I’m often asked why I don’t post writing contests. I actually do post them when the folks who run contests are kind enough to send me the details, and I also post a couple of contests each week in the Freelance Writing Jobs Community Newsletter. Generally, I don’t look for writing contests on a daily basis as I do freelance writing jobs. However, if it’s writing contests you want, it’s writing contests you’ll get.
Below is a list of writing contests. Some of them require a fee, and some of them don’t. I don’t know enough about writing contests to advise whether or not it’s worth it to pay a fee to enter a contests, but I’m sure some of our veteran writing contestants will be happy to share their tips in the comments.
Send poems up to 60 lines in length. Keep copies however, as entries won’t be returned. Please see online guidelines.
- Entry fee: $3.00 per poem
- Prizes: $15 – $40
- Deadline: October 1, 2010
Art Affair Western Short Story Contest
Send fiction of up to 5,000 words. May enter as often as you like. Please see online guidelines.
- Entry fee: $5.00
- Prizes: $15 – $50
- Deadline: October 1, 2010
Art Affair General Short Story Contest
Send fiction of up to 5,000 words. Please see online guidelines.
- Entry fee: $5.00 per story.
- Prizes: $15 – $50
- Deadline: December 2010
The Aurorean Poetry & Haiku Contests
Hurry! First deadline is looming. Please see online guidelines.
- Entry fee: None.
- Deadline: February 15 & August 15, 2010
- Prizes: $10 + publication
David Nathan Meyerson Fiction Prize
Hosted by Southern Methodist University. Please see online submission guidelines.
- Entry fee: $25.00
- Deadline: May 1, 2010 postmark
- Prize: $1,000 plus publication
Monthly humor contest. Please see online guidelines.
- Entry fee: None
- Deadline: Monthly contest
- Prizes: $500
Please click link for a variety of contests and deadlines.
Deadline coming up in a couple of weeks, act quickly. Please see online guidelines.
- Entry fee: $15
- Deadline: Entries must be postmarked February 15, 2010
- Prize: $1000 + publication
The Ledge Fiction & Poetry Contest
Accepts unpublished stories of up to 7,500 words. Please see online guidelines.
- Entry fee: $10 + $6 for each additional story.
- Deadline: Postmarked March 1, 2010
- Prizes: Up to $1000 +publication
Literal Latte Writing Contests
Hosts a variety of poetry and writing contests. Please check the online guidelines for specific deadlines, guidelines, fees and prizes. A couple of their contests are already closed.
May submit two to three poems per submission fee. No word counts or line limits. Please see online guidelines for complete details.
- Entry fee: $10 – $15
- Deadline: March 31, 2010
- Prizes: $100 & $500 plus publication
Please see a guidelines for a variety of contests and prizes.
Southwest Writers Writing Contest
Prizes awarded in 14 categories. Please see guidelines.
- Entry fee: None
- Deadline: May 10, 2010
- Prizes: Various – Grand prize of $1,000
Shoutout Teen’s Teen Writing Contest
Contest sponsored by Full Sail University. Please see online guidelines.
- Entry fee: None
- Deadline: Ongoing
- Prizes: $100 plus publication
Submit tales about your greatest treasure. Follow online guidelines.
- Entry fee: $10
- Deadline: April 13
- Prize: $100 – $500
Willow Springs Fiction Contest
Please see online guidelines.
- Entry fee: $15
- Deadline: March 1
- $1,000 plus publication.
Writer’s Digest 79th Annual Competition
A very prestigious award – wouldn’t it be so cool if someone from the FWJ community won this puppy? Compete in 10 categories. Please see online guidelines.
- Entry fee: $5 per manuscript or poen
- Deadline: May 14, 2010
- Prize: First prize- $3,000 + trip to NYC. Various other prizes and honorable mentions.
Xtreme Travel Stories Quarterly Contest
Long list of online guidelines. Recommended you thoroughly read it through.
- Entry fee: Couldn’t find one, but read through the guidelines because it might be in there somewhere.
- Deadlne: March 1, 2010
- Prize: $100
Do you enter writing contests? If so, do you have any tips you’d like to share with the freelance writing jobs community?
