Gemini Magazine’s 15th Annual Flash Fiction Contest

Deadline: August 31, 2023

FIRST PRIZE: $1,000

Second Prize: $100
Four Honorable Mentions: $25
Entry Fee: $7
Word Limit: 1,000

All Six Finalists Will Be Published Online in the October 2023 Issue of Gemini

• Entries Must Be Unpublished
• Any Subject or Style
• Stories on Personal Blogs Are Eligible
• All Entries Are Read Blind

How to enter, visit: https://gemini-magazine.com/flash-fiction-contest-2022/

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The Letter Review Prizes for Fiction and Poetry are now accepting entries!

Name: Letter Review Prize for Short Stories

Prizes: $1000 USD total prize pool. $600 first place plus publication. $ 250-second place plus publication. $150 third place plus publication. Twenty writers are Longlisted. All entries are considered for publication and for submission to the Pushcart Prize.

Entry Fee: $20 USD.

Dates: Open now until the 30th of June, 2023 at 11:59 pm ET.

Word Length: 999 – 3000 words.

Details: Open to anyone in the world. There are no genre or theme restrictions.  

Enter Here: https://letterreview.com/information/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Name: Letter Review Prize for Flash Fiction

Prizes: Winning entries are published at Letter Review. $400 USD for First Place, $250 for Second, and $150 for Third. 20 entries are Longlisted. All entries are considered for publication and for submission to anthologies such as the Pushcart Prize. 

Entry Fee: $15.

Dates: Open now, closing 30th June 2023 at 11:59 pm ET. 

Words: Up to 999. 

Details: Open to anyone in the world. There are no genre or theme restrictions.  

Enter Here: https://letterreview.com/information/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Name: Letter Review Prize for Poetry 

Prizes: Winning entries published at Letter Review. $400 USD for First Place, $250 for Second, and $150 for Third. 20 entries are Longlisted. All entries are considered for publication and for submission to anthologies such as the Pushcart Prize. 

Entry Fee: $15.

Dates: Open now, closing 30th June 2023 at 11:59 pm ET. 

Lines: 70 lines max per poem.  

Details: Open to anyone in the world. There are no style or subject restrictions. 

Enter Here: https://letterreview.com/information/

Last call for entries! Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest

Deadline: May 28, 2023

The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest is open to anyone who enjoys expressing their innermost thoughts and feelings in the beautiful literary art of poetry or writing a story that’s worth telling everyone! Welcome to all, having the ability to dream… Write a poem or short story for a chance to win cash prizes totaling $1275.00! All works must be original. https://www.dreamquestone.com

Guidelines:

Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer on any subject, style, or form, typed or neatly hand-printed.

And/or write a short story, 5 pages maximum length, on any subject or theme, fiction, non-fiction, creative nonfiction (including essay compositions, diary, journal entries, short stage-plays, screenplays, and screenwriting). All entries must be either typed or legibly hand-printed. Multiple and simultaneous poetry and short story entries are accepted.

Postmark deadline: May 28, 2023

All contest winners will be published on June 30, 2023

Prizes(USD):

Writing First Prize is $500. Second: $250. Third: $100.

Poetry First Prize is $250. Second: $125. Third: $50.

Entry fees(USD): $5 per poem, $10 per story

To send entries: Include title(s) with your story (ies) and/or poem(s), along with your name, mailing address, phone#, email, brief biographical info. (Tell us a little about yourself), on the coversheet. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for entry confirmation. Fees payable to: “DREAMQUESTONE.COM”

Mail to:

Dream Quest One

Poetry & Writing Contest

P.O. Box 804632

Chicago, IL 60680

Visit https://www.dreamquestone.com for details on how to enter!

No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. “And remember, in whatever you do, it’s okay to dream, for dreams do come true.” –Dream Quest One

WOW! Women on Writing Spring 2023 Flash Fiction Contest

Deadline: May 31, 2023

WOW! Women on Writing Spring 2023 Flash Fiction Contest

Guest Judge: Literary Agent Kaitlyn Katsoupis with Belcastro Literary Agency

Seeking short fiction of any genre between 250 – 750 words. The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity, great writing, and provide well-rewarded recognition to contestants.

Electronic submissions via e-mail only; reprints/previously published okay; simultaneous submissions okay; multiple submissions are okay as long as they are submitted in their own individual e-mail. Open internationally.

Limit: 300 entries.

Prizes (20 winners!):
1st Place: $400, publication, interview, and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
2nd Place: $300, publication, interview, and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
3rd Place: $200, publication, interview and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
7 Runners Up receive $25 Amazon Gift Cards, publication and interview
10 Honorable mentions receive $20 Amazon Gift Card
Top 10 stories are published in the WOW! Women On Writing e-zine, and contestants are interviewed on WOW’s blog, The Muffin.

Entry: $10 entry fee; critique option for an additional $10

Visit the website: https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php

The Letter Review Prize for Short Stories

Deadline: April 30, 2023

Letter Review Prize for Short Stories

Prizes: $1000 USD total prize pool.

First Prize is $600 USD and publication

Second Prize is $250 USD and publication

Third Prize is $150 USD and publication

All entries are considered for publication

Who May Enter: Unrestricted. We welcome writers from everywhere in the world. 

