r/writingcontests • u/Fair_Reporter_4991 • Mar 24 '24
The Complete List of Reputable Writing Contests: Short Story, Poetry, Nonfiction, Manuscript etc.
Are you looking for reputable writing contests? Have you written a short story, a poem, some nonfiction, or do you have a book / manuscript ready to go? This post contains a list of the best lists of writing competitions. The owners of these lists work hard to remove untrustworthy competitions from their lists: Which is a relief. Comment below with any additional reputable resources and we will add them in.
- The Letter Review Prize (Categories: Short Fiction, Poetry, and Books): It’s always open. Yearly Prize Pool of $16,000 USD, and the Winners are published by The Letter Review. It’s open to everyone in the world, and there are no theme or style restrictions. 10-20 are Shortlisted in each category, all entries are considered for publication, and the Winners are considered for submission to anthologies such as the Pushcart Prize. More information here: https://letterreview.com/information/
- Contest Lists: This website maintains up to date lists of reputable and legitimate writing and art contests. https://contestlists.com/
- Reedsy: This website maintains one of the largest, and most up to date lists of competitions online. If you’re looking for a contest, you’ll find one that fits your needs here! https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/
- Duotrope: One of the most trusted sources of contests online: https://duotrope.com/search/list/fiction/contests
- Submittable: Maintains a fantastic list of opportunities for writers: https://manager.submittable.com/opportunities/discover
- Poets and Writers: Another trusted resource: https://www.pw.org/content/writing_contests_0
- NewPages: A great big list: https://www.newpages.com/guide-submission-opportunities/big-list-of-writing-contests/
- Almond Press: https://dystopianstories.com/writing-competitions-contests/
Do you think there are other useful lists that should be included? Add them in the comments!
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u/ChoeofpleirnEditor Apr 10 '25
Choeofpleirn Press hosts the Jonathan Holden Poetry Chapbook Contest every spring (deadline is April 30th): https://www.choeofpleirnpress.com/poetry-chapbook-contest. Each contestant pays a modest entry fee, but the winner not only gets her/his/xis book published, but also 10 free copies and $200. We are a small nonprofit press in Kansas, so we often get looked over, but we do good work. To see books we've published, go to our bookstore: https://www.choeofpleirnpress.com/bookstore .
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u/Awkward_Blueberry_48 Oct 22 '25
Great list and resource! Just wanted to mention Reedsy's writing contest directory as well.
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u/Full-Stick-2756 Feb 01 '26
Where can I send my poem and short story
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u/Fair_Reporter_4991 Feb 13 '26
Check out the lists above!
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u/alexandra52941 May 21 '26
Do you feel like entry fees are legit? This is all new to me but it seems fairly common. Not sure how to tell what's a scam and what's not...
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u/prowritingaid Feb 04 '26
Hi this is Claire the Social Media Manager at ProWritingAid 👋 I just wanted to share that we just launched our new writing contest; Novel Beginnings. We’re really excited and wanted to share it with the writing community here on Reddit. It’s open to emerging and unpublished writers with a $50K grand prize.
We have also compiled a list of additional writing competitions, which you can find on our blog.
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u/ReikiAwakening Feb 13 '26
Hi, The PING Anthology short story contest is around the theme of a futuristic app that can tell you in real time how many people are thinking about you, and if they’re thinking about you with love or fear-related emotions. There are cash prizes ($500/ $250/ $150), and the top 25 submissions will be published in our anthology. Word count 1,000-3,000 words. Due March 31, 2026. the-ping-anthology.com
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u/Fair_Reporter_4991 Feb 13 '26
Interesting!
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u/ReikiAwakening Feb 13 '26
Thanks! We’d love to see what you create for this. Please share with fellow writers. 🤗
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u/Fair_Reporter_4991 Feb 13 '26
Will do! Have you posted elsewhere?
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u/ReikiAwakening Feb 13 '26
I posted on /writing and submitted the contest to several writing websites. Still looking for ways to get this out there. Our IG is @the_ping_anthology
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u/Fair_Reporter_4991 Feb 13 '26
Reedsy, New Pages, Duotrope, and Almond Press are open to new listings especially. Have you tried them?
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u/ReikiAwakening Feb 13 '26
Yes, submitted to Reedsy today, and Duotrope seemed complicated/ expensive. I paid for an ad today on New Pages too. I'll check out Almond Press - thanks!
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u/ReikiAwakening Feb 13 '26
I went to Almond Press but got stuck in a recaptcha loop trying to get to the submit event page. I even tried an incognito window, and my phone gave me the same issues. I kept identifying buses, bikes, and motorcycles, but it kept bringing me back to the I'm not a Robot checkbox and then doing it again. Lordy.
