2026 Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition

2026 Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition

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 their 95th Annual Writing Competition for your chance to win and have your work be seen by editors and agents! Almost 500 winners will be chosen.

Deadline: Early-Bird Deadline is May 4
Categories: Nine categories including Memoirs/Personal Essay, Rhyming Poetry, Humor, Children’s/Young Adult Fiction, and more
Prizes:
- Grand Prize = $5,000 cash, an interview in the magazine, publication of their winning piece online, and more
- First Place in each category = $1,000 cash and publication online
- Second through Tenth Place winners in each category win prizes between $500 and $25 cash
For More Info: Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition

EARLY-BIRD DEADLINE: May 4, 2026.

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 our 95th Annual Writing Competition for your chance to win and have your work be seen by editors and agents! Almost 500 winners will be chosen.

Click here to Submit

Prizes

One Grand Prize winner will receive:

$5,000 in cash
An interview with them in Writer’s Digest (Nov/Dec 2026 issue) and on WritersDigest.com
A paid trip to the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference, including a special trophy presentation at the keynote
A coveted pitch opportunity where the winner will receive one on one attention from editors or agents
Publication of their winning piece on WritersDigest.com

The First place winner in each category will receive $1,000 in cash and publication of their winning piece on WritersDigest.com.

The Second place winner in each category will receive $500 cash.

The Third place winner in each category will receive $250 in cash.

The Fourth place winner in each category will receive $100 in cash.

The Fifth place winner in each category will receive $50 in cash.

The Sixth through Tenth place winners in each category will receive a $25 gift certificate for writersdigestshop.com.

All top winners will also receive:

Their names and the title of their winning piece listed in Writer’s Digest and on WritersDigest.com
A one-year subscription (new or renewal) to Writer’s Digest magazine
A one-year subscription to Writer’s Digest Tutorials
20% discount off of purchases made at Writer’s Digest University
A special graphic recognizing their winning status

All Honorable Mentions receive: