When I was about 12, I saw an ad in a magazine for a poetry contest that sounded fancy and impressive, something like “International Library of Poetry.” I bled poetry at that age, so I crossed my fingers and sent in a poem I’d been slaving over for weeks.
And, lo and behold, the people behind the contest quickly wrote back to tell me my poem had been selected as a winner!
I was speechless with honor. Of the thousands of poets who must have submitted to the contest — no doubt many of them adults much wiser and more skilled than me — my poem had been chosen to be featured in an exclusive, hardcover anthology! And honored on a something-karat-gold plaque!
Of course, I had to pay $50 if I wanted to see my work in print in the anthology, and I had to pay another $100 if I wanted the plaque. Those were the only “prizes.”
Even as a pre-teen, I sensed a scam.
Sadly, not much has changed when it comes to companies trying to take advantage of writers who want a chance at recognition and maybe a little bit of money. Google the term “writing contests,” and you’ll come up with approximately 8 million results. It can be hard for a writer to know where to start looking for competitions, and how to tell if they’re legitimate or not.
So I’ve done the legwork for you.
Here are 31 reputable, well-reviewed, free writing contests for poets, fiction writers, essayists and more. Some legitimate contests do charge a small entry or “reading” fee, but often a fee can be a red flag for a scam, so you may want to stick to free contests — and there are certainly enough of them.
Fiction and nonfiction writing contests
Ready to share your novel or personal essay with the world? Whether you’re a newbie or more established writer, you’re likely eligible for a few of these contests.
1. L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest
Whatever your feelings about L. Ron Hubbard’s work and philosophy, the prizes for this regular contest are nothing to sneeze at. Every three months, winners earn $1,000, $750 and $500, or an additional annual grand prize worth $5,000.
Submissions must be short stories or novelettes (up to 17,000 words) in the genre of science fiction or fantasy, and new and amateur writers are welcome to apply.
Deadlines: Quarterly on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1.
2. Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize
Awarded to “the most promising and innovative literary nonfiction project by a writer not yet established in the genre,” this prize provides a $12,000 advance and publication by Graywolf Press.
If you live in the U.S. and have published at least one book (in any genre), you’re eligible to submit a current manuscript in progress for consideration. The judges look for winners who push the boundaries of traditional literary nonfiction.
Deadline: Contest is every other year, with the last one running in 2016. The 2018 deadline has not been announced.
3. Drue Heinz Literature Prize
You can win $15,000 and publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press with this prize, awarded for a collection of short fiction.
You may submit an unpublished manuscript of short stories, two or more novellas or a combination of novellas and short stories. Your total word count should be between 150 and 300 typed pages.
Deadline: Annual submission window is May 1 through June 30.
4. Tony Hillerman Prize
Presented by St. Martin’s Press and WORDHARVEST, this prize awards the best first mystery novel set in the Southwest with $10,000 and publication by St. Martin’s Press.
It’s open to professional or non-professional writers who have not yet had a mystery published, and there are specific guidelines for the structure of your story: “Murder or another serious crime or crimes must be at the heart of the story, with emphasis on the solution rather than the details of the crime.”
Deadline: TBD
5. St. Francis College Literary Prize
This biannual prize honors mid-career writers who have recently published their third, fourth or fifth work of fiction. The winner receives $50,000 but must be able to appear at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY to deliver a talk on their work and teach a mini-workshop in fiction to St. Francis students.
Deadline: Biannually; the deadline for work published between June 2015 and May 2017 is May 15, 2017.
6. Young Lions Fiction Award
This $10,000 award recognizes “young authors,” which the rules define as any author aged 35 or younger. Submit any novel or short story published or scheduled to be published in the calendar year. Works must be written for adults; children’s or YA pieces are ineligible.
Deadline: Annually in the fall (most recently in August or September). 2017 deadline not yet announced.
7. Inkitt
This boutique publishing firm offers a full-fledged publishing deal to its contest winner. Submit a novel of 20,000 words or more in any fiction genre (no fanfic, short stories or poetry) and if it’s selected, Inkitt will provide you with professional editing, a cover design, and 25 percent royalties. They also have a strategy to get you into the Amazon Top 100. (Not too shabby.)
