Writing Contests 2026: Free Entries and Cash Prizes!

February 2026

Poetry Contests 2026

WB Yeats Society of NY Poetry Prize

The all-volunteer, nonprofit WB Yeats Society of NY has conducted this annual competition since 1991. People of any age from anywhere in the world may enter with unpublished poems of up to 60 lines on any topic. The 2026 judge is Joseph O. Legaspi, a Fulbright scholar and author of three poetry collections.
Word count: Up to 60 lines per poem
Prizes: First prize $1,000, second prize $500, plus honorable mentions; winners receive commemorative plaques and a two-year membership
Entry fee: $15 for the first poem, $12 for each additional poem
Closing date: February 15, 2026

Furious Flower Poetry Prize

The Furious Flower Poetry Center at James Madison University, the nation’s first academic center devoted to Black poetry, offers this annual prize for emerging poets. The 2026 judge is Major Jackson, author of six books of poetry, including Razzle Dazzle: New & Selected Poems. Poets with no more than one published book are eligible.
Word count: Up to 3 poems, not exceeding 6 total pages
Prizes: Winner: $1,500; Honorable mention: $750; both invited to read at the Poetry Prize Reading in September 2026; publication in Obsidian
Entry fee: $20
Closing date: February 15, 2026

Kathryn A. Morton Prize in Poetry

This prestigious prize is awarded annually to one full-length poetry manuscript, selected by guest judge Adrian Matejka, author of The Big Smoke (finalist for the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize). The prize offers publication, a cash award, and an introduction by the judge.
Word count: Minimum 48 pages
Prizes: $2,000, publication by Sarabande Books, standard royalty contract, and introduction by guest judge
Entry fee: $34
Closing date: February 15, 2026

Winter Wonderland Poetry Contest (Young Writers)

Write a poem in any style and capture the essence of winter! This contest from Young Writers invites students to explore the season through poetry, whether it’s waiting for snow, cozy moments by the fire, or anticipating the holidays. Poems can be written or typed with no line or word limit.
Word count: No line or word limit
Prizes: Participating schools receive a free copy of the book; the favorite poet wins a $50 e-gift card; all entrants receive a bookmark; published poets receive certificates of merit
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: February 27, 2026

The Cardinal Poetry Prize (Wesleyan University Press)

Conceived by poet John Murillo, this unique prize targets serious poets aged 40 or older who have taken their time developing their craft. Authors must not have published a poetry book or a new original collection within the last 10 years. The 2026 judge is Robert Pinsky, former three-term U.S. Poet Laureate.
Word count: 48–64 pages
Prizes: $1,000 and publication by Wesleyan University Press
Entry fee: $25 (fee waivers available for financial hardship)
Closing date: February 28, 2026

Short story writing contests 2026

Winter Short Story Award for New Writers

The Masters Review’s Short Story Award for New Writers is a bi-annual contest that recognizes the best fiction and creative nonfiction from today’s emerging writers. This award has launched numerous careers. Past winners include Nana Nkweti, Nick Fuller Googins, and Sanjena Sathian, several of whom earned representation from partnered agents.
Word count: Up to 6,000 words (fiction or creative nonfiction)
Prizes: First place: $3,000 + publication + agency review; Second place: $300 + publication + agency review; Third place: $200 + publication + agency review
Entry fee: $20
Closing date: February 1, 2026

Stringybark Open Short Story Award 2026

Authors Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist, along with Stringybark Publishing, sponsor this flagship Australian short story award. This is an open-themed award, though your short story must have a link to Australia. The story must be written for an audience aged 16 and above.
Word count: 1,500 words or fewer
Prizes: First Prize: A$500 + publication + e-book + paperback + choice of two Stringybark anthologies (Value $565); Second Prize: A$300 + publication + e-book + paperback + choice of two anthologies (Value $365); Third Prize: A$150 + same package (Value $220); Fourth Prize: A$50 + same package (Value $120); Highly Commended: Publication + e-book (up to 30 stories)
Entry fee: A$15 for one story, A$28 for two stories, A$39 for three stories (maximum)
Closing date: February 1, 2026

Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award

The Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award is a unique contest focused on science fiction stories about manned space exploration. Co-sponsored by Baen Books and the National Space Society, the contest honors the memory of Jim Baen and celebrates the role of science fiction in inspiring real-world scientific advancement. The contest seeks near-future stories (50-60 years out) about moon bases, Mars colonies, orbital habitats, and the challenges of human space exploration.
Word count: 8,000 words max.
Prizes: Publication on Baen Books website, payment at professional rates ($0.08/word), engraved award, free entry to the 2026 International Space Development Conference, and a year’s membership in the National Space Society
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: February 1, 2026

Next Generation Short Story Awards

A not-for-profit international awards program for authors of short stories worldwide. This contest offers 30+ categories, cash prizes, gold medals for all winners, and inclusion in a published anthology. Grand Prize Winners are invited to attend the prestigious NGIBA awards gala reception.
Word count: Max. 5,000 words
Prizes: 1st Place Grand Prize: $500 + gold medal + trophy + anthology publication + gala invitation; 2nd Place: $300 + gold medal + anthology + gala invitation; 3rd Place: $200 + gold medal + anthology + gala invitation
Entry fee: $25 for the first category, $20 for each additional category
Closing date: February 26, 2026

Long Winter Night Writing Contest (Gotham Writers)

Gotham Writers Workshop presents this seasonal contest celebrating winter-themed writing. Whether your story captures the quiet beauty of a snowy evening or the cozy warmth of gathering indoors, this contest welcomes creative explorations of the winter season.
Word count: Max. 50 words
Prizes: Free Gotham class of their choosing, excluding any premium classes (Zoetrope Fiction, Business Writing, Level III)
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: February 28, 2026

Essay Contests 2026

Global Essay Competition (St. Gallen Symposium)

Compete in this prestigious global essay competition and qualify for participation as a Leader of Tomorrow at the St. Gallen Symposium. The top 100 essayists qualify for an expenses-paid participation at the 55th St. Gallen Symposium (5-7 May 2026) in Switzerland, with travel, board, and lodging covered. The topic is Disruption in Tech + Politics + Demography: What happens when they collide?
Word count: Max. 2,100 words (excluding abstract, bibliography, and footnotes)
Prizes: Total prize money of CHF 20,000 split among the three winners; top 100 essayists receive expenses-paid participation at the St. Gallen Symposium
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: February 1, 2026

Calibre Essay Prize

Australian Book Review welcomes entries in the 2026 Calibre Essay Prize, one of the world’s leading prizes for a new non-fiction essay. The contest is open to all essayists writing in English. ABR seeks essays of between 2,000 and 5,000 words on any subject and welcomes essays of all kinds: personal or political, literary or speculative, traditional or experimental.
Word count: 2,000–5,000 words
Prizes: Total prize money of $10,000 (AUD)
Entry fee: $20 (current ABR subscribers), $30 (non-subscribers; includes four-month digital access to ABR); entry + subscription bundles available
Closing date: February 3, 2026

Leland Essay Contest

The Leland Essay Contest was established by Bruce H. Leland to recognize the best writers in the Western Writing Program. Winning essays are published in the print and online issues of Western Voices and used as readings in many composition courses. All winners (including honorable mentions) will be recognized and receive a certificate at the English Department Awards Night in April.
Word count: No limit
Prizes: First place: $150; Second place: $100; Third place: $50; all winners receive certificates
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: February 13, 2026

Write the World Competitions

Write the World hosts regular writing competitions for young writers aged 13-19 from around the globe. Their competitions span various genres, including essays, poetry, flash fiction, and more, with expert feedback from published writers and educators. Competitions feature peer review opportunities and recognition for outstanding work.
Word count: 400-1000 words
Prizes: First place: $100. Runner-Up and Best Peer Review will each receive $50.
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: February 23, 2026

Book Writing Contests 2026

Brick Road Poetry Book Contest

The mission of Brick Road Poetry Press is to publish and promote poetry that entertains, amuses, edifies, and surprises a wide audience of appreciative readers. Their preference is for poetry geared toward dramatizing the human experience in language rich with sensory image and metaphor, recognizing that poetry can be both familiar as the perspiration of daily labor and as outrageous as a carnival sideshow. The contest uses blind reading to judge submissions without knowing who wrote the manuscript.
Word count: 50–100 pages of poetry (excluding cover page, contents, acknowledgments, etc.)
Prizes: First place winner receives a $1,000 cash prize, a publication contract with Brick Road Poetry Press in both print and ebook formats, and 25 copies of the printed book
Entry fee: $30
Closing date: February 1, 2026

IndieReader Discovery Awards

IndieReader’s Discovery Awards recognize excellence in independent and self-published books across multiple categories. The awards provide indie authors with professional reviews, exposure to industry professionals, and recognition for outstanding work. The “IndieReader Discovery Awards” are open to books that are self-published, hybrid, and small-press published

Books have to have a valid ISBN or ASIN number.
Word count: No limit
Prizes: First place: $500, 2nd and 3rd place: $250 cash prize with professional IndieReader review, First-look consideration with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Literary Management, and a book-to-film consideration for the winners.
Entry fee: $150 per title, which includes the main category. $50 fee for each additional category
Closing date: February 11, 2026

BCALA Self-Publishing Literary Awards

The Black Caucus of ALA (BCALA) honors the best self-published ebooks by African American authors in the U.S. in both fiction and poetry genres. All the eBooks submitted to the contest must be written by an African American author born in the U.S. The awards will be presented at the American Library Association conference in Chicago, IL, in June 2026.
Word count: No limit
Prizes: $2,500.00, formal recognition at the American Library Association conference, and a BCALA Literary Award Seal
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: February 28, 2026

Mixed Writing Contests 2026

Geminga Contest (Sunspot Lit)

With Geminga, Sunspot Lit honors the power of the small. No restrictions on theme or category. This contest accepts fiction, nonfiction, micropoetry, graphic novels, and visual art. Winners and finalists are published in the quarterly digital edition and the annual fall print edition.
Word count: 100 words for fiction and nonfiction; 140 characters for micropoetry; 4 pages for graphic novels; visual art no larger than 25 inches square
Prizes: $100 cash and publication for the winner; publication offered to runners-up and finalists
Entry fee: $5
Closing date: February 1, 2026

Mini Moon Writing Contest

Tadpole Press hosts this monthly micro-writing contest celebrating the power of brevity. Write a piece of 10 words or less (including any title) with no theme restrictions. Deadlines fall on every full moon, with winners announced one week after each Community Write-In. Tips from the judges are available at Community Write-Ins.
Word count: 10 words or fewer (including title)
Prizes: $50 USD to the top winner
Entry fee: $5
Closing date: February 1, 2026

3-Minute Arts Writing Competition

Could you write a story, a play, or a song that lasts 3 minutes? This competition seeks original plays, stories, and songs that last approximately 3 minutes and are suitable for performance to a family audience at Mini Arts Festival in Glaisdale. Judges look for that spark of creativity as well as technical ability to construct well-made work that engages an audience’s attention. Drama entries need to be simple to stage and ideally contain action and visual interest.
Word count: Approximately 3 minutes performance length
Prizes: Cash prizes and performance at Mini Arts Festival 2026
Entry fee: £6.00 for a first entry in that category, and £3.00 for any subsequent entry in the same category
Closing date: February 15, 2026

Voices of Mixed Heritage (Kinsman Quarterly)

Submit essays, fiction, or poetry exploring themes of multicultural or third-culture identity, love, belonging, home life, and pain. Kinsman Quarterly seeks heartfelt reflections on living between worlds. Winners receive cash prizes and publication in Kinsman’s upcoming anthology.
Word count: Between 300 and 2,000 words (creative writing), up to 10 pages (poetry)
Prizes: Up to $500 in cash prizes and publication in an anthology
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: February 28, 2026

March 2026

Poetry Contests 2026

NFSPS Annual Poetry Contests

The National Federation of State Poetry Societies (NFSPS) hosts its prestigious annual poetry contests, offering poets across the country the opportunity to compete in multiple categories. This long-standing competition celebrates excellence in poetry and provides recognition for poets at various skill levels. Winners are announced at the annual NFSPS convention, and winning poems are published in the NFSPS anthology.
Word count: Varies by category (check individual contest rules)
Prizes: Cash prizes and publication in the NFSPS anthology
Entry fee: Varies by category
Closing date: March 15, 2026

The Lascaux Prize in Poetry

The Lascaux Review presents its annual poetry prize, welcoming submissions of previously published or unpublished poems. This contest accepts simultaneous submissions and has no length restrictions, making it accessible to poets working in any style or genre. All entries are considered for publication in The Lascaux Review, giving every participant a chance at wider exposure. Poets may submit up to five poems per entry, all pasted into one document.
Word count: No length restrictions; up to 5 poems per entry
Prizes: $1,000, a bronze medallion, and publication in The Lascaux Review
Entry fee: $15
Closing date: March 31, 2026

Polyphony Lit Winter Contest 2026

Polyphony Lit’s Winter Contest 2026 invites high school students from around the world to submit their best work on the theme of “Subversion.” The contest encourages writers to think about the unorthodox, offering their own twist on common motifs and symbolism, toying with structure, and inverting tropes and expectations. Winners receive publication, editorial feedback from the contest judge, and a full scholarship for Polyphony Lit’s editorial training course.
Theme: Subversion
Word count: Poetry: 80 lines or less; Fiction/Creative Nonfiction: 1,800 words or less
Prizes: Publication in Polyphony Lit Volume 20, eligibility for the Claudia Ann Seaman Awards, editorial feedback from the Contest Judge, and a full scholarship for Polyphony Lit’s “How to be a Literary Editor” course
Entry fee: Free for the first 200 submissions; $4 for additional submissions
Closing date: March 31, 2026

Short story writing contests 2026

Mairtín Crawford Award (Belfast Book Festival)

The Mairtín Crawford Award, hosted by the Belfast Book Festival, recognizes emerging talent in short fiction. Writers may submit a short story of up to 2,500 words on any subject, written in any style or form. All entries must be in English. This award provides an excellent platform for writers seeking recognition in the literary community and offers the opportunity to be celebrated at one of Ireland’s premier book festivals.
Word count: Up to 2,500 words
Prizes: Recognition at Belfast Book Festival (check website for full prize details)
Entry fee: £10
Closing date: March 11, 2026

53-Word Story Contest (Press 53)

Press 53’s free monthly 53-Word Story Contest challenges writers to craft a complete story in exactly 53 words, no more, no less. Each month features a new prompt, and the March 2026 theme asks writers to create a story about “a charge.” This contest is open to writers around the world who write in English, with no age limit. The winning story is published in Prime Number Magazine, and the winner receives a free book from Press 53.
Word count: Exactly 53 words (titles not included in word count)
Prizes: Publication in Prime Number Magazine and a free book from Press 53
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: March 15, 2026

Essay Contests 2026

The Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay Prize

The 2026 Fitzcarraldo Editions/Mahler & LeWitt Studios Essay Prize is an annual competition for unpublished writers, seeking essays that explore and expand the possibilities of the essay form with no restrictions on theme or subject matter. The prize aims to find the best emerging essay writers and give them a chance to develop and showcase their talent. It also provides the winner with their first experience of publishing a book, from the planning, research, and writing through to the editing, production, and publicity stages. The 2026 prize will be judged by Joanna Biggs, Brian Dillon, Joanna Kavenna, Max Porter, and Jacques Testard.
Word count: Proposal no longer than 5,000 words; optional writing sample of up to 5,000 words; proposed essay must be a minimum of 25,000 words
Prizes: £4,000, up to six weeks’ residency at Mahler & LeWitt Studios in Spoleto, Italy, and publication by Fitzcarraldo Editions
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: March 16, 2026

Book Writing Contests 2026

Prairie Schooner Raz-Shumaker Book Prize Contest

The Prairie Schooner Raz-Shumaker Book Prize Series welcomes manuscripts from all living writers, including non-US citizens, writing in English. Both unpublished and published writers are welcome to submit manuscripts. Winners receive a significant cash prize and publication through the University of Nebraska Press. The contest accepts both poetry and prose manuscripts, and simultaneous submissions are accepted, though writers must notify them immediately if their manuscript is accepted elsewhere.
Word count: Full-length manuscript
Prizes: $3,000 and publication through the University of Nebraska Press
Entry fee: $25 per submission
Closing date: March 15, 2026

YesYes Books Open Reading Period in Poetry

YesYes Books holds an annual Open Reading Period for full-length poetry manuscripts. Collections by a single author as well as collaborative manuscripts are eligible for submission. Publication with YesYes Books includes a generous advance, author copies, royalties, and tour expense support.
Word count: 48-120 numbered pages of poetry with a table of contents
Prizes: $1,000 advance toward royalties, 40 author copies, 15%-25% royalties, and $500 toward tour expenses
Entry fee: $25
Closing date: March 15, 2026

The International Rubery Book Award

The International Rubery Book Award is a globally respected and prestigious award recognizing excellence in writing across all forms of storytelling. Whether literary or genre-led, each work is judged on its execution, originality, and overall impact by experienced and reputable judges. The award is open to indie writers, self-published authors, and books published by independent presses. Winners receive cash prizes, a glass plaque, and a professional write-up.
Word count: Full-length book (self-published or published by an independent press)
Prizes: Book of the Year: £2,000 (approx. $2,760 USD); Category winners: £200 (approx. $276 USD); glass plaque for all winners; write-up for all winners and shortlisted authors
Entry fee: Varies for each country
Closing date: March 31, 2026

Mixed Writing Contests 2026

Northern Writers’ Awards (New Writing North)

The Northern Writers’ Awards offer multiple award categories for writers living in the North of England, supporting poetry, fiction, narrative non-fiction, children’s writing, and more. Awards include the Charlotte Aitken Trust Awards (£5,000 bursaries for early-career published writers), Northern Writers’ Awards for Fiction and Narrative Non-Fiction (up to £3,000), and many others. All winners receive access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network.
Word count: Varies by award category (typically 3,000-6,000 words for prose extracts; up to 30 poems for poetry; up to 1,500 words for short fiction)
Prizes: Range from £1,000 to £5,000 depending on the award; include mentoring, access to Northern Writers’ Awards Network, and various professional development opportunities
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: March 10, 2026

Winter 2026 Story Contest (Narrative Magazine)

