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NewPages Blog :: Writing Contests

Discover writing and book contests from literary magazines, independent publishers, university presses, creative writing programs, and more.

Bring the Past to Life :: 2026 History Through Fiction Short Story Contest

History Through Fiction Short Story Contest logo

Do you write historical fiction? Submit your unpublished short story (up to 5,000 words) set in any historical setting, any subgenre, any time period before 2000 to the 4th Annual History Through Fiction Short Story Contest, open June 15 — August 15, 2026.

Writers compete for cash prizes, including a $250 grand prize, and publication in the History Through Fiction’s next paperback anthology (March 2, 2027). Writers will also receive editorial feedback on every submission. Multiple submissions accepted.

Early bird fee: $20 through July 14; regular fee: $30 beginning July 15.

Let your story recover the past and reach new readers!

Full Submission Guidelines: https://www.historythroughfiction.com/short-story-contest

Founded in 2019 by Minnesota author and historian Colin Mustful, History Through Fiction is an independent press dedicated to publishing high-quality historical fiction.

Tusculum Review 2026 Poetry Chapbook Prize

$1,500, stand-alone chapbook, live launch

Tusculum Review Poetry Chapbook Prize flyer with abstract background and prize details including $1500 and publication
click image to open flyer

Deadline: June 15, 2026
A prize of $1,500, publication of the chapbook in the Tusculum Review’s 22nd volume (2026), and creation of a limited-edition stand-alone chapbook with original art is awarded for the winning chain of poems.

Contest judge: Nate Marshall. Deadline: June 15 on Submittable.

Finalists announced in July, the winner in August. Publication and live launch in November. View flyer for more details.

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The 2026 Catamaran Poetry Prize

Catamaran seeks unpublished, book-length poetry manuscripts (60–100 pages) in English from poets living in California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, or Hawaii.

Prize: $1,000 and book publication. Entrants receive a complimentary one year subscription to Catamaran. Judge: Joseph Millar. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

Individual poems may have prior journal publication (with acknowledgments). Simultaneous and multiple submissions allowed; notify if accepted elsewhere. Submit blind (no identifying information). Winner, finalists, and semifinalists announced September 2026; publication expected April 2027.

View flyer for more information and Submit here.

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The Beautiful Pause Prize 2026

Press Pause Beautiful Pause Prize 2026 logo image

Submissions open now until May for NONFICTION manuscripts and pitches!

The Beautiful Pause Prize held by Press Pause Press is a yearly prize of $1,000 and the print publication of a full-length manuscript awarded to a writer (18 years and older) of exceptional talent and heart.

One runner-up will receive $500 and publication of an excerpt in one of the Press Pause biannual print volumes.

Submissions are open for NONFICTION manuscripts and pitches through May 1, 2026.

Check out the contest guidelines for additional criteria and helpful information about pitching Press Pause Press. Submit when you’re ready but do not delay!

Press Pause is a quiet literary magazine avoiding social media, fostering reflection, publishing biannual volumes, annual prize manuscripts, and books.

Contest and Writing Sessions from Black Fox Literary Magazine

Black Fox Literary Magazine Summer Fox Tales Prize announcement with theme “Feast”; submit fiction, poetry, or nonfiction by August 31, 2025.
click image to open flyer

Submission/Registration Deadline: August 31, 2025
Submit your fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction to Black Fox Literary Magazine’s Summer Fox Tales Prize with theme: Feast! Deadline: August 31, 2025! Registration is also open for our September Lunch Break Writing Sessions. View our flyer for more information and links to our website.

Want early access to our eLitPak flyers? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter! You can also support NewPages with a paid subscription and get early access to the majority submission opportunities, upcoming events, and more before they are posted to our site.

Interested in advertising in the eLitPak? Learn more here.

Where to Submit Roundup: July 25, 2025

Greetings and salutations fellow creatives!

As July winds down, we’re gearing up for our next Friday Inspiration Prompt and Where to Submit Roundup—arriving August 1st. Time flies, doesn’t it? Even when it’s not all sunshine and creativity.