Inkitt runs contests regularly, so be sure to check back often!
Deadline: See individual contest pages.
8. Real Simple’s Life Lessons Essay Contest
Have you ever had a “eureka” moment? If you have, and you can write a compelling personal essay about it in no more than 1,500 words, you may be able to win $3,000 in Real Simple’s annual essay contest.
Deadline: Annually; 2017 deadline has not yet been announced.
9. New Voices Award
Presented by Lee & Low Books, an award-winning children’s book publisher, this award is given for a previously unpublished children’s picture book manuscript (of no more than 1,500 words) written by a writer of color.
The winner receives $1,000 cash and a standard publication contract. You may submit up to two manuscripts.
Deadline: Submissions must be postmarked by September 30 each year.
10. Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence
This contest aims to provide visibility for emerging African American fiction writers and to enable them to focus on their writing by awarding a $10,000 cash prize. Eligible authors should submit a work of fiction, such as a novel or short story collection, published in the calendar year.
Deadline: Annually; 2017 deadline has not yet been announced.
11. PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction
Honoring the best work of fiction published by an American author in a single calendar year, this award has been given to the likes of John Updike, Philip Roth and Ann Patchett.
The winner receives $15,000 and an invitation to read at the award ceremony in Washington, DC. Four finalists also each receive a $5,000 award.
Deadline: Annually on October 31 for books published that calendar year.
12. Brooklyn Non-Fiction Prize
Presented by the Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival, this annual prize awards $500 cash for “the best Brooklyn-focused non-fiction essay which is set in Brooklyn and is about Brooklyn and/or Brooklyn people/characters.” (So it’s Brooklyn-centric, if you haven’t picked up on that yet.)
Submissions should be four to 10 pages (up to 2,500 words), and five authors will be chosen to read and discuss their submissions at the annual December event.
Deadline: Annually in mid-November.
13. Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards
Fiction and nonfiction writers who have recently published a book that “contributes to our understanding of racism and our appreciation of the rich diversity of human cultures” are eligible for this award, which offers $10,000 cash as well media and publicity opportunities.
Submissions must be published in the prior year (so books published in 2016 are eligible for the 2017 award).
Deadline: Annual submission window is September 1 through December 31.
14. Marfield Prize (a.k.a. National Award for Arts Writing)
Presented by the Arts Club of Washington, this award seeks to honor nonfiction books that deal with “any artistic discipline (visual, literary, performing, or media arts, as well as cross-disciplinary works).” This may include criticism, art history, memoirs and biographies, and essays.
Deadline: Annually in the last quarter of the year; the 2017 deadline has not yet been announced.
15. W.Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction
If you’re a war buff, this competition is for you. It awards $5,000 to the best piece of fiction set during a period when the U.S. was at war (war may either be the main plot of the piece or simply provide the setting). Submissions may be adult or YA novels.
Deadline: Annually on December 1.
16. Friends of American Writers Chicago Awards
FAW presents two annual awards: an Adult Literature Award for literary fiction or nonfiction, and a Juvenile Literature Award for a children’s/YA book.
Authors must reside in the state of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota or Wisconsin — or they must set their book in one of those locations. Prize amounts vary from year to year but are typically between $500 and $2,000.
Deadline: Annually at the end of the year; 2017 deadline has not yet been announced.
17. Hektoen Grand Prix Essay Contest
Hektoen International, an online journal dedicated to medical humanities, offers two prizes annually for essays of no more than 1,600 words in two categories.
The Grand Prize of $1,200 is given for an essay suited for their Famous Hospitals section, while a Silver Prize of $1,000 is given to the best essay suited for the sections of Art Flashes, Literary Vignettes, Moments in History or Physicians of Note.
Deadline: Annually; 2017 has passed and 2018 deadline is not yet announced.
18. Nelson Algren Short Story Award
Presented by the Chicago Tribune, this award presents $3,500 to one grand prize winner, $1,000 to four finalists and $500 to five runners-up for a short fiction story of less than 8,000 words.
You may submit up to two short stories, but note that your name must not appear anywhere on your submission as the process is anonymous.
Deadline: Annually; 2017 has passed and 2018 deadline is not yet announced.
19. Minotaur Books / Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition
Writers 18 and older who have never had a novel published (in any genre) are eligible for this prize, awarded for an original book-length manuscript where “murder or another serious crime or crimes is at the heart of the story.” The winner receives a publication contract with Minotaur Books and an advance of $10,000 against future royalties.
Deadline: Annually in the last quarter of the year. The deadline for 2017 awards has passed; the deadline for 2018 awards has not yet been announced.
20. FutureScapes Writing Contest
Want to change the world? Then listen up.
FutureScapes is looking for concrete, substantive pieces that “can provide a roadmap for cities, states, and nations to follow.” If you just want to write the next Hunger Games, this isn’t the contest for you, but if you’re inspired by politics and civic issues, you’ve found the right place. (Case in point: the inaugural theme, “Empowerment Cities,” features a quote from Alexis de Tocqueville.) First place wins $2,000; second place $1,000; and four runners-up will get $500 each. Oh, and did we mention publication in an anthology that will be “distributed to mayors, governors and members of the U.S. Congress”?
Deadline: Annually; deadline for 2017 is TBD.
21. Stowe Prize
This biennial prize of $10,000 honors an American author whose work has had an impact on a critical social justice issue (as did Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin).
In addition to submitting a copy of your book or written work, you must also complete a 250-word statement that describes the tangible impact your piece has made in the world and outlining any social justice work you perform outside of your writing.
Deadline: Biennially in odd-numbered years. The deadline for 2017 awards has passed, and the deadline for 2019 have not yet been announced.
22. The Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative Non-Fiction
Creative nonfiction essays of no more than 5,000 words on any subject, are eligible for consideration for this award, whose winner receives $250 and publication in Lunch Ticket, the literary and art journal produced by the MFA community of Antioch University Los Angeles.
Works must not have been published elsewhere. Award winners are required to submit a 100-word biography, recent photo and a short note thanking the Woods family for their generosity and support.
Deadlines: Biannual reading periods are the month of February for the Summer/Fall issue and the month of August for the Winter/Spring issue.
23. Words & Brushes
This contest seeks to foster collaborations between artists and writers. Select a piece of artwork from the gallery provided and submit a short story inspired by it and you could win $350 — plus a spot in a future art book showcasing these collaborations. Short stories should be between 2,000 – 5,000 words.
Deadline: Annually; 2017 has passed and 2018 deadline is not yet announced.
24. Write the World
For young writers ages 13-18, this cool contest also serves as a mini writer’s camp. Recognizing that “a first draft is never perfect,” submissions actually receive peer review by authors, writing teachers and other experts and writers are given the chance to revise their pieces based on this feedback before submitting them for final prize consideration. There’s a $100 prize for the winner and $50 for the runner-up (plus $50 for the best peer-reviewer). All three are featured on Write the World’s blog alongside comments from a guest judge. And since each month’s prompt is from a different genre, developing writers get a chance to test out different styles.
Deadline: Monthly.
25. Prose.
Stuck with writer’s block and looking for a way to jumpstart your escape? Prose offers weekly challenges meant to spark your creativity; many are just for fun, but look for the weekly numbered challenges posted by Prose (rather than community members or sponsors) for a chance to win money.
Prizes are typically between $100 – $200 and word counts are low — some as low as under 150, some as high as 500, but all say “quality beats quantity.” So even if all you get from the prompt is a chance to flex your brain, it’s not a bad deal.
Deadline: Weekly.
Poetry contests
Curious about opportunities for poets? Your stanzas — rhyming or not — could be worth a fair amount of money in these competitions.
26. Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award
Open to African American poets, previously published or not, this award provides a $500 prize and publication by Boardside Lotus Press for the best book-length collection of poems (approximately 60 to 90 pages).
Deadline: Annually on March 1.
27. James Laughlin Award
If you’re already a published poet, this is the award for you; it’s given for a second book of poetry due to come out in the forthcoming year. The winner receives $5,000 and an all-expenses-paid week-long residency. In addition, copies of her book are distributed to the 1,000 members of the Academy of American Poets.
Deadline: Annual submission window is January 1 through May 15.