Narrative Magazine’s winter contest is open to all fiction and nonfiction writers. They seek short shorts, short stories, essays, memoirs, photo essays, graphic stories, all forms of literary nonfiction, and excerpts from longer works. Narrative winners and finalists have gone on to win Whiting Awards, the Pulitzer Prize, the Pushcart Prize, and the Atlantic Prize, and have appeared in Best American Short Stories, Best American Nonrequired Reading, and many others. All entries are also eligible for the $5,000 Narrative Prize and for acceptance as a Story of the Week.
Word count: Up to 15,000 words
Prizes: First Prize: $2,500; Second Prize: $1,000; Third Prize: $500; up to ten finalists receive $100 each; all entries considered for publication
Entry fee: $27 (includes three months of complimentary access to Narrative Backstage)
Closing date: March 31, 2026

April 2026

Poetry Contests 2026

Meraki: The Slam Poetry Competition

The English Literary Society at Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, presents Meraki 2026, a celebration of poetry that pulses with life. Inspired by the spirit of “meraki,” the art of pouring your soul into what you create, this competition invites you to step into the spotlight and let your voice resonate. The competition features two rounds: a written submission round through Unstop, followed by offline finals where shortlisted participants perform their poems before a live audience and judges.
Word count: No word limit
Prizes: Winner, First Runner-up, and Second Runner-up each receive certificates and prizes in kind up to ₹3,000
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 11, 2026

The Peseroff Prize Poetry Contest (Breakwater Review)

The Peseroff Prize honors Joyce Peseroff’s work as a poet, teacher, editor, innovator, and mentor. She helped found the MFA Program in Creative Writing at the University of Massachusetts Boston and served as its first director. The prize celebrates poetry in all its forms with no restrictions on content or form, as Joyce Peseroff said, “It’s all poetry.” Previous judges have included Major Jackson, Amanda Shea, and Chen Chen.
Word count: Up to 3 poems in one file
Prizes: $1,000 and publication in Breakwater Review’s next issue
Entry fee: $10
Closing date: April 15, 2026

Write the World Poetry Competition

Write the World’s April poetry competition invites young writers aged 13-19 to share an original poem or piece of spoken word. As poet Kahlil Gibran once said: “Poetry is a deal of joy and pain and wonder, with a dash of the dictionary.” This month celebrates the mysterious, challenging, and essential art of putting words to feelings we struggle to explain. The competition is guest judged by 王潇/Evan Wang, the 9th National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States.
Word count: 50-500 words
Prizes: Best Written Poem: $100; Best Spoken Word Performance: $100; Best Peer Review: $50
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 27, 2026

Ware Poets Open Poetry Competition 2026

The 28th annual Ware Poets Open Poetry Competition is judged by Keith Jarrett, a multiple poetry slam champion selected for the International Literary Showcase as an outstanding LGBT writer. His poem “From the Log Book” was projected onto St. Paul’s Cathedral. This year features five prizes for the first time, including special categories for sonnets and local poets from Hertfordshire or Essex. Poems may be on any subject.
Word count: No word limit
Prizes: First prize: £1,000; Second prize: £500; Third prize: £200; Sonnet prize: £200; Local prize: £200 (for residents of Hertfordshire or Essex)
Entry fee: £5 per poem
Closing date: April 30, 2026

Erbacce Prize for Poetry 2026

The Erbacce Prize for poetry is a completely free international competition recognized worldwide as a prestigious addition to any poet’s CV. The press publishes “poetry which is radical in form and/or content.” All submissions are judged blind. The outright winner receives a publishing contract with Erbacce Press for a perfect-bound collection, plus royalties at 20%, twice as much as major publishers. Runners-up may receive a perfect-bound book or high-quality chapbook, and four poets will be chosen as “Featured Poet” in the Erbacce Poetry Journal.
Word count: 5 pages of poetry (not 5 poems)
Prizes: Winner: publishing contract for perfect-bound collection, personalized web page, 20% royalties, and all publishing costs covered; Runners-up: perfect-bound book or chapbook; 4 Featured Poets in erbacce journal
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 30, 2026

Short story writing contests 2026

Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize

The Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize is an international competition celebrating exceptional short fiction. This prestigious prize partners with literary organizations worldwide to maximize exposure for winners, offering cash prizes, writing retreats, and opportunities for publication and connection with literary agents.
Word count: Up to 2,000 words
Prizes: Cash prizes, publication, festival invitations, and opportunities to connect with literary agents
Entry fee: €20 for the first piece of short fiction and €10 for every further entry
Closing date: April 15, 2026

Writing Battle – Verdant Owl Pro

Writing Battle hosts regular short story competitions, challenging writers to craft compelling stories within specific parameters. The Verdant Owl Pro competition invites writers to submit stories of up to 2,500 words.
Word count: Up to 2,500 words
Prizes: The prizes start at $600 USD and go up to $2,400 USD
Entry fee: $39
Closing date: April 19, 2026

Dragons & Wyverns Short Story Challenge (Forest & Fawn)

Forest & Fawn’s Dragons & Wyverns Short Story Challenge invites fantasy writers of all skill levels to write a brand new short story featuring dragons and wyverns as the central theme within ten days. Participants receive specific prompts and elements that must be included in their story. You can write in any fantasy sub-genre, cozy fantasy, gothic fantasy, high fantasy, erotic fantasy, or urban fantasy, as long as dragons and wyverns are the centering theme. The challenge includes access to a private online forum, a creative writing workshop, and write-in calls during the challenge week.
Word count: Up to 2,000 words
Prizes: 1st Place: $1,800 cash prize; 2nd Place: $900 cash prize; 3rd Place: $400 cash prize; 4th-10th Place: $100 cash prize each; All winning stories published on Forest & Fawn website
Entry fee: $38
Closing date: Registration closes April 24, 2026

Ironclad Creative Short Story Competition – Summer 2026

The Ironclad Creative Short Story Competition seeks short stories that respond in any way to the prompt “FOOTPRINT.” This competition is open to both published and unpublished writers and welcomes any genre of prose up to 6,000 words. Prize-winning and shortlisted writers will be published in the July 2026 anthology. The competition looks for writers with exciting voices who can move readers, regardless of genre.
Word count: Up to 6,000 words
Prizes: First Place: £100 and publication; Second Place: £50 and publication; Third Place: £25 and publication; Shortlisted writers also receive publication
Entry fee: £9.75 per story
Closing date: April 30, 2026

Essay Contests 2026

Great American Think-Off

The Great American Think-Off, hosted by the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center in Minnesota, invites essayists to tackle the 2026 question: “Has the pursuit of happiness made Americans unhappy?” Entrants should take a strong stand, basing their arguments on personal experience and observations rather than philosophical abstraction. Finalists will be announced May 1, and the 33rd annual live debate will be held in New York Mills, Minnesota, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Essays are judged on content only, with all personal information redacted before review.
Word count: Up to 750 words
Prizes: Finalists participate in a live debate in New York Mills, Minnesota
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 1, 2026

Think Essay Prize (Royal Institute of Philosophy)

The Think Essay Prize is a philosophy essay competition for students aged 15-18 years old. Essays must engage with one of six philosophical questions, including topics on knowledge of God, moral responsibility in a determined universe, science and religious belief, machine consciousness, state restrictions on speech, and the logical possibility of time travel. The winning essay will be published in the Think journal alongside articles from leading philosophers. Shortlisted candidates receive a year’s free subscription to the journal, and other prizes are awarded to all those who make the longlist.

2026 Essay Questions:

• To what extent is knowledge of God possible?
• If we live in a physically determined universe, is anyone ever morally responsible for what they do?
• To what extent can science threaten religious and theistic beliefs?
• Could a machine think and feel?
• Under what circumstances is the State justified in restricting what we can say?
• Is time travel logically possible?

Word count: No more than 1,200 words
Prizes: Winner published in Think journal; shortlisted candidates receive a year’s free journal subscription; longlist prizes
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 20, 2026

The Sophie Coe Prize

The Sophie Coe Prize is awarded annually to the author of an original, informative article or essay on any aspect of food history relating to any period, place, people, or culture. The Trustees emphasize the need for originality in the form of new research or new insights, seeking work that combines excellent research with lively writing. This is the world’s most prestigious prize for writing on food history. The Prize winner will be announced in July 2026 with a public presentation at the Oxford Symposium on Food & Cookery.
Word count: 2,500 to 10,000 words (including notes and bibliography)
Prizes: £1,500 (will not be divided); winning entry may be published in Petits Propos Culinaires or Oxford Symposium documents
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 24, 2026

Book Writing Contests 2026

Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award

The 19th Annual Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award seeks to discover and honor the best books of 2025 that incorporate elements of mystery, thriller, suspense, action, and romance across numerous genres. The competition makes no distinction between self-published, indie-published, and traditionally published works.
Word count: Full-length books (novels, novellas, collections, anthologies, and nonfiction)
Prizes: Physical award in each category; Top Picks, Finalists, and Winners announced; increased exposure and publicity
Entry fee: Free for one entry with Killer Nashville conference registration; $92 per entry for non-attendees or additional submissions
Closing date: April 1, 2026

Maya Angelou Book Award

The Kansas City Public Library established the Maya Angelou Book Award in 2020 in partnership with the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri State University, Northwest Missouri State University, Truman State University, and Southeast Missouri State University. Named after the acclaimed, Missouri-born memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist, the prize celebrates contemporary writers whose work demonstrates a commitment to social justice. In 2026, the award will be given to a work of fiction. Both novels and short story collections will be considered.
Word count: Full-length fiction (novels and short story collections)
Prizes: $10,000, a reading tour of partner colleges, universities, and libraries in Missouri, and recognition at an event hosted by the Kansas City Public Library
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 8, 2026

