Writing Contests 2026: Free Entries and Cash Prizes!

February 2026

Poetry Contests 2026

WB Yeats Society of NY Poetry Prize

The all-volunteer, nonprofit WB Yeats Society of NY has conducted this annual competition since 1991. People of any age from anywhere in the world may enter with unpublished poems of up to 60 lines on any topic. The 2026 judge is Joseph O. Legaspi, a Fulbright scholar and author of three poetry collections.
Word count: Up to 60 lines per poem
Prizes: First prize $1,000, second prize $500, plus honorable mentions; winners receive commemorative plaques and a two-year membership
Entry fee: $15 for first poem, $12 for each additional poem
Closing date: February 15, 2026

Furious Flower Poetry Prize

The Furious Flower Poetry Center at James Madison University, the nation’s first academic center devoted to Black poetry, offers this annual prize for emerging poets. The 2026 judge is Major Jackson, author of six books of poetry, including Razzle Dazzle: New & Selected Poems. Poets with no more than one published book are eligible.
Word count: Up to 3 poems, not exceeding 6 total pages
Prizes: Winner: $1,500; Honorable mention: $750; both invited to read at the Poetry Prize Reading in September 2026; publication in Obsidian
Entry fee: $20
Closing date: February 15, 2026

Kathryn A. Morton Prize in Poetry

This prestigious prize is awarded annually to one full-length poetry manuscript, selected by guest judge Adrian Matejka, author of The Big Smoke (finalist for the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize). The prize offers publication, a cash award, and an introduction by the judge.
Word count: Minimum 48 pages
Prizes: $2,000, publication by Sarabande Books, standard royalty contract, and introduction by guest judge
Entry fee: $34
Closing date: February 15, 2026

Winter Wonderland Poetry Contest (Young Writers)

Write a poem in any style and capture the essence of winter! This contest from Young Writers invites students to explore the season through poetry, whether it’s waiting for snow, cozy moments by the fire, or anticipating the holidays. Poems can be written or typed with no line or word limit.
Word count: No line or word limit
Prizes: Participating schools receive a free copy of the book; the favorite poet wins a $50 e-gift card; all entrants receive a bookmark; published poets receive certificates of merit
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: February 27, 2026

The Cardinal Poetry Prize (Wesleyan University Press)

Conceived by poet John Murillo, this unique prize targets serious poets aged 40 or older who have taken their time developing their craft. Authors must not have published a poetry book or not have published a new original collection within the last 10 years. The 2026 judge is Robert Pinsky, former three-term U.S. Poet Laureate.
Word count: 48–64 pages
Prizes: $1,000 and publication by Wesleyan University Press
Entry fee: $25 (fee waivers available for financial hardship)
Closing date: February 28, 2026

Short story writing contests 2026

Winter Short Story Award for New Writers

The Masters Review’s Short Story Award for New Writers is a bi-annual contest that recognizes the best fiction and creative nonfiction from today’s emerging writers. This award has launched numerous careers. Past winners include Nana Nkweti, Nick Fuller Googins, and Sanjena Sathian, several of whom earned representation from partnered agents.
Word count: Up to 6,000 words (fiction or creative nonfiction)
Prizes: First place: $3,000 + publication + agency review; Second place: $300 + publication + agency review; Third place: $200 + publication + agency review
Entry fee: $20
Closing date: February 1, 2026

Stringybark Open Short Story Award 2026

Authors Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist, along with Stringybark Publishing, sponsor this flagship Australian short story award. This is an open-themed award, though your short story must have a link to Australia. The story must be written for an audience aged 16 and above.
Word count: 1,500 words or fewer
Prizes: First Prize: A$500 + publication + e-book + paperback + choice of two Stringybark anthologies (Value $565); Second Prize: A$300 + publication + e-book + paperback + choice of two anthologies (Value $365); Third Prize: A$150 + same package (Value $220); Fourth Prize: A$50 + same package (Value $120); Highly Commended: Publication + e-book (up to 30 stories)
Entry fee: A$15 for one story, A$28 for two stories, A$39 for three stories (maximum)
Closing date: February 1, 2026

Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award

The Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award is a unique contest focused on science fiction stories about manned space exploration. Co-sponsored by Baen Books and the National Space Society, the contest honors the memory of Jim Baen and celebrates the role of science fiction in inspiring real-world scientific advancement. The contest seeks near-future stories (50-60 years out) about moon bases, Mars colonies, orbital habitats, and the challenges of human space exploration.
Word count: 8,000 words max.
Prizes: Publication on Baen Books website, payment at professional rates ($0.08/word), engraved award, free entry to the 2026 International Space Development Conference, and a year’s membership in the National Space Society
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: February 1, 2026

Next Generation Short Story Awards

A not-for-profit international awards program for authors of short stories worldwide. This contest offers 30+ categories, cash prizes, gold medals for all winners, and inclusion in a published anthology. Grand Prize Winners are invited to attend the prestigious NGIBA awards gala reception.
Word count: Max. 5,000 words
Prizes: 1st Place Grand Prize: $500 + gold medal + trophy + anthology publication + gala invitation; 2nd Place: $300 + gold medal + anthology + gala invitation; 3rd Place: $200 + gold medal + anthology + gala invitation
Entry fee: $25 for the first category, $20 for each additional category
Closing date: February 26, 2026

Long Winter Night Writing Contest (Gotham Writers)

Gotham Writers Workshop presents this seasonal contest celebrating winter-themed writing. Whether your story captures the quiet beauty of a snowy evening or the cozy warmth of gathering indoors, this contest welcomes creative explorations of the winter season.
Word count: Max. 50 words
Prizes: Free Gotham class of their choosing, excluding any premium classes (Zoetrope Fiction, Business Writing, Level III)
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: February 28, 2026

Essay Contests 2026

Global Essay Competition (St. Gallen Symposium)

Compete in this prestigious global essay competition and qualify for participation as a Leader of Tomorrow at the St. Gallen Symposium. The top 100 essayists qualify for an expenses-paid participation at the 55th St. Gallen Symposium (5-7 May 2026) in Switzerland, with travel, board, and lodging covered. The topic is Disruption in Tech + Politics + Demography: What happens when they collide?
Word count: Max. 2,100 words (excluding abstract, bibliography, and footnotes)
Prizes: Total prize money of CHF 20,000 split among the three winners; top 100 essayists receive expenses-paid participation at the St. Gallen Symposium
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: February 1, 2026

Calibre Essay Prize

Australian Book Review welcomes entries in the 2026 Calibre Essay Prize, one of the world’s leading prizes for a new non-fiction essay. The contest is open to all essayists writing in English. ABR seeks essays of between 2,000 and 5,000 words on any subject and welcomes essays of all kinds: personal or political, literary or speculative, traditional or experimental.
Word count: 2,000–5,000 words
Prizes: Total prize money of $10,000 (AUD)
Entry fee: $20 (current ABR subscribers), $30 (non-subscribers; includes four-month digital access to ABR); entry + subscription bundles available
Closing date: February 3, 2026

Leland Essay Contest

The Leland Essay Contest was established by Bruce H. Leland to recognize the best writers in the Western Writing Program. Winning essays are published in the print and online issues of Western Voices and used as readings in many composition courses. All winners (including honorable mentions) will be recognized and receive a certificate at the English Department Awards Night in April.
Word count: No limit
Prizes: First place: $150; Second place: $100; Third place: $50; all winners receive certificates
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: February 13, 2026

Write the World Competitions

Write the World hosts regular writing competitions for young writers aged 13-19 from around the globe. Their competitions span various genres, including essays, poetry, flash fiction, and more, with expert feedback from published writers and educators. Competitions feature peer review opportunities and recognition for outstanding work.
Word count: 400-1000 words
Prizes: First place: $100. Runner-Up and Best Peer Review will each receive $50.
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: February 23, 2026

