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 |
ServiceScape Short Story Award 2018For writers 18 years of age or older, this contest seeks unpublished works of fiction or nonfiction. Winning story will be published on the blog. Submissions must be in English. Winner will be notified via email in December 2018. Medium: online | Fee: FREE | Categories: Short Stories, Memoirs, Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose prize $1,000 length maximum 5,000 words deadline 46 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Narrative: Story of the WeekThis contest publishes fiction or nonfiction stories of 10,000 words in length, from unpublished and published writers every week.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 |
Fiction Prose |
The Join Our Story Paradigm PrizeBest original story under 3,000 words utilizing our platform. Winner featured on site. All entries considered for publication. $15 fee. Judge: Celeste Davidson—IRA, CLA, NCTE winner. Entry period opens August 27, 2018. Deadline: October 25, 2018. We foster happier souls and healthier minds through self-expression, personal development, and social connection. Guidelines: joinourstory.com. Medium: online | Fee: $15 | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose prize $1,234 length 3,000 words deadline 10 days October 25 |
ServiceScape Short Story Award 2018For writers 18 years of age or older, this contest seeks unpublished works of fiction or nonfiction. Winning story will be published on the blog. Submissions must be in English. Winner will be notified via email in December 2018. Medium: online | Fee: FREE | Categories: Short Stories, Memoirs, Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose prize $1,000 length maximum 5,000 words deadline 46 days November 30 |
Bottlecap PressOpen to all writers, this contest seeks poetry and fiction manuscripts. Manuscripts should be no less than 26 pages, but 30+ is preferred. Chapbooks are the primary focus, but larger projects get taken on occasionally (up to novella sized). Full manuscripts only. Manuscripts may include some previously published material. Medium: print | Fee: FREE | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose, Poetry, Books prize Publication length minimum 26 pages deadline ongoing |
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 |
ServiceScape Short Story Award 2018For writers 18 years of age or older, this contest seeks unpublished works of fiction or nonfiction. Winning story will be published on the blog. Submissions must be in English. Winner will be notified via email in December 2018. Medium: online | Fee: FREE | Categories: Short Stories, Memoirs, Fiction Prose, Nonfiction Prose prize $1,000 length maximum 5,000 words deadline 46 days November 30 |
Castle Craig International Essay Competition 2018"Castle Craig Hospital would like to invite all interested medicine, psychology, nursing, psychotherapy and social work students to enter its International Addiction Research Essay Competition 2018. This annual competition has been instituted to mark Castle Craig Hospital’s 30th anniversary. We hope it will serve to foster connections between academic institutions and treatment services, and that this will eventually support best practice in the field of addiction treatment. As we become increasingly integrated as an international community, the exchange of global ideas and dialogue in this field is paramount to address the increasing demand for addiction treatment throughout the world. Castle Craig Hospital would be honoured to have you join us in this mission this year and in the future" Medium: print and online | Fee: FREE | Categories: Nonfiction Prose prize £1,000 length 3,000 words deadline 76 days December 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 |
Brick Road Poetry PressThis contest seeks poetry manuscripts. First place winner will receive a publishing contract with Brick Road Poetry Press and $1,000, publication in both print and ebook formats, and 25 copies of the printed book. Publication contracts may be offered to the top finalists as well. WInner will be notified by the end of February. Medium: print and online | Fee: $25 | Categories: Poetry, Book Awards prize $1,000 length 50 – 100 pages deadline 17 days November 01 |
Charles Dickson Chapbook ContestEvery two years, the Charles Dickson Chapbook Contest honors poetic achievement in a chapbook-length work. Dickson, an internationally respected poet of the haiku, was the author of A Touch of Wholeness, Taste of Summer, Fragrance of Frost Grapes, and Out of Cassiopeia. The chapbook contest is funded in part by a grant from the estate of John King and Mary Harvey Ottley and a gift from Virginia Dickson. Entrants must be members in good standing with the Georgia Poetry Society. Entries must be received by November 15th. Medium: print | Fee: $20 | Categories: Poetry, Book Awards prize $250 length 25 pages deadline 31 days November 15 |
Bottlecap PressOpen to all writers, this contest seeks poetry and fiction manuscripts. Manuscripts should be no less than 26 pages, but 30+ is preferred. Chapbooks are the primary focus, but larger projects get taken on occasionally (up to novella sized). Full manuscripts only. Manuscripts may include some previously published material. Medium: print | Fee: FREE | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose, Poetry, Books prize Publication length minimum 26 pages deadline ongoing |