Entry Fee: $20 USD for one story, $35 for two, and $45 for three. You may enter as many times as you wish.   

Opens: Now. 

Deadline: 30th April 2023 11:59 pm (ET).

Length: 1000 – 3000 words. 

Restrictions: No genre or theme restrictions. All stories are welcome. 

Further Details: https://letterreview.com/information/

Email Address: mail@letterreview.com

The Letter Review Prize for Flash Fiction

Deadline: April 30, 2023

Letter Review Prize for Flash Fiction

Prizes: $800 USD total prize pool. First Prize is $400 USD and publication, Second Prize is $250 USD and publication, Third Prize is $150 USD and publication. All entries are considered for publication. 

Who May Enter: Unrestricted. We welcome writers from everywhere in the world. 

Entry Fee: $15 USD for one story, $27 for two, and $35 for three. You may enter as many times as you wish.   

Opens: Now. 

Deadline: 30th April 2023 11:59 pm (ET).

Length: Up to 1000 words. 

Restrictions: No genre or theme restrictions. All stories are welcome. 

Further Details: https://letterreview.com/information/

Email Address: mail@letterreview.com

Gemini Magazine – Fourteenth Annual Short Story Contest

Deadline: March 31, 2023

FIRST PRIZE: $1,000

Second Prize: $100
Three Honorable Mentions: $25
Entry Fee: $8

All Five Finalists Will Be Published Online in the June 2023 Issue of Gemini

• Any Subject, Style or Length
• Entries Must Be Unpublished
• Multiple Entries Are Allowed
• Stories from Blogs Allowed
• All Entries Are Read Blind

ENTER BY EMAIL:

1. Pay entry fee with credit, debit or PayPal: $8 each (NO dollar sign). OK to combine multiple entry fees into one payment. You will receive a transaction or receipt number.
2. Paste the number you receive into an email.
3. Attach entry as a .doc or .pdf file with NO identifying information or paste into body of email. Send to fictioncomp@gemini-magazine.com

Do not include bio. Include contact info in email only. (It is removed before reading.)

Contact editor here if you don’t receive a confirmation email. We will add you to our mailing list for new issues, news and contest info. Unsubscribe anytime.

ENTER BY SNAIL MAIL:

Mail previously unpublished entry with $8 check or money order, payable to Gemini Magazine, to:

Gemini Magazine
Short Story Contest
P.O. Box 1485
Onset, MA 02558 USA

Include $8 for each additional entry. Put name/contact info on separate page only. Include SASE for reply.

Visit the website for details on how to enter: https://gemini-magazine.com/

Last call! Letter Review Prize for Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Poetry

Deadline: February 28, 2023

The Letter Review Prize is open and accepting fiction, flash fiction, and poem entries!

The Prize is awarded in multiple categories, with a total Prize pool of $2400 USD and publication for our winners.

The Letter Review Prize for Short Stories

Letter Review is offering $1000 USD total Prize pool in a competition for short stories between 1000 – 3000 words. No genre or theme restrictions: all stories are welcome. Open to writers who live anywhere in the world. First Place receives $600 USD and publication, Second Place receives $250 USD and publication, and Third Place receives $150 USD and publication. Twenty writers will be longlisted. All entries are considered for publication, submission to the Pushcart Prize, and further anthologies. The Prize is judged blind to ensure fairness. See our Previous Winners Page here, and our Comments / Testimonials Page here. Enter via Submittable using the button below.

Learn More

The Letter Review Prize for Poetry

Letter Review is offering an $800 USD total Prize pool in a competition for poems of not more than 70 lines. No subject or style restrictions: all poems are welcome. Open to writers who live anywhere in the world. First Prize is $400 USD, Second Prize is $250 USD, and Third Prize is $150 USD. All winning entries are published at Letter Review. Twenty poets will be Longlisted. All entries are considered for publication, submission to the Pushcart Prize, and further anthologies. The Prize is judged blind to ensure fairness. See our Previous Winners Page here, and our Comments / Testimonials Page here. Enter via Submittable using the button below.

Learn More

The Letter Review Prize for Flash Fiction

Letter Review is offering $600 USD total Prize pool in a competition for short stories up to 1000 words in length. No genre or theme restrictions: all stories are welcome. The Prize is open to writers who live anywhere in the world. First Prize is $300 USD and publication, Second Prize is $200 USD and publication, and Third Prize is $100 USD and publication. Twenty writers will be Longlisted. All entries are considered for publication, submission to the Pushcart Prize, and for further anthologies. The Prize is judged blind to ensure fairness. See our Previous Winners Page here, and our Comments / Testimonials Page here. Enter via Submittable using the button below.

Learn More

Visit the website: https://letterreview.com/

WOW! Women on Writing Winter 2023 Flash Fiction Contest

Deadline: February 28, 2023

Guest Judge: Literary Agent Emily Forney with BookEnds Literary Agency

Seeking short fiction of any genre between 250 – 750 words. The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity, great writing, and provide well-rewarded recognition to contestants.

Electronic submissions via e-mail only; reprints/previously published okay; simultaneous submissions okay; multiple submissions are okay as long as they are submitted in their own individual e-mail. Open internationally.