Book Writing Contests 2026

Brick Road Poetry Book Contest

The mission of Brick Road Poetry Press is to publish and promote poetry that entertains, amuses, edifies, and surprises a wide audience of appreciative readers. Their preference is for poetry geared toward dramatizing the human experience in language rich with sensory image and metaphor, recognizing that poetry can be both familiar as the perspiration of daily labor and as outrageous as a carnival sideshow. The contest uses blind reading to judge submissions without knowing who wrote the manuscript.
Word count: 50–100 pages of poetry (excluding cover page, contents, acknowledgments, etc.)
Prizes: First place winner receives a $1,000 cash prize, a publication contract with Brick Road Poetry Press in both print and ebook formats, and 25 copies of the printed book
Entry fee: $30
Closing date: February 1, 2026

IndieReader Discovery Awards

IndieReader’s Discovery Awards recognize excellence in independent and self-published books across multiple categories. The awards provide indie authors with professional reviews, exposure to industry professionals, and recognition for outstanding work. The “IndieReader Discovery Awards” are open to books that are self-published, hybrid, and small-press published

Books have to have a valid ISBN or ASIN number.
Word count: No limit
Prizes: First place: $500, 2nd and 3rd place: $250 cash prize with professional IndieReader review, First-look consideration with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Literary Management, and a book-to-film consideration for the winners.
Entry fee: $150 per title, which includes the main category. $50 fee for each additional category
Closing date: February 11, 2026

BCALA Self-Publishing Literary Awards

The Black Caucus of ALA (BCALA) honors the best self-published ebooks by African American authors in the U.S. in both fiction and poetry genres. All the eBooks submitted to the contest must be written by an African American author born in the U.S. The awards will be presented at the American Library Association conference in Chicago, IL, in June 2026.
Word count: No limit
Prizes: $2,500.00, formal recognition at the American Library Association conference, and a BCALA Literary Award Seal
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: February 28, 2026

Mixed Writing Contests 2026

Geminga Contest (Sunspot Lit)

With Geminga, Sunspot Lit honors the power of the small. No restrictions on theme or category. This contest accepts fiction, nonfiction, micropoetry, graphic novels, and visual art. Winners and finalists are published in the quarterly digital edition and the annual fall print edition.
Word count: 100 words for fiction and nonfiction; 140 characters for micropoetry; 4 pages for graphic novels; visual art no larger than 25 inches square
Prizes: $100 cash and publication for the winner; publication offered to runners-up and finalists
Entry fee: $5
Closing date: February 1, 2026

Mini Moon Writing Contest

Tadpole Press hosts this monthly micro-writing contest celebrating the power of brevity. Write a piece of 10 words or less (including any title) with no theme restrictions. Deadlines fall on every full moon, with winners announced one week after each Community Write-In. Tips from the judges are available at Community Write-Ins.
Word count: 10 words or fewer (including title)
Prizes: $50 USD to the top winner
Entry fee: $5
Closing date: February 1, 2026

3-Minute Arts Writing Competition

Could you write a story, a play, or a song that lasts 3 minutes? This competition seeks original plays, stories, and songs that last approximately 3 minutes and are suitable for performance to a family audience at Mini Arts Festival in Glaisdale. Judges look for that spark of creativity as well as technical ability to construct well-made work that engages an audience’s attention. Drama entries need to be simple to stage and ideally contain action and visual interest.
Word count: Approximately 3 minutes performance length
Prizes: Cash prizes and performance at Mini Arts Festival 2026
Entry fee: £6.00 for a first entry in that category, and £3.00 for any subsequent entry in the same category
Closing date: February 15, 2026

Voices of Mixed Heritage (Kinsman Quarterly)

Submit essays, fiction, or poetry exploring themes of multicultural or third-culture identity, love, belonging, home life, and pain. Kinsman Quarterly seeks heartfelt reflections on living between worlds. Winners receive cash prizes and publication in Kinsman’s upcoming anthology.
Word count: Between 300 and 2,000 words (creative writing), up to 10 pages (poetry)
Prizes: Up to $500 in cash prizes and publication in an anthology
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: February 28, 2026