Northern Territory History Book Award 2026

The Northern Territory History Book Award recognizes the most significant historical book about the Northern Territory published in the previous 12 months. Administered by Library & Archives NT, this award is free to enter and celebrates works that illuminate the history of the Northern Territory.
Word count: Full-length book on Northern Territory history
Prizes: $1,000 and award recognition
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 13, 2026

Natan Notable Books

Natan Notable Books is a twice-yearly award for nonfiction books on Jewish themes. The award highlights vital books and authors, bringing innovative and important ideas to the attention of diverse audiences. Submissions should be recently published or about to be published nonfiction titles that catalyze conversations aligned with Natan’s grantmaking themes: reinventing Jewish life and community for the twenty-first century, shifting notions of individual and collective Jewish identity, the history and future of Israel, and the evolving relationship between Israel and world Jewry.
Word count: Full-length nonfiction book
Prizes: $5,000 for the author, Natan Notable Book seal, marketing/distribution coaching and promotion from Jewish Book Council and Natan, and customized support to bring the book and author to new audiences
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 15, 2026

Mixed Writing Contests 2026

FLARE Magazine – “Medication” Themed Issue

FLARE Magazine opens submissions for its mini themed issue “Medication” from April 1st to April 4th, 2026. This issue explores medication for chronic illness, neurodivergence, mental health, and disability, the positives, negatives, and everything in between. Submissions can also relate to holistic medicine, massages, acupuncture, or anything that “medicates” you, like sleep, meditation, or yoga. FLARE accepts poetry, microfiction, flash fiction, short stories, creative nonfiction, hybrid/experimental pieces, and art/photography. Artists should be disabled, though art does not need to relate to the theme.
Word count: Poetry: up to 3 poems; Microfiction: up to 3 pieces of 400 words or fewer; Flash Fiction: up to 1,000 words; Short Stories: up to 2,500 words; Creative Nonfiction: up to 2,000 words; Hybrid/Experimental: up to 3 pieces of 1,000 words each
Prizes: Publication, social media promotion, and nomination for literary awards, including Best of the Net, Pushcart Prize, Best Small Fictions, Best Microfiction, and Best American Essays
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 4, 2026

The Adventure Writers Competition

The Adventure Writers Competition, now in its 16th year, invites unpublished or published writers in the action/adventure genre to vie for the title of “Grandmaster.” The competition accepts a wide range of adventure writing, including classic adventure, military, crime and legal thrillers, spy action, techno-thrillers, westerns, psychological thrillers, eco-thrillers, young adult adventure, and more. A large panel of judges reads every entry, making this a unique and highly regarded competition. Finalists are celebrated at the Clive Cussler Collector’s Society Convention with an exciting award ceremony.
Word count: Full-length manuscript
Prizes: Grandmaster Winner: $1,000 and trophy; Two runners-up: $500 each; All finalists receive trophies, video book trailers, and interviews; Semi-finalists, finalists, and winner receive AWC badges for marketing
Entry fee: $75
Closing date: April 30, 2026

Writers in Kyoto (WiK) Tenth Kyoto Writing Competition

The Tenth Kyoto Writing Competition invites English-language submissions on the theme of “Kyoto.” This international competition welcomes short shorts in various forms—short poems, character studies, essays, travel tips, whimsy, haiku sequences, haibun, wordplays, dialogue, and experimental verse. Entrants do not need to be located in Kyoto to participate. A clear connection to Kyoto is essential.
Word count: 300 words maximum on a single page
Prizes:

• Kyoto City Mayoral Prize: ¥20,000 cash, copy of Future of Kyoto anthology, one-year WiK membership, complimentary Book Proposal Masterclass by Beth Kempton (valued at ~¥140,000), website publication, and inclusion in future WiK Anthology
• Yamabuki Prize (for nationals of countries where English is an official language): Copy of anthology, website publication, anthology inclusion
• Unohana Prize (for nationals of countries where English is not an official language): Copy of anthology, website publication, anthology inclusion
• Japan Local Prize: Selected ceramic piece from Robert Yellin Yakimono Gallery
• Book Prizes: Signed copies of books by WiK members 

Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 30, 2026

May 2026

Poetry Contests May 2026

RBC/PEN Canada New Voices Award

The RBC/PEN Canada New Voices Award supports and celebrates emerging talent in Canadian literature. Open to all genres, including poetry collections, short stories, creative nonfiction, scripts, and journalism. The winning entry receives $3,000 CAD and mentorship with a Canadian author. Shortlisted submissions are judged by a distinguished jury of Canadian writers.
Word count: Poetry: no more than 2,500 words combined (sequence, collection, or one long poem); Prose: 2,000-4,000 words per entry (up to three prose entries allowed)
Prizes: $3,000 CAD and mentorship with a Canadian author
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 7, 2026

James Laughlin Award

The James Laughlin Award honors a second full-length book of original poetry in English by a living poet, forthcoming in the next calendar year. Winners receive $5,000, and approximately 1,000 copies of the winning book are distributed to Academy members. Publishers submit on behalf of authors.
Word count: At least 48 pages (suggested 48-100 pages); must be submitted in manuscript form
Prizes: $5,000 and distribution of approximately 1,000 copies to Academy members
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 15, 2026
Eligibility: Author must have published one previous book of poetry (48+ pages). Must be a U.S. citizen, a ten-year U.S. resident, or have DACA/TPS/LPS status. Book must be under contract with a U.S. publisher for publication between January 1 and December 31, 2027. Submissions from small presses, university presses, and trade publishers that have published at least four poetry books.

The Loraine Williams Poetry Prize

The Georgia Review’s annual poetry prize awards $1,500 to one winner and $200 to each of three finalists. All winners and finalists are published in The Georgia Review. The 2026 prize will be judged by Brian Teare, a 2020 Guggenheim Fellow and author of seven critically acclaimed books of poetry. All submitted poems are also considered for regular publication at $4 per line.
Word count: One, two, or three poems totaling no more than 10 standard pages in 12-point or larger type
Prizes: Winner: $1,500 and publication; Three finalists: $200 each and publication
Entry fee: $25
Closing date: May 15, 2026
Eligibility: Work must be previously unpublished. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Students, faculty, staff, and administrators at the University of Georgia are ineligible. Previous winners must wait three years before entering again.

Hampshire Young Poets 2026

Hampshire Young Poets is an annual competition run by Hampshire Cultural Trust and the Winchester Poetry Festival, inspiring creativity and encouraging a love of poetry, writing, and words in young people across Hampshire. The 2026 theme is “Food”, exploring the world of food through senses, memories, traditions, and emotions. From the rustle of a crisp packet in a silent cinema to the comforting aroma of sizzling spices, poets are invited to capture their food experiences in verse. The competition is judged by Damian Kelly-Basher (Hampshire Poet).
Word count: No more than 14 lines
Prizes:

• First prize in each category: £50 National Book Token, plus £50 for the school/education provider
• Second prize in each category: £25 National Book Token, plus £25 for school/education provider
• Third prize in each category: £10 National Book Token, plus £10 for the school/education provider
• Certificates awarded for the best lines in each category

Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 22, 2026 (midnight GMT)

Free the Verse May 2026 Poetry Contest

Free the Verse’s monthly poetry contest welcomes all poets, all voices, and all styles. Submit up to five poems for your chance to win $100 and publication on Free the Verse. There are no theme restrictions, and poems of any length and form are accepted. Previously published poems and simultaneous submissions are welcome.
Word count: Any length, any form or style
Prizes: $100 via PayPal and publication on Free the Verse
Entry fee: $3.49 per poem
Closing date: May 31, 2026

Short story writing contests May 2026

Havok Publishing Flash Fiction Contest

Havok Publishing’s Season 13 “Encore” continues with the Vice & Virtue theme, exploring humanity’s positive and negative character traits through compelling flash fiction. Writers are challenged to show, not tell, vices and virtues, including cowardice, courage, laziness, diligence, pride, humility, rage, peace, gluttony, temperance, selfishness, and sacrifice. Stories must fit Havok’s accepted genres: mystery, thriller, humor, science fiction, and fantasy.
Word count: Up to 1,500 words
Prizes: Publication in Havok; stories published in August 2026
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 8, 2026

International Jay Yes Short Story Contest 2026

The Jay Yes International Short Story Contest is a global writing competition for unpublished writers, with the 2026 theme “Seeking Refuge: Stories of Displacement.” Organised by the Jay Yes Foundation, founded by internationally acclaimed author Jayanthi Sankar, the contest seeks mind-blowing narratives exploring displacement. Top winners receive publishing contracts with Zero Degree Publishing, and selected stories are included in a global anthology.
Word count: 2,500-4,000 words
Prizes: Top 3 winners: publishing contracts with Zero Degree Publishing; 3 distinguished jury favourites; 3 honourable mentions; anthology inclusion; copy of global anthology; podcast opportunities; media visibility; digital certificates for all participants
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 8, 2026
Eligibility: Writers 18+ who have not traditionally published a solo book-length work. Self-published authors and anthology contributors are eligible.

