The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about the creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more—that we’ve published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it. Ours is the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.
| Sponsor and Award | Entry Fee | Genre | Cash Prize | Prize includes | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Astounding Beauty Ruffian Press Poetry Chapbook Award A prize of $10,000 and publication by Astounding Beauty Ruffian Press is given biennially for a poetry chapbook by a U.S. poet. Submit a manuscript of 10 to 20 pages with a $25 entry fee by May 31. Visit... |
$25 | Poetry | $10,000 | Publication | 5/31/13 |
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Late Night Library Debut-litzer Award Three prizes of $1,000 each will be given annually for books of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction published in the previous year. In addition, the winners will be featured on the Late Night... |
$25 | Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction | $1,000 | 5/31/13 | |
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Boulevard Emerging Poets Contest A prize of $1,000 and publication in Boulevard is given annually for a group of poems by a poet who has not published a poetry collection with a nationally distributed press. All entries are... |
$15 | Poetry | $1,000 | Publication | 6/1/13 |
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Boston Review Poetry Contest A prize of $1,500 and publication in Boston Review is given annually for a poem or group of poems. All entries are considered for publication. Linda Gregerson will judge. Submit up to five poems... |
$20 | Poetry | $1,500 | Publication | 6/3/13 |
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National Book Foundation National Book Awards Three prizes of $10,000 each are awarded annually to honor a book of poetry, a book of fiction, and a book of creative nonfiction written by U.S. writers and published in the United States during the... |
$125 | Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction | $10,000 | 6/3/13 | |
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Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition A prize of $3,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to meet with editors and agents is given annually for a poem, a short story, or an essay. Prizes of $1,000 each are also given for a work... |
$32 | Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction | $3,000 | Travel | 6/3/13 |