This is for a second full-length poetry manuscript by a US poet (see guidelines), which is under contract by a US-based publisher. Manuscripts should be 48-100 pages long.
Value: $5,000, residency at The Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida
Deadline: 15 May 2018 (postmarked)
Open for: US poets
Details here.
This is an international essay contest for 12th graders, as well as undergraduate and graduate students. Submit an essay of 800-1,600 words on one of three specific topics centred around Ayn Rand’s novel, Atlas Shrugged (see guidelines).
Value: $10,000, $2,000, $500, $200, $50; see special prizes for 12th-graders, as well as regional prizes for students in California, Chicagoland and Colorado.
Deadline: 15 May 2018
Open for: 12th Graders, undergraduate and graduate students
Details here.
This is an international essay contest for students in 11th and 12th grades. Submit an essay of 800-1,600 words on one of three specific topics centred around Ayn Rand’s novel, The Fountainhead (see guidelines).
Value: $10,000, $2,000, $500, $200, $50; see special regional prizes for students in Chicagoland, Colorado and Wyoming.
Deadline: 15 May 2018
Open for: Students in 11th and 12th grades
Details here.
This contest is for US citizens. Their website says that they want “feature stories… that require more time and a bigger budget than most, and illuminate people and communities that would otherwise go unnoticed or uncelebrated. We’d like storytellers to view this as an opportunity to really dig into that dream story you’ve always wanted to report, but haven’t had the time or resources to undertake.” They want features of up to 6,000 words or detailed proposals of deep-dive features on their theme, Renegades. These can be on rebels with a cause, dedicated activists, game changers, anyone going against the grain and making a real, measurable impact.
Value: $5,000 to fund the feature
Deadline: 21 May 2018
Open for: US Citizens
Details here.
This is an international award for playwrights. The application includes one full-length stage play script of minimum 45 minutes (no maximum), and a synopsis.
Value: £6,000
Deadline: 21 May 2018
Open for: All playwrights
Details here and here.
They want fiction that confirms to the tradition of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe series. They should focus on the detective skills of the sleuth, and the killer must be known to the victim – see guidelines for further specifications they ask for. They are not looking for derivatives of the Nero Wolfe series, or the milieu. Entries must be 15,000-20,000 words. Mailed submissions only.
Value: $1,000 and publication in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine
Deadline: 31 May 2017 (postmarked)
Open for: All writers
Details here.
This is a contest for entering travel articles, stories and reflections. Send in work that is 1,000 words or fewer.
Value: €300, €50; one award of €50 based on social media shares
Deadline: Fee-free until 31 May 2017
Open for: All writers
Details here.
This is an unthemed short story contest. Send in one short story of 1,000-4,000 words.
Value: £100, £50, £25
Deadline: 31 May 2018
Open for: All writers
Details here.
Their readers have interests in music, social history, literature, politics, art, film and theater, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-twentieth century America. Their readers include publishers, artists, musicians, and fellow writers. While the story should appeal to a reader with these interests and in these creative professions, all story themes will be considered. Ideally, stories should not exceed 3,000 words, but those up to 5,000 words will be considered.
Value: $100
Deadline: 31 May 2018
Open for: All writers
Details here.
They want fiction manuscripts that “go beyond stereotypical depictions (of the Southern US) and illuminate the multiplicity of the Southern experience: past, present, or future; the good, the bad, and especially the unexpected.”
Value: $1,500 Advance against royalties
Deadline: 31 May 2018
Open for: All writers
Details here.
This is for writers aged up to 35 years. They want a lively, dynamic and authoritative essay on any topic, of up to 3,500 words. Simon Schama introduces the prize this year, and has written about the form and what makes a good essay.
Value: £1,000, £500
Deadline: 31 May 2018
Open for: Writers aged 18-35
Details here (scroll down) and here.
This contest is for UK writers. Their website says, “our thoughts are turning to spring and the forthcoming royal wedding in May!” They invite short stories of 1,500-2,500 on the theme, The Wedding Gift.
Value: £200; three prizes of £50
Deadline: 31 May 2018
Open for: UK writers
Details here.
The topic is Can We Rewrite Our Children’s History? Their guidelines say, perhaps writers can “reimagine the historical introduction to society of a “new” technology, people considering (or not) the ethical and safety implications and potential impacts on their lives.” See guidelines for further specifications, and recommended reading. Stories must be 1,500-3,000 words.
Value: $1,000, $500, $300
Deadline: 1 June 2018
Open for: All writers
Details here.
This contest is for US writers. They want fiction that illuminates the role of the law and/of lawyers in modern society. Stories must be 5,000 words or fewer.
Value: $3,000
Deadline: 1 June 2018
Open for: US writers
Details here.
This is for undergraduate students in the US and Canada. The judges are looking for lively storytelling and unique voices. They accept stories up to 7,500 words. The prize has traditionally encouraged submissions from those with an Asian background, but they urge all students to enter.
Value: $1,000 and a scholarship to the Southampton Writers Conference
Deadline: 1 June 2018
Open for: Undergraduate students from the US and Canada
Details here.
This is a contest for Canadian students only. This year’s topic is Increasing the Minimum Wage: Good Intentions, Bad Policy? Essays can have more than one author, and must be 1,000-1,500 words.
Value: $1,500, $1,000, $500 in each category: High School, Undergraduate, Graduate
Deadline: 1 June 2018
Open for: Canadian students
Details here.
This is for black, Asian, minority ethnic writers living in the UK and Ireland. Submit a story of up to 6,000 words.
Value: £1,000, Publishing workshop
Deadline: 1 June 2018
Open for: UK BAME authors
Details here.
They are hosting three contests and invite writers to enter one, two or all thee. Stories should be constructed based on the given opening and closing lines from these works: The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett; Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll; and A Telephone Call by Dorothy Parker (see guidelines). Stories should be 3,000 words or fewer, in any genre. Writers can pay a voluntary fee.
Value: $500 for the winner and $50 for the runner-up in each contest
Deadline: 4 June 2018
Open for: All writers
Details here.
This award is for an unpublished horror novella (45,000-50,000 words). All types of horror are welcome. All subgenres and forms of speculative fiction are welcome.
Value: $600 Advance against royalties
Deadline: 15 June 2018
Open for: All writers
Details here.
This is for an emerging writer who is a US citizen aged 39 years or younger. The award includes a residency at Bard College, New York, and a cash prize. Candidates should write a cover letter explaining the project they plan to work on while at Bard and submit a CV, along with three copies of the published book they feel best represents their work. There are no formal teaching duties attached to the residency.
Value: $30,000, Residency at Bard College, New York
Deadline: 15 June 2018
Open for: US Citizens
Details here.