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These are contests for writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, and drama. Prizes range from $100 to £8,000. None charge a submission fee. Deadlines are approaching quickly. – S. Kalekar
Casa África microfiction contest
This is an international fiction contest. They say the contest is theme free but stories must have some links to Africa. The maximum length is 1,400 characters (not words), including spaces and excluding the title, or approximately 200 or 250 words. Writers can send up to three pieces of microrrelators, or microfiction. Submissions can be in Spanish, English, French, or Portuguese.
Value: €600, €300, €200
Deadline: 1 July 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
This is an international fiction contest. They say the contest is theme free but stories must have some links to Africa. The maximum length is 1,400 characters (not words), including spaces and excluding the title, or approximately 200 or 250 words. Writers can send up to three pieces of microrrelators, or microfiction. Submissions can be in Spanish, English, French, or Portuguese.
Value: €600, €300, €200
Deadline: 1 July 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
Richard J. Margolis Award
The award is for non-fiction writers of social justice journalism. It is for a promising new journalist or essayist whose work combines warmth, humour, wisdom and concern with social justice. Applications should include two non-fiction writing samples, up to 30 pages.
Value: $5,000, residency at Blue Mountain Centre artists’ colony
Deadline: 1 July 2019
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
The award is for non-fiction writers of social justice journalism. It is for a promising new journalist or essayist whose work combines warmth, humour, wisdom and concern with social justice. Applications should include two non-fiction writing samples, up to 30 pages.
Value: $5,000, residency at Blue Mountain Centre artists’ colony
Deadline: 1 July 2019
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
Cozy Cat Press 2019 Poetry Contest
They want a mystery-themed poem of up to two pages for this contest. Writers may submit up to three poems.
Value: $100, $50, $25
Deadline: 1 July 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
They want a mystery-themed poem of up to two pages for this contest. Writers may submit up to three poems.
Value: $100, $50, $25
Deadline: 1 July 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
Winter Tangerine Awards
This is a contest for emerging writers. They want poetry and prose from writers who have not yet published a collection of poems, a collection of short stories or a novel. Writers may submit up to four poems (totaling no more than eight pages), and/or two pieces of prose (totaling no more than twelve pages), and may submit one entry in both categories.
Value: $250; $50 for finalists
Deadline: 1 July 2019
Open for: Emerging writers
Details here.
This is a contest for emerging writers. They want poetry and prose from writers who have not yet published a collection of poems, a collection of short stories or a novel. Writers may submit up to four poems (totaling no more than eight pages), and/or two pieces of prose (totaling no more than twelve pages), and may submit one entry in both categories.
Value: $250; $50 for finalists
Deadline: 1 July 2019
Open for: Emerging writers
Details here.
The H G Wells Short Story Competition
This is a short story contest on the theme of ‘Time’, of 1,500-5,000 words. There is no fee for those under 21 years.
Value: £1,000 for the Junior Award (under 21)
Deadline: 8 July 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
This is a short story contest on the theme of ‘Time’, of 1,500-5,000 words. There is no fee for those under 21 years.
Value: £1,000 for the Junior Award (under 21)
Deadline: 8 July 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
University of Southampton: Green Stories Writing Competitions – radio play drama/comedy series
They have writing contests with deadlines throughout the year, in various formats – play, film, radio, book, tv, interactive fiction – that in some way touch upon ideas around building a sustainable society. They will consider all genres – rom-com, literary fiction, science fiction, mystery, crime etc. – but stories must engage with the idea of environmentally sustainable practices and/or sustainable societies. They will consider all stories, but they encourage writers to imagine a more positive settings and practices for their stories, rather than dystopian. In July, they are reading radio plays. Writers can send work in three formats –
1. a 45 minute drama: send whole script + 1 page synopsis, or
2. 6 x 30 minute comedy series: send sample/pilot episode + 3 pages outlining remaining episodes (these should be ready as they will ask for them if shortlisted), or
3. 5 x 15 minute drama series: send the first two 15 minutes episodes and an outline of the further 3 episodes (these should be ready as they will ask for them if shortlisted).
