Writing Contests
Tethered by Letters provides the most up-to-date information on writing contests. Do you have a contest to add? Just fill in this form and we'll get your contest added!
Memoirs |
Narrative: Story of the WeekThis contest publishes fiction or nonfiction stories of 10,000 words in length, from unpublished and published writers every week. Medium: online | Fee: $23 | Categories: Short Stories, Memoirs, Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose prize $150 length maximum 10,000 words deadline ongoing |
Fiction Prose |
2019 Force Majeure Flash ContestThis contest seeks flash entires of no more than 1,000 words. They are looking for great flash pieces, any form, content, or creation. Writers may submit either one flash piece for $5 or between 1 – 3 pieces for $12. All entries will be considered for publication. Multiple entries allowed. Entrants will be notified on or before June 30, 2019. Medium: print | Fee: $12 | Categories: Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose prize $300 length maximum 1,000 words deadline 11 days April 30 |
Fairfield Scribes Feature Story ContestThis contest seeks a story to feature in their anthology "Don't Be A Hero: A VILLAINthology". Stories can be between 2,000 and 10,000 words. They can either be one piece or a flash series that connects together in some way. Medium: print | Fee: FREE | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose prize Publication length 2,000 – 10,000 words deadline 12 days May 01 |
A Very Short Story ContestIt may be apocryphal, but the story goes that Ernest Hemingway won a bet by writing a short story that ran fewer than ten words. One version of the story places the bet at the famed Algonquin round table. Whether true or not, there is an actual bet-winning short story attributed to Hemingway: "For sale. Baby Shoes. Never worn." We would like to make a similar bet with you. Write a great short story in ten words or fewer. (You may use a title, but that counts toward the word count.) Submit it to our contest. Entry is free. Winner of the bet gets a free Gotham 10-week workshop. (For any Gotham class except select premium classes.) Medium: online | Fee: FREE | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose prize Free Gotham Class length maximum 10 words deadline 31 days May 20 |
Fiction Southeast Editor's PrizeThis contest seeks short stories of 1500 words or less. Submissions should be unpublished. All entries will be considered for publication. Winner will receive $200. Medium: print | Fee: $10 | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose, Poetry prize $200 length maximum 1,500 words deadline 72 days June 30 |
The Brighthorse Book PrizeThis contest seeks unpublished novels, collections of short fiction, and poetry collections. Three prizes are given each year. Authors writing in English may submit to the competition. The winning manuscript will be published by Brighthorse Books. Winner will receive $1,000 prize, publication of their book, and ten author copies. Winner will also split the net profits on book sales 50/50. Medium: print | Fee: $25 | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose, Poetry, Books prize $1,000 length No set length deadline 119 days August 16 |
ServiceScape Short Story Award 2019This contest seeks short stories of up to 5,000 words. Any genre or theme of short story is acepted. Original, unpublished short fiction or nonfiction is accepted. Winner will receive an award for $1,000 and will be published online. Medium: online | Fee: FREE | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose prize $1,000 length maximum 5,000 words deadline 225 days November 30 |
Nimrod: The Tulsa VoiceThis contest seeks flash fiction and poetry from writers living in Tulsa or the surrounding area, or who have strong emotional ties to Tulsa. Flash fiction should be no more than 500 words, and poetry should be no more than 40 lines. Writers may submit up to three flash fiction pieces and/or three poems at a time. Poetry can be in any style, and fiction may be in any genre or style. Medium: print | Fee: FREE | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose, Poetry prize $30 length maximum 500 words deadline ongoing |
Narrative: Story of the WeekThis contest publishes fiction or nonfiction stories of 10,000 words in length, from unpublished and published writers every week. Medium: online | Fee: $23 | Categories: Short Stories, Memoirs, Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose prize $150 length maximum 10,000 words deadline ongoing |
The Good Literary AgencyIn 2015, co-founder Nikesh Shukla had the idea for The Good Immigrant, a book of essays by writers of colour about race and immigration in the UK, which sparked a conversation in the UK publishing industry and across culture, the media and the arts about representation. Not long after publication, Nikesh was talking to Julia (his agent and TGLA co-founder) about what more could be done to increase representation across publishing. Years later, TGLA came into fruition: a literary agency that seeks to invest time and effort alongside its writers. Submissions are limited to British citizens and UK reisdents at this stage. Medium: print | Fee: FREE | Categories: Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose, Books prize Publication length 3 chapters deadline ongoing |