28. African Poetry Book Fund Prizes
The APBF awards three prizes annually for African Poetry. The Glenna Luschei Prize for Afican Poetry gives $5,000 for a book of original African poetry published in the prior year.
The Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets gives $1,000 and a publication contract for an unpublished book-length collection of poetry by an African author.
The Brunel University African Poetry Prize is a new prize that grants £3,000 to a poet who was born in Africa, is a national of an African country or has African parents, who has not yet had a full-length book of poetry published. (U.S. citizens qualify.) To submit, you’ll need 10 poems.
Deadlines: See individual prize pages.
29. Tufts Poetry Awards
Claremont Graduate University presents two awards each year to poets they deem to be “outstanding.” The Kate Tufts Poetry Award grants $10,000 for a published first book of poetry that shows promise.
The Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award grants a mammoth $100,000 for a published book of poetry by an an established or mid-career poet.
Deadline: Books published between July of the previous year and June 30 of the current year are eligible for the following year’s prize (i.e. award for 2017 was for works publishing between between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016). Deadline for 2018 awards has not yet been announced.
Writing contests with multiple categories
Some contests accept submissions in multiple categories, so you could submit a novella as well as a poem or other work.
30. Binghamton University Book Awards
Sponsored by the Binghamton Center for Writers — State University of New York, this competition offers a $1,000 prize for work published in the previous year in two separate categories. The John Gardner Fiction Book Award goes to the best novel or collection of fiction, while the Milt Kessler Poetry Book award goes to the best book of poems.
Deadline: Annually on March 1 for books published the previous year.
31. Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition
(Editor’s note: We were so excited to include this competition that we overlooked its entry fees. We’ll leave it in the post for those interested in submitting their work, but please note that this contest is not free.)
One of the longest-running writing competitions — it’s now in its 83rd year — this contest spotlights up and coming writers in a number of categories, including Memoirs/Personal Essay, Magazine Feature Article and Genre Short story.
The Grand Prize winner gets $5,000, a feature in Writer’s Digest magazine, a paid trip to a writing conference and more. Runners-up earn prizes in first through tenth places.
Deadline: Annually; May 5, 2017.
Where to find more legitimate, free writing contests
Looking for more opportunities to submit your work to writing contests? Here are a few great sites to keep an eye on.
Winning Writers
A number of the contests found on our list came highly recommended by this site, which compiles some of the best free literary contests out there. You can sort contests by recommendation level (Highly Recommended, Recommended or Neutral), view plenty of info on requirements and even see which contests are better for beginners, intermediate writers and pros.
They also offer a handful of contests themselves, including the Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest (which sounds delightful).
Poets & Writers
Another fantastic source for legitimate writing contests I consulted when compiling this list, Poets & Writers vets competitions, contests, awards and grants to make sure they’re following legitimate practises and policies. It’s worth checking out regularly as it features both annual and one-time contests.
Cathy’s Comps and Calls
Writer, poet and editor Cathy Bryant sources legitimate, free-to-enter writing contests and calls for submission. She releases a new list of contests and calls each month, so check back monthly for new opportunities.
Are you planning to enter any writing contests this year? Which ones?
This post contains affiliate links. That means if you purchase through our links, you’re supporting The Write Life — and we thank you for that!
This post originally ran in February 2016. We updated it in March 2017.
What a brilliant list! Thank you. Thank you too for the mention of Comps and Calls – I love finding free writing competitions, and some of them have very impressive prizes. I’m one of those old-fashioned writers who think that we should be paid for our work – and free comps are a great way of achieving that.
I’m with you on that “old-fashioned” notion.
Can I take part being Pakistan?
Ha! Of course! I get emails from people all over the world who have had success via Comps and Calls. Good luck!
I mean to us ?
While free writing contests are definitely great, it would be a little odd to overlook ones with fees. A lot of times you will be paying a fee somewhere along the way, it’s just nice when it’s upfront and not in the form of stealing your work. Check this one out, insider tip:
seattlewritingcontest.com
Good advice, Tiffany. For example, the Erma Bombeck Writing Competition (https://www.wclibrary.info/erma/) opens for entries on December 4, 2017, and there is a $15 fee which goes to fund four prizes ($500 to each winner plus a free registration, valued at $400+, to the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop at the University of Dayton, April 2018). Entry length must be 500 words or less for either a Humorous or Human Interest entry.