Limit: 300 entries.

Prizes (20 winners!):
1st Place: $400, publication, interview, and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
2nd Place: $300, publication, interview, and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
3rd Place: $200, publication, interview and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
7 Runners Up receive $25 Amazon Gift Cards, publication and interview
10 Honorable mentions receive $20 Amazon Gift Card
Top 10 stories are published in the WOW! Women On Writing e-zine, and contestants are interviewed on WOW’s blog, The Muffin.

Entry: $10 entry fee; critique option for an additional $10

Visit the website: https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php

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Dream Quest One is now accepting poems and short story entries!

The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest is open to anyone who enjoys expressing their innermost thoughts and feelings in the beautiful literary art of poetry or writing a story that’s worth telling everyone! Welcome to all, having the ability to dream… Write a poem or short story to win cash prizes totaling $1275.00! All works must be original.

Guidelines:

Write a poem of 30 lines or fewer on any subject, style, or form, typed or neatly hand-printed.

And/or write a short story, 5 pages maximum length, on any subject or theme. Genres: fiction, non-fiction, and creative nonfiction (including essay compositions, diary, journal entries, short screenplays, stage plays, and screenwriting). All entries must be either typed or legibly hand-printed.

Multiple and simultaneous poetry and short story entries are accepted.

Postmark deadline: March 19, 2023

All contest winners will be published on April 30, 2023

Prizes (USD):

Writing First Prize is $500. Second: $250. Third: $100.

Poetry First Prize is $250. Second: $125. Third: $50.

Entry fees (USD): $5 per poem, $10 per story

To send entries: Include title(s) with your story (ies) or poem(s), along with your name, mailing address, phone#, email, and brief biographical info. (Tell us a little about yourself), on the coversheet. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for entry confirmation. Fees payable to “DREAMQUESTONE.COM”

Mail to:

Dream Quest One

Poetry & Writing Contest

P.O. Box 804632

Chicago, IL 60680

Visit https://www.dreamquestone.com for details on how to enter!

No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. “And remember, in whatever you do, it’s okay to dream, for dreams do come true.” –Dream Quest One

Askew’s Word on the Lake Writing Contest

Deadline: January 31, 2023

Whether you’re an established or emerging writer, the annual Askew’s Word on the Lake Writing Contest has a place for you! Part of the Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival in Salmon Arm, BC, Canada, the contest is open to submissions in short fiction (up to 1,500 words), nonfiction (up to 1,500 words), and poetry (up to three one-page poems).

Entry fee: $15 Canadian, which goes directly to supporting the Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival

Prizes: First Place: $200 and a Word on the Lake festival registration package. Second Place: $125 and tickets to the Word on the Lake award banquet. Honourable Mention: $100 and tickets to the Word on the Lake award banquet. Additionally, all winners will be published in the annual Askew’s Word on the Lake Anthology and will receive copies of the anthology in print and ebook.

How to enter, visit: https://wordonthelakewritersfestival.com/saw/writing-contest/

THE WRITER 100-WORD CONTEST

Deadline: January 2, 2023.

Can you tell a story in 100 words or less? This is no simple feat. Showcase your ability to harness the meaning behind every word in our third annual 100-Word Contest. Write anything under 100 words – nonfiction or fiction – for a chance to win the grand prize: $1,000 and publication in The Writer magazine. Second prize is $500 and publication. Third prize is $250 and publication.

How to enter, visit: https://www.writermag.com/the-writer-contests/100-word/

BRIDPORT PRIZE

Deadline: May 31, 2023

£11-£24 ENTRY FEES. Categories poetry, short story, flash fiction, and novel open for this deadline. Our short story, poetry, flash fiction and memoir competitions are open to international applicants, whilst the novel award is open to writers living in Britain and Ireland, British writers living overseas and writers living in British Overseas Territories. Poetry first prize £5,000. Limit 42 lines. Short story first prize £5,000. Limit 5,000 words. Flash Fiction first prize £1,000. Limit 250 words.
Novel winner receives £1,500 plus package. Limit 8,000 words and a synopsis – initially. Up to a year’s mentoring from The Literary Consultancy through their Chapter & Verse scheme (worth £2,640) and a detailed critique from the novel judge. Runner-up receives £750 plus full manuscript appraisal and Industry Day place from The Literary Consultancy.

How to enter, visit: https://thebridportprize.submittable.com/submit

NOWW 25th Annual International Writing Contest

Contest Opens: Jan 01, 2023

2023 Categories:

Poetry

• One entry consists of a minimum of 1 poem and a maximum of 5 poems.
• Poems may be in any style or theme.
• Combined line count of the total entry must not exceed 100 lines. 
• Poem titles or spaces between poems do not count toward the total number of lines.
• All poems per entry must be submitted in one file.
• It is strongly recommended that you do not submit poems that require unusual formatting. If you choose to rely on a specific formatting, submit your entry as a PDF rather than a Word file. NOWW cannot guarantee formatting will remain the same and we cannot be held responsible for any adverse changes to your formatting at any point in the submission or review/judging process, or at the time of publication (should your entry win).

