Writing Contests & Book Contests
NewPages Classifieds

Deadline: September 1, 2021
The Lee Smith Novel Prize is open for submissions, closing September 1. Final judge is Deesha Philyaw (The Secret Lives of Church Ladies). Winner receives $1,000 and publication. No submission fee; suggested donation is optional. Submissions should be full-length, literary fiction novel manuscripts of at least 25,000 words. Identifying information and author name SHOULD NOT appear in the manuscript. Manuscript files should be named with the novel’s title only. Author's biography and list of published works may be included in the cover letter of Submittable. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Blair does not publish genre fiction. Finalists announced early 2022. Submit here.

Deadline: August 7, 2021
Submit poems on the theme of empowerment for a chance to win up to $100, along with publication. This competition supports FOREFRONT Charity’s work in rural India for water & sanitation, education, medical care, and empowerment. Details: bit.ly/3hqeYOL. Social media: @goforefront.

Deadline: September 1, 2021
Radar Poetry's Coniston Prize is an annual award that recognizes an exceptional group of poems by a woman writing in English. This year's esteemed judge is Yona Harvey. The winner will receive $2,000 and will be published in the contest issue, alongside an introduction by Yona Harvey. All finalists will also be published in the contest issue. Submit 3-5 poems by September 1, 2021. Entry fee: $20. Read the guidelines and view past winners at www.radarpoetry.com/contest.

Deadline: September 15, 2021
We just realized we haven’t let you guys come up with the first lines or last line in a couple of years, so now is your chance. You have until September 15, 2021, to submit three original, unpublished first lines and one original, unpublished last line for consideration. The winners will receive $100 and five copies of the issue inspired by your first or last line. And just because we can, we’re giving away 22 free one-year PDF subscriptions. Everyone who sends us an entry will have a chance to win a free one-year PDF subscription to The First Line. See full rules and how to submit at our website.

Deadline: November 15, 2021
We’re looking for manuscripts of at least 48 pages that engage the perilous conditions of life in the 21st century, as they pertain to issues of social justice and the earth. Because we believe the truth is always experimental, we’ll especially appreciate books with innovative approaches. Beginning in 2021 and going forward, Interim will be publishing two books in their Test Site Poetry series—one title publicized as the winner of the Test Site Poetry Series and the other as the Betsy Joiner Flanagan Award in Poetry. Both winners will receive $1,000 and publication by the University of Nevada Press. www.interimpoetics.org/test-site-poetry-series

Deadline: August 31, 2021
2021 Prime Number Magazine Flash Fiction Prize is open to writers around the world who write in English. Any subject, no more than 751 words. Prizes are US $251 First Prize, $151 Second Prize, and $53 Third Prize. Winners announced by September 15 and winning stories will appear in the October contest issue of Prime Number Magazine. The editors of Press 53 and Prime Number Magazine will judge in a blind read (no name on manuscript). Reading fee US $11. Deadline August 31. Entries accepted only through Submittable. Complete details at www.Press53.com/flash-fiction-contest.

Deadline: August 31, 2021
Categories: Poet’s Choice; Members Only; New Poets; Traditional Form/Sestina; Theme/"The Sea"; Poets Under 30; Spanish Language Poets. Awards: Poet’s Choice: 1st $100; most categories: 1st $50; 2nd $30; 3rd $20; Three Honorable Mentions and publication in OPA's 2021 Verseweavers magazine. Entry Fee: OPA Members—$8 up to seven poems; Non-members— $15 up to six poems. Deadline: Submitted electronically or postmarked by August 31, 2021 midnight PDT. Electronic submissions at OPA.submittable.com are preferred. Visit oregonpoets.org for complete details.

Deadline: October 1, 2021
The Missouri Review is pleased to announce that the 31st annual Jeffrey E. Smith Editors' Prize is now open. Winners in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction receive $5000 and publication, promotion, and an event to be determined later. All entries are considered for publication in TMR, or in our web-exclusive features, BLAST and/or Poem of the Week. Visit our website to learn more: www.missourireview.com/contests/jeffrey-e-smith-editors-prize/.

Deadline: September 30, 2021
19th year, sponsored by Winning Writers. Win $3,000 for a poem in any style and $3,000 for a poem that rhymes or has a traditional style. Total prizes: $8,000. The top two winners will also receive two-year gift certificates from our co-sponsor, Duotrope (a $100 value). Both published and unpublished work accepted. Winning entries published online. Submit two poems for one $15 entry fee. Length limit: 250 lines per poem. Judged by S. Mei Sheng Frazier. This contest is recommended by Reedsy. See past winners, advice from the judge, and submit online at winningwriters.com/tompoetrynp21.

Deadline: August 31, 2021
Entries should be approximately 1,500 words or less. Simultaneous submissions ARE welcome. Entry fee is $10. All entries will be considered for publication in Fiction Southeast. Winner receives $200 and publication in Fiction Southeast; Runners-up receive publication in Fiction Southeast. fictionsoutheast.com

Deadline: August 20, 2021
Submissions OPEN at Kallisto Gaia Press! Julia Darling Poetry Prize pays $1,200 and publication in The Ocotillo Review. Submit 3 poems of up to 65 lines each. $20 to play. Edward Vidaurre judges. Revenue supports Breast cancer research through the MD Anderson Foundation. Chester B. Himes Fiction Prize pays $1,200 and publication in The Ocotillo Review. Submit one story up to 4200 words. $20 to play. May Cobb judges. Revenue supports Parkinson’s Disease research through the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Deadline August 20, 2021.  More info here.

Deadline: September 1, 2021
Puerto del Sol will be accepting entries to our annual contest in poetry and prose between May 1 and September 1. Judges are Eileen Pollack in prose and Todd Dillard in poetry. Winners receive $500 and publication. $9 entry fee includes one-year subscription. All manuscripts entered will be considered for publication. See website for complete guidelines—puertodelsol.org.