March 2026

Poetry Contests 2026

NFSPS Annual Poetry Contests

The National Federation of State Poetry Societies (NFSPS) hosts its prestigious annual poetry contests, offering poets across the country the opportunity to compete in multiple categories. This long-standing competition celebrates excellence in poetry and provides recognition for poets at various skill levels. Winners are announced at the annual NFSPS convention, and winning poems are published in the NFSPS anthology.
Word count: Varies by category (check individual contest rules)
Prizes: Cash prizes and publication in the NFSPS anthology
Entry fee: Varies by category
Closing date: March 15, 2026

The Lascaux Prize in Poetry

The Lascaux Review presents its annual poetry prize, welcoming submissions of previously published or unpublished poems. This contest accepts simultaneous submissions and has no length restrictions, making it accessible to poets working in any style or genre. All entries are considered for publication in The Lascaux Review, giving every participant a chance at wider exposure. Poets may submit up to five poems per entry, all pasted into one document.
Word count: No length restrictions; up to 5 poems per entry
Prizes: $1,000, a bronze medallion, and publication in The Lascaux Review
Entry fee: $15
Closing date: March 31, 2026

Polyphony Lit Winter Contest 2026

Polyphony Lit’s Winter Contest 2026 invites high school students from around the world to submit their best work on the theme of “Subversion.” The contest encourages writers to think about the unorthodox, offering their own twist on common motifs and symbolism, toying with structure, and inverting tropes and expectations. Winners receive publication, editorial feedback from the contest judge, and a full scholarship for Polyphony Lit’s editorial training course.
Theme: Subversion
Word count: Poetry: 80 lines or less; Fiction/Creative Nonfiction: 1,800 words or less
Prizes: Publication in Polyphony Lit Volume 20, eligibility for the Claudia Ann Seaman Awards, editorial feedback from the Contest Judge, and a full scholarship for Polyphony Lit’s “How to be a Literary Editor” course
Entry fee: Free for the first 200 submissions; $4 for additional submissions
Closing date: March 31, 2026

Short story writing contests 2026

Mairtín Crawford Award (Belfast Book Festival)

The Mairtín Crawford Award, hosted by the Belfast Book Festival, recognizes emerging talent in short fiction. Writers may submit a short story of up to 2,500 words on any subject, written in any style or form. All entries must be in English. This award provides an excellent platform for writers seeking recognition in the literary community and offers the opportunity to be celebrated at one of Ireland’s premier book festivals.
Word count: Up to 2,500 words
Prizes: Recognition at Belfast Book Festival (check website for full prize details)
Entry fee: £10
Closing date: March 11, 2026

53-Word Story Contest (Press 53)

Press 53’s free monthly 53-Word Story Contest challenges writers to craft a complete story in exactly 53 words, no more, no less. Each month features a new prompt, and the March 2026 theme asks writers to create a story about “a charge.” This contest is open to writers around the world who write in English, with no age limit. The winning story is published in Prime Number Magazine, and the winner receives a free book from Press 53.
Word count: Exactly 53 words (titles not included in word count)
Prizes: Publication in Prime Number Magazine and a free book from Press 53
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: March 15, 2026

Essay Contests 2026

The Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay Prize

The 2026 Fitzcarraldo Editions/Mahler & LeWitt Studios Essay Prize is an annual competition for unpublished writers, seeking essays that explore and expand the possibilities of the essay form with no restrictions on theme or subject matter. The prize aims to find the best emerging essay writers and give them a chance to develop and showcase their talent. It also provides the winner with their first experience of publishing a book, from the planning, research, and writing through to the editing, production, and publicity stages. The 2026 prize will be judged by Joanna Biggs, Brian Dillon, Joanna Kavenna, Max Porter, and Jacques Testard.
Word count: Proposal no longer than 5,000 words; optional writing sample of up to 5,000 words; proposed essay must be a minimum of 25,000 words
Prizes: £4,000, up to six weeks’ residency at Mahler & LeWitt Studios in Spoleto, Italy, and publication by Fitzcarraldo Editions
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: March 16, 2026

Book Writing Contests 2026

Prairie Schooner Raz-Shumaker Book Prize Contest

The Prairie Schooner Raz-Shumaker Book Prize Series welcomes manuscripts from all living writers, including non-US citizens, writing in English. Both unpublished and published writers are welcome to submit manuscripts. Winners receive a significant cash prize and publication through the University of Nebraska Press. The contest accepts both poetry and prose manuscripts, and simultaneous submissions are accepted, though writers must notify them immediately if their manuscript is accepted elsewhere.
Word count: Full-length manuscript
Prizes: $3,000 and publication through the University of Nebraska Press
Entry fee: $25 per submission
Closing date: March 15, 2026

YesYes Books Open Reading Period in Poetry

YesYes Books holds an annual Open Reading Period for full-length poetry manuscripts. Collections by a single author as well as collaborative manuscripts are eligible for submission. Publication with YesYes Books includes a generous advance, author copies, royalties, and tour expense support.
Word count: 48-120 numbered pages of poetry with a table of contents
Prizes: $1,000 advance toward royalties, 40 author copies, 15%-25% royalties, and $500 toward tour expenses
Entry fee: $25
Closing date: March 15, 2026

The International Rubery Book Award

The International Rubery Book Award is a globally respected and prestigious award recognizing excellence in writing across all forms of storytelling. Whether literary or genre-led, each work is judged on its execution, originality, and overall impact by experienced and reputable judges. The award is open to indie writers, self-published authors, and books published by independent presses. Winners receive cash prizes, a glass plaque, and a professional write-up.
Word count: Full-length book (self-published or published by an independent press)
Prizes: Book of the Year: £2,000 (approx. $2,760 USD); Category winners: £200 (approx. $276 USD); glass plaque for all winners; write-up for all winners and shortlisted authors
Entry fee: Varies for each country
Closing date: March 31, 2026

Mixed Writing Contests 2026

Northern Writers’ Awards (New Writing North)

The Northern Writers’ Awards offer multiple award categories for writers living in the North of England, supporting poetry, fiction, narrative non-fiction, children’s writing, and more. Awards include the Charlotte Aitken Trust Awards (£5,000 bursaries for early-career published writers), Northern Writers’ Awards for Fiction and Narrative Non-Fiction (up to £3,000), and many others. All winners receive access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network.
Word count: Varies by award category (typically 3,000-6,000 words for prose extracts; up to 30 poems for poetry; up to 1,500 words for short fiction)
Prizes: Range from £1,000 to £5,000 depending on the award; includes mentoring, access to Northern Writers’ Awards Network, and various professional development opportunities
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: March 10, 2026

Winter 2026 Story Contest (Narrative Magazine)

Narrative Magazine’s winter contest is open to all fiction and nonfiction writers. They seek short shorts, short stories, essays, memoirs, photo essays, graphic stories, all forms of literary nonfiction, and excerpts from longer works. Narrative winners and finalists have gone on to win Whiting Awards, the Pulitzer Prize, the Pushcart Prize, and the Atlantic Prize, and have appeared in Best American Short Stories, Best American Nonrequired Reading, and many others. All entries are also eligible for the $5,000 Narrative Prize and for acceptance as a Story of the Week.
Word count: Up to 15,000 words
Prizes: First Prize: $2,500; Second Prize: $1,000; Third Prize: $500; up to ten finalists receive $100 each; all entries considered for publication
Entry fee: $27 (includes three months of complimentary access to Narrative Backstage)
Closing date: March 31, 2026

April 2026

Poetry Contests 2026

Meraki: The Slam Poetry Competition

The English Literary Society at Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, presents Meraki 2026, a celebration of poetry that pulses with life. Inspired by the spirit of “meraki,” the art of pouring your soul into what you create, this competition invites you to step into the spotlight and let your voice resonate. The competition features two rounds: a written submission round through Unstop, followed by offline finals where shortlisted participants perform their poems before a live audience and judges.
Word count: No word limit
Prizes: Winner, First Runner-up, and Second Runner-up each receive certificates and prizes in kind up to ₹3,000
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 11, 2026

The Peseroff Prize Poetry Contest (Breakwater Review)

