The Black Orchid Novella Contest Celebrating the novella format, this contest encourages original, unpublished works that conform to the mystery genre’s traditional forms, specifically inspired by the Nero Wolfe series. The contest is designed to highlight the novella, requiring submissions that are tight and engaging, devoid of explicit content. Deadline: May 31 Categories: The mystery should be…
The Inciting Incident Script Competition aims to help writers discover if their work is engaging enough to captivate the Hollywood gatekeeper to receive the elusive “Recommend.” Submit your first few pages (up to 12) of your screenplay with your inciting incident or your short screenplay or one-act play. Open to writers 18 years and older. Deadline: May…
Twice each year Black Lawrence Press runs the Black River Chapbook Competition for an unpublished chapbook of poems or prose between 16-36 pages in length. The contest is open to new, emerging, and established writers. The winner will receive book publication, a $500 cash award, and ten copies of the book. Prizes are awarded on…
#writersdigest #writersdigestannualconference The 2026 Writer’s Digest Annual Conference will take place in-person late July in New Brunswick, New Jersey, July 23-25..Per usual, it will offer an incredible lineup of presenters and pre-conference workshops, in addition to one-on-one consultations with literary agents. 2 DAYS OF LEARNING 2 DAYS OF INSPIRATION 2 DAYS OF FOCUS July 23…
Changing Light Prize for a Novel-in-Verse: A contest from Livingston Press, at the University of West Alabama, the Changing Light prize is awarded to one novel-in-verse per year. No entry fee. Recommended length: 90-10 pages. Deadline: May 25 Categories: Novels Prizes: $500 dollar prize, 20 copies, and a standard royalty contract For More Info: Changing Light Prize for…
#bathnovelaward The Bath Novel Award 2026 DEADLINE: May 31 A prestigious competition for unpublished manuscripts. Entrants are typically asked to submit the first 5,000 words plus a synopsis by the deadline. Deadline: May 31 Categories: Any genre is accepted for adult and YA manuscripts Prizes: Winner is awarded £5,000 along with a Minerva trophy. One longlistee…
2026 BSME Young Writers Prize Free contest open to UK residents aged 18-25 for original work (800-1,000 words). Submit entry form, original writing sample, personal statement, and proof of age via sponsor’s online submission form. Sponsored by the British Society of Magazine Editors (BSME). Deadline: May 8 Categories: 2026 theme is “Tell us about something you love.”…
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: May 1st.. The 2026 Montreal International Poetry Prize is sponsored by the Department of English at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, the awards issue one prize to a poet for a single poem of 40 or fewer lines. A jury of internationally reputed poets and critics selects a shortlist of approximately 60 poems, from…
DEADLINE: May 1st… The 34th Annual Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest is organized by Winning Writers. For this contest, a story is any short work of fiction, and an essay is any short work of nonfiction. Both published and unpublished work is accepted, written in any theme. No restriction on age of author. Deadline: May…
