We love the idea of writing contests, but we hate contest fees. That’s why we’ve rounded up these 10 writing contests that all have no entry or reading fees. Some end soon, so be sure to apply for those right away if you’re interested. Most of these contests are for poetry only, so if you’re a poet, you’re in luck!
- The 7th Annual Spirit First Poetry Contest is open for submissions of poems that relate to meditation or mindfulness. Poets may submit up to three unpublished poems. The first place winner will receive $200; second place will receive $150; and third place will receive $100.Deadline is February 29. To learn more, read the contest guidelines.
- The Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award welcomes African American poets to submit a book-length manuscript for consideration. Books should be approximately 60 to 90 pages. Broadside Lotus Press will declare a winner who will receive $500 and publication by the press in early 2017.Deadline: March 1. Submissions must be sent via postal mail. To learn more, read the award guidelines.
- The Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry is currently open for submissions. Poets can submit a book-length manuscript, but there is no page requirement. The winner will receive $10,000 and publication by Milkweed Editions.Deadline is March 1. To learn more, read the prize submission guidelines.
- North Carolina State University is holding its Annual NC State Poetry Contest. North Carolina-based poets may submit three poems of any genre and any length. The grand prize winner will receive $500, and the best NCSU undergraduate entry will receive $100.Deadline is March 1. To learn more, read the contest guidelines.
- Lake Forest College and &NOW Books are currently hosting the Madeleine P. Plonsker Emerging Writer’s Residency Prize. Fiction writers under forty may apply for the prize, which includes $10,000 and a three-week residency at the college.Deadline is March 1, and only the first 200 applicants will be considered! Apply for this one right now if you’re interested. To learn more, read the prize guidelines.
- The Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award is currently accepting nominations. Indiana-born or Indiana-based Authors may nominate themselves or be nominated. There are several award categories, and the prizes include cash awards and grants for the winning authors’ hometown Indiana public libraries. The cash awards range from $6,000 to $10,000.Deadline for nominations is March 18. To learn more, read the award guidelines.
- America Magazine, the National Catholic Review, is holding its 2016 Foley Poetry Contest. Poets may submit one unpublished poem for consideration. While the poem must be 30 lines or fewer, there is no restriction on genre. The grand prize winner will receive $1,000 and publication in America.Deadline is March 31. To learn more, read the contest guidelines.
- Winning Writers is currently hosting it Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest. Poets can submit one humorous poem for consideration. The first place winner will receive $1,000; second place will receive $250; and 10 honorable mentions will receive $100 each. All winners will be published online.
Deadline (appropriately) is April 1. To learn more, read the contest guidelines
- Blue Mountain Arts is hosting its 28th Biannual Poetry Card Contest. Writers can submit poems that focus on a special occasion or person. There is no limit to how many poems a writer can submit. The first place winner will receive $300; second place will receive $150; and third place will receive $50. The winning poems will also be published online.Deadline is June 30. To learn more, read the contest guidelines.
- The Griffin Poetry Prize welcomes poets and translators to submit their work. Two prizes will be awarded. The Canadian Prize will go to a Canadian poet or translator who has published or translated a work. The International Prize will go to a poet or translator from any part of the world. Each prize winner will receive $65,000 CAD. In addition, shortlisted poets will receive $10,000 each.Deadline is June 30 with a second deadline of December 31. To learn more, read the prize guidelines.