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 |
There are currently no contests available in this category. |
Books |
Bottlecap PressOpen to all writers, this contest seeks poetry and fiction manuscripts. Manuscripts should be no less than 26 pages, but 30+ is preferred. Chapbooks are the primary focus, but larger projects get taken on occasionally (up to novella sized). Full manuscripts only. Manuscripts may include some previously published material. Medium: print | Fee: FREE | Categories: Short Stories, Fiction Prose, Poetry, Books prize Publication length minimum 26 pages 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 |
Book Awards |
Brick Road Poetry PressThis contest seeks poetry manuscripts. First place winner will receive a publishing contract with Brick Road Poetry Press and $1,000, publication in both print and ebook formats, and 25 copies of the printed book. Publication contracts may be offered to the top finalists as well. WInner will be notified by the end of February. Medium: print and online | Fee: $25 | Categories: Poetry, Book Awards prize $1,000 length 50 – 100 pages deadline 17 days November 01 |
Charles Dickson Chapbook ContestEvery two years, the Charles Dickson Chapbook Contest honors poetic achievement in a chapbook-length work. Dickson, an internationally respected poet of the haiku, was the author of A Touch of Wholeness, Taste of Summer, Fragrance of Frost Grapes, and Out of Cassiopeia. The chapbook contest is funded in part by a grant from the estate of John King and Mary Harvey Ottley and a gift from Virginia Dickson. Entrants must be members in good standing with the Georgia Poetry Society. Entries must be received by November 15th. Medium: print | Fee: $20 | Categories: Poetry, Book Awards prize $250 length 25 pages deadline 31 days November 15 |
Residencies/Fellowships |
Writing in the MarginsThe Writing in the Margins Mentor Program pairs an emerging author from a marginalized social group with an experienced editor or traditionally published author in order to work closely on preparing an unpublished manuscript to submit for publication. All authors and editors work on a completely volunteer basis, and there is no charge to the emerging author. Fee: FREE | Categories: Residencies/Fellowships prize Mentorship length Complete manuscript deadline 44 days November 28 |
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 |
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 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 |
Zoetrope InternshipsZoetrope: All-Story, located in San Francisco, California, offers college juniors and seniors and recent college graduates an opportunity to participate in many aspects of literary publishing, including editorial, production, and administration. Intern responsibilities include, but are not limited to, reading and critiquing short story submissions, managing the annual short fiction contest, and assisting with circulation and general administration, and will require at least fifteen hours per week. Fee: FREE | Categories: Internships/Volunteering prize Internship length N/A deadline 6 days October 21 |
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 |
Tin House: InternshipsSix-month internship opportunities are available at the Tin House offices in Brooklyn, New York, and in Portland, Oregon. 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 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 |
Workshops/Conferences |
Barrelhouse: Conversations & Connections, PittsburghConversations and Connections is a one-day writer's conference at Chatham University in Pittsburgh that brings together writers, editors, and publishers in a friendly, supportive environment. The conference is organized by Barrelhouse magazine, and has been held for the past 11 years in Washington DC, and the past 4 in Pittsburgh. All proceeds go to participating small presses and literary magazines, and to Barrelhouse. Fee: $65 – 75 | Categories: Workshops/Conferences prize N/A length N/A deadline 5 days October 20 |
Sirens Writing ConferenceSirens is a conference about voice: the voice of our attendees, how those voices come together to create conversations, and how those conversations coalesce into a community. The core of Sirens is the numerous conversations that take place both within and outside our conference schedule. Many of those conversations will occur as part of our programming, which will constitute most of our schedule during the Friday and Saturday of Sirens. Beyond programming, Sirens features keynote addresses, events, and other activities. Scholarships are available. Fee: $225 | Categories: Workshops/Conferences prize N/A length N/A deadline 10 days October 25 |
Tin House: Winter WorkshopThe second of Tin House's workshops, this iteration offers intimate, genre-specific Winter Workshops splintering into four distinct sessions at the beautiful, literary Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport, Oregon. Fee: $40 | Categories: Workshops/Conferences prize N/A length sample of 5,000 words deadline 31 days November 15 |
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 |