Hi Kelly
I have problems in finding short story competitions as I live in England. If you do post any short story competitions or any in the literary format, that would excite my senses.
You may want to check out these sites- but be aware, some require subscriptions, give precedence to subscribers or charge small entry fees; but not all do, and there are some free entrance comps in Canada that are worthwhile.
http://www.prizemagic.co.uk/html/writing_comps.htm
http://www.creativewritingink.co.uk/writing-competitions/
(These are monthly.)
There are many more, I’ve only begun to root those out.- I’ll post more as I discover them.
Thank you,
much appreciated.
my problem is that I am disabled and I am looking for grant help.
Looking for a contest that my 10 old son can enter or a publishing company that can help with self-publishing. Any recommendation or advice please?
Dana,
Please contact the publisher to discuss self-publishing for your son.
Our university just launched a new competition (no entry fee, no gimmicks) called FutureScapes. We’re an innovation office, and we’re looking for help from writers to help us envision cities of the future. Hugo-Award winning author Mary Robinette Kowal will be our judge this inaugural year. $2,000 for first place.
http://www.futurescapescontest.com/
I’ve added it to July’s list for Comps and calls. Many thanks for getting in touch!
Pity I cannot contest, being Sri Lankan. >>sigh<<
Stop discriminating writers. I’m a South African and I’d like to enter this competition. I’m already have the script.
hello sir, would it be possible for me to join even if I’m from the Philippines?
Old fashioned notions were/are just once legitimate notions of claims for money or what else, when in a time there were hardly or very little amount of writing gigs to get; let alone having someone getting paid for it. Now it is like there are too many people as working in the business here of transposing things across for a living. That really the only thing these vetted competitions do now is, just bunch up a bunch of people who cannot write, among judges judging as judges cannot much write either, and they sit around give a small vagabond gift amount of money in discovery for those who suck less at it. As really a sign should go up before hand about how real writers we really need not to apply here anymore. As none of the spirit of writing is left of writing. Everyone writes politically correct as only to affirm the lack for want of any real creativity getting dispersed.
Amen to that! I’ve read winners’ stories of a certain contest that is held by a magazine every year which I will not name and when I see the judges’ names, I think “Well, they don’t know anything about writing!” No wonder this was chosen.
Speak for yourself, honey. I’ve got a very politically INCORRECT story I’m working on right now. Who knows if anyone will publish it, though. It’s satirical and quite offensive.
While I like how your not afraid to speak your mind, and I really have no say in what you put in your books, could you please try not to offend too many people? This is just a suggestion, so feel free to do whatever you like.
My mind is full of stories to tell.. I am an idea person. Is there a place in this writers world for one like myself? Perhaps a writer lacking an idea? My mind screams..my voice mute.
Interesting….
Maybe you just need a writing partner. You have my attention.
Hi.
I love to write, but I am almost always of of ideas…
Maybe you can let me know
Were do I find the legitmate ways to to get paid for entering contests? many are
scams so far that I researched, and entered. please let me know thanks.
I would like to find work online and get paid weekly by check through the mail
do you know of such?
Nice Post and thanks for the sharing free Legitimate contest list.
Thanks~
can i participate from sri lanka??
Every competition has its own rules, so you’d have to check the rules of the one you want to enter. Many are open worldwide, though, so good luck!
I see you havent included the South African Writers college competition – held annually..its free to enter and the 1st prize is R10,000..
The theme this year is “A person’s world is only as big as his heart”
Deadline April 30th
Only open to South African writers who have not been published.
Send entries to Nichola@sawriterscollege.co.za
Contests with a deadline past 1st April haven’t gone up yet – I put them up monthly at Comps and Calls. Is there an URL with guidelines?
Yes, the URL for the College is :www.sawriterscollege.co.za
Its only for unpublished SA writers but the prizes are pretty darned good: R10,000. R5,000 and R2000… and its free to enter..! Cheers Ginny
Thanks! I’ve added it to the list. It’ll go up on 1st April and will be in the ‘Competitions’ section. Thanks for that and best wishes.