The Writing District CompetitionOpen to all writers, this contest runs every month. The contest seeks short stories of no more than 3,000 words. Entries must be in English. One entry per person, per month. Open theme. Deadline is the last day of the month. Medium: online | Fee: FREE | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose prize $50 length maximum 3,000 words deadline ongoing |
Nonfiction Prose |
2019 Force Majeure Flash ContestThis contest seeks flash entires of no more than 1,000 words. They are looking for great flash pieces, any form, content, or creation. Writers may submit either one flash piece for $5 or between 1 – 3 pieces for $12. All entries will be considered for publication. Multiple entries allowed. Entrants will be notified on or before June 30, 2019. Medium: print | Fee: $12 | Categories: Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose prize $300 length maximum 1,000 words deadline 11 days April 30 |
Fiction Southeast Editor's PrizeThis contest seeks short stories of 1500 words or less. Submissions should be unpublished. All entries will be considered for publication. Winner will receive $200. Medium: print | Fee: $10 | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose, Poetry prize $200 length maximum 1,500 words deadline 72 days June 30 |
The Brighthorse Book PrizeThis contest seeks unpublished novels, collections of short fiction, and poetry collections. Three prizes are given each year. Authors writing in English may submit to the competition. The winning manuscript will be published by Brighthorse Books. Winner will receive $1,000 prize, publication of their book, and ten author copies. Winner will also split the net profits on book sales 50/50. Medium: print | Fee: $25 | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose, Poetry, Books prize $1,000 length No set length deadline 119 days August 16 |
ServiceScape Short Story Award 2019This contest seeks short stories of up to 5,000 words. Any genre or theme of short story is acepted. Original, unpublished short fiction or nonfiction is accepted. Winner will receive an award for $1,000 and will be published online. Medium: online | Fee: FREE | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose prize $1,000 length maximum 5,000 words deadline 225 days November 30 |
Narrative: Story of the WeekThis contest publishes fiction or nonfiction stories of 10,000 words in length, from unpublished and published writers every week. Medium: online | Fee: $23 | Categories: Short Stories, Memoirs, Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose prize $150 length maximum 10,000 words deadline ongoing |
The Good Literary AgencyIn 2015, co-founder Nikesh Shukla had the idea for The Good Immigrant, a book of essays by writers of colour about race and immigration in the UK, which sparked a conversation in the UK publishing industry and across culture, the media and the arts about representation. Not long after publication, Nikesh was talking to Julia (his agent and TGLA co-founder) about what more could be done to increase representation across publishing. Years later, TGLA came into fruition: a literary agency that seeks to invest time and effort alongside its writers. Submissions are limited to British citizens and UK reisdents at this stage. Medium: print | Fee: FREE | Categories: Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose, Books prize Publication length 3 chapters deadline ongoing |
Poetry |
Fiction Southeast Editor's PrizeThis contest seeks short stories of 1500 words or less. Submissions should be unpublished. All entries will be considered for publication. Winner will receive $200. Medium: print | Fee: $10 | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose, Poetry prize $200 length maximum 1,500 words deadline 72 days June 30 |
Cozy Cat Press Poetry Contest 2019Have you always been one step ahead of TV detectives? Do you have a perfect crime? Have you cracked a case wide open? Cozy Cat Press are looking for work as clever as the most conniving criminals and sly sleuths to be published in their first ever poetry anthology. Awaken your inner private eye and submit a mystery themed poem for the chance to win cash prizes, publication, and more! Medium: online | Fee: FREE | Categories: Poetry prize $100 length maximum 2 pages deadline 73 days July 01 |
The Brighthorse Book PrizeThis contest seeks unpublished novels, collections of short fiction, and poetry collections. Three prizes are given each year. Authors writing in English may submit to the competition. The winning manuscript will be published by Brighthorse Books. Winner will receive $1,000 prize, publication of their book, and ten author copies. Winner will also split the net profits on book sales 50/50. Medium: print | Fee: $25 | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose, Poetry, Books prize $1,000 length No set length deadline 119 days August 16 |
Nimrod: The Tulsa VoiceThis contest seeks flash fiction and poetry from writers living in Tulsa or the surrounding area, or who have strong emotional ties to Tulsa. Flash fiction should be no more than 500 words, and poetry should be no more than 40 lines. Writers may submit up to three flash fiction pieces and/or three poems at a time. Poetry can be in any style, and fiction may be in any genre or style. Medium: print | Fee: FREE | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose, Poetry prize $30 length maximum 500 words deadline ongoing |
