F(r)iction Contests – Spring 2024

Spring 2024 Contest Information

Deadline: April 30, 2024
Results: Announced September 9, 2024
Prizes: Win $2,100 in prizes!
Guest Judges: Wole Talabi, Sherrie Flick, C. S. E. Cooney, and Marin Sardy

Categories Accepted

• Short stories: 1,001 – 7,500 words
• Flash fiction: up to 1,000 words per piece
• Poetry: up to three pages per poem
• Creative Nonfiction: up to 6,500 words

Please visit our guidelines page to properly format your work for submission. We won’t reject a submission flat out for not following guidelines, but we will frown the whole time we’re reading.

What We Look For in Submissions

Our editors have drafted up this fantastic page on our website to share what we look for in our creative submissions. We strongly recommend you read this and check out the examples before submitting to get an idea of our general publishing aesthetic. 

We also highly recommend checking out a past issue of F(r)iction. We have several pieces available online, but there’s nothing like holding a glossy, full-color issue in your hands. You can check out all of our issues in our shop. 

Our Submission Guidelines

The winner will be announced publicly on September 9, 2024. All participants will be notified about the contest results through their Submittable account so please do not contact us before this date asking about the results. Judges’ decisions are final. 

We accept work, written in English, from anywhere in the world—regardless of genre, style, or origin—and welcome speculative writing and experimental literature. Strange is good. Strange with a strong character arc is even better. Keep it weird, folks.

Writers over the age of thirteen are welcome to submit. Please note that if you are aged 13 – 16 and your work is selected for publication, we will require a signature from a parent or a guardian.

We are unable to offer refunds for contest submissions, so please read these guidelines and choose your submission category carefully. 

Staff members are not eligible for participation.    

We read all submissions anonymously. Please include your name and contact information in your cover letter only and remove any identifying information from both the submitted manuscript and the file name as well.

Any work previously submitted to F(r)iction for publication is not eligible.

Please also be aware that as we receive hundreds of submissions for each of our contest we are unable to offer personalized feedback. It’s not that we don’t want to, but there’s only so many volunteer staffers on our team.

We accept, and encourage, simultaneous submissions and only ask that you withdraw your piece(s) using Submittable upon acceptance elsewhere. 

We do not accept work previously published elsewhere.

We edit every piece accepted for publication, including all our contest winners, whether you work is selected for publication through our online blog or in our print magazine. For this collaborative process we will pair you with one of our Senior Editors. All our editors have been trained to help guide the development of each piece to reach its fullest potential in keeping with the author’s vision. This does not mean we will take on a wild jumble of words and half-formed musings. But it does mean that we value your work and want to help each piece to be as unforgettable as possible.

No AI Submissions

We currently do not accept work from artificial intelligence (“AI”) generators or similar. By submitting your entry here, you are attesting that your work was not created, in whole or in part, with an AI generator or similar. Should any portion of your work be discovered to be the product of an AI generator or similar, by submitting here, you agree to indemnify Brink Literacy Project for all losses, fees, and damages it suffers relating to your submission and/or misrepresentation, including but not limited to, direct and indirect damages, loss of sale, reputational damages, attorney fees, and other expenses. You further agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Brink Literacy Project against any third-party claims relating to the work you submit.

NOTES: 

F(r)iction (and its parent nonprofit organization, Brink Literacy Project) reserves the right to discuss contest entries, finalists, and winners in podcasts and marketing materials.   

F(r)iction reserves the right to NOT award a winner in any categories if the submissions do not reach a publishable standard. In this case, reading fees will NOT be refunded and a winner will not be announced. Although this has rarely come to pass in our six-year publishing history, our top priority must remain with the quality of work we publish.

How to enter: https://frictioncontests.submittable.com/submit

Visit the website: https://frictionlit.org/contests/

The Emerging Writer’s Contest is now open.

Deadline: May 15, 2024

The 2024 Emerging Writer’s Contest will run from March 1 at noon EST to May 15, 2024, at noon EST.

The Emerging Writer’s Contest is open to writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry who have yet to publish or self-publish a book. Read past winners of the contest here. 

We award publication, $2,000, review from Aevitas Creative Management, and a 1-year subscription for one winner in each of the three genres. Submit to the Emerging Writer’s Contest through our submission manager. You must be logged in to access our submission manager.

The 2024 contest judges are Dantiel W. Moniz (Fiction), Porsha Olayiwola (Poetry), and Augusten Burroughs (Nonfiction). 

Publication

The winning story, essay, and poems from the 2024 contest will be published in the Winter 2024-25 issue of Ploughshares. 

Eligibility

You are eligible if you:

• Have yet to publish a book (including eBooks, translations, books in other languages/countries, self-published works, and poetry chapbooks with a print run of more than 300).
• Have no book forthcoming before April 15, 2025.
• Are not affiliated with Emerson College or with Ploughshares as a volunteer screener, intern, student, staff member, or faculty member.
• Will not have a relationship with Emerson College before April 15, 2025 (example: if there is a chance you will attend the Emerson MFA program in the coming year or if your work has been accepted for publication for an upcoming issue).