Here’s another competition for your list, this one for women only, memoir and contemporary/historical fiction: http://www.storycircle.org/SartonLiteraryAward/
For guidelines for this year’s competition: http://www.storycircle.org/SartonLiteraryAward/guidelines.php
Susan Wittig Albert
Sarton Award Coordinator
Thanks for sharing, Susan!
Heather
TWL Assistant Editor
This one has a $60 entry fee.
Got anything for children?
I’m only twelve, and yet I am currently working on my own fantasy/science fiction that can be entered into several of these contests
I’m only twelve, and yet I am currently working on my own fantasy/science fiction book (full lengh) that can be entered into several of these contests
The entry fee for the SCN competition is $90 and the prize money is $150.00 – does this look enticing to anyone, considering the effort involved for the author?
Thanks for this excellent list, Kelly!
I’ll be adding a direct link to it to my recent post over at The Kill Zone called “Indie Book Contests 2015” http://killzoneblog.com/2015/02/indie-book-contests-2015.html
and I’ll also add a link on my ongoing, continually updated list of Writers’ Conferences & Book Festivals in North America:
http://jodierennerediting.blogspot.ca/2014/08/writers-conferences-book-festivals-sept.html
Thanks for sharing this post, Jodie!
Heather
TWL Assistant Editor
I like the competitions but I’m in South Africa? Can’t I enter? I think taking people only in one country isn’t fair because there is a great deal of talent out there that just needs to be found.
Yes. Also in SA, and I find it sooooo hard finding a compitition I can do.
Ditto
Sounds like there is a need for writing competitions in SA. Why not start some?!
Apologies for the n00b question but out of interest – when they say ‘unpublished’ – do they mean unpublished which would include self published ebooks?
And if you were to submit something previously published on Kindle or Smashwords or the like – could you take it down for a period and still be considered?
Cheers Dave
I’d check the specific guidelines for each contest. Some specify whether situations like self-publication are acceptable or not. If the guidelines don’t go into any detail on that, you could always try contacting the organization sponsoring the contest.
I’m not sure about pulling down something that HAS previously been published, however. That feels like a risky gamble that might get you in trouble.
Thanks for posting this list. When it comes to short stories, I never think about competitions and always look for publications instead.
This is a great reminder of another valid option.
Thanks, Kelly, for this interesting article and list. One does have to watch out for scams and ineffective ways of publishing your work. And entering legitimate writing contests sounds a lot more challenging and rewarding.
When I was a college student, I had written some poems and essays, and was encouraged by friends to get them published. Being the babe in the woods I was at the time, I got about 30 to 40 copies published through a local “vanity press,” which cost me about $80 at the time. Learned my lesson to avoid being so vain.
Hello Kelly! Thank you for providing us with this awesome list!
Good compilation, will be of great help to me.
Thanks for sharing.
Correction: the Writer’s Digest contests are NOT free to enter. There are different fees listed on the site, as follows:
“Early-Bird Entry fees are $25 for the first manuscript; $20 for each additional entry submitted during the same transaction. Poems are $15 for the first entry; $10 for each additional poem submitted submitted during the same transaction. Entries submitted after the May 4, 2015 Early-Bird deadline are $30 for the first manuscript; $25 for each additional entry submitted during the same transaction. Poems are $20 for the first entry; $15 for each additional poem submitted submitted during the same transaction.”
Thanks, Laura! Another reader brought this to our attention as well, and I’ve added a note to the post.
Heather
TWL Assistant Editor
You are absolutely wright and why they are not recommended on Predators & Editors.
Your use of “wright” makes me wonder about any writing skills you may possess…
Everyone makes the odd mistake. Don’t judge someone by a single typo.
It is eye and I prefer to poses and to use my pen as the double edged sword it is don’t worry lady i’m sure this went over his head also.
This was a lot of work, but such a great resource for writers. Thanks for sharing this!
I’m just so stunned that the horrid poetry-competition people had so little concern for such a young aspirant poet, what a sick twisted lot they are, and you’re right, this kind of dream-baiting continues. Sharks and charlatans all, but the good thing is that you didn’t give up on your dream of writing, so you go girl -go for gold and more power to you!