Value: For each category, £500, £100, £50, plus £50 for best student submission (18-25 years) and £50 for best < 18 year submission. (If a student or under 18 entry is the best overall then it will win first prize regardless if the entry is from a student and the student prize will go to the next best student entry); also consideration by BBC Writers room, Goldhawk Productions and Whistledown Productions
Deadline: 12 July 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here
They have writing contests with deadlines throughout the year, in various formats – play, film, radio, book, tv, interactive fiction – that in some way touch upon ideas around building a sustainable society. They will consider all genres – rom-com, literary fiction, science fiction, mystery, crime etc. – but stories must engage with the idea of environmentally sustainable practices and/or sustainable societies. They will consider all stories, but they encourage writers to imagine a more positive settings and practices for their stories, rather than dystopian. In July, they are reading radio plays. Writers can send work in three formats –
1. a 45 minute drama: send whole script + 1 page synopsis, or
2. 6 x 30 minute comedy series: send sample/pilot episode + 3 pages outlining remaining episodes (these should be ready as they will ask for them if shortlisted), or
3. 5 x 15 minute drama series: send the first two 15 minutes episodes and an outline of the further 3 episodes (these should be ready as they will ask for them if shortlisted).
Value: For each category, £500, £100, £50, plus £50 for best student submission (18-25 years) and £50 for best < 18 year submission. (If a student or under 18 entry is the best overall then it will win first prize regardless if the entry is from a student and the student prize will go to the next best student entry); also consideration by BBC Writers room, Goldhawk Productions and Whistledown Productions
Deadline: 12 July 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here
Langdon Review Writer-in-Residence Program
This is a short residency program at Tarleton State University for writers, poets, artists, and photographers. Writers and poets need to submit a proposal as to how the experience will benefit them and the Granbury community, and writing samples are at least 3,500 words for prose writers, and at least 10 poems for poets.
Value: $500, residency
Deadline: 15 July 2019
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
This is a short residency program at Tarleton State University for writers, poets, artists, and photographers. Writers and poets need to submit a proposal as to how the experience will benefit them and the Granbury community, and writing samples are at least 3,500 words for prose writers, and at least 10 poems for poets.
Value: $500, residency
Deadline: 15 July 2019
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
2019 Fitzcarraldo Editions Novel Prize
This is for novelists in the UK and Ireland. They want “novels which explore and expand the possibilities of the form, which are innovative and imaginative in style, which tackle subjects and themes relevant to the world we live in”, according to their guidelines. Writers should send in manuscripts of at least 30,000 words.
Value: £3,000 advance against publication
Deadline: 15 July 2019
Open for: Residents of UK and Ireland
Details here.
This is for novelists in the UK and Ireland. They want “novels which explore and expand the possibilities of the form, which are innovative and imaginative in style, which tackle subjects and themes relevant to the world we live in”, according to their guidelines. Writers should send in manuscripts of at least 30,000 words.
Value: £3,000 advance against publication
Deadline: 15 July 2019
Open for: Residents of UK and Ireland
Details here.
Jerico Fellowship Prizes
These are essay (up to 2,500 words), playwriting – particularly aimed at playwrights at the start of their careers, visual art (including but not limited to painting, drawing, photography, ceramic, original print, installation art, mixed media, video art and sculpture), and innovation prizes on the ‘Epiphany’ theme.
Value: £8,000 each for essay and playwriting, £9,000 each for visual art and innovation
Deadline: 30 July 2019
Open for: All writers, creators, and innovators
Details here.
These are essay (up to 2,500 words), playwriting – particularly aimed at playwrights at the start of their careers, visual art (including but not limited to painting, drawing, photography, ceramic, original print, installation art, mixed media, video art and sculpture), and innovation prizes on the ‘Epiphany’ theme.
Value: £8,000 each for essay and playwriting, £9,000 each for visual art and innovation
Deadline: 30 July 2019
Open for: All writers, creators, and innovators
Details here.
Lumberloft Press short fiction contest
They want a short story on the theme ‘Death From Above’. Stories should be 5,000 words or fewer.
Value: $1,000; shortlisted entries will also be published
Deadline: 30 July 2019
Open for: US writers
Details here.
They want a short story on the theme ‘Death From Above’. Stories should be 5,000 words or fewer.
Value: $1,000; shortlisted entries will also be published
Deadline: 30 July 2019
Open for: US writers
Details here.