Short Fiction

• A complete piece of literary fiction.
• Entry must be between 2000-3500 words.
• Title is not counted toward the total word count.

Creative Nonfiction

• A complete piece of creative nonfiction; note that memoir and personal essay can be considered creative nonfiction.
• Entry must be between 1500-3000 words.
• Title is not counted toward total word count.

Bill MacDonald Prize for Prose

• This contest category recognizes author and teacher Bill MacDonald, who published 39 books, most of which were set in the region, often Thunder Bay. The prize category was established in 2016, two years after his death. The category alternates yearly between fiction and non-fiction set in the Northwest, just as Bill’s work did.
• For 2023, a complete piece of fiction.
• A Northwestern Ontario setting must be central to the work. Northwestern Ontario includes the districts of Thunder Bay, Rainy River, and Kenora.
• An entry submitted to this category may not be submitted to any other category.
• Entry must be between 2000-3500 words.
• Title is not counted toward the total word count.

Short Crime Fiction

• A complete piece of crime fiction. The story should be a work in which crime is central to the plot. The category is broad and can include stories that may be considered mystery, thriller, cozy, or procedural.
• Entry must be between 2000-3500 words.
• Title is not counted toward the total word count.

Literary Critical Writing

• A concise critical review of any art form. This could include but is not limited to, a review of a book, movie, television program, music release, concert, theatre performance, or the works of an individual artist. 
• Your entry should aim to do two things: inform the reader about what you saw/read/listened to, and provide your evaluation, opinions, and final judgment.
• If the entry has been previously published, it must have been within the last two years (2021/2022).
• Entry must be between 300-500 words.
• Title is not counted toward the total word count.

2023 Rules:

Eligible Writers

This contest is open to individuals (Canadian and international) age 18 and over.

Deadline

Entries must be emailed no later than February 28, 2023, at midnight Eastern Time.

Rules

• Entries must be original and unpublished.
• Entries must be written in English.
• Entries must not bear the author’s name (other than on the cover page) or any other information that would make the author’s identity known to screeners or judges. Entries that do will be disqualified.
• Edits and revisions are prohibited. Once submitted, your entries are final.
• Authors agree that winning entries may be read at NOWW’s year-end celebration and published online on NOWW’s website and in the NOWW magazine without compensation to the author beyond that of the awarded prize money. With these exceptions, the author retains copyright in all work submitted. Winning entries may be edited prior to publication.
• Winners must provide a photo and brief biography.
• Submissions that do not follow the “How to Submit” instructions may be subject to disqualification.

Judging Process

• Judging is blind.
• Screeners will select six finalists per category to be sent to a final judge.
• Final judges reserve the right not to select winners if, in their opinion, none of the entries is of publishable quality.

Results

• Winners will be announced at NOWW’s year-end celebration and on the NOWW website on or after May 30, 2023.
• The finalists for each category will be notified by email after June 1, 2023, that their entries were shortlisted. 

Prizes

• Each category will be awarded a 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd prize.
• 1^st prize is awarded $150.
• 2^nd prize is awarded $100.
• 3^rd prize is awarded $50.

Entry Fee

• Entry is free for NOWW members in good standing.
• Non-members must pay a fee of $10 in Canadian funds per entry before the contest closing date (February 28, 2023, midnight Eastern Time).
• Payment may be made online through PayPal at the time of submission.
• Cheques must be payable to NOWW and must be received by regular mail or hand delivered no later than February 28, 2023, at midnight Eastern Time.

How to Submit

• Two (2) entries may be made per category.
• Only electronic submissions will be accepted.
• We prefer submissions in .doc or .docx. We will also accept PDF files. All other file types will be disqualified.
• All files are to be labeled with the category and the submission title of your entry.

·        Examples: “Short Fiction Dracula is Back.doc” or “Poetry Three Poems.doc”

• Prose manuscripts must be double-spaced in Times New Roman 12-point font with one-inch margins on all sides and the pages numbered. Do not add your name or any identifying features in the header or footer of the document.
• Poetry must be single-spaced in Times New Roman 12-point font with one-inch (or greater) margins on all sides and the pages numbered. Do not add your name or any identifying features in the header or footer of the document.
• All entries must be submitted by the closing date of the contest which is no later than midnight EST, February 28, 2023, regardless of payment for entry. No refunds will be made should you not submit in time. 
• Each entry must include a cover page in a separate file with the following information:
  • Name*
  • Email address*
  • Mailing address*
  • Phone number*
  • Title of entry*
  • Category *

·        Line count (poetry only)*

·        Word count (all prose categories)*

·        How you heard about the contest

·        If you are a member of NOWW

1.      If your name appears anywhere besides the cover page or if there is any information within the body of the text that identifies you to screeners or judges, the entry will be disqualified.

2.      Counts must be exact, not estimates (do not include the title in the word count).

3.      Email entries to: admin@nowwwriters.ca 

4.      Pay entry fees via PayPal on our website: https://www.nowwwriters.ca/ 

5.      Include the name as it appears on your emailed entry in the comment section in PayPal to ensure it is matched with the correct entry.

