17 Writing Contests for Writers- No Entry Fee Required
Win grand cash prizes, plus multiple additional prizes!
Writing contests are a great source of encouragement and growth for writers, especially new writers. I, myself apply to such contests every now and then and have observed massive growth in my writing, my writing style has changed- for the better- and I can express my thoughts more fluidly.
Let’s not forget that writing contests not only help writers hone their craft but bring exposure and money too. But I know it can be a headache to find contests that provide such quality. Hence, I decided to do the dirty work myself so you don't have to and found 17 well-reviewed, free and authentic writing contests.
Let’s dive right into it.
InKitt Writing Contest
World Limit: 10,000
Monthly cash prizes:
Each month one grand prize winner and two runners-up will be selected.
1st prize: $300 and an exclusive badge for your book cover
2nd prize: $100
3rd prize: $50
Deadline: See the individual contest page
Storyshares Writing Contest
Includes awards for short stories and texts in the following four categories:
Diversity Grand Prize: $2,000 + publication
in digital & print
Fifty States Award: $1,000 + publication in digital art
Creative Nonfiction: $1000 + publication
in digital & print
Coming Of Age Award: $1,000 + publication
in digital & print
Deadline: Feb 01, 2022
7 Day Story Writing Challenge
Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
World Limit: 2,000
Prize: $500
Deadline: December 01, 2021
Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award
Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story,
Word Limit: 8,000
Deadline: February 01, 2022
Writers of the Future
Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Fantasy, Science Fiction.
1st Prize: $1000
2nd Prize: $750
3rd Prize: $500
Annual Grand Prize: $5000
Deadline: December 31, 2021
Saudi Histroical Novel Award
Genres: Fiction, Novel
Top prize: £10,000
2nd Prize: £3,000
3rd prize: £2,000
Deadline: July 01, 2022
The Birds In Your Hands Prize
Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry
Word Limit: 500
Top Prize: $1000, published in Thin Air Magazine, and interviewed for Thin Air Online.
cash prizes for runner-up and second runner-up
Deadline: December 01, 2021
Hillerman Prize
Genres: Crime, Fiction
Top Prize: $10,000 and contract with St. Martin’s Press for publication of the novel.
Deadline: January 01, 2022
Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award
Genre : Fiction, Poetry
Word Limit: Poetry: Should not exceed 10 pages, single or double-spaced (minimum of seven pages).
Fiction: Should not exceed 25 pages and must be double-spaced.
Top prize: $500
Deadline: March 01, 2022
The Rosewell Awards And Future Feminists Award
Genres: Fiction, Science fiction, Short story
Top prize: $500
Additional Prizes: UCLA Extension Writers’ Program
Deadline: December 21, 2021
53-Word Story Contest
Genres: All
Word limit: 53
Prize: the winner gets published in Prime Number Magazine and receives a free book from Press 53.
Deadline: 15th day of every month
Anisfield Wolf Book Award
Genres: Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction
Word limit: See the individual contest page.
Prize: $10,000
Deadline: December 31, 2021
Brooklyn Nonfiction Prize
Genres: Nonfiction essay
Word limit: up to 2,500 (4–10 pages)
Prize: $500
Runners up prize: $100
Deadline: December 10, 2021
Alpine Fellowship Winner Prize
Genres: See the individual contest page.
Word limit: 2,500
1st prize: £10,000
2nd prize: £3,000
3rd prize: £ 2,000
Deadline: January 1, 2022- April 1, 2022
Marfield Prize (aka National Award for Arts Writing)
Genres: Criticism, art history, memoir, biography & essay.
Word limit: See the individual contest page.
Prize: $10,000
Deadline: November 16, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Werger Flomp Humor Poetry Contest
Word limit: 250 lines
1st prize: $2,000
Runner up prize: $500
10 honorable mention prize: $100 each
Deadline: April 1, 2022
Season Themes
Genres: Fiction, Flash fiction, Science fiction, Mystery, Short story, Thriller.
Word limit: See the individual contest page.
1st prize: $100
Additional prize: Publication in an anthology and potential for large gift card mention.
Deadline: December 31, 2021
Conclusion
So, my fellow writers, this is your chance to submit your work that’s in progress or finished to one of these contests. Make sure to thoroughly read the guidelines before applying and best of luck. If you found this article helpful do give it a clap (reminder: you have the freedom to give 50 claps on Medium) and maybe consider following me!