The Peseroff Prize honors Joyce Peseroff’s work as a poet, teacher, editor, innovator, and mentor. She helped found the MFA Program in Creative Writing at the University of Massachusetts Boston and served as its first director. The prize celebrates poetry in all its forms with no restrictions on content or form, as Joyce Peseroff said, “It’s all poetry.” Previous judges have included Major Jackson, Amanda Shea, and Chen Chen.
Word count: Up to 3 poems in one file
Prizes: $1,000 and publication in Breakwater Review’s next issue
Entry fee: $10
Closing date: April 15, 2026

Write the World Poetry Competition

Write the World’s April poetry competition invites young writers aged 13-19 to share an original poem or piece of spoken word. As poet Kahlil Gibran once said: “Poetry is a deal of joy and pain and wonder, with a dash of the dictionary.” This month celebrates the mysterious, challenging, and essential art of putting words to feelings we struggle to explain. The competition is guest judged by 王潇/Evan Wang, the 9th National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States.
Word count: 50-500 words
Prizes: Best Written Poem: $100; Best Spoken Word Performance: $100; Best Peer Review: $50
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 27, 2026

Ware Poets Open Poetry Competition 2026

The 28th annual Ware Poets Open Poetry Competition is judged by Keith Jarrett, a multiple poetry slam champion selected for the International Literary Showcase as an outstanding LGBT writer. His poem “From the Log Book” was projected onto St. Paul’s Cathedral. This year features five prizes for the first time, including special categories for sonnets and local poets from Hertfordshire or Essex. Poems may be on any subject.
Word count: No word limit
Prizes: First prize: £1,000; Second prize: £500; Third prize: £200; Sonnet prize: £200; Local prize: £200 (for residents of Hertfordshire or Essex)
Entry fee: £5 per poem
Closing date: April 30, 2026

Erbacce Prize for Poetry 2026

The Erbacce Prize for poetry is a completely free international competition recognized worldwide as a prestigious addition to any poet’s CV. The press publishes “poetry which is radical in form and/or content.” All submissions are judged blind. The outright winner receives a publishing contract with erbacce-press for a perfect-bound collection, plus royalties at 20%, twice as much as major publishers. Runners-up may receive a perfect-bound book or high-quality chapbook, and four poets will be chosen as “Featured Poet” in the erbacce poetry journal.
Word count: 5 pages of poetry (not 5 poems)
Prizes: Winner: publishing contract for perfect-bound collection, personalized web page, 20% royalties, and all publishing costs covered; Runners-up: perfect-bound book or chapbook; 4 Featured Poets in erbacce journal
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 30, 2026

Short story writing contests 2026

Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize

The Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize is an international competition celebrating exceptional short fiction. This prestigious prize partners with literary organizations worldwide to maximize exposure for winners, offering cash prizes, writing retreats, and opportunities for publication and connection with literary agents.
Word count: Up to 2,000 words
Prizes: Cash prizes, publication, festival invitations, and opportunities to connect with literary agents
Entry fee: €20 for the first piece of short fiction and €10 for every further entry
Closing date: April 15, 2026

Writing Battle – Verdant Owl Pro

Writing Battle hosts regular short story competitions, challenging writers to craft compelling stories within specific parameters. The Verdant Owl Pro competition invites writers to submit stories of up to 2,500 words.
Word count: Up to 2,500 words
Prizes: The prizes start at $600 USD and go up to $2,400 USD
Entry fee: $39
Closing date: April 19, 2026

Dragons & Wyverns Short Story Challenge (Forest & Fawn)

Forest & Fawn’s Dragons & Wyverns Short Story Challenge invites fantasy writers of all skill levels to write a brand new short story featuring dragons and wyverns as the central theme within ten days. Participants receive specific prompts and elements that must be included in their story. You can write in any fantasy sub-genre, cozy fantasy, gothic fantasy, high fantasy, erotic fantasy, or urban fantasy, as long as dragons and wyverns are the centering theme. The challenge includes access to a private online forum, a creative writing workshop, and write-in calls during the challenge week.
Word count: Up to 2,000 words
Prizes: 1st Place: $1,800 cash prize; 2nd Place: $900 cash prize; 3rd Place: $400 cash prize; 4th-10th Place: $100 cash prize each; All winning stories published on Forest & Fawn website
Entry fee: $38
Closing date: Registration closes April 24, 2026

