Winner receives $2,500 and publication.
Singapore Unbound/Gaudy Boy
The Gaudy Boy Poetry Book Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee
5/19
The New Quarterly
Peter Hinchcliffe Fiction Award
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Closes 05/28
Ink & Ribbon Press
The LemonLight Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Anthology Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 05/30
Anhinga Press
Anhinga Prize for Poetry
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Copies
Opens 02/15 | Closes 05/31
Baltimore Review
Summer Contest
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 02/01 | Close 05/31
An unthemed contest challenging writers to weave magic with brevity. Open to flash fiction, flash creative nonfiction, and prose poetry.
The Bath Novel Award
The Bath Novel Award
Fiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award
Closes 05/31
Black Lawrence Press
Black River Chapbook Competition
Poetry Manuscript, Prose Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication | Copies
Opens 04/01 | Closes 05/31
Boa Editions
Boa Short Fiction Prize
Fiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 04/01 | Closes 05/31
The Bridport Prize
Bridport Prize International Creative Writing Competition
Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Novel
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Anthology Publication
Opens 11/15 | Closes 05/31
Connecticut Poetry Society
The Connecticut Poetry Award
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 04/01 | 05/31
CutBank
Chapbook Contest
Fiction Manuscript, Nonfiction Manuscript, Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication | Copies
Opens 01/01 | Closes 05/31
Free Spirit Publishing / Sambasivan & Parikh
Asian Voices in Children’s Literature Writing Contest
Fiction, Community, Ethnic & Minority, Parenting & Families
Free | Cash Award | Swag Package | Publication Consideration
Opens 05/04 | Closes 05/31
Haiku Society of America
Rengay Award
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 04/01 | Closes 05/31
The Iowa Review
Jeff Sharlet Memorial Award for Veterans
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Free | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 05/01 | Closes 05/31 [even-numbered years]
Livingston Press
Changing Light Prize for a Novel-in-Verse
Fiction Manuscript
Free | Cash Award | Book Publication | Copies
Closes 05/31
Marmalade Lit
Spring Contest Theme: “Current”
Ages: 12-22
Poetry, Prose
Free | Cash Award | Publication | Interview
Closes 05/31
Maya Poetry Book Awards
Maya Poetry Book Awards
Poetry Books, Poetry Books for Children
Entry Fee | Cash Award
Closes 05/31
Meet the Presses Collective
bpNichol Chapbook Award
Poetry Chapbook
Free | Cash Award
Opens 01/01 | Closes 5/31
Oversound
Oversound Chapbook Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication | Copies
Opens 04/01 | Closes 05/31
Restless Books
The Kellman Prize for Immigrant Literature
Fiction Manuscript, Nonfiction Manuscript
Entry Fee | Book Publication
Opens 01/01 | Closes 05/31
River Heron Review
River Heron Poetry Prize
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 05/31
Every year, The River Heron Poetry Review awards the winner of the River Heron Poetry Prize $500, a Zoom reading, and publication.
Southern Poetry Review
Guy Owen Award
Poetry
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 05/31
Sundress Publications
e-Chapbook Competition
fiction, nonfiction, poetry, hybrid work
Free (March 1–14), Entry Fee (March 15–May 31) | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication
Opens 03/01 | Closes 05/31
Two Sylvias Press
Chapbook Prize
Poetry Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Chapbook Publication | Copies | Trophy
Opens 02/01 | Closes 05/31
University of Georgia Press
Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction
Fiction Collection Manuscript
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Book Publication
Opens 04/01 | Closes 05/31
Wild Lot Press
Nightness: Ruminations on the Darker Side of Day
Essays, Illustrations
Free | Cash Award | Publication | Copy
Opens 01/15 | Closes 05/31
WOW! Women On Writing
Flash Fiction Contest
Fiction
Entry Fee | Cash Award | Online Publication | Interview | Reedsy Master Course
Opens 03/01 | Closes 05/31 (may close early if cap met)
Special Deadlines
Arc Poetry Magazine
Arc Award of Awesomeness
Poetry
Entry Fee
Monthly Deadline.
Fusilli Writing
Flash Fiction Competition
Fiction
Entry Fee
Rolling Deadline.
Gotham Writers Workshop
#GWstorieseverywhere
Fiction, Nonfiction
Free
Monthly Deadline.
Ó Bhéal
International Five Words Poetry Competition
Poetry
Entry Fee
Weekly Deadline.
Prime Number Magazine
53-Word Story Contest
Fiction
Free
Monthly Deadline.