The Best Fiction Writing Contests
76I know many of you have done what I’ve done. Written a story, saved it, and then left it there, waiting. Perhaps we’re scared of what people may think of it; perhaps it’s the other way and we think our work is so good, so perfect, that it doesn’t deserved to just be ‘shown’, it deserves to revered and loved by all. The truth, probably, is that it’s a little bit of both. We are a little scared of what the consensus may be on our writing, and – deep down a little – we think our work is writing genius. It’s how the writer’s mind works.
One of the best ways to get your work out in the world, and fulfill both of the requirements above, is to submit it in contents. Every year in North America there are thousands and thousands of contests which urge writers to submit their great stories; and the best, and maybe worst part, of all this is that half of them go unnoticed or are forgotten about. In other words there is a lot of money out there that is designated for that great writing of yours.
So what are you waiting for?
If you have some short stories locked in the vault right now, and you know that they are at least a little bit good, then I believe you should send them away. See if they have wings. See if they can fly.
Here is a list of the best FICTON writing contests that occur annually:
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Bard Fiction Prize (http://www.bard.edu/bfp/)
Prize: $30 000 and contract as writer in residence at bard college for one semester.
Deadline: July 15th
Guidelines: Intended to encourage and further young writers career by providing money, as well as a strong intellectual environment to further your skills.
Annual Gival Press Novel Award (Email givelpress@yahoo.ca to enter)
Prize: 1st - $3000, 2nd - $500
Deadline: May 30th
Guidelines: Offered for a previously unpublished novel that is between 30 000 and 100 000 words. Charge of $50 to enter.
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The Arthur C.Clarke Award (http://www.clarkeaward.com/)
Prize: $2000 and a bookend.
Deadline: 2nd week in December.
Guideline: Annual award given to the best science fiction novel.
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Governor General's Literary Award For Fiction (http://www.canadacouncil.ca/prizes/ggla)
Prize: $25 000, and $1000 for finalists
Deadline: March 15th, June 1st, August 7th
Guideline: Offered annual to the best piece of English work of a Canadian.
Fish Unpublished Novel Award (http://www.fishpublishing.com/)
Prize: Publication of novel submitted, as well as cash.
Deadline: September 30th
Guideline: Not an annual award, but run so often. $50 entry fee.
International 3-Day Novel Contest (http://www.3daynovel.com/)
Prize: 1st - Publication, 2nd - $500, 3rd - $100
Deadline: Friday before Labor Day weekend.
Guidelines: Offered annually to the best novel written in 3 days. Can be from any location. Check website for further details.
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James Jones First Novel Fellowship (http://www.wilkes.edu/pages/1159.asp)
Prize: $10 000
Deadline: March 1st
Guideline: Offered annually to any unpublished novels, novella, or linked short-stories (all works in progress). Generally tends to be given to an American Writer. $25 charge.
Orange Prize For Fiction
Prize: $30 000
Deadline: End of November
Guideline: Full length novel that has been written by a woman. It must have relevance to everyday lives, have imagination and a very strong and inspiring message. Cannot have been previously published in the UK, but can be published outside of the country.
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Pen Awards For Fiction (http://www.penfaulkner.org/)
Prize: $15 000, $5000 (4 finalists)
Deadline: October 31st.
Guideline: Offered annual to the best fiction novel by an American citizen.
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The Rogers Writer's Trust Fiction Prize (http://www.writerstrust.com/)
Prize: $25 000, $3 500 (four finalists)
Deadline: Check website.
Guideline: Awarded annually to a novel published in the previous year to a permanent Canadian resident.
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Fish International Short Story Competition (http://www.fishpublishing.com/)
Prize: $13 400
Deadline: November 30th
Guideline: Offered annually to unpublished fiction - up to 5000 words. $30 per story.
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Boston Review Short Story Contest
(http://bostonreview.net/about/contest/)
Prize: $1500 and publication in the Boston Review
Deadline: Summer
Guideline: Stories cannot exceed 4000 words.