Sadly, there are all sorts of ways writers and wannabe writers can fall into the wrong hands, from scam competitions to content mills that pay pennies per word. It’s all about knowing where to look for the legitimate resources. (This site is a great place to start.)
I wrote a piece to this site called the Eber & Wein publishing.
how well do you know about them? is this site scam? I never
sent in any money I was told I could win cash, and prizes, and
my name can be in this analogy. then you have to buy that.
Thanks for the list. Please can you give more lists for contests for African writers?
Great list of resources for free contests. I quite often scour Poets & Writers for possibilities and have heard of some of the others, like Story Circle Network, but some of these were quite new to me. Appreciate the time it takes to curate such a list and so glad you shared it with us. I’ll be passing it along to some of my friends and followers.
Can I join this Writing Contests ? I live in India.
Kindly respond me.
Thanks.
Date..19/02/2015.
Sucharita Mukherjee
prithakaur19@gmail.com
You’ll have to check with the individual competitions to see whether they allow worldwide entries. Good luck!
Heather
TWL Assistant Editor
Is there any writing contest in Peabody and I never public a book but can I still enter the writing contest is there more writing contest for Peabody with out scams ???
This is a great list but is this just for writers in the US. I am in the UK.
Fair point, Ian — we’re based in the U.S. and know more about competitions here. We’ll see what we can do about a more international follow-up!
Heather
TWL Assistant Editor
Ian, Comps and Calls (that Heather lists) is UK-based. Although I include many international calls, it is UK-centric, simply because that’s my largest area of knowledge.
Thanks for chiming in, Cathy — good to know! All credit for the list goes to Kelly Gurnett, though
Heather
TWL Assistant Editor
Thank you so much. I’m so inspired seeing these all lined up in one place. Cheers!
This is well time for me and I am excited. I’m looking for ways to gain money for my Master’s and get recognized for the love of my heart: writing. I’m applying to some now and even composing new pieces. I’ve even set aside a certain amount of money that I’m writing to give to enter.
I love to write as well! I am only ten years old though, so I probably won’t be able to enter many contests even if I wanted to. I’m writing a novel called Cat Quest. Its not childish and stupid. I’m actually serious. I work on it about every other day or when I get time. I’m not lying. Could you experienced authors give me some tips?
Appreciate this list, my writing goal for this year- well, one of them, is to seek new writing and publishing opportunities and challenges. Thank you.
We provide a contest where you get paid either way, so long as you make the cut. It’s a bit different from the average writing contest, in that it is a public head to head battle. Check out thewritersarena.com for more info.
Thanks for sharing, Tony!
Heather
TWL Assistant Editor
Here’s another one that’s totally free to enter: http://culturedvultures.com/poem-week/
That doesn’t offer any prize, does it?
Thanks for sharing, posted your site on my blog: hoyeocmova.com
At FanStory.com we have a membership fee $6.95 per month (or $48 for one year or $67 for two years). With the membership fee you can enter all of our contests at no charge. That’s over 50 contests every month. Some have a cash prize ($100) and others are just for the fun of the competition.
Thanks for sharing, Tom!
Wish to get info on free contests for poets in Nigeria.
Hey.. I have a short story of my stolen childhood.. Its a memoir.. It has touched a lot of ppl nd its very deep.. A lot of ppl who have read it has gained goose bumps nd a lot of others has related a lot to it.. I have councillors stating I should get it published as its very helpful to thoughts who have been through similar.. I write a lot about life nd the deeper I go with my words the more ppl feel it.. I have had a few ppl state they felt like it was happening to them the words stand out so much.. The only problem is as u see here with this paragraph I’m not so good with my editing.. I don’t know how or where to start with getting my writing seen to for hell in weather I can get my words out there.. I wouldn’t mind starting with competitions but its also great to have someone around that knows where nd how to help me start to get this out there.. My email is mines_l@yahoo.com I got a feeling this is a long shot but I’m keen to start somewhere.. It would be a great honor if u could pls give me some advice on where or how to start.. If u could pls email me I will be an honour