6.      Send entry fees by cheque to:

NOWW Writing Contest

Box 425

1100 Memorial Avenue

Thunder Bay, ON

P7B 4A3

• Due to the volume of entries, we do not send confirmation of receipt of submission.
• For more information, contact Don at admin@nowwwriters.ca

Sponsor’s Name: Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop (NOWW)

Address: Box 425, 1100 Memorial Ave., Thunder Bay, ON  P7B 4A3

Email: admin@nowwwriters.ca

Contact Person–not for publication, but to facilitate confirmation of information.

Contact Person: Clayton Bye

Email: claytoncbye@gmail.com

Last call: WOW! Women on Writing Fall 2022 Flash Fiction Contest

Deadline: November 30, 2022

Guest Judge: Literary Agent Savannah Brooks with KT Literary Agency

Seeking short fiction of any genre between 250 – 750 words. The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity, great writing, and provide well-rewarded recognition to contestants.

Electronic submissions via e-mail only; reprints/previously published okay; simultaneous submissions okay; reprints/previously published are okay; multiple submissions are okay as long as they are submitted in their own individual e-mail. Open internationally.

Limit: 300 entries.

Prizes (20 winners!):
1st Place: $400, publication, interview, and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
2nd Place: $300, publication, interview, and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
3rd Place: $200, publication, interview, and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
7 Runners Up receive $25 Amazon Gift Cards, publication, and an interview
10 Honorable mentions receive $20 Amazon Gift Card
Top 10 stories are published in the WOW! Women On Writing e-zine and contestants are interviewed on WOW’s blog, The Muffin.

Entry: $10 entry fee; critique option for an additional $10

How to enter, visit:

https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php

Last call! THE PLAZA PRIZES, NEW INTERNATIONAL WRITING COMPETITIONS

Deadline: November 30, 2022

I’m an Irish author and I run The Plaza Prizes – a series of international literary, art, and dramatic competitions, based in the UK. We have Toby Litt, Sam Blake, Roland Watson-Grant, Tara Laskowski, Richard Skinner, Maya C Popa, Simon Trewin, Anthony Joseph, and many more writers, screenwriters, dramatists, and artists, slated to talent spots in 20 competitions over 2022-23, with over £20,000 in prizes on offer.

These are fabulous opportunities for writers to create a worldwide platform.

Here are some details:

Sudden Fiction

Prize: £1,000, US$1,100 (and publication in an anthology)

Judge: Tara Laskowski

Word limit: 1,500

Deadline: 30th Nov 2022

Short Story

Prize: £2,000, US$2,200 (and publication in an anthology)

Judge: Roland Watson-Grant

Word limit: 8,000

Deadline: 30th Nov 2022

So far, we have seven live comps, Poetry, Prose Poetry, Memoir: First Chapters, Literary: First Chapters, and Crime: First Chapters. Just like the Bridport Prize, we set up a FREE ENTRY Bursary Scheme for low-income and under-represented writers.

For more details, please go to: https://theplazaprizes.com/

Pet Flash Fiction Contest

Deadline: February 28, 2023

Pet Flash Fiction Contest! Grand prize of $250.

Dogs, cats, parrots, gerbils, hamsters, iguanas, etc. The list of pets could go on and on. The challenge of this contest is to write a true story about a pet in 300 words or fewer. The story can be funny, silly, scary, sad, or any other adjective as long as it involves a pet. And to make it extra interesting, include a picture of the pet in the story if you can.

Remember, the challenge of flash fiction is to create a thought-provoking story within the tight word constraints of the writing form. Good luck and have fun!

The story can be any genre as long as it is based on the picture.

Prizes:

• One winner will receive
  • $250 in cash
  • Promotion across Booksie
  • A gold contest badge
  • $15 in ebooks from the Booksie bookstore.
• Two runners-up will receive:
  • $50 in cash
  • Exposure across Booksie
  • A silver contest badge.

Entry fees:

The cost to enter is $4.99 for regular members and $2.50 for Premium members (Premium members receive a 50% discount on all contest entries).

Frequently Asked Questions

Many of the most common questions are answered in our contest rules. 

Is there a word limit on contest entries?

Yes, this is flash fiction. The maximum length of your story is 300 words.

Can I enter as many stories as I want?

Yes, you can enter an unlimited number of stories.

Do I have to be a member of Booksie to enter?

Yes, you must be a Booksie member but membership is free. If you are not a member, you can easily become one as part of the entry process.

About Booksie Contests

Booksie is an online writing platform to help writers tell their stories and promote their written work. It is not a publisher and does not take any ownership of the writing posted to the site. Booksie has run writing contests for the last three years. Our sister writing workshop site, TheNextBigWriter, has run writing contests for the last thirteen years. Click here to view a list of previous Booksie winners.

Deadline: February 28, 2023

Prizes: $250 grand prize. Two $50 runner-up prizes. Writing fun!

Visit the website for details on how to enter at:

https://www.booksie.com/contest/pet-flash-fiction-contest-31

Write your best poem and/or story for a chance to win cash prizes totaling $1275.00!

The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest is open to anyone who enjoys expressing innermost thoughts and feelings in the beautiful literary art of poetry or writing a story that’s worth telling everyone! Welcome to all, having the ability to dream… Write a poem or short story for a chance to win cash prizes totaling $1275.00! All works must be original.