Submitting

The contest is now open. We will announce the winners in mid-September of 2024. 

Fiction and Nonfiction: Under 6,000 words
Poetry: 3-5 pages

Submit one entry per year via our online submission manager. 

• Submit one entry per year via our online submission manager. 
• No entries via email or mail will be considered for the contest.
• Submitted work must be original and previously unpublished in any form.
• For poetry, we will be reading both for the strongest individual poem and the general level of work, and may choose to publish one, some, or all of the winner’s submitted poems.
• International submissions are welcome, but we ask that you please be in touch via email for more information about this process.
• We cannot accommodate revisions once a manuscript has been submitted.
• If submitting work with images, please acquire permission beforehand and, if possible, ensure any images are high resolution (300 dpi).
• We strongly encourage typed, double-spaced (poetry may be single-spaced), and numbered pages.
• Cover letters are not necessary. Please remove all identifying information from your submission as they will be read anonymously.

Simultaneous vs. Multiple Submissions
We only consider one submission per author for the duration of the contest, regardless of genre. Simultaneous submissions to other journals are fine as long as we are notified immediately upon acceptance elsewhere via email (pshares@pshares.org) or our online contact form. 

Entry Fee

If you are a current subscriber through our Winter 2024-2025 issue, your contest entry is free of charge. You will still be prompted to “checkout” but you will not be required to enter payment information and will not be charged. If you’re not sure when your subscription expires, feel free to email us at pshares@pshares.org.

If you are not a subscriber, or your subscription expires before our Winter 2024-2025 issue, the submission manager will prompt you to pay the $30 fee at checkout. The fee includes a 1-year subscription to Ploughshares (beginning with the Spring 2024 issue and ending with the Winter 2024-2025 issue) and free submissions to the 2024 regular reading period. 

If you are an international submitter, please be in touch via email for more information about this process. 

Submit to the Emerging Writer’s Contest through our submission manager.

Visit the website: https://www.pshares.org/

Last call for entries! Fish Publishing: Flash Fiction Prize 2024

Deadline: February 28, 2024     

The ten winning flash stories will be published in the Fish Anthology 2024.

Judge: Michelle Elvy

Word Limit: 300

Closes: 28 Feb 2024

Results: 10 April

Anthology Published: July ’24

Entry Fee: €14 (US$15, £12) (€9 subsequent entries)

Flash critiques available.

Prizes:  

Ten winning flash stories will be published in the FISH ANTHOLOGY 2024.

1st: €1,000

2nd: Online Writing Course + €300

3rd: €300

How to enter, visit: https://www.fishpublishing.com/competition/flash-fiction-contest/

Visit the website: https://www.fishpublishing.com/

Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest – Winter 2023-2024 is accepting 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 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, 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, and creative nonfiction (including essay compositions, diary, journal entries, short screenplays, stageplays, and screenwriting). Also, all entries must be either typed or legibly hand-printed.

Multiple and simultaneous poetry and short story entries are accepted.

Deadline: March 31, 2024

All contest winners will be published on May 26, 2024

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

TOM HOWARD/JOHN H. REID FICTION & ESSAY CONTEST

32nd annual contest sponsored by Winning Writers and Duotrope. $10,000 in cash prizes, including $3,500 for the best story and $3,500 for the best essay. The top 12 entries will be published online. Both published and unpublished works are welcome. Fee: $22 per entry. Final judge: Mina Manchester. Deadline: May 1, 2024.

This contest is recommended by Reedsy. See guidelines, past winners, and submit online at https://winningwriters.com/tomstorypsh2402

For writing resources and contest opportunities, follow Winning Writers on Facebook and Twitter.

Write By The Sea Festival 2024: Writing Competition

Write By the Sea is a dynamic boutique literary festival set in the beautiful fishing village of Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford.

Deadline: Friday, 21st June 2024, competition closes at 11.59pm

Entries for the writing competition will open on March 2nd, 2024 and information for submissions is now available on our website: https://writebythesea.ie/writing-competition/

There are four competition categories with cash prizes for the winners and runners.

1. Fiction Short Story (maximum 2,500 words)
2. Flash Fiction (maximum 700 words)
3. Poetry (maximum 40 lines)
4. Memoir/Personal Essay (maximum 1,000 words)

An independent panel of judges will select the winners and each category winner will be invited to read their work at a public event as part of the festival.

Prizes
The winner of each category will receive a cash prize of €500 and a free weekend pass to Write By The Sea festival 2024. All four winning pieces will be published on the Write By The Sea website.

The runners-up in each category will receive €300 and third place will receive €200.

