I first published a writing competition guide in 2022 and it was so popular, I've updated it for 2024 for this week's blog post. If you're a planner like me, I love outlining my year ahead, not just in term of writing goals but also for literary events, writing competitions, authors I'd like to meet and so on. (Yes, I know we're only in September but what can I say...I love having stuff to look forward to!)
Writing competitions are an incredible opportunity to get your work in front of industry professionals so in this week’s blog post I’ve curated a list of contests - most of which are an international competition - that you may want to consider as part of your author journey.
In fact you may (or may not) know that my own author career started as a result of winning a writing competition in 2016 which led to a 3-book deal. While it can be nerve-wracking to submit your work, the benefits far outweigh any discomfort, helping you understand where you need to improve, who the competition is, and what the publishing industry is looking for.
If you win, there’s often a cash prize along with the prestige that comes from winning first place. However, even if you're not a grand prize winner taking home prize money, coming in second place, third place, or having an honorable mention in a literary magazine is a fantastic confidence boost. Imagine how good it would feel to share your winning story on social media!
So if you’re serious about your writing and becoming a published author, check out my round up of upcoming writing competitions, many of which have submissions open now. As many of you are from all around the world these are not just United States based; the majority of these are open to international entries.
While this blog mainly focuses on adults entrants, for writing contests for college students, high school students, and young writers, I would suggest looking at the New York Times student contest calendar . There are lots of student writing contests to choose from, many of which are open to young people all around the world and they cover lots of submission types including personal essay contests, short story competitions, science fiction, letters, flash fiction, diary entries, songs, raps, and even visuals such as graphic novels and illustrations. Check out this link to see which might work best. The competitions covered below mainly focus on a work of fiction although in some cases you can compete with non-fiction or a poetry collection. Most writing contests require unpublished work and I'm sure I don't need to add that it must be your original work! When reviewing these competitions, please do check the terms and conditions carefully, focusing on requirements such as word count, minimum and maximum length, and what contact information should be added and where it should be included (usually, judges of an annual contest prefer to read submissions anonymously.) I've added entry fees in local currency and there are often options for fee reductions depending on your circumstances.
1. The Commonwealth Short Story Prize
Prize: There will be five winners, one from each region (Africa, Asia, Canada and Europe, Caribbean, Pacific).
The overall winner will receive £5,000 and the remaining four regional winners £2,500.
Entry fee: Free
Submission Opening: September 1, 2024
About: The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is an annual award for unpublished short fiction administered and funded by the Commonwealth Foundation. The story should be adult fiction and entrants must be citizens of a Commonwealth country . Submissions are accepted in English, Bengali, Chinese, Creole, English, French, Greek, Malay, Maltese, Portuguese, Samoan, Swahili, Tamil, and Turkish.
2. Writer's Digest Annual Fiction Competition
Prize: $5,000 in cash. There are also cash prizes for second, third, and fourth places.
Entry fee: Early-Bird $30, Final $35
Final Deadline: June, 3, 2024
About: Writer’s Digest has been shining a spotlight on up-and-coming writers in all genres through its Annual Writing Competition for over 90 years. Enter the 93rd Annual Writing Competition for your chance to win and have your work be seen by editors and agents. Almost 500 winners will be chosen.
Prize: $500 to supplement costs to aid in the completion of a book-length work of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry
Entry fee: $35
Deadline: July 15, 2024
About: The Unleash WIP Award offers writers holistic support to aid a book-length work of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or hybrid. Writers will receive editorial feedback, a coaching call, $500 US, and an excerpt/interview feature in Unleash Lit. This contest is designed to support writers who are just starting or have been toiling away but need a little boost to keep going. The Unleash Board of Directors will select the winner.
Prize: 1st place: £1000, Shortlist Prize: £500
Entry fee: £25
Deadline: Submissions open May 31, 2024
About: The First Novel Prize aims to discover a powerful new voice in fiction writing, across the English language world. Prizes are available for unpublished or independently published novelists. The submission should be over 50,000 words and of an adult genre.
Prize: £1,500 top prize; £500 for Highly Commended novel; free place on a writing course at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre for the writer of the best novel from the UK and Ireland.
Entry Fee: £28
Deadline: October 15, 2024
About: In its 11th year of competition, this Edinburgh-based, international award for unpublished and self-published novelists in all genres for adults and YA. This year's judge is Alice Lutyens, literary agent at Curtis Brown. Entrants should send their first 20 pages plus 200-word synopsis.
Prize: a full scholarship, accommodation, and travel stipend to attend the tenth annual DISQUIET International Literary Program in Lisbon (June 23-July 5, 2024). Genre winners will receive a tuition waiver for DISQUIET 2024 in addition to publication. Winners who are unable to attend the progam in Lisbon may elect to receive a $1000 cash prize in lieu of the tuition waiver.
Submission opening: September, 2024
Entry fee: $15
About: The DISQUIET Prize is open for submissions in fiction, poetry, and non-fiction.
As more annual awards are announced, I will add the details to this post so do check back occasionally and in the meantime, I would urge you to work on your unpublished manuscript - you just never know, your idea could be a winning entry and lead you to becoming one of the many published authors who have cemented their writing career this way.
Best of luck!