Screenwriting |
Cast Iron Theatre"Cast Iron Theatre was co-founded by husband and wife team Andrew Allen and Michelle Donkin. Now in their fifth year, Cast Iron continues to run short play nights throughout the year. Their plays feature work from writers at all levels of experience and exposure, and they are also dedicated to developing local acting and directing talent. Cast Iron Theatre is interested in play submissions that are fresh, explore themes that challenge us or make us see the ordinary in a different way, and especially those written by or focusing on under-represented and/or marginalized groups." Fee: FREE | Categories: Screenwriting prize Performed length 10 minutes deadline ongoing |
Next Stop Theatre CompanyNextStop Theatre Company is very interested in presenting new works and welcomes submission of plays and musicals that are in keeping with our tradition of presenting shows that challenge our actors, directors, and designers, as well as our audiences. We relish the opportunity to push the limits of our talents and our intimate black-box space. Each season is designed to fully engage our audience and provide them with the opportunity to experience a wide variety of what live theater has to offer. Fee: FREE | Categories: Screenwriting prize Performed length 90 minutes deadline ongoing |
Books |
The Brighthorse Book PrizeThis contest seeks unpublished novels, collections of short fiction, and poetry collections. Three prizes are given each year. Authors writing in English may submit to the competition. The winning manuscript will be published by Brighthorse Books. Winner will receive $1,000 prize, publication of their book, and ten author copies. Winner will also split the net profits on book sales 50/50. Medium: print | Fee: $25 | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose, Poetry, Books prize $1,000 length No set length deadline 119 days August 16 |
The Good Literary AgencyIn 2015, co-founder Nikesh Shukla had the idea for The Good Immigrant, a book of essays by writers of colour about race and immigration in the UK, which sparked a conversation in the UK publishing industry and across culture, the media and the arts about representation. Not long after publication, Nikesh was talking to Julia (his agent and TGLA co-founder) about what more could be done to increase representation across publishing. Years later, TGLA came into fruition: a literary agency that seeks to invest time and effort alongside its writers. Submissions are limited to British citizens and UK reisdents at this stage. Medium: print | Fee: FREE | Categories: Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose, Books prize Publication length 3 chapters deadline ongoing |
Book Awards |
There are currently no contests available in this category. |
Residencies/Fellowships |
Writers for Writers: Indie Filmmaker FellowshipThe Indie Filmmaker Fellowship is open to all filmmakers attached to an unproduced, feature-length narrative film with an aim towards production. Directing teams and writer-director teams are welcome to apply on a single application. The fellows will be mentored by the WritersForWriters team as well as indie film producer Stephen Nemeth (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, The Sessions). Medium: online | Fee: $75 | Categories: Residencies/Fellowships prize N/A length maximum 120 pages deadline 240 days December 15 |
Writers for Writers: Diversity FellowshipThe Diversity Theme Fellowship will be accepting applicants on a rolling admissions basis. The fellowship is open to all minority writers as well as writers whose scripts feature diversity-themed subject matter. Selected Fellows will be notified of acceptance within four – six weeks of their submission. Mentors will be linked to selected fellows based on mentor’s availability and genre choice. Medium: online | Fee: $75 | Categories: Residencies/Fellowships prize N/A length maximum 360 pages deadline ongoing |
Writers for Writers: Female ThemeThe Female Theme Fellowship will be accepting applicants on a rolling admissions basis. The fellowship is open to all female writers as well as writers (male writers included) featuring female-themed subject matter. Medium: online | Fee: $75 | Categories: Residencies/Fellowships prize N/A length maximum 360 pages deadline ongoing |
A Public Space: InternshipA Public Space offers internships throughout the year. Interns work on a part-time, volunteer basis, and receive practical experience in critical reading, research, copyediting, and fact-checking; marketing and publicity, including social media and events; and an understanding of the general workings of an independent nonprofit literary organization as well as an introduction to the publishing community. A three-day/week commitment on a Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday schedule over a three-month period is required. Fee: N/A | Categories: Residencies/Fellowships prize 3-month internship length N/A deadline ongoing |