Ironclad Creative Short Story Competition – Summer 2026

The Ironclad Creative Short Story Competition seeks short stories that respond in any way to the prompt “FOOTPRINT.” This competition is open to both published and unpublished writers and welcomes any genre of prose up to 6,000 words. Prize-winning and shortlisted writers will be published in the July 2026 anthology. The competition looks for writers with exciting voices who can move readers, regardless of genre.
Word count: Up to 6,000 words
Prizes: First Place: £100 and publication; Second Place: £50 and publication; Third Place: £25 and publication; Shortlisted writers also receive publication
Entry fee: £9.75 per story
Closing date: April 30, 2026

Essay Contests 2026

Great American Think-Off

The Great American Think-Off, hosted by the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center in Minnesota, invites essayists to tackle the 2026 question: “Has the pursuit of happiness made Americans unhappy?” Entrants should take a strong stand, basing their arguments on personal experience and observations rather than philosophical abstraction. Finalists will be announced May 1, and the 33rd annual live debate will be held in New York Mills, Minnesota, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Essays are judged on content only, with all personal information redacted before review.
Word count: Up to 750 words
Prizes: Finalists participate in a live debate in New York Mills, Minnesota
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 1, 2026

Think Essay Prize (Royal Institute of Philosophy)

The Think Essay Prize is a philosophy essay competition for students aged 15-18 years old. Essays must engage with one of six philosophical questions, including topics on knowledge of God, moral responsibility in a determined universe, science and religious belief, machine consciousness, state restrictions on speech, and the logical possibility of time travel. The winning essay will be published in the Think journal alongside articles from leading philosophers. Shortlisted candidates receive a year’s free subscription to the journal, and other prizes are awarded to all those who make the longlist.

2026 Essay Questions:

• To what extent is knowledge of God possible?
• If we live in a physically determined universe, is anyone ever morally responsible for what they do?
• To what extent can science threaten religious and theistic beliefs?
• Could a machine think and feel?
• Under what circumstances is the State justified in restricting what we can say?
• Is time travel logically possible?

Word count: No more than 1,200 words
Prizes: Winner published in Think journal; shortlisted candidates receive a year’s free journal subscription; longlist prizes
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 20, 2026

The Sophie Coe Prize

The Sophie Coe Prize is awarded annually to the author of an original, informative article or essay on any aspect of food history relating to any period, place, people, or culture. The Trustees emphasize the need for originality in the form of new research or new insights, seeking work that combines excellent research with lively writing. This is the world’s most prestigious prize for writing on food history. The Prize winner will be announced in July 2026 with a public presentation at the Oxford Symposium on Food & Cookery.
Word count: 2,500 to 10,000 words (including notes and bibliography)
Prizes: £1,500 (will not be divided); winning entry may be published in Petits Propos Culinaires or Oxford Symposium documents
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 24, 2026

Book Writing Contests 2026

Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award

The 19th Annual Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award seeks to discover and honor the best books of 2025 that incorporate elements of mystery, thriller, suspense, action, and romance across numerous genres. The competition makes no distinction between self-published, indie-published, and traditionally published works.
Word count: Full-length books (novels, novellas, collections, anthologies, and nonfiction)
Prizes: Physical award in each category; Top Picks, Finalists, and Winners announced; increased exposure and publicity
Entry fee: Free for one entry with Killer Nashville conference registration; $92 per entry for non-attendees or additional submissions
Closing date: April 1, 2026

Maya Angelou Book Award

The Kansas City Public Library established the Maya Angelou Book Award in 2020 in partnership with the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri State University, Northwest Missouri State University, Truman State University, and Southeast Missouri State University. Named after the acclaimed, Missouri-born memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist, the prize celebrates contemporary writers whose work demonstrates a commitment to social justice. In 2026, the award will be given to a work of fiction. Both novels and short story collections will be considered.
Word count: Full-length fiction (novels and short story collections)
Prizes: $10,000, a reading tour of partner colleges, universities, and libraries in Missouri, and recognition at an event hosted by the Kansas City Public Library
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 8, 2026

