Here are four free writing contests with deadlines approaching very quickly. The contests are for flash fiction, sonnets, and essays. Keep in mind that all of the deadlines are less than a week away, so be sure to submit right away, if you are planning to.

Thanks to S. Kalekar for her research on this list.

Brilliant Flash Fiction: Feed Us
They want flash fiction submissions from writers around the world. The entries should be up to 300 words (excluding title), and the prompt is ‘Feed Us’.
Value: $100, $30, $20
Deadline: 1 September 2019
Open for: All writers
Details here.

The Helen Schaible International Sonnet Contest
For this contest, they have two categories: a traditional sonnet, which can be Shakespearean or Petrarchan, and a modern sonnet. Poets can enter work in one or both categories. They accept mailed submissions only.
Value: $50, $35, $15
Deadline: 1 September 2019 (postmarked)
Open for: All poets
Details here.

Planet Essay Competition
This is an essay contest for writers under 30 years, on any subject. Entries for the contest run by this Welsh magazine should be 1,500-2,000 words. Their guidelines say, “We would welcome creative and unconventional ways of exploring the essay form as well as a more traditional style.” Submissions have to be sent by mail.
Value: £200
Deadline: 1 September 2019
Open for: All writers under 30
Details here.

Hubert Butler Essay Prize: Where does a citizen of the world belong?
This is an essay prize for EU citizens. Write an essay of up to 3,000 words on the topic, ‘Where does a citizen of the world belong?’ The prize is intended to encourage the art of essay-writing with a European dimension and to expand interest in Hubert Butler’s work. Entries have to be mailed.
Value: £1,000; two second prizes of £500
Deadline: 2 September 2019
Open for: EU citizens
Details here.