Hello, 2024! New year, new opportunities.
Here are updated writing contests for 2024 that will give you a chance to flex your creative writing muscle in a way you don’t normally get to when you are doing work for other people.
Along with the chance to win some money, you get to have your work seen and evaluated by judges who often bring some impressive credentials to the table.
If you ever get the opportunity to see their scorecards or get some feedback, do take it. You may find something valuable in what they have to say about your writing.
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As always, when entering writing contests, follow the instructions precisely. If there is something that isn’t clear, reach out to the organizers by email before the submission deadline to make sure you are submitting your entry correctly. You don’t want to have your submission rejected because of one small detail.
Writing Contests 2024
Inkitt Novel Competition: Monthly
Inkitt’s Writing Contests regularly give authors the opportunity to share their books with readers around the world and showcase their talents.
Monthly cash prizes:
Each month, one grand prize winner and two runners-up will be selected.
1st prize: $300, an exclusive badge for your book cover, and Inkitt social media feature!
2nd prize: Exclusive 2nd place book badge and Inkitt social media feature!
3rd prize: Exclusive 3rd place book badge!
Shooter Flash spotlights bitesize brilliance with one winning story each month, which we publish online (plus in an annual anthology) and trumpet on social media.
Shooter Flash offers an opportunity to writers who work on a smaller canvas. We welcome stories up to 1,000 words long on a rolling basis, any theme/genre, and the winning story each month will win £50 as well as publication on the second Monday of each month. Winning stories will also be anthologized and sent to all of Shooter’s subscribers.
JANUARY
Join various contests—essay, fiction, poetry, etc.
Deadline: January 1, 2024
New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2024
Open to writers from around the world, they’re offering a top prize of £1,000, a second prize of £300 and a third prize of £200. The deadline is midnight (UK time) on Wednesday 31st January 2024 and £1.00 from each entry will be donated to First Story.
Deadline: January 31, 2024
The Danuta Gleed Literary Award was created as a celebration of the life of Danuta Gleed, a writer whose short fiction won several awards before her death in December 1996. Danuta Gleed’s first collection of short fiction, One of the Chosen, was posthumously published by BuschekBooks. The award is made possible through a generous donation from John Gleed, in memory of his late wife, and is administered by The Writers’ Union of Canada.
Each year, a $10,000 prize is awarded to a Canadian writer for the best first collection of published short fiction in the English language. Two finalists are also awarded $1,000 each.
The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2024.
The award, named in honor of their founder, is dedicated to flash nonfiction. The organization welcomes original pieces that have not been published before, allowing simultaneous submissions. Entrants are encouraged to submit multiple entries, but each essay should be limited to 1,000 words or fewer. All submissions are reviewed anonymously.
To participate, individuals are instructed to use the online submissions portal via submittable, where additional guidelines can be found. Each entry requires a fee of $12.
Prize: Winner receives $1,000 and publication in the fall issue. Deadline: January 31, 2024
The Kent and Sussex Poetry Society Open Competition
1. The competition is open to anyone aged 16 and over. 2. Poems should be in English, unpublished, not accepted for publication, and must be your original work. 3. Poems may be on any subject and in any form or style. They must be typed and not longer than 40 lines. 4. Each poem must be typed on a separate sheet of A4 paper. All poems are judged anonymously and should not bear your name, nor any other form of identification. On a separate sheet of A4 paper you should give a: your name and address, b: a list of poems submitted, and c: where you heard about the competition.
Entry fee: £5 per poem; or, for 3 or more poems, £4 each.
First prize: £1,000 Second prize: £300 Third prize: £100 Fourth prize: 4 x £50
Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest
Three times a year, Jerry Jazz Musician awards a writer who submits, in our opinion, the best original, previously unpublished work of short fiction. The Jerry Jazz Musician reader has interests in music, social history, literature, politics, art, film and theater, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-twentieth century America.
No entry fee is required. One story entry only. Simultaneous submissions are accepted.
The contest is open to entrants from anywhere in the world (English language only please)
A prize of $150 will be awarded for the winning story.
Deadline: January 31, 2024
This is a fun, relaxed, free competition for extremely short pieces of prose (storytwigs). Entries should be 100 words or fewer, and the prizes range from $10 to $100 dollars. Prompts and contests are done monthly. Only open to citizens/residents of the United States or Canada.