Flash Fiction Award 2026 (Library & Archives NT)

The Flash Fiction Award invites writers to submit a blog post, fan fiction, short story, fictional diary entry, or fictional letter in 500 words or fewer. Up to three entries per person are permitted. Winners receive a cash prize, NT Writers’ Centre membership, and a double pass to select shows at Brown’s Mart.
Word count: Up to 500 words
Prizes: $600, NT Writers’ Centre membership, and double pass to Brown’s Mart shows
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 11, 2026

Zip Print Short Story Award 2026 (Library & Archives NT)

The Zip Print Short Story Award seeks original works of short fiction up to 3,000 words. Winners receive a cash prize, NT Writers’ Centre membership, and a double pass to select shows at Brown’s Mart.
Word count: Up to 3,000 words
Prizes: $1,000, NT Writers’ Centre membership, and double pass to Brown’s Mart shows
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 11, 2026

RTÉ Short Story Competition 2026

A launchpad for many Irish writers’ careers since 1986, the RTÉ Short Story Competition in honour of Francis MacManus is one of Ireland’s most significant literary prizes. Ten shortlisted stories are broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 and published on rte.ie/culture each year. The 2026 judges are Aingeala Flannery, Jan Carson, and Tristan Rosenstock.
Word count: 1,800-2,000 words (excluding title)
Prizes: Top prize: €5,000; shortlisted stories broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 and published online
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 15, 2026

Essay Contests May 2026

Casa África Essay Prize 2026 (17th Edition)

Casa África announces for the 17th consecutive year its Essay Prize on African themes, aiming to recognise, encourage, and disseminate original and unpublished essays that contribute to a better knowledge of the African continent. The 2026 theme is “Disinformation in Africa: local, regional and geopolitical impacts and the role of Artificial Intelligence.” Casa África seeks rigorous works that are well-founded, go beyond clichés, and explore diverse realities from a critical and original point of view.
Word count: 15,000-20,000 words (including footnotes, excluding bibliography)
Prizes: €2,000 and publication in the Casa África Essay Prize Collection
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 2, 2026

Charles Darwin University Essay Award 2026

The Charles Darwin University Essay Award seeks referenced academic essays on topics relating to the Northern Territory. Winners receive a cash prize, NT Writers’ Centre membership, and a double pass to select shows at Brown’s Mart.
Word count: Up to 3,000 words
Prizes: $1,000, NT Writers’ Centre membership, and double pass to Brown’s Mart shows
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 11, 2026

A Voice for Animals Contest 2026

The Humane Education Network and the Animal Welfare Institute present the 36th annual A Voice for Animals Contest for high schoolers across the globe. Participants submit an essay or video addressing either the mistreatment of one animal species, one cause of animal suffering, or the preservation of one endangered species, along with potential solutions. Essays should educate and inspire peers or community members. Categories include Companion Animals, Farm Animals, Wildlife on Land, Wildlife in the Oceans, Insects/Invertebrates, and this year’s special category: The Endangered Species Act.
Word count: 1,400-1,500 words (excluding citations, headers, footers)
Prizes: Winners announced in July 2026 (check website for prize details)
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 25, 2026

CNO Naval History Essay Contest 2026

The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) announces the 2026 CNO Naval History Essay Contest, commemorating the enduring legacy of America’s Navy and the 250th anniversary of the Nation. This contest provides an opportunity to reflect on naval history, deepen understanding of the present, and strengthen the intellectual readiness required for the future fight. The Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) leads the contest, with the United States Naval Institute (USNI) supporting execution, publication, and awards.

The CNO invites submissions that use the power of naval history to illuminate the serious challenges confronting today’s Navy. As the Navy enters what may be the most consequential era in American sea power, participants are encouraged to examine historical touchpoints and derive insights that sharpen understanding of how to generate, deploy, and fight a Fleet that is resilient, agile, globally present, and combat credible.
Word count: 3,500 words maximum (excludes endnotes/footnotes)
Prizes:

• First Prize: $5,000
• Second Prize: $2,500
• Invitational travel orders to the 2026 CNO Naval History Essay Contest Awards Reception to meet the CNO
• Publication in Naval History magazine or Proceedings and online with NHHC
• Copper sheathing from USS Constitution
• Recognition on NHHC’s website
• One-year Naval Institute membership and Naval History magazine subscription

Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 30, 2026

Book Writing Contests May 2026

National Book Awards 2026

The National Book Awards, presented by the National Book Foundation, are among the most prestigious literary prizes in the United States. The 77th National Book Awards will recognize outstanding books in five categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature. Each Winner receives $10,000, and each Finalist receives $1,000.
Word count: Full-length published books
Prizes:

• Winners (one per category): $10,000
• Finalists (five per category): $1,000 each
• For Translated Literature, prizes are split equally between the author and the translator

Entry fee: $135 per title
Closing date: May 13, 2026

Crook’s Corner Book Prize 2026

The Crook’s Corner Book Prize recognizes debut novels set predominantly in the American South. Now in its 14th year, this prize has become a prestigious award for first-time novelists exploring Southern settings and themes. Submissions are welcome from authors or publishers.
Word count: Full-length novel
Prizes: Check the website for prize details
Entry fee: $35
Closing date: May 15, 2026

The Fugere Book Prize for Finely Crafted Novellas 2026

Regal House Publishing’s Fugere Book Prize celebrates finely crafted novellas. The winner receives a cash prize and publication by Regal House Publishing. Entries undergo blind reading by the editorial team.
Word count: 17,000-40,000 words
Prizes: $1,000 and book publication by Regal House Publishing
Entry fee: $25
Closing date: May 15, 2026 (opens February 15, 2026)

The Yeovil Literary Prize 2026 – Novel Category

The Yeovil Literary Prize International Writing Competition offers opportunities across five categories, with the Novel category specifically designed for long-form fiction. Recognised as prestigious in the international literary world, this competition actively encourages literary agents to review winning work. The 2026 Novel category judge is Raffaella Barker.
Word count: 500-word synopsis plus first 10,000 words of opening chapters
Prizes: Check the website for prize details
Entry fee: £18.50
Closing date: May 31, 2026

Mixed Writing Contests May 2026

The Mo Siewcharran Prize 2026

The Mo Siewcharran Prize, hosted by Bookouture, supports underrepresented voices in commercial fiction. Open to romance and psychological thriller submissions from unagented, unpublished writers from Black, Asian, mixed heritage, and/or multiple ethnic backgrounds resident in the UK.
Word count: Synopsis up to 700 words, plus first 10,000 words of novel
Prizes:

• Winner: £2,500, 1,000-word editorial feedback from Bookouture editor, follow-up editorial meeting, introductory meeting with literary agent, and consideration for publication at acquisitions meeting
• Runners-up: £1,500 and £750, plus editorial feedback

Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 2, 2026

Kath Manzie Youth Award 2026

The Kath Manzie Youth Award recognizes creative writing by young people aged 12-18. Entrants may submit poetry or short stories. Winners receive a cash prize, NT Writers’ Centre membership, and a double pass to Brown’s Mart shows.
Word count: Three poetry entries with a 300-line limit OR one short story up to 3,000 words
Prizes: $800, NT Writers’ Centre membership, and a double pass to Brown’s Mart shows
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 11, 2026

Charles Darwin University Creative Non-Fiction Award 2026

The Charles Darwin University Creative Non-Fiction Award seeks factually accurate works written with attention to literary style and technique. Eligible forms include biography, autobiography, memoir, diary entry, travel writing, food writing, literary journalism, or criticism.
Word count: Up to 3,000 words
Prizes: $500, NT Writers’ Centre membership, and double pass to Brown’s Mart shows
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 11, 2026

Brown’s Mart Theatre Award 2026

The Brown’s Mart Theatre Award recognizes outstanding theatrical scripts. Scripts must have a performance time of more than 30 minutes. Script treatments are not eligible.
Word count: No word limit (performance time must exceed 30 minutes)
Prizes: $1,000, NT Writers’ Centre membership, and double pass to Brown’s Mart shows
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 11, 2026

Dear Aliens Writing Contest: A creative writing contest asking: what single written document should humanity share with arriving aliens? Submissions can be anything: history, family introduction, science fiction, life narrative, joke, or sunset description. Judges include Robin Sloan, Gwern Branwen, Clifford Stoll, Rémy Ngamije, Niko McCarty, and Taylor Troesh.
Word count: Under 1,000 words
Prizes:

• First place: $2,000 USD
• Second place: $250
• Third place: $250

Entry fee: Free (except postage costs)
Closing date: Must be physically received by May 15, 2026

Jonathan and Barbara Silver Foundation 2026 Grant for Writing on Sculpture

The Jonathan and Barbara Silver Foundation encourages and supports sculptors as well as writers on sculpture, both emerging and established. The 2026 Grant for Writing on Sculpture invites proposals for writing projects to be completed in 2027. Supported writing types include art criticism, art history, memoir, psychoanalytical study, philosophical meditation, and literary study.
Word count: Project description up to 300 words; writing samples max 2,500 words each (up to 3 samples)
Prizes: Grant award
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: May 31, 2026

June 2026

Poetry Contests June 2026

Peggy Willis Lyles Haiku Awards 2026

The Heron’s Nest presents the annual Peggy Willis Lyles Haiku Awards, honoring excellence in English-language haiku. Selection is blind to authorship, with excellence as the sole criterion.
Word count: Haiku form (two haiku maximum per entrant)
Prizes:

• First Place: $200, copy of Red Leaves: Selected Haiku of Peggy Lyles, and miniature crystal turtle
• Second Place: $100 and a copy of Red Leaves
• Third Place: $50 and a copy of Red Leaves
• Honorable Mention (up to five): award certificates and recognition on the Awards page

Entry fee: None
Closing date: June 1, 2026
Eligibility: All haiku poets except the staff of The Heron’s Nest and the contest judge. Submitted poems must not be published, accepted for publication, or under consideration elsewhere.