Peaceful Dumpling Environmental Writing Prize
This is their inaugural writing prize. Writers can send fiction, non-fiction – creative non-fiction, essay, memoir, or investigative journalism – or poetry. Length guidelines are up to 6,000 words for prose, and 1-5 poems. All work should relate to environmental issues such as climate change, environment, conservation, and animal rights.
Value: $500
Deadline: 31 July 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
This is their inaugural writing prize. Writers can send fiction, non-fiction – creative non-fiction, essay, memoir, or investigative journalism – or poetry. Length guidelines are up to 6,000 words for prose, and 1-5 poems. All work should relate to environmental issues such as climate change, environment, conservation, and animal rights.
Value: $500
Deadline: 31 July 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
Deathscribe
This is an international festival of horror radio plays. They want 10-minute audio drama scripts that are scary, imaginative, chilling, horrific, or grotesque. Writers may submit up to two scripts.
Value: $100, performance before a live audience
Deadline: 31 July 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
This is an international festival of horror radio plays. They want 10-minute audio drama scripts that are scary, imaginative, chilling, horrific, or grotesque. Writers may submit up to two scripts.
Value: $100, performance before a live audience
Deadline: 31 July 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
Betjeman Poetry Prize
This is a prize for 10-13-year-olds in the UK or Ireland. Submit a poem on the theme of ‘Place’.
Value: £500, and £5,000 for the English department of their school; two prizes of £200 each; four Eurostar tickets each for the three winners to Paris, Brussels or Lille; other prizes of £50 each
Deadline: 31 July 2018
Open for: Young UK poets
Details here.
This is a prize for 10-13-year-olds in the UK or Ireland. Submit a poem on the theme of ‘Place’.
Value: £500, and £5,000 for the English department of their school; two prizes of £200 each; four Eurostar tickets each for the three winners to Paris, Brussels or Lille; other prizes of £50 each
Deadline: 31 July 2018
Open for: Young UK poets
Details here.
Speculative Literature Foundation: Diverse Writers and Diverse World Grants
There are for writers of speculative fiction, with all levels of experience and publishing. The Diverse Writers grant is intended to support new and emerging writers from underrepresented and underprivileged groups, such as writers of color, women, queer writers, disabled writers, working-class writers, etc. The Diverse Worlds grant is intended for work that best presents a diverse world, regardless of the writer’s background. Writers may apply for either or both grants. Their guidelines also say, “your project does not need to center on identity issues. We also do not expect or want work that simply attempts to check off all the boxes in a tokenistic way, but rather are looking for writing that offers deep characterization, complex cultural landscapes, and strong literary quality overall.”
Value: $500 each for Diverse Writers and Diverse Worlds
Deadline: 31 July 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
There are for writers of speculative fiction, with all levels of experience and publishing. The Diverse Writers grant is intended to support new and emerging writers from underrepresented and underprivileged groups, such as writers of color, women, queer writers, disabled writers, working-class writers, etc. The Diverse Worlds grant is intended for work that best presents a diverse world, regardless of the writer’s background. Writers may apply for either or both grants. Their guidelines also say, “your project does not need to center on identity issues. We also do not expect or want work that simply attempts to check off all the boxes in a tokenistic way, but rather are looking for writing that offers deep characterization, complex cultural landscapes, and strong literary quality overall.”
Value: $500 each for Diverse Writers and Diverse Worlds
Deadline: 31 July 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
The Lincoln Forum: Platt Family Scholarship Prize Essay Contest
This essay contest is for full-time undergraduates at an American college or university. The topic for the 2019 essay “Abraham Lincoln: Our Greatest President?” And, “In surveys and polls, historians and the public have consistently ranked Abraham Lincoln as America’s greatest president. Why has Lincoln earned and retained first place, and do you agree that he deserves this status.” Entries must contain a minimum of 1,500 and a maximum of 5,000 words.
Value: $1,500, $750, $500
Deadline: 31 July 2019
Open for: Students in a US college or university
Details here.
This essay contest is for full-time undergraduates at an American college or university. The topic for the 2019 essay “Abraham Lincoln: Our Greatest President?” And, “In surveys and polls, historians and the public have consistently ranked Abraham Lincoln as America’s greatest president. Why has Lincoln earned and retained first place, and do you agree that he deserves this status.” Entries must contain a minimum of 1,500 and a maximum of 5,000 words.