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American Fiction Short Story Contest
(http://www.americanshortfiction.org/)
Prize: 1st - $1000, 2nd - $500
Deadline: September 15th - December 1st
Guideline: Best unpublished piece of short fiction awarded annually. Charge of $20 entry.
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Coffee House Fiction (http://www.coffeehousefiction.com/)
Prize: 1st - $350, 2nd - $125, 3rd - $75, 4th - $50
Deadline: January 31st.
Guideline: Detailed guidelines of website. Entry fee of $17, non-refundable.
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Indiana Review Fiction Contest (http://indianareview.org/)
Prize: $1000
Deadline: October.
Guideline: Non-published fiction. 35 pages, double spaced, maximum. $15 fee.
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Glimmer Train Award (http://www.glimmertrain.com/)
Prize: 1st - $1500 and publication in Glimmer Train, 2nd - $500, 3rd - $250
Deadline: November, August, February (3 times per year)
Guideline: See online for guidelines. $15 per story.
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Boulevard Short Fiction Contest For Emerging Writers (http://www.boulevardmagazine.org/partners.html)
Prize: $1500 and publication in the next issue.
Deadline: December 15th.
Guideline: Offered annually to anyone who has not been published in the fields of fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction. Charge of $15 per story.
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Pinch Fiction Literary Award (http://www.thepinchjournal.com/)
Prize: $1 500 and publication.
Deadline: March 15th.
Guideline: 5000 words maximum, unpublished. Charge of $20 per story.
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The Lawrence Foundation Award (http://www.thelawrencefoundation.org/)
Prize: $1000
Deadline: Check online. Changes annually.
Guideline: Offered annually to the best short story published in the Prairie Schooner.
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Long Story Contest, International (http://www.theshortstory.org.uk/news/)
Prize: $1000, publication, and 25 copies.
Deadline: December 15th.
Guideline: Short stories, unpublished, from 8000 - 14000 words.
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National Writers Association Novel Writing Contest (http://www.nationalwriters.com/page/page/2734945.htm)
Prize: 1st - $500, 2nd - $250, 3rd - $150
Deadline: April 1st.
Guideline: Contest open for all who recognize their creative ability to articulate.
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FirstWriter International Short Story Contest (http://www.firstwriter.com/competitions/short_story_contest/)
Prize: $300 and published in all of FirstWriter publications.
Deadline: April 1st.
Guideline: Up to 3000 words of any subject an any style. Entry: $7.50 for 1, $12 for 2, $15 for 3, and $20 for 4.
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Marjorie Graber Mcinnis Short Story Award (http://www.actwriters.org.au/index.shtml)
Prize: $600 and publication, 5 runner ups receive book prizes.
Deadline: September 25th.
Guideline: Open theme for a short story with 1500 - 3000 words. $7.50 non-members, $5.00 members.
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*** This hub will be continually update with new contests, hopefully weekly. If you have any questions about any of these, feel free to ask.
CommentsLoading...
Long list of writing contests to share to people always looking for challenge. Good work!
gosh this is helpful stuff. but still i was wondering what could be on the offer for us as first time african writers?
Thanks for the list of writing contests.....it would take along time to look them up online.....I'll pass the link along :)
WOW! I've been looking for a list! Thank you so much!
This article was so helpful, and very well written. You have a great grasp of how the mind of a writer works...kudos! :)
I'm a kid!! I have no money and my parents don't even know about my writing. If they did they still wouldn't give me money.
Thanks for the great list. :) I've done a lot of research on writing contests in the past, but this is, by far, one of the best compilation I've found. It must have taken a long time to find and pull together so many quality contests. Thanks again, this is really useful.
Great hub and info ..Thanks for writting and great to Meet you!!!!
Mike :0)
Great leads! Thanx for the info.
mikicagle Level 1 Commenter 20 months ago
Wow, I had no idea there were this many writing contests. Thanks for the extensive list.