King’s English Society June 2026 Poetry Competition

The King’s English Society poetry competition is judged by Poet in Residence Dorothy Pope, author of three books including The Fourth Man, The Summerhouse Poems, and A Mile of Kite String. A retired English teacher who began writing at 53, she has published 530 poems with approximately 20 prize-winners, including the Poetry Society’s Hamish Canham award.
Word count: Maximum 20 lines per poem, author’s choice of form
Prizes: £200 (Winner), £100 (Runner-up), both poems published on the King’s English Society website, social media, and in the quarterly magazine Quest
Entry fee: £5 per entrant (free for subscriber-members of the Society)
Closing date: June 15, 2026

James Laughlin Award 2026

Offered since 1954 by the Academy of American Poets, the James Laughlin Award recognizes and supports a second book of poetry forthcoming in the next calendar year. The award was endowed in 1995 by a gift from the Drue Heinz Trust and is named for poet and publisher James Laughlin (1914–1997), founder of New Directions.
Word count: Full-length poetry collection (second book)
Prizes: $5,000 cash prize, all-expenses-paid weeklong residency at The Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, and distribution of the winning book to approximately 1,200 Academy of American Poets members
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: June 15, 2026

The 12th SUSPECT Poetry Contest

Singapore Unbound’s SUSPECT Poetry Contest returns for its 12th iteration, in conjunction with Gaudy Boy’s September 2026 publication of Mark Kyungsoo Bias’s Minor Destructions (winner of the Gaudy Boy Poetry Book Prize).

Theme: Poems must use BOTH words “minor” AND “destructions” (or grammatical variants such as “minors” or “destroyed”) in an imaginative fashion, together or separately. 

Word count: Poetry (maximum three poems per submission)
Prizes: USD $300 (First place), USD $200 (Second place), USD $100 (Third place). Winning poems published in SUSPECT; non-winning poems considered for publication
Entry fee: None
Closing date: June 30, 2026

Short Story Writing June Contests 2026

The Dream Foundry Contest for Emerging Writers 2026

The Dream Foundry Contest for Emerging Writers is an annual no-fee contest with cash prizes for writers relatively new to paid speculative fiction publication. Winners are featured at Flights of Foundry, an annual convention where industry professionals discuss the speculative arts. The Dream Foundry does not publish winning stories; authors retain all rights, including first publication rights.
Word count: Up to 10,000 words (flash fiction also accepted; no minimum length)
Prizes: $1,500 USD (First Place), $750 USD (Second Place), $400 USD (Third Place). Winners featured at the Flights of Foundry convention
Entry fee: None
Closing date: June 8, 2026

Sargeson Prize 2026

New Zealand’s biggest short story competition, named for celebrated New Zealand writer Frank Sargeson and sponsored by the University of Waikato. The Prize was conceived by writer Catherine Chidgey, who lectures in Writing Studies at the University. The 2026 Chief Judge is Becky Manawatu, author of the bestselling and award-winning novel Auē and 2025 Sargeson Prize winner.
Word count: Up to 5,000 words (single story)
Prizes: $15,000 NZD (First Prize), $1,000 NZD (Second Prize), $500 NZD (Third Prize). Winning stories published by Newsroom in ReadingRoom
Entry fee: None
Closing date: June 30, 2026

Essay Contests June 2026

John Locke Institute 2026 Global Essay Prize

The John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize is acknowledged as the world’s most prestigious essay competition, receiving tens of thousands of submissions from students in more than 150 countries. The competition encourages young people to cultivate independent thought, depth of knowledge, clear reasoning, critical analysis, and persuasive style through exploring challenging questions beyond school curricula.

Categories: Economics, History, International Relations, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Public Policy, Science & Technology, and Theology (three questions per category)

Word count: Maximum 2,000 words (not counting diagrams, tables, endnotes, bibliography, or authorship declaration)
Prizes:

• First place (each category, Junior and Senior): US$5,000 scholarship toward John Locke Institute programmes
• Second place: US$2,000 scholarship
• Third place: US$1,000 scholarship
• Grand Prize (best overall): Honorary Junior Fellowship with US$10,000 scholarship
• Travel grants may be awarded in certain cases

Entry fee: Free (late submission: £25 for 7-day extension; £75 for 21-day extension)
Closing date: June 7, 2026

Anne Brown Essay Prize 2026

The Anne Brown Essay Prize awards £1,500 for the best literary essay by a writer in or from Scotland. Presented by Wigtown Book Festival, the prize celebrates literary essay writing on any subject.
Word count: Maximum 4,000 words
Prizes: £1,500 and trophy (commendations may be given at judges’ discretion without monetary prize)
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: June 15, 2026

Franklin Essay Prize 2026

The Franklin Essay Prize by Essai is a global essay competition for high school students aged 13-18, challenging participants to explore today’s most pressing questions through original essays across five subject areas.
Word count: Maximum 1,000 words (excluding citations and references)
Prizes (per category):

• First Prize: ₹2,500 Amazon Gift Card + Certificate + 1-month free PIPPAMS access
• Second Prize: ₹2,000 Amazon Gift Card + Certificate
• Third Prize: ₹1,500 Amazon Gift Card + Certificate 

Entry fee: Free
Closing date: June 15, 2026

Book Writing Contests June 2026

The Novel Prize 2026

The Novel Prize is a prestigious biennial award for book-length literary fiction written in English, managed collaboratively by three independent publishers: Giramondo Publishing (Australia), Fitzcarraldo Editions (UK), and New Directions (US). The prize recognizes works that explore and expand possibilities of the novel form through innovative and imaginative style.
Word count: Book-length literary fiction (novel)
Prizes: US$10,000 cash prize, Simultaneous publication by all three publishers: Giramondo (Australia/New Zealand), Fitzcarraldo Editions (UK/Ireland), and New Directions (North America)
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: June 1, 2026

CRAFT First Chapters Contest 2026

CRAFT’s annual First Chapters Contest celebrates the unforgettable electricity of novel openings, rewarding novelists who harness the energy of their early pages. The contest is designed to encourage diligent novelists; manuscripts need not be complete to enter. Guest Judge Deb Olin Unferth seeks first chapters with a unique, inviting narrative voice, deep characterization, story momentum, illuminating style, and engagement with larger ideas.
Word count: Up to 5,000 words (first chapter or chapters of book-length fiction; must contain complete sections)
Prizes:

• First place: $2,000 + full manuscript critique (up to 100K words) by Artful Editor + agent query workshop + publication in CRAFT with introduction by guest judge
• Second place: $500 + agent query workshop + publication
• Third place: $300 + agent query workshop + publication
• All winners write an author’s note (craft essay) for publication
• All entrants receive a 10% discount from Artful Editor

Entry fee: $20 per submission
Closing date: June 28, 2026

Mixed Writing Contests May 2026

The Australian Fiction Prize

The Australian Fiction Prize is an annual prize for book-length fiction offered by HarperCollins Australia. The winner receives a publishing contract with HarperCollins along with an advance.

Word count: 75,000-100,000 words (fiction manuscript)
Prizes: $15,000 advance + publishing contract with HarperCollins Australia
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: June 1, 2026

Richard J. Margolis Award

The Richard J. Margolis Award is given annually to a promising new journalist or essayist whose nonfiction work combines warmth, humor, and wisdom while shedding light on issues of social justice. The award honors Richard J. Margolis (1929-1991), a renowned journalist, essayist, and poet who gave an eloquent voice to the rural poor, migrant farmworkers, Native Americans, aging adults, and others whose voices are seldom heard.
Genre: Nonfiction (social-justice journalism and essays)
Prizes:

• Winner: $10,000 cash prize + one-month residency at Blue Mountain Center (writers’ and artists’ colony in New York’s Adirondack Mountains)
• Finalists: $1,000 

Entry fee: Free
Closing date: June 30, 2026

July 2026

Poetry Contests July 2026

Magma Open Poetry Pamphlet Competition 2026

Magma Poetry’s fifth pamphlet competition invites poets to submit collections for the chance to have their work published by this innovative magazine. Judge Marjorie Lotfi, author of The Wrong Person to Ask (winner of the 2024 Forward Prize for Best First Collection and a James Berry Award), seeks crafted poems that grab attention, surprise, and speak to one another as a cohesive body of work.
Word count: 18-20 pages of poems (single-spaced, 12-point font, one poem per page, maximum 40 lines per page)
Prizes:

• Winner: Publication of pamphlet by Magma (2027) + launch reading + poem published in Magma magazine
• Shortlist (10 poets): Paragraph of feedback from judge + poem published on Magma website
• Three additional shortlisted poets: Poems published in Magma magazine 

Entry fee: £22 (£16 for Magma subscribers; limited free entries available for those facing financial hardship)
Closing date: July 1, 2026

2026 Rattle Poetry Prize

The annual Rattle Poetry Prize offers one of poetry’s most substantial single-poem awards, with an entry fee that doubles as a magazine subscription. Judged anonymously by the editors, the contest published 29 poems from over 5,000 entries in 2024 alone. Past winners include a retired teacher, a lawyer, and several students.
Word count: Single poem (no length restrictions specified)
Prizes:

• Grand Prize: $15,000 + publication in the winter issue of Rattle
• Ten Finalists: $500 each + publication + eligibility for Readers’ Choice Award
• Readers’ Choice Award: $5,000 (selected by subscriber and entrant vote)
• Additional poems frequently offered publication 