Value: $1,500, $750, $500
Deadline: 31 July 2019
Open for: Students in a US college or university
Details here.
Polar Expressions Publishing: 12th Annual National Poetry and Short Story Competitions
These poetry and short story contests are for Canadian residents and citizens. Poems must be up to 48 lines and short stories, up to 750 words. Fan fiction and essays are not allowed.
Value: CA$500, CA$250, CA$100 each in poetry and short story for those aged 16 or over; CA$200, CA$100 and CA$50 each in poetry and short stories for those 15 and under
Deadline: 31 July 2019
Open for: Canadian writers
Details here.
These poetry and short story contests are for Canadian residents and citizens. Poems must be up to 48 lines and short stories, up to 750 words. Fan fiction and essays are not allowed.
Value: CA$500, CA$250, CA$100 each in poetry and short story for those aged 16 or over; CA$200, CA$100 and CA$50 each in poetry and short stories for those 15 and under
Deadline: 31 July 2019
Open for: Canadian writers
Details here.
Platypus Press: Broken River Prize
This is an international poetry chapbook contest. It is for books between 20 and 40 pages of length.
Value: $250
Deadline: 31 July 2019
Open for: All poets
Details here.
This is an international poetry chapbook contest. It is for books between 20 and 40 pages of length.
Value: $250
Deadline: 31 July 2019
Open for: All poets
Details here.
Coalition of Texans with Disabilities: Pen 2 Paper
This is a disabilities-focused creative writing competition. Submissions are accepted from anywhere in the world and from writers of any age, ability or disability, and writing level. Writers can send submissions of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and comics on the theme of ‘Disability’. There is a special personal essays award this year with a prize of $50.
Value: One prize of $500; $100 each to first-place winners in each category; special award of $50 for personal essays
Deadline: 1 August 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
This is a disabilities-focused creative writing competition. Submissions are accepted from anywhere in the world and from writers of any age, ability or disability, and writing level. Writers can send submissions of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and comics on the theme of ‘Disability’. There is a special personal essays award this year with a prize of $50.
Value: One prize of $500; $100 each to first-place winners in each category; special award of $50 for personal essays
Deadline: 1 August 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.
The Bethune & Son Annual Texas Short Story Contest
They want a short story (up to 5,000 words) on the theme ‘Black Gold’. Stories must make reference to oil in some way, shape, or form. For any winners under 18, the monetary prize will be processed as a scholarship for academic purposes. Authors can send up to two stories.
Value: $1,000; second and third prizes of Bethune & Son store credit
Deadline: 2 August 2019
Open for: US writers
Details here.
They want a short story (up to 5,000 words) on the theme ‘Black Gold’. Stories must make reference to oil in some way, shape, or form. For any winners under 18, the monetary prize will be processed as a scholarship for academic purposes. Authors can send up to two stories.
Value: $1,000; second and third prizes of Bethune & Son store credit
Deadline: 2 August 2019
Open for: US writers
Details here.
Nature Magazine essay competition
This year, Nature Magazine is turning 150 years old and they are celebrating with an essay contest for 18-25-year-olds. Their guidelines say, “We invite you to tell us, in an essay of no more than 1,000 words, what scientific advance, big or small, you would most like to see in your lifetime, and why it matters to you. We want to feature the inspiring voices and ideas of the next generation. … We are looking for essays that are well reasoned, well researched, forward-looking, supported by existing science, and leave room for personal perspective and anecdotes that show us who you are. We encourage you to entertain as well as to inform; we are not looking for academic papers, an academic writing style or science fiction.”
Value: £500 or equivalent
Deadline: 9 August 2019
Open for: All writers ages 18-25
Details here.
This year, Nature Magazine is turning 150 years old and they are celebrating with an essay contest for 18-25-year-olds. Their guidelines say, “We invite you to tell us, in an essay of no more than 1,000 words, what scientific advance, big or small, you would most like to see in your lifetime, and why it matters to you. We want to feature the inspiring voices and ideas of the next generation. … We are looking for essays that are well reasoned, well researched, forward-looking, supported by existing science, and leave room for personal perspective and anecdotes that show us who you are. We encourage you to entertain as well as to inform; we are not looking for academic papers, an academic writing style or science fiction.”
Value: £500 or equivalent
Deadline: 9 August 2019
Open for: All writers ages 18-25
Details here.