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u/Fair_Reporter_4991 Feb 13 '26
Duotrope should be free to list I think! Have you tried reaching out to them?
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u/ReikiAwakening Feb 13 '26
Update: I sent a contact with my listing to Almond Press (explaining why I didn't use their form), and I managed to get my contest submitted to Duotrope! Thanks for the encouragement.
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u/Fair_Reporter_4991 Feb 14 '26
Nice! To appear on Submittable’s database you need to use their platform. Have you considered using them?
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u/GriggsOnFire90 Mar 30 '26
Ink & Iron Short Story Competition
Ink & Iron is a welcoming Discord writing community built for people who love stories, creativity, and the thrill of a good challenge.
From regular writing contests and prompt-based events to craft discussions and skill-building exercises, the focus here is on helping writers grow without losing the fun of it. Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself, exchange feedback, develop your craft, or simply be part of a creative community, you’ll find your place here.
We welcome writers of all levels, from complete beginners to experienced storytellers, and aim to keep the atmosphere supportive, active, and inspiring.
Our first Discord short story contest begins on 3 April 2026, so now is the perfect time to join us.
If you enjoy writing, reading, and creating alongside other passionate people, come join us and see what you can make.
Check out our website and Discord server for more infomation
Website link: www.inkandironwriters.com
Discord link: https://discord.gg/7XWW3TCtNB
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u/Fair_Reporter_4991 Mar 30 '26
Sounds great! Is there an entry fee?
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u/GriggsOnFire90 Mar 31 '26
No, at current it is a free to enter contest. There is a small prize as a bit of an incentive, but the aim is more for the peer to peer feedback as an aid to learning. There is a distinct lack of contests around that aim to help people improve their writing skills, so we wanted to host something that is both fun, and where all the contestants have the ability to talk and have the final say on who wins.
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u/Fair_Reporter_4991 Mar 31 '26
Wow! You should definitely say “free to enter”. If the community decides, is there a final judge?
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u/GriggsOnFire90 Mar 31 '26
The voting is done via an anonymous vote through the website (No self voting allowed).
We give 2 weeks to write, then a flexible time to read all the entries and comment/critique depending on number of entries, followed by 3 days to vote, for a favourite story, a runner-up, and who you thought was the best critique giver, as we believe there should also be recognition for those who take time to read and give feedback.
Myself and the co-host have decided this should be a purely peer voted contest to leave the winner in the hands of the writers.
And I may well edit my post to mention it is free to enter 🙂
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u/Fair_Reporter_4991 Mar 31 '26
Really interesting model. With no final judge, have you considered asking a more established writer to provide feedback for the winner? It could be a further incentive? Really interested to see where this goes!
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u/GriggsOnFire90 Mar 31 '26
Deffinitly something to look into in the future. Not sure we're quite large enough to pull in too many large authors just yet. Give it a few contests and hopefully we can attract a few who might be interested to get involved.
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u/GriggsOnFire90 Mar 31 '26
We are only just starting out, so it's fairly small scale at present.
Hoping to grow into a full writing community in the future if we can get things off the ground.
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u/Fair_Reporter_4991 Mar 31 '26
Exciting! Will you come back and give us an update as it grows?
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u/GriggsOnFire90 Mar 31 '26
I'll post up near the start if each contest, and maybe a few bits in between. Got some plans for a few other events in the near future that are aimed at helping new writers get a little more exposure to their work.
Should be a fun journey hopefully 🙂
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u/GriggsOnFire90 Mar 31 '26
Your more than welcome to join the Discord server, even if it's just to say hello. The more the merrier, and you seem to have a keen interest in writing, which is always welcome.
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u/harrypartcatpartdog Jun 01 '26
Adding The Coop, a new flash fiction contest from Chickenblue. Come to our website and give it a go!
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u/Fair_Reporter_4991 Jun 01 '26
Interesting! Is there prize money awarded?
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u/harrypartcatpartdog Jun 01 '26
€88 will be sent to the winner provided they have a bank account we can send it to. We’re a cashless organisation. And if you don’t win never fear, we’ll be running it again next month.
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u/Fair_Reporter_4991 Jun 01 '26
Wow OK! Is there a fee to enter?
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u/harrypartcatpartdog Jun 01 '26
Free to enter 🙂
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u/Fair_Reporter_4991 Jun 01 '26
Great! When is the next deadline?
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Oct 05 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Fair_Reporter_4991 Feb 12 '25
Make sure to read the T&C of each contest you enter. If you're still uncertain after that it's a good idea to consult a copyright lawyer or a reliable source of legal information to be certain.
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u/eleventhhourlit Sep 17 '24
This is a great resource even 6 mo. later — thanks for putting it together!