Aside from doing the normal routines, NewPages has been kicking around some innovations for our Bookstore Guide. These indie bookstores are hubs of inspiration and community. Check out our guide to find one near you—you might discover a cozy spot to work, read, and connect with kindred spirits. Who knows? They might just become part of your chosen family.

Inspiration Prompt: The Family We Choose

Family isn’t always inherited. Sometimes, it’s built—through love, loyalty, and the quiet decision to show up when no one had to.

Think about the people who stepped in, stood by, or shaped your life in unexpected ways. Maybe it was a step-parent, a mentor, a friend who became a sibling, or a partner who helped you feel seen. Maybe it’s a community that redefined what home means.

This week, write about the people who became family by choice.

Continue reading “Where to Submit Roundup: July 25, 2025”

Inverted Syntax’s Poetry Book Contests

Flyer for Inverted Syntax Press’s annual poetry book contests, offering publication, author copies, a writing retreat, and a $500 prize. Deadline: Aug 15.
click image to open flyer

Deadline: August 15, 2025
Inverted Syntax is where the margins take center stage. Now accepting submissions for our annual poetry book contests: the Sublingua Prize (for debut collections by female-identifying writers) and the Aggrey & Tabbikha Prize (for first or second books by Black and/or S.W.A.N.A writers). Winners receive $500, publication, a retreat, and more. Fissured Tongue Vol. VII also open. View flyer for more information and submit here.

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Encourage Young Writers and Readers

Fleeting Daze Magazine January 2025 cover image

NewPages curates Publications for Young Writers and Writing Contests for Young Writers, two guides where young readers and writers can find print and online literary magazines to read, places to publish their own works, and legitimate contests. These are ad-free resources regularly updated with carefully vetted content, wonderful resources for teachers to use in the classroom as well as for anyone mentoring young readers or writers in their lives.

Pictured is Fleeting Daze Magazine, a youth-run literary online quarterly magazine publishing all forms of literary arts and writing from contributors ages 13-24. Their most recent issue is themed “Aurora.”

If you know publications or contests for young readers and writers not listed, please contact us.

Contest Winners :: Cleaver’s 2022 Flash Contest

Cleaver Magazine Flash Contest 2022 logo

Cleaver online literary magazine has announced the winners of their 2022 Flash Contest. Winners, honorable mentions, and finalists will be published in Cleaver Issue No. 40, their 10th-anniversary issue.

Judge: Meg Pokrass

First Place: Sabrina Hicks
“When We Knew How to Get Lost”

Second Place: Janet Burroway
“The Tale of Molly Grimm”

Third Place: Dawn Miller
“The Egg”

HONORABLE MENTION
Laura Tanenbaum
Fannie H. Gray
Andrea Marcusa
Lisa Lanser-Rose
Andrew Stancek
Luke Tennis
Emily Hoover
James LaRowe
Paul Enea
Kris Willcox
Christina Simon

FINALISTS
Theo Greenblatt
Meredith McCarroll
Amanda Hadlock
Madeleine Barowsky
K Moore
Ron Tobey
Sarah Freligh
Nicholas Claro
Joe Artz
Lyn Chamberlin

Contests for Young Writers

Image of a poster for the I Matter poetry contest

NewPages maintains two guides where young readers and writers can find print and online literary magazines to read, places to publish their own works, and legitimate contests: Publications for Young Writers and Writing Contests for Young Writers. Both of these are ad-free resources regularly updated with carefully vetted content.

The Lions Club International Peace Essay Contest is one of those listed, and the 2020-2021 winning essay “Peace Through Service” by 13-year-old Australian Joshua Wood is a beautiful example of the kinds of writing these contests can inspire. He can be seen/heard reading his essay on the site here, and his essay is available to read online or download to print.

If you know young readers and writers in your life, or if you yourself enjoy writing for young readers, check out these guides today!

[Image: National Youth Foundation poster for the “I Matter Poetry Contest.”]