Northern Territory History Book Award 2026

The Northern Territory History Book Award recognizes the most significant historical book about the Northern Territory published in the previous 12 months. Administered by Library & Archives NT, this award is free to enter and celebrates works that illuminate the history of the Northern Territory.
Word count: Full-length book on Northern Territory history
Prizes: $1,000 and award recognition
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 13, 2026

Natan Notable Books

Natan Notable Books is a twice-yearly award for nonfiction books on Jewish themes. The award highlights vital books and authors, bringing innovative and important ideas to the attention of diverse audiences. Submissions should be recently published or about to be published nonfiction titles that catalyze conversations aligned with Natan’s grantmaking themes: reinventing Jewish life and community for the twenty-first century, shifting notions of individual and collective Jewish identity, the history and future of Israel, and the evolving relationship between Israel and world Jewry.
Word count: Full-length nonfiction book
Prizes: $5,000 for the author, Natan Notable Book seal, marketing/distribution coaching and promotion from Jewish Book Council and Natan, and customized support to bring the book and author to new audiences
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 15, 2026

Mixed Writing Contests 2026

FLARE Magazine – “Medication” Themed Issue

FLARE Magazine opens submissions for their mini themed issue “Medication” from April 1st to April 4th, 2026. This issue explores medication for chronic illness, neurodivergence, mental health, and disability, the positives, negatives, and everything in between. Submissions can also relate to holistic medicine, massages, acupuncture, or anything that “medicates” you, like sleep, meditation, or yoga. FLARE accepts poetry, microfiction, flash fiction, short stories, creative nonfiction, hybrid/experimental pieces, and art/photography. Artists should be disabled, though art does not need to relate to the theme.
Word count: Poetry: up to 3 poems; Microfiction: up to 3 pieces of 400 words or fewer; Flash Fiction: up to 1,000 words; Short Stories: up to 2,500 words; Creative Nonfiction: up to 2,000 words; Hybrid/Experimental: up to 3 pieces of 1,000 words each
Prizes: Publication, social media promotion, and nomination for literary awards, including Best of the Net, Pushcart Prize, Best Small Fictions, Best Microfiction, and Best American Essays
Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 4, 2026

The Adventure Writers Competition

The Adventure Writers Competition, now in its 16th year, invites unpublished or published writers in the action/adventure genre to vie for the title of “Grandmaster.” The competition accepts a wide range of adventure writing, including classic adventure, military, crime and legal thrillers, spy action, techno-thrillers, westerns, psychological thrillers, eco-thrillers, young adult adventure, and more. A large panel of judges reads every entry, making this a unique and highly regarded competition. Finalists are celebrated at the Clive Cussler Collector’s Society Convention with an exciting award ceremony.
Word count: Full-length manuscript
Prizes: Grandmaster Winner: $1,000 and trophy; Two runners-up: $500 each; All finalists receive trophies, video book trailers, and interviews; Semi-finalists, finalists, and winner receive AWC badges for marketing
Entry fee: $75
Closing date: April 30, 2026

Writers in Kyoto (WiK) Tenth Kyoto Writing Competition

The Tenth Kyoto Writing Competition invites English-language submissions on the theme of “Kyoto.” This international competition welcomes short shorts in various forms—short poems, character studies, essays, travel tips, whimsy, haiku sequences, haibun, wordplays, dialogue, and experimental verse. Entrants do not need to be located in Kyoto to participate. A clear connection to Kyoto is essential.
Word count: 300 words maximum on a single page
Prizes:

• Kyoto City Mayoral Prize: ¥20,000 cash, copy of Future of Kyoto anthology, one-year WiK membership, complimentary Book Proposal Masterclass by Beth Kempton (valued at ~¥140,000), website publication, and inclusion in future WiK Anthology
• Yamabuki Prize (for nationals of countries where English is an official language): Copy of anthology, website publication, anthology inclusion
• Unohana Prize (for nationals of countries where English is not an official language): Copy of anthology, website publication, anthology inclusion
• Japan Local Prize: Selected ceramic piece from Robert Yellin Yakimono Gallery
• Book Prizes: Signed copies of books by WiK members 

Entry fee: Free
Closing date: April 30, 2026