Entry fee: One-year subscription to Rattle (all entrants receive a print subscription)
Closing date: July 15, 2026

Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2026

The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award, run by The Poetry Society, is one of the most prestigious youth poetry competitions. This year’s judges are John McAuliffe and Rachel Long.
Word count: Maximum 40 lines per poem
Prizes: The top 15 winners receive a prize package including an anthology publication, a professional poetry mentoring program, The Poetry Society membership, and book bundles, while 85 commended poets receive digital publication and e-certificates.
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: July 31, 2026

Wingword Poetry Prize 2026

Wingword Poetry Prize discovers new talents and budding poets from India, awarding 5 Lakh Rupees in prizes annually. The competition celebrates poets of all styles and supports development through book publishing and public recognition. Notable past winners include Nandana Dev Sen, Bibhusha Rai, Dr. Neal Hall, Vancouver Shullai, Eshna Sharma, and Ilina Sinha.
Word count: Any length and style welcome
Prizes:

• Grand Prize: ₹50,000 + book publication
• Second Prize: ₹30,000
• Third Prize: ₹20,000
• Top 10 Winners: ₹10,000 each
• 100 Commendable Mentions: Published in best-selling anthology
• All participants: Certificate of Participation (verifiable by institutions)

Entry fee: ₹1,000 (1 poem), ₹2,000 (3 poems), ₹3,000 (5 poems)
Closing date: July 31, 2026

Short Story Writing July Contests 2026

HG Wells Short Story Competition 2026

The HG Wells Short Story Competition celebrates imaginative fiction with a themed challenge. This year’s theme is “The Cheat.” The competition promotes literacy and rewards accurate use of language alongside creativity and originality.
Theme: The Cheat
Word count: 1,500-5,000 words
Prizes:

• Senior Prize (over 21): £500
• Margaret and Reg Turnill Competition (21 and under): £1,000
• Shortlisted stories published in the annual HG Wells Short Story Competition Anthology 

Entry fee: Free for people aged 21 and under. Over 21: £10 (£5 with student ID)
Closing date: July 7, 2026

Nakata Brophy Prize for Young Indigenous Writers 2026

Sponsored by Trinity College at the University of Melbourne, the Nakata Brophy Prize recognizes the talent of young Indigenous writers across Australia. Now in its twelfth year, the prize is named after Sana Nakata and Lilly Brophy, the first Indigenous residential students at Trinity College. The prize alternates between poetry and short fiction each year.
2026 Genre: Poetry (up to 88 lines)
Prizes:

• First Prize: $5,000 + optional writing residency at Trinity College + publication in Overland
• Runner-up: $500
• Second runner-up may be awarded at the judges’ discretion 

Entry fee: Free
Closing date: July 17, 2026

Apex Magazine – Short Fiction

Apex Magazine is a SFWA-certified professional market publishing science fiction, fantasy, and horror featuring original, mind-bending short fiction from many of the top pros in the field. New issues are released on the first Tuesday of every third month.
Word count: Maximum 9,000 words (firm; anything over auto-rejected)
Entry fee: $0.08 per word (minimum $50) + $0.01 per word additional for podcast
Closing date: July 31, 2026

Essay Contests July 2026

The Forum Prize 2026

The Forum Prize, launched in 2009 to mark Volume 45 of Forum for Modern Language Studies, encourages and rewards the very best scholarship from any area of study represented by the journal. True to the principle of the journal as a wide and various forum for the discussion of ideas, excellence is the sole criterion for judgment.

2026 Essay Topic: “Science and the arts”

The competition seeks bold, visionary, and persuasive essays that use academic research to pursue innovative questions. The winning essay will be judged to have best addressed the topic with flair, ambition, and resonance.
Word count: 6,000-8,000 words (including notes)
Prize:

• Winner: £500 + publication in Forum for Modern Language Studies
• Runner-up (at judges’ discretion): £200
• Highly commended entries may be commissioned for publication

Entry fee: Free
Closing date: July 1, 2026

Hubert Butler Essay Prize 2026

The Hubert Butler Essay Prize encourages the art of essay-writing with a European dimension while expanding interest in the work of Hubert Butler, one of the greatest exponents of the essay form. The prize reflects Butler’s interest in common ground between European nation states, the position of religious and ethnic minorities, the importance of individual conscience, and his work with refugees.

2026 Essay Title: “Poetry makes nothing happen” (W.H. Auden). What impact can high culture make in the real world?

The quotation is taken from Auden’s elegy for Yeats, written in 1939 before the outbreak of the Second World War. In times of global conflict, there can be acute awareness of the importance of art. What impact, if any, can high culture have in a world threatened by disaster?
Word count: Maximum 3,000 words (inclusive of quotations)
Prize: €2,500 (sponsored by Haus Publishing)
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: July 3, 2026

Landfall Tauraka Essay Prize 2026

Otago University Press celebrates bold, original voices with the Landfall Tauraka Essay Prize for outstanding essays from Aotearoa New Zealand. Join a tradition of thought-provoking writing that engages with and reflects on New Zealand culture.
Word count: Maximum 4,000 words
Prize: NZ$3,000 + one-year Landfall Tauraka subscription
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: July 31, 2026

Book Writing Contests July 2026

Marystina Santiestevan First Book Prize

Awarded annually by Conduit, this prize honors a great supporter of young poets and grandmother-in-law of the final judge, Bob Hicok. The prize champions originality, intelligence, irreverence, and humanity. Prospective entrants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Conduit’s aesthetic.
Genre: Poetry (first full-length collection)
Page count: 48-90 pages
Prize: $1,500 + 15 author copies + publication
Entry fee: $25
Closing date: July 7, 2026

Journey’s End Publishing Fantasy Novel Writing Contest 2026

Journey’s End Publishing is hosting its first fantasy novel contest, seeking something spectacular to set the tone for their publishing endeavors. This is a great opportunity for authors who have never been traditionally published to take their writing to the next level.
Genre: Fantasy
Word count: 40,000-100,000 words
Prizes:

• First Place: $500 + publication (digital and physical) + 10% off future developmental editing + free access to Fiction Writing 101 and Book Branding Bible courses + newsletter and social media announcement
• Second Place: Full beta read by editor ($500 value) + 10% off future developmental editing + free course access + announcement
• Third Place: 10% off future developmental editing + free course access + announcement
• Runners Up: Free Book Branding Bible course + announcement + secret prizes

Entry fee: Free
Closing date: July 31, 2026

Mixed Writing Contests July 2026

Los Angeles Review Awards 2026

The Los Angeles Review publishes poetry, fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction, translations, and book reviews. With a new online format, LAR is open year-round for general submissions, with annual awards open April through July.
Categories:

• Fiction: 1,000–4,000 words
• Flash Fiction: Under 1,000 words (one story per submission)
• Nonfiction: 1,000–4,000 words (or flash nonfiction)
• Poetry: 3–5 poems
• Translation: Up to 5 poems (single-spaced) or 5 pages of prose (double-spaced)

Entry fee: $20 (awards); $3 (general submissions)
Closing date: July 31, 2026

The Northwind Writing Award 2026

Sponsored by Raw Earth Ink and facilitated by Tara Caribou, the Northwind Writing Award shines light on little-known exceptional writers. The contest seeks writing that stirs emotions, paints vivid imagery, is high-caliber or underappreciated, and is memorable.
Categories:

• Prose Poetry: Up to 1,000 words
• Poetry: No word limit
• Non-fiction/Essay/Memoir: Up to 3,000 words

Prizes:

• First place (each category): $100 + copy of Northwind Treasury + promotional interview + special prizes
• All winners and honorable mentions published in the annual Northwind Treasury

Entry fee: Free
Closing date: July 31, 2026

August 2026

Poetry Contests August 2026

Young Poets Network – The Dreams Challenge

Young Poets Network invites young writers to draw inspiration from the subconscious and write poems that conjure the impossible and the surreal, inspired by the world of dreams.
Theme: Dreams – surreal, impossible, unconscious imagery
Word count: No limit
Prizes: Selected winners published on Young Poets Network; receive poetry ebooks and posters
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: August 16, 2026

Frances Browne Multilingual Poetry Competition 2026

The Frances Browne International Poetry Competition, established in 2008, is unique in its tri-lingual approach, welcoming poets writing in English, Irish, and Ulster-Scots languages. The festival motto is “Treasure Each Voice.”