FEBRUARY
Writing Battle Winter Flash Fiction
3 days to write 1,000 words; $10,000 cash prize pool
$25 entry fee
Deadline: February 1, 2024
Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry
A prize of $2,000 is given annually for a poetry collection published in English during the previous year by a writer who is not a citizen of the United States. English translations of works originally written in another language are accepted. Authors or publishers may submit two copies of one or more books published in 2023 with a $20 entry fee by February 15. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
Entry Fee: $20 Cash Prize: $2,000
Deadline: February 15, 2024
Each year, a reward of $1,500 and the opportunity for publication in Obsidian, the literary journal of Illinois State University, is bestowed upon a collection of poems delving into Black themes. The recipient will also be granted a $500 honorarium for presenting a reading at James Madison University. Eligibility is open to poets who have published no more than one poetry collection. The judging will be conducted by Roger Reeves. To participate, utilize the online submission system to submit a maximum of three poems, totaling no more than six pages. Please ensure all submissions are in the English language.
Deadline: February 15, 2024
Center for African American Poetry and Poetics/Autumn House Press Book Prize
Each year, a $3,000 prize and the opportunity for publication by Autumn House Press are awarded to a writer of African descent for their first or second poetry collection, or a work that intersects with poetry, such as hybrid text, speculative prose, or translation. The judging will be done by Aracelis Girmay. Submissions, ranging from 48 to 168 pages of poetry or poetry-adjacent work, are accepted exclusively through the online submission system until February 15. There is no entry fee for participation. Submissions must be in the English language.
Cash Prize: $3,000 Deadline: February 15, 2024
Association of Writers & Writing Programs Award Series
Annually, three awards of $5,500 each, coupled with publication by a participating press, are granted for outstanding works in poetry, short stories, and novels. Additionally, a prize of $2,500, along with publication by a participating press, is presented yearly for exceptional essay collections or memoirs. To be considered for the Donald Hall Prize for Poetry, submit a manuscript spanning at least 48 pages. For the Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction, submit a manuscript ranging from 150 to 300 pages. Submissions for the James Alan McPherson Prize for the Novel should consist of a manuscript containing 60,000 to 110,000 words. If vying for the Sue William Silverman Prize for Creative Nonfiction, submit a manuscript within the range of 150 to 300 pages. Utilize the online submission system for all entries.
Entry Fee: $30 Cash Prize: $5,500 Deadline: February 28, 2024
Black Caucus of the American Library Association Self-Publishing Literary Awards
Annually, two prizes of $2,500 each are bestowed upon a self-published poetry e-book and a self-published fiction e-book from the preceding year, both authored by an African American writer. These awards celebrate works that vividly portray the “cultural, historical, and sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora.” Submissions, limited to e-books self-published in 2023, must be made exclusively through the online submission system by February 28. There is no entry fee for participation.
Cash Prize: $2,500 Deadline: February 28, 2024
Red Hen Press Women’s Prose Prize
Every year, a $1,000 prize and the opportunity for publication by Red Hen Press are awarded for a work of fiction or nonfiction authored by a woman-identifying writer. The judging for this prize will be conducted by Laila Halaby. Submissions must be made exclusively through the online submission system and can include a story collection, essay collection, novel, memoir, or any other prose manuscript within the range of 25,000 to 80,000 words.
Entry Fee: $25 Cash Prize: $1,000 Deadline: February 28, 2024
Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest
Annually, two awards of $500 each, along with publication in Rafu Shimpo and on the Discover Nikkei and Little Tokyo Historical Society websites, are presented for short stories set in the Little Tokyo district of Los Angeles, encapsulating the cultural essence of the neighborhood. One prize is designated for a story written in English, and the other is for a story penned in Japanese. Submit a story not exceeding 2,500 words. There is no entry fee for this competition.
Cash Prize: $500 Deadline: February 29, 2024
MARCH
Best Stories on the Human Impact of Climate Change by Secant Publishinghttps://secantpublishing.com/
An international competition aiming to discover and inspire outstanding original short stories centered on the theme of global climate change and its human impact. The focus lies on literary interpretations highlighting how individuals, families, societies, economies, cities, and nations grapple with the challenges posed by a world shaped by new extremes of weather, seasons, and ecological disasters. The primary emphasis should be on the people affected—their emotions, decision-making processes, and the adjustments they are compelled to make—rather than scientific theories or advocacy positions. This platform invites empathetic fiction that captures the experiences of individuals and communities navigating through inevitable change. Submissions should reflect human stories amidst a backdrop of inexorable environmental shifts, avoiding nonfiction essays or scientific analyses. Entries must be in the English language.
