A prize of $2,500 and publication in Narrative is given annually for a short story, a short short story, an essay, or an excerpt from a longer work of prose. A second-...
read moreWriting Contests, Grants & Awards
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.
Narrative
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $27
Application Deadline: 11/30/20
Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Munster Literature Center
Cash Prize: $2,378
Entry Fee: $8
Application Deadline: 11/30/20
Genre: Poetry
A prize of €2,000 (approximately $2,378), publication in Southword, and a weeklong residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Annaghmakerrig, Ireland, is given annually...
read moreUniversity of North Texas
Cash Prize: $10,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 11/30/20
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $10,000 is given annually for a poetry collection published in the previous year by a mid-career poet. Public health conditions permitting, the winner will also...
read moreQuarter After Eight
Cash Prize: $1,008
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 11/30/20
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,008.15 and publication in Quarter After Eight is given annually for a prose poem, a short short story, or a micro-essay. Using only the online submission...
read moreWhite Pine Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 11/30/20
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by White Pine Press is given annually for a poetry collection by a U.S. citizen. Submit a manuscript of 60 to 80 pages with a $20 entry fee by...
read moreBOA Editions
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 11/30/20
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by BOA Editions is given annually for a first book of poetry by a U.S. resident. Aimee Nezhukumatathil will judge. Submit a manuscript of 48...
read moreBeloit Poetry Journal
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 11/30/20
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,500, publication by Beloit Poetry Journal, and 50 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. The editors will judge. Using only the online...
read moreFish Publishing
Cash Prize: $3,939
Entry Fee: $26
Application Deadline: 11/30/20
Genre: Fiction
A prize of €3,000 (approximately $3,939) and publication in the annual Fish Publishing anthology is given annually for a short story. The winner will also be invited to attend...
read moreLitMag
Cash Prize: $1,250
Entry Fee: $16
Application Deadline: 11/30/20
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,250 and publication in LitMag will be given annually for a piece of flash fiction. The winner will also have their work reviewed by agents from the Bent...
read moreDecember
Cash Prize: $1,500
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 12/1/20
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,500 and publication in december is given annually for a single poem. Carl Phillips will judge. Submit up to three poems of any length with a $20 entry...
read moreOhio University Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 12/1/20
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Ohio University Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Submit a manuscript of 60 to 95 pages with a $30 entry fee by December 1....
read moreMeadowlark Books
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/1/20
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by Meadowlark Books, and 50 author copies will be given annually for a poetry book. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript...
read morePushcart Press
Cash Prize:
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/1/20
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Publication in The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses is awarded annually for works of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction published by literary magazines...
read moreWaywiser Press
Cash Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $29
Application Deadline: 12/1/20
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $3,000 and publication by the Waywiser Press is given annually for a poetry collection by a poet who has published no more than one previous collection. The winner...
read moreLangum Foundation
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/1/20
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a book of historical fiction published during the previous year. Publishers or authors may submit two copies of a book (or galleys)...
read moreAmerican Library Association
Cash Prize: $5,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/1/20
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $5,000 is given annually for a novel published in the previous year that is set in a period when the United States was at war. Publishers or authors may submit seven...
read moreSlipstream Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 12/1/20
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by Slipstream Press, and 50 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. The editors will judge. Submit a manuscript of up to 40 pages...
read morePoetry International
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 12/1/20
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Poetry International is given annually for a single poem. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit...
read moreAfrican Poetry Book Fund
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/1/20
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by University of Nebraska Press is given annually for a debut poetry collection by a poet who was born in Africa, is an African national or...
read moreFive Points
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/1/20
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Five Points is given annually for a group of poems. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to...
read moreBrunel University London
Cash Prize: $3,668
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/2/20
Genre: Poetry
A prize of £3,000 (approximately $3,668) is given annually for a group of poems by a poet who was born in Africa, is a national of an African country, or whose parents are...
read moreFriends of American Writers
Cash Prize: $4,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/10/20
Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of up to $4,000 is given annually for a book of fiction or creative nonfiction published during the previous year by a writer who is a resident of the Midwest (or who...
read moreBrooklyn Film & Arts Festival
Cash Prize: $500
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/10/20
Genre: Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $500 and publication on the Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival website is given annually for a work of nonfiction that is set in Brooklyn, New York, and renders the...
read moreWriter’s Digest
Cash Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 12/14/20
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $3,000 and travel and lodging expenses for a trip to the Writer’s Digest Conference in New York City is given annually for a short short story. A second-place prize...
read more