Entries must be submitted via the Online Entry Form on the Competition Page of the WBTS website, writebythesea.ie where entrants will upload their names and contact details.
All entries must be in English.
Entrants can submit as many entries as they wish at €10 per entry, or enter 3 pieces, in the same or different genres, for €25.
Should your entry win a prize or be published elsewhere, please let us know so that we can remove it from the WBTS 2023 Writing Competition.
The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence/contact will be entered into and no feedback will be given to individual entrants.
Entrants should retain copies of their work as entries will NOT be returned.
Committee members and relatives of committee members of the Write By The Sea festival, its agents, contributors or sponsors are not eligible to enter the competition.
All non-winning entries will be deleted from our records after three months from the date of the announcement of the competition results.
Note A: It breaks our hearts when we have to disqualify entrants who break the rules. Sadly, each year we have to disqualify a significant number of the entries for disregarding simple rules such as not submitting text in double-spacing or including their names and addresses in the text of their submissions. Please remember to spell-check and proofread your work. We look forward to receiving your entries and we wish you every success in the 2024 competition.
Timeline
Saturday 6th March 2024 – submissions open through writebythesea.ie
Deadline: Friday 21st June 2024, competition closes at 11.59pm
Friday 2nd August 2024– shortlist of the winning entry titles will be posted on the WBTS website, writebythesea.ie
Sunday 1st September 2024 – winners will be notified by WBTS
Each category winner will be invited to read their work at a public event as part of the festival.
October 2024 – the winning pieces will be published on the WBTS website

Visit the website for details on how to enter at:

Last call for entries! WOW! Women on Writing Winter 2024 Flash Fiction Contest

Deadline: February 28, 2024

Guest Judge: Literary Agent Hannah Andrade with Bradford 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 are okay; simultaneous submissions are okay; multiple submissions are okay. 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

How to enter, visit: https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php

Askew’s Word on the Lake Writing Contest

Contest Opens: Jan 2, 2024

Deadline: January 31, 2024

Whether you’re an established or emerging writer, the 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, the contest is open to submissions in short fiction (up to 2,000 words), nonfiction (up to 2,000 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. Second Place: $125. Honourable Mention: $100. 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/

Dream Quest One Winter 2023 – 2024 competition is now accepting poems and short story entries!

Postmark deadline: March 31, 2024.

Open to anyone who loves expressing their innermost thoughts and feelings in the beautiful literary art of poetry and/or writing a story that is worth telling everyone! Guidelines: (1) Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer on any subject, form, or style. And/or (2) Write a short story, 5 pages maximum length, single or double line spacing, on any subject or theme, fiction, nonfiction, or creative nonfiction. Multiple and simultaneous entries are accepted Prizes: Poetry First Prize: $250; Second: $125; Third: $50. Writing First Prize is $500; Second: $250; Third: $100. Entry fees: $5 per poem, $10 per story. Postmark deadline: March 31, 2024. Visit https://www.dreamquestone.com/ for details on how to enter!

2023 Winter Anthology Contest: Compelling First Chapters

Deadline: January 15, 2024

Grand Prize: $1000 and anthology publication. 

Finalist Prize: All finalists will receive $50 and an anthology publication.

Prompt: Enter the first chapter of your in-progress novel or memoir. Your goal is to create a sample that compels readers to click buy.

That means we’re looking for first chapters that capture our attention and leave us eager to keep reading. Successful first chapters will build a foundation for the story to come, establishing key story elements like character, world, and conflict.

Submissions are open now! All qualified entrants will receive professional feedback from our editing team before judging, so the earlier you submit, the more time you have to revise.

Prerequisites: An original, unpublished first chapter. 2,500-3,000 words. Entrants must be 18+. Please do not send short stories or your entire manuscript. English only.

Entry Fee: $20 

How to enter, visit: https://bardsy.com/contest

To write more, better, and achieve the success you deserve:  Will.Power is here.

See our latest anthology on Amazon

For live support: (213) 465-0885, see FAQs or email adam@bardsy.com

Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest – Summer 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 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: September 30, 2023

All contest winners will be published on November 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, and brief biographical info. (Tell us a little about yourself), on the coversheet. You may 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

USA

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

Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction

Deadline: 31st August 2023 at 11:59 pm ET.

Prizes: Three Winners are announced who are published and share in the $1000 USD total prize pool. Twenty writers are Longlisted. All entries considered for publication, and for submission to the Pushcart Prize and other anthologies.
Entry Fee: $20 USD.
Word Length: 0 – 5000 words.
Details: Open to anyone in the world. There are no genre or theme restrictions.  
Enter Here: https://letterreview.com/information/

WOW! Women on Writing Summer 2023 Flash Fiction Contest

Deadline: August 31, 2023

Guest Judge: Literary Agent Fiona Smith with Beyond Words 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 are okay; simultaneous submissions are okay; multiple submissions are okay. 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

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

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/

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/

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

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

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/