Representation MattersRepresentation Matters seeks to connect self-identified people of color who are interested in publishing and literature with publishing professionals who can help their mentees learn about, and get a foothold in, the industry. The program is open to applicants who self-identify as people of color. Ideal applicants are readers, writers, and book lovers with a genuine interest in pursuing a career in publishing. Application essays should be sent to RMMProgram@gmail.com. Medium: online | Fee: FREE | Categories: Residencies/Fellowships prize 6-month mentorship length N/A deadline ongoing |
Grants/Scholarships |
Electric Literature ScholarshipsElectric Literature’s mission is to amplify the power of storytelling and maintain literature’s place in pop culture by embracing new technologies, supporting writers, and building community. In that spirit, Electric Literature is proud to offer full scholarships for 6 to 12 week writing workshops and weekend masterclasses co-presented with the innovative publisher Catapult. All applicants must reside in New York City. There are no other requirements to apply. Medium: online | Fee: $0 | Categories: Grants/Scholarships prize N/A length maximum 2,000 words deadline ongoing |
Internships/Volunteering |
Tin House: InternshipsTin House is a quarterly literary magazine based in Portland, OR and Brooklyn, NY. We are honored to appear consistently in Best American Stories, Best American Essays, Best American Poetry, O. Henry Prize, and Pushcart Prize anthologies. Tin House Books is an independent press based in Portland, OR. We publish novels, nonfiction, poetry, and story collections by both debut and established authors. Tin House periodically hires publicity and marketing, art, and editorial interns for the book division, as well as workshop interns for workshop division. Tin House internships are fixed-length, educational experiences. Interns are not entitled to or guaranteed employment upon the completion of the internship, but they are welcome to apply for open positions at any time. Competition is fierce; only those applicants who demonstrate a passion for literature and a well-established familiarity with Tin House will be considered. Medium: online | Fee: FREE | Categories: Internships/Volunteering prize 6-month internship length N/A deadline 44 days June 02 |
Tethered by Letters' Publishing InternshipThis twelve-week, remote internship offers an intense introduction to the publishing and editorial aspects of the literary industry. In addition to working alongside senior editors, interns will have the opportunity to function independently as junior editors in the last four weeks of the internship period. This internship also offers a focus on writing, and interns will work directly with the Publishing Director to craft reviews, conduct interviews or pursue other available options. Fee: FREE | Categories: Internships/Volunteering prize N/A length 12 weeks deadline ongoing |
Zoetrope Reader ProgramZoetrope: All-Story seeks volunteer readers to read and critique the 10,000 submissions we receive each year. Stories the readers endorse are forwarded to the editorial staff for consideration. Readers are invited to periodic editorial meetings and special film events, and are included in the masthead. Readers will be expected to commit to at least four hours per week; all reading must be completed in the Zoetrope office and during regular business hours. Fee: FREE | Categories: Internships/Volunteering prize N/A length N/A deadline ongoing |
AGNI InternshipApply to AGNI's literary internships. Editorial assistants will be responsible for proofreading, subscription fulfillment, database management, web posting, and many other tasks central to the magazine’s operation. In turn, interns will gain copyediting experience, print and web publishing experience, experience with Dreamweaver, FileMaker, and other software, and a renewed sense of the relevance and wonder of literature. Send resumes and cover letters to agni@bu.edu. Fee: $0 | Categories: Internships/Volunteering prize N/A length N/A deadline ongoing |
Epiphany InternshipsAn Epiphany internship includes a combination of editorial and managerial work, so that interns get a sense for both of these aspects of publishing a literary magazine. An intern's chief editorial responsibility will be to read submissions to the magazine and they will receive feedback and mentorship from an Epiphany editor throughout the process. Interns may also be expected to take on various research projects and day-to-day tasks. Internships may be conducted from Los Angeles, NY, or remotely, and are unpaid opportunities. Fee: FREE | Categories: Internships/Volunteering prize N/A length N/A deadline ongoing |
McSweeny's Internship/VolunteershipMcSweeny's has opened calls for interns and volunteers! If selected, you will be helping out with their next few books and quarterlies, including reading for the next Quarterly, an entirely non-fiction issue examining surveillance, trust, and privacy. Interns must be at least in the third or fourth year of their undergraduate degree, and based in the San Francisco Bay Area. We welcome higher-level applicants for our volunteer positions. The role requires a commitment of 15–20 hours per week, for around four months. Priority given to those who have experience with fact checking. Fee: FREE | Categories: Internships/Volunteering prize N/A length N/A deadline ongoing |