Languages Accepted: English, Irish, Ulster-Scots
Word count: No limit
Categories and Prizes:
Main Categories (each language):

• First Prize: €250
• Second Prize: €100
• Third Prize: €50

The Eilish McBride Award – Local Category (each language):

• Winning Poem: €100

Entry fee: €5 / £4 / $5 per poem
Closing date: August 19, 2026

Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival Poetry Competition 2026

The Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival, established in 2016, is the flagship event in the Cultural Programme of the Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter, held on the third weekend in October. The festival celebrates the area’s unique links with Jane Austen and Brendan Behan while promoting the best in local talent.
2026 Theme: New World (interpret as you wish)
Word count: Maximum 30 lines per poem (excluding title)
Prizes:

• Winner: €150
• Runner-up: €100
• Three highly commended entries: Cash prizes

Entry fee: Free
Closing date: August 21, 2026

Palette Poetry 2026 Ekphrastic Poetry Prize

Palette Poetry invites poets to participate in the Ekphrastic Poetry Prize, celebrating poems that offer unique perspectives on specific works of art, breathing new life into established images or reinventing your own.
Theme: Ekphrastic poetry (responding to art – paintings, photographs, film, sculptures, etc.)
Word count: Maximum 3 poems, under 10 pages total
Prizes:

• Winner: $3,000 + publication + interview in Palette Poetry
• Second Place: $300 + publication
• Third Place: $200 + publication
• Finalists may be considered for Featured Poetry publication

Entry fee: $20
Closing date: August 30, 2026

The Whispering Wisdom Poetry Prize 2026

Whispering Wisdom celebrates the depth, nuance, and emotional resonance of human creativity. This competition encourages people to pause, reflect, and connect through words that carry depth, beauty, and meaning.
Word count: Up to 40 lines per poem (excluding title and line breaks)
Prizes:

• First Prize: £250
• Second Prize: £50
• Third Prize: £50

Winners and selected shortlisted poems will be published on the Whispering Wisdom website and social media (with permission). 5% of profits donated to Sarcoidosis UK and Narcolepsy UK.
Entry fee: £5 for one poem; £4 for each additional poem
Closing date: August 31, 2026

Short Story Writing Contests August 2026

23rd Annual Gival Press Short Story Award

Gival Press, an award-winning independent literary publishing house established in 1998, sponsors writing contests to promote literary endeavors. The press values Human Decency, Respect for Others, and work that Values all Peoples of the Earth.
Genre: Literary fiction (high literary quality stand-alone short story, not a novel chapter)
Word count: Approximately 5,000 – 15,000 words
Prize: $1,000 + publication on the Gival Press website
Entry fee: $25 per story
Closing date: August 8, 2026

Ink of Ages Fiction Prize

World History Encyclopedia’s international historical and mythological short story contest, generously sponsored by Oxford University Press. This free-to-enter contest celebrates historical and mythology-inspired short fiction.
Genre: Historical or mythology-inspired short fiction
Word count: Under 2,000 words
Prizes:

• 1st Place: US$500 cash + custom artwork (map, family tree, infographic, or movie-style poster) + publication and promotion to 7+ million readers + translation into French, Spanish, and other languages + lifetime WHE membership + World History Insider magazine subscription
• 2nd Place: $100 WHE store credit + 2 Oxford University Press books (up to $55 value) + promotion + translation into French and/or Spanish + lifetime WHE membership
• 3rd Place: $50 WHE store credit + 1 OUP book (up to $40 value) + promotion + lifetime WHE membership

Entry fee: Free
Closing date: August 22, 2026

Aesthetica Creative Writing Award – Short Fiction

The Aesthetica Creative Writing Award is a celebration of innovative new writing from across the world, highlighting the craft and skill of the short form. The jury comprises renowned UK editors and publishers from outlets including the Guardian, the Independent, Wasafiri, Hodder & Stoughton, Litro, The Rialto, The Poetry Exchange, and Jacaranda Books.
Word count: 2,000 words 
Prizes: Short Fiction Winner: £2,500 cash prize + publication in Aesthetica Creative Writing Anthology
Entry fee: £18
Closing date: August 31, 2026

Cranked Anvil Flash Fiction Competition

Cranked Anvil’s quarterly Flash Fiction Competition celebrates stories of any theme or genre. Winning entries are professionally produced and broadcast on Radio Northumberland (population 330,000+) as well as online around the world, and available on-demand on the Cranked Anvil website.
Word count: Maximum 500 words (not including title)
Prizes:

• First Place: £100 cash prize + publication online + inclusion in future digital anthology + professional audio recording broadcast on UK radio and worldwide online + 1st Place Winners Laurel
• Second Place: £30 cash prize + publication online + inclusion in future digital anthology + professional audio recording + 2nd Place Winners Laurel

Entry fee: £5 for 1 story | £8 for 2 | £10 for 3
Closing date: August 31, 2026

Essay Contests August 2026

Prairie Schooner Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest

Prairie Schooner‘s annual summer nonfiction contest is open to all types of creative nonfiction essays. The journal seeks imaginative essays of general interest (not scholarly articles requiring footnotes).
Genre: Creative nonfiction
Word count: Up to 5,000 words
Prize: Winner: $1,000 + publication in the Spring 2027 issue of Prairie Schooner
Entry fee: $20
Closing date: August 1, 2026

Nottingham–World Bank Asian Economics Essay Competition 2026

The University of Nottingham Malaysia, in collaboration with the World Bank Group Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Finance Hub, presents the 13th edition of this competition. It invites ambitious students from across Asia to address pressing economic challenges through critical thinking, creativity, and well-reasoned analysis.
Word count: 1,500 and 2,000 words
Prizes (each category):

• First Prize: RM1,000
• Second Prize: RM800
• Third Prize: RM600

Entry fee: Free
Closing date: August 14, 2026

Berggruen Prize Essay Competition 2026

The annual Berggruen Prize Essay Competition seeks to stimulate new thinking and innovative concepts while embracing cross-cultural perspectives across fields, disciplines, and geographies. The competition poses fundamental philosophical questions of significance for both contemporary life and the future, complementing the Berggruen Prize for Philosophy & Culture, which recognizes major lifetime achievements in advancing ideas that have shaped the world.
Word count: Maximum 10,000 words
Prizes:

• $50,000 USD for essays in English
• $50,000 USD for essays in Chinese
• If multiple winners, the prize is distributed evenly
• Winners celebrated at annual ceremony
• Publication through BI Press or Noema

Entry fee: Free
Closing date: August 17, 2026

Book Writing Contests August 2026

Book Pipeline Adaptation Contest 2026

The 13th Annual Book Pipeline Adaptation Contest seeks published books, graphic novels/comics, and short stories for film and TV development. Winning material is circulated as a pitch or developed into a script with Pipeline’s in-house team before circulation to production companies, managers, and other executives.

What They’re Looking For: Stories that connect with mainstream audiences but feel conceptually different. Past winners have ranged from true crime, mystery/thriller, sci-fi, memoir, romantic comedy, and everything in between. Any genre accepted, including nonfiction/memoir.

Word count: First 5,000 words + logline + full story synopsis (1-3 pages)
Prize (Winner): $5,000, Extensive project development to prepare script or pitch for industry, circulation to production companies, managers, agents seeking IP for adaptation, additional review of other books for potential circulation or development, long-term mentorship from Pipeline team, exclusive invitations to private Symposium events
Entry fee: $60
Closing date: August 25, 2026

Anthology Personal Memoir Competition 2026

Everyone has a story to tell. The Anthology Personal Memoir Competition invites authors to share a unique life experience, whether a transformative journey, a poignant moment, or a life-altering event.
Genre: Personal memoir (nonfiction)
Word count: Maximum 1,500 words
Prize:

• Winner: €500 + publication in a future issue of Anthology magazine
• Winner also receives: One-year Reedsy Learning membership (including all masterclasses and conferences)
• Shortlist: One live craft masterclass of choice from Reedsy
• All entrants: Exclusive 10% Reedsy membership discount

Entry fee: €15
Closing date: August 31, 2026

Canadian Authors Fred Kerner Book Award 2026

The Canadian Authors Fred Kerner Book Award is awarded annually to a Canadian Authors member who has the best overall book published in the previous calendar year. Fred Kerner was a devoted and longtime CAA member, an Honorary President of the Association until his passing in 2011. He was an author, journalist, editor, teacher, and mentor who wrote over a dozen books and gave unstintingly of his time to assist emerging writers.
Word count: No limit
Prize: $400 + one-year complimentary membership with Canadian Authors
Entry fee: $30 + tax per title entered
Closing date: August 31, 2026

Mixed Writing Contests August 2026

Black Warrior Review 2026 Contests

Black Warrior Review is the longest-running journal helmed by graduate students in the United States, publishing continuously since 1974. Named after the Black Warrior River, honoring Chief Tuskaloosa, the journal is known for experimental, fabulist, and “weird” literature and serves as a home for marginalized voices. BWR welcomes essays, stories, poems, and hybrid writing that takes risks and experiments with form and content.
Word count:

• Short Stories: 1,001–6,000 words
• Poetry: Up to 5 poems per packet (no page count limit)
• Creative Nonfiction: 1,001–4,000 words

Prizes: $1,000 cash prize and publication in issue 53.2 of the journal to the winner of each genre: poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. First runners-up receive monetary compensation, online publication, and acknowledgment in the print issue. 
Entry fee: $20
Closing date: August 1, 2026

Delaware Division of the Arts Individual Artist Fellowships – FY2027

Individual Artist Fellowships are awarded for artistic quality to Delaware creative artists working in visual, performing, media, folk, and literary arts. Fellowships enable recipients to purchase equipment and materials, allocate working time, or fulfill other needs to advance their careers. The program is administered in partnership with Mid Atlantic Arts, which identifies out-of-state arts professionals to serve as jurors.
Word count: Upload 15–20 pages of prose, poetry, or drama
Prizes: Emerging Professional: $5,000, Established Professional: $8,000, Masters: $12,000
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: August 3, 2026

Granum Foundation Prizes 2026

The Granum Foundation Prize supports U.S.-based writers completing substantive literary works. Funding can cover basic needs, equipment, mentorship, or editing services to provide writers with tools, time, and freedom for success.

IMPORTANT: For 2026, applications close once 1,000 entries are received, even if before August 1. Apply early.

Word count: Approximately 25 pages 
Prize:

• Winner: $5,000
• Up to three finalists: $500 or more each

Entry fee: Free
Closing date: August 1, 2026