Guidelines:

Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer on any subject, style, or form, typed or neatly hand printed.

And/or write a short story, 5 pages maximum length, on any subject or theme. Genres: fiction, non-fiction, and creative nonfiction (including essay compositions, diary, journal entries, short screenplays, and, stageplays, and screenwriting). All entries must be either typed or legibly hand printed.

Multiple and simultaneous poetry and short story entries are accepted.

Postmark deadline: September 30, 2022

All contest winners will be published on November 30, 2022

Prizes(USD):

Writing First Prize is $500. Second: $250. Third: $100.

Poetry First Prize is $250. Second: $125. Third: $50.

Entry fees(USD): $5 per poem, $10 per story

To send entries: Include title(s) with your story (ies) or poem(s), along with your name, mailing address, phone#, email, and brief biographical info. (Tell us a little about yourself), on the coversheet. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for entry confirmation. Fees payable to “DREAMQUESTONE.COM”

Mail to:

Dream Quest One

Poetry & Writing Contest

P.O. Box 804632

Chicago, IL 60680

Visit https://www.dreamquestone.com for details on how to enter!

No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. “And remember, in whatever you do, it’s okay to dream, for dreams do come true.” –Dream Quest One

WOW! Women on Writing Summer 2022 Flash Fiction Contest

WOW! Women on Writing Summer 2022 Flash Fiction Contest

Deadline: August 31, 2022

Guest Judge: Literary Agent Amy Elizabeth Bishop with DG&B Literary Agency

Seeking short fiction of any genre between 250 – 750 words. The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity, great writing, and provide well-rewarded recognition to contestants.

Electronic submissions via e-mail only; reprints/previously published okay; simultaneous submissions okay; reprints/previously published are okay; multiple submissions are okay as long as they are submitted in their own individual e-mail. Open internationally.

Limit: 300 entries.

Prizes (20 winners!):
1st Place: $400, publication, interview, and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
2nd Place: $300, publication, interview, and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
3rd Place: $200, publication, interview and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
7 Runners Up receive $25 Amazon Gift Cards, publication and interview
10 Honorable mentions receive $20 Amazon Gift Card
Top 10 stories are published in the WOW! Women On Writing e-zine, and contestants are interviewed on WOW’s blog, The Muffin.

Entry: $10 entry fee; critique option for an additional $10

https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php

The 2022 First Pages Prize

Deadline: April 10, 2022

Guidelines

By entering the First Pages Prize 2022, you agree to the following terms and conditions.

Prizes

• Five prizes are awarded annually to emerging writers.
• The competition is for writers who are NOT currently represented by a literary agent.
• The winners receive:a. A cash award (1st – $2,000, 2nd – $1,500, 3rd – $1000, 4th – $750, 5th – $750 in US dollars)b. A tailored edit up to the first 100 pages to support the completion of their full manuscript (must be completed before end of prize year)c. Consultation with an agent via Zoom
• Cash prizes are not transferable. The developmental edit and agent consultation are not transferable or redeemable.

Eligibility – Entrants

• Eligible writers from anywhere in the world may enter.
• Entrants must be individuals, not a company or organization.
• Entrants must be over 18 years of age at the time of entering their work.
• Entrants must be currently unagented. If you are represented by or signed with an agent, you are NOT eligible to enter.
• If an entrant signs with an agent prior to winners being announced they must notify First Pages Prize immediately to withdraw and their entry fee will be refunded (minus fees).
• Entrants may submit more than one entry. Each entry needs to be submitted as a separate entry and you need to pay the fee for each entry.
• Entrants must submit the work using their name, not a pen name. A pen name may be used when announcing their win, if requested.
• By entering, entrants accept that their email address is added to the mailing list of the First Pages Prize.
• By entering, winners accept that quotes from their entry and their photo and bio details may be used to promote the First Pages Prize.
• This competition is NOT OPEN to members of the board or employees of The First Page Prize, Inc., The de Groot Foundation, the reviewers or judge. Family members of the aforementioned are also NOT eligible.

Eligibility – Entries

1. Entries are blinded. The entrant’s name MUST NOT appear anywhere on the manuscript of the entry to ensure judging anonymity. The entrant’s full name MUST NOT be part of the story title. Any entry failing to comply with this rule is immediately disqualified without refund of entry fee.
2. Must be your unpublished, original work.
3. Must be written in English.
4. Entries may be for works of Fiction or Creative Non-Fiction.
5. Must not infringe upon the copyright of any person or entity.
6. No entry will be returned or kept after the winners have been announced.
7. Entries will be acknowledged upon completion of submission.
8. Copyright remains with the author.
9. Entries that were previously entered into the First Pages Prize and did not place 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, or received a Readers’ Pick are eligible to be resubmitted.

Works that are not Eligible

1. Previously published entries (including on a website, Wattpad or any other online or offline platform).
2. Entries (or drafts of entries) that won 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in any other competition.
3. Translated works.
4. SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS are possible, however, if your entry wins 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in another competition you must withdraw from the First Pages Prize by emailing info@firstpagesprize.com. Your entry fee will be refunded (minus processing + transaction fees) unless you submit a different entry (within the period).