Prizes: One Gold Medal, worth $1,000 in cash, one Silver Medal, worth $500 in cash, and one Bronze Medal, worth $250 in cash, will be awarded on completion of the contest. Prizes are sponsored by the Book Bin.
Deadline: March 1, 2024
This opportunity is dedicated to a work-in-progress from a writer who has yet to publish a biography, history, or any other book-length narrative nonfiction. The recipient of this award will also benefit from a review of their proposal by an agent, garner publicity through the Biographers International Organization (BIO) website and the Biographer’s Craft newsletter, receive registration for the annual BIO Conference in May, and enjoy a one-year BIO membership. Eligibility is open to writers who have not previously published or are not currently under contract to produce a book of biography, history, or any other narrative nonfiction work. To apply, use the online submission system to submit a writing sample, a proposal, and a résumé in a single document, totaling no more than 20 pages.
Entry Fee: $25 Cash Prize: $5,000 Deadline: March 1, 2024
Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Contest
Annually, a $1,000 prize and tuition for a 10-week writing class with New York City’s Gotham Writers Workshop are awarded for an exceptional short story. The winning piece is published on Electric Literature and featured in a performance at Selected Shorts. Carmen Maria Machado will be the judge for this competition. All submissions, limited to stories of up to 750 words, must be made exclusively through the online submission system.
Entry Fee: $25 Cash Prize: $1,000 Deadline: March 1, 2024
Annually, a $1,000 prize and the opportunity for publication in TulipTree Review are awarded for a singular poem, short story, or essay that embodies the spirit of the wild woman. Submissions of up to five pages of poetry or prose spanning up to 10,000 words are welcomed. All entries will be considered for publication.
Please ensure that all submissions are in the English language.
Entry Fee: $20 Cash Prize: $1,000 Deadline: March 8, 2024
James Jones Literary Society First Novel Fellowship
Each year, a $10,000 prize is awarded for a novel-in-progress by a U.S. writer who has not previously published a novel. The first runner-up is granted $3,000, and the second runner-up receives $2,000. To participate, exclusively utilize the online submission system by submitting the initial 50 pages of a novel-in-progress along with a synopsis of up to two pages.
Entry Fee: $33 Cash Prize: $10,000 Deadline: March 15, 2024
Novella Submission for the Presence Collection
Submissions are open for novellas, highlighting ghosts and/or spiritual entities imposing on the natural world. We specifically want unique stories incorporating the cultures, traditions, and/or histories of BIPOC and underrepresented communities.
Novellas should be between 15,000 – 25,000 words (roughly 50-100 pages). Selected submissions will each receive $1000 and publication within the Presence collection and the Kinsman Quarterly literary journal. $25 submission fee required. Submission fees are non-refundable, non-transferrable.
Deadline: March 31, 2024
Indignor House Writing Competition 2024
The Indignor House Writing Competition is the perfect place for new authors to practice their craft. Each piece is thoroughly edited and tweaked for perfection. Our feedback covers telling vs showing, the use of active verbs, and other issues that most new authors experience.
The 2023-2024 theme is “Fear.”
Entry fee: $20 Prizes: First Place – $500; Second Place – $250; Third Place – $150 Deadline: March 31, 2024
APRIL
F(r)iction Spring 2024 Contest
Categories Accepted Short stories: 1,001 – 7,500 words Flash fiction: up to 1,000 words per piece Poetry: up the three pages per poem Creative Nonfiction: up to 6,500 words
Prizes: Win $2,100 in prizes Deadline: April 30, 2024
MAY
2 days to write 500 words; $7,500 cash prize pool
$18 entry fee, early bird (increases to $20 starting April 2)
Deadline: May 3, 2024
F(r)iction Short Story Contest Spring 2024
Submission Fee: $15 Awards: 1st prize receives $1,000.00 and will be considered for publication in F(r)iction, our triannual print collection or through our online blog F(r)iction Log. Up to five finalists will be considered for publication too.
Deadline: May 1, 2024
F(r)iction Creative Nonfiction Contest Spring 2024
Submission Fee: $15.00 Awards: 1st prize receives $500.00 and will be considered for publication in F(r)iction, our triannual print collection or through our online blog F(r)iction Log. Up to five finalists will be considered for publication too.
Deadline: May 1, 2024
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