Strange Horizons VolunteershipStrange Horizons is currently accepting applications for additional first readers. First readers will read some of the incoming fiction submissions and decide whether to pass them along to the fiction editors. They are therefore looking for people who like what Strange Horizons publishes. They highly encourage black first readers to apply, as are applicants who are members of other underrepresented or marginalized groups, and non-US/UK regions. Fee: FREE | Categories: Internships/Volunteering prize N/A length N/A deadline ongoing |
Workshops/Conferences |
Northern CO WritersThe Muse Cruise: Let Your Writing Set Sail! Does your writing have you feeling lost at sea? Or maybe you're still stuck at port, unsure how to embark on your next literary adventure? Let the crew of the 2019 14th Annual Northern Colorado Writers Conference fill your itinerary with the classes, workshops, and activities that will set your course toward publication. No passport or cruise wear required, just the desire to give your writing first-class treatment. Location: Fort Collins Marriott. Travel Dates: May 3-4, 2019. The 2019 Northern Colorado Writers Conference will welcome several new-to-NCW presenters such as Jordan E. Rosenfeld, Yana Makuwa, Lucinda Karter, and Jovan Mays. NYT and USA Today bestseller Cynthia Swanson will also be the opening keynote speaker. Fee: $209 – 399 | Categories: Workshops/Conferences prize N/A length N/A deadline 13 days May 02 |
Rattle Workshop ProgramRattle's goal has always been to expand the reach of contemporary poetry into broader communities beyond the usual literary circles. To further that goal, a few hundred copies of each print issue of Rattle will be set aside to be given away as free class sets to teachers, workshop leaders, and reading groups who are spreading poetry to underserved and non-literary communities. The only firm rule is that the workshop must be offered free to participants. Supplies are limited. Medium: print | Fee: FREE | Categories: Workshops/Conferences prize Free copies of Rattle length N/A deadline ongoing |
Slice Literary Writers ConferenceSlice conference features panels and workshops covering topics around the craft and business of writing. Please visit the conference website for additional information, fee schedules, and discounts. Medium: online | Fee: $200 – 350 | Categories: Workshops/Conferences prize N/A length N/A deadline ongoing |
LitReactorLitReactor offers a unique approach to a writing education: You study what you want, when you want, at your own pace. You get detailed feedback on your work and take part in discussions in a judgement-free zone. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an experienced writer, our workshops are about working together to achieve your writing goals. Medium: online | Fee: Varied | Categories: Workshops/Conferences prize N/A length N/A deadline ongoing |
Indie Author Fringe"Indie Author Fringe is a three-times-a-year, online conference for self-publishing authors, brought to you by the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi). ALLi brings together the most up-to-date self-publishing education and information available and broadcasts it to authors everywhere. " Medium: online | Fee: FREE | Categories: Workshops/Conferences prize N/A length N/A deadline ongoing |
Alabama Writers' ConclaveThe Alabama Writers' Conclave was organized in 1923 and has continued ever since. Registration for this conference will include access to the keynote speech, all panels, workshops, as well as mixers and other social events. Medium: online | Fee: $225 | Categories: Workshops/Conferences prize N/A length N/A deadline ongoing |
Lighthouse Writers WorkshopLighthouse Writers Workshop presents Lit Fest, an annual summer celebration of the literary art. The festival is scheduled to feature an array of workshops, seminars, consultations and other offerings. Medium: online | Fee: $130 | Categories: Workshops/Conferences prize Glitterati Pass length N/A deadline ongoing |
Catapult Writing WorkshopsCatapult offers online and in-person classes varying in size, topic, and focus, and taught by writers and publishing professionals at the center of literary culture. Medium: print and online | Fee: Varies | Categories: Workshops/Conferences prize N/A length N/A deadline ongoing |
A Public Space: WorkshopsA Public Space presents workshops throughout the year, provided seasonally. From novel to essay writing to editing, sign up for a masterclass of your choice. Fee: Varies | Categories: Workshops/Conferences prize N/A length N/A deadline ongoing |
Inkitt's Novel Writing BootcampInkitt’s commitment to empowering aspiring authors across the globe has fused with the novel-writing genius of Bryan Thomas Schmidt, editor of The Martian, to produce an inspirational new Novel Writing Bootcamp, accessible to all and free of charge. Whether you’re a writer just beginning your career, an experienced author who wants to brush up on certain aspects of the process, or simply someone eager to learn at their own pace, this course is for you! We are proud to make Schmidt’s invaluable advice available to all, and we hope that it inspires all readers, regardless of background or previous experience, to reach for their literary goals and realise their creative potential. Fee: FREE | Categories: Workshops/Conferences prize N/A length N/A deadline ongoing |