How to Enter

1. All submissions must be made through the Submittable platform https://firstpagesprize.submittable.com/submit
2. Please submit the first pages (1,250 words maximum) of a longer work of fiction or creative non-fiction.
3. Kindly double space your pages, using Times New Roman 12-point font.
4. Name your file with your story title and make sure your story title does not include your name.
5. Acceptable file types are .PDF, .DOCX, .RTF, .ODT, .DOC, and .TXT
6. Entries for the 2022 competition open on March 1, 2022 at 00:00 am Pacific Standard Time and close on April 10, 2022 at 23:59 (11:59 p.m.) Pacific Standard Time. An extended entry period opens on April 10, 2022 at 00:00 am Pacific Standard Time and closes on April 24, 2022 at 23:59 (11:59 p.m.) Pacific Standard Time. Please check a time zone converter to avoid disappointment and inability to enter http://www.timebie.com/std/pst.php or https://www.thetimezoneconverter.com 
7. Only submissions received and paid for within the entry periods will be considered.
8. Entries that are not paid for, are incomplete, corrupted or submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
9. The entry fee is $20 US dollars per entry. The extended entry fee is $35 US dollars per entry.
10. No alteration may be made to the entry once it is submitted.

By entering this competition, each entrant agrees to be bound by the competition guidelines, terms, and conditions.

Review & Judging Process

1. All entries to the First Pages Prize are submitted to a blinded review process. Reviewers and judge do not know the identity of entrants submitting.
2. Our judging criteria are: quality of writing (including character development and originality), a sense of story or bigger narrative emerging, and how much the reviewers and judge are hooked by the writing.
3. Our review and judging process adheres to the CLMP Contest Code of Ethics (see below).
4. Only winners will be contacted.
5. No individual feedback will be provided except to the top five Finalists.
6. The decisions of the reading panel and judge are final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the judging process.

How to enter, visit: https://www.firstpagesprize.com/guidelines-and-termsconditions

$8,700 IN PRIZES AND PUBLICATION FOR CLIMATE FICTION sponsored by Fix, Grist’s solutions lab

Deadline: May 5, 2022 | No entry fee

Submissions are now being accepted for Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors, the annual climate fiction contest from Fix, Grist’s solutions lab. There is no fee to enter. Submit your short story by May 5, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

Imagine 2200 seeks original short stories of 3,000 to 5,000 words that envision the next 180 years of clean, green, and just futures. Judges include Hugo Award-winning writer Arkady Martine, esteemed editor and author Sheree Renée Thomas, and professor Grace L. Dillon, who coined the term “Indigenous futurism”. Imagine 2200 draws inspiration from Afrofuturism, as well as Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, disabled, feminist, and queer futures, and the genres of hopepunk and solarpunk.

While we’re looking for hopeful stories, we also don’t expect you to be overly optimistic or naive. One hundred and eighty years of equitable climate progress will require hard work, struggle, and adaptation, and we invite you to show those as well.

In addition, we’re especially interested in cultural authenticity (a deep sense of place, customs, cuisine, and more), rich characters with intersecting identities, and stories that challenge the status quo in which wealth and power are built on extraction, oppression, and violence.

The top three winners will be awarded $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000 respectively, and nine finalists will receive a $300 honorarium. Those 12 authors will be published in an immersive digital collection this fall. Conjure your wildest dreams for society—all the justice, resilience, and abundance you can imagine—and put those dreams on paper.

There’s no fee to enter, so if you’re ready to get writing, you can find our submissions portal here. If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach us at imaginefiction@grist.org.

Visit the website: https://grist.org/fix/climate-fiction-writing-contest-imagine-2200-prizes/?utm_source=winningwriters&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=imagine2200&utm_content=launch%20post&utm_term=climate%20fiction

2022 Curt Johnson Prose Awards

Submissions are now OPEN until May 1, 2022

We are pleased to announce our 2022 Curt Johnson Prose Awards will be judged by Laura Dave (Fiction) and Taté Walker (Nonfiction) click here for more information on our judges. Prizes are $1,500 and publication in our Fall/Winter 2022 issue for First Place (fiction and nonfiction); $500 and publication in our Fall/Winter 2022 issue for honorable mention (fiction and nonfiction). All finalists will be listed in the awards issue.

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Our submission period is OPEN

SEE CURRENT AND PAST WINNERS HERE

Guidelines:

Maximum of 8,000 words for fiction and non-fiction.  Name and address on cover letter only.  $20 entry fee includes a copy of Awards issue.

AUTHOR NAME OR OTHER IDENTIFYING INFORMATION SHOULD NOT APPEAR IN YOUR TITLE OR ANYWHERE ON YOUR UPLOADED OR HARD COPY DOCUMENT.

december accepts submissions online through Submittable.

We do not accept simultaneous submissions, but we generally provide a response within eight weeks. Contest submissions generally take a little longer because of the review process.

december also accepts submissions through the U.S. mail. If submitting by mail, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) with sufficient postage, your $20.00 entry fee (check or cash), and indicate if you would like your manuscript returned. Multiple entries are accepted with an additional $20.00 entry fee per submission.
december assumes no responsibility for delayed, lost, or damaged manuscripts.

