The Poets & Writers Guide to Writing Contests

Thinking of submitting your work to writing contests?

Poets & Writers is here to help.

This comprehensive guide, updated for 2025, provides everything you need to know about writing contests, including expert advice from contest series editors, recent winners, and judges, so that you can make smart decisions about submitting your work and increase your chances of winning.

A collection of articles edited by the staff of Poets & Writers Magazine, our guide to writing contests is the essential resource for navigating the sometimes overwhelming world of grants, awards, and all things literary competition, including:

• Finding the writing contest for you
• Final revisions to try before you hit submit
• Behind the scenes at six great contests to enter
• Weighing contests vs. open reading periods
• Success stories from recent winners
• How to craft a winning contest entry
• Award-winning retreats for emerging writers
• Expert advice on applying to the grants and fellowships of your dreams
• Practicing mindfulness in a competitive environment 
• A submission tracker

This file is in PDF format and requires Adobe Reader, available free from Adobe Systems, or other software capable of reading PDF files.

See Other Guides From Poets & Writers