How to enter, visit: https://decembermag.org/2022-curt-johnson-prose-awards/

Address postal submissions and correspondence to:

december
P.O. Box 16130
St. Louis, MO 63105

Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest

Welcome to the 30th annual Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest. Submit published or unpublished work. $8,000 in prizes.

Deadline: April 30, 2022

Prizes:

• STORY: First Prize, $3,000
• ESSAY: First Prize, $3,000
• The top two winners will also receive two-year gift certificates from our co-sponsor, Duotrope (a $100 value)
• 10 Honorable Mentions will receive $200 each (any category)
• Top 12 entries published online
• Enter via Submittable

For this contest, a story is any short work of fiction, and an essay is any short work of nonfiction. Judge: Mina Manchester. Please submit as many entries as you like. All themes accepted. Entries may be published or unpublished. Length limit: 6,000 words maximum. No restriction on the age of the author. All countries are eligible except Syria, Iran, North Korea, and Crimea (due to US government restrictions). Fee: $20 per entry. Read the winning entries from the 29th contest.

First time entering? We prepared this brief video to guide you. See also our short entry checklist, then click the button below to submit. The results of our 30th contest will be announced on October 15, 2022.

How to enter: https://winningwriters.submittable.com/submit/49862/tom-howard-john-h-reid-fiction-essay-contest

The Francine Ringold Awards for New Writers –

The Francine Ringold Awards for New Writers honor the work of writers at the beginning of their careers.

Prizes: $500 prizes will be awarded in both the fiction and poetry categories, and the winning manuscripts will appear in the spring issue of Nimrod. Winners will have the chance to work with the Nimrod board of editors to refine and edit their manuscripts before publication.

Contest Rules

Eligibility: Open only to writers whose work has not appeared or is not scheduled to appear in more than 2 publications in the genre in which they are submitting. (Self-published works, works with a distribution of fewer than 100 copies, and journalistic articles are not considered toward the count of 2 publications.)

Guidelines:

· Poetry: Up to 5 pages of poetry (one long poem or several short poems)

· Fiction: 5,000 words maximum (one short story or a self-contained excerpt from a novel)

· All work submitted must be unpublished.

· Work submitted may be on any theme, any subject.

· The contest is open internationally.

· Include a cover sheet containing title(s), author’s name, full address, phone, and email.

· Omit author’s name on the manuscript.

Dates: The contest opens May 1st, 2022. Postmark Deadline: July 15th, 2022.

Online Submissions: Work may be submitted online using our online submission manager system: https://nimrodjournal.submittable.com/submit

Postal Submissions: Clearly indicate “Ringold Contest Entry” on both the outer envelope and the cover sheet. Staple manuscript if possible; if not, please bind with a heavy clip. Include SASE for results only; manuscripts will not be returned. The results will be posted on Nimrod’s website.

Mail to:

Nimrod International Journal

Francine Ringold Awards for New Writers–Fiction or Poetry (indicate the appropriate category)

The University of Tulsa

800 S. Tucker Dr.

Tulsa, OK 74104

Entry Fee: Each entry must be accompanied by a $12 fee, which includes both the reading fee and a copy of the spring issue of Nimrod. Make checks payable to Nimrod. Writers may submit multiple entries, but each entry must include its own $12 fee.

Visit the website: https://artsandsciences.utulsa.edu/nimrod/francine-ringold-awards/

The 44th Nimrod Literary Awards

Founded by Ruth G. Hardman
The Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Fiction & The Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry

First Prize: $2,000 and publication
Second Prize: $1,000 and publication

The winners will also be flown to Tulsa from a domestic airport location for the Awards Ceremony and Writing Conference in October or, if global health situations do not allow for an in-person conference, winners will take part in a virtual Awards Ceremony and reading. All finalists will be considered for publication.

2022 Judges: Kaveh Bassiri and Toni Jensen

Contest Rules

Postmark Deadline: April 1, 2022

Poetry: 3-10 pages of poetry (one long poem or several short poems)

Fiction: 7,500 words maximum (one short story or a self-contained excerpt from a novel)

No previously published works or works accepted for publication elsewhere.  The author’s name must not appear on the manuscript.  Include a cover sheet containing titles, author’s name, full address, phone number, and email.

New for 2022: The Nimrod Literary Awards are open internationally.

Online Submissions: Work may be submitted online using our online submission manager system.

Postal Submissions: “Contest Entry” should be clearly indicated on both the outer envelope and the cover sheet. Manuscripts should be stapled, if possible; if not, please bind with a heavy clip. Manuscripts will not be returned.  Include SASE for results only. If no SASE is sent, no contest results will be sent; however, the results will be posted on Nimrod’s website.

Mail to:
Nimrod International Journal
Literary Contest–Fiction or Poetry (indicate the appropriate category)
The University of Tulsa
800 S. Tucker Dr.
Tulsa, OK 74104

Entry Fee: Each entry must be accompanied by a $20 fee.  Make checks payable to Nimrod. $20 includes both an entry fee & a one-year subscription (two issues). Writers may submit multiple entries, but each entry must include its own $20 fee.

Visit the website: https://artsandsciences.utulsa.edu/nimrod/nimrod-literary-awards/