Upcoming Writing Contests

The following is a list of upcoming writing contests. Be sure to carefully review any contest before entering. Pay close attention to the terms, rights, fees, prize money, judges and rules. You can also view a list of just the poetry contests and a list of writing contests for kids. You can also view a list of all the contests here.

We also recommend reading Alex Keegan's article about increasing your chances of winning writing contests.

L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest
The quarterly contest awards cash prizes of $1000, $750 and $500 are awarded every three months. It is open to original science fiction, fantasy and dark fantasy up to 17,000 words in length.
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Prizes: $1,000 cash top prize

Fish Poetry Prize
The Fish Poetry Prize was established in 2006. Winning poems are published in the annual Fish Anthology.
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Prizes: 1,000 Euro 1st prize.

New Ohio Review Literary Prizes
The contest is open to fiction, nonfiction and poetry with a $1,500 prize in each genre.
Deadline: April 15, 2026
Prizes: $1500 prize in each genre

Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest
This very short short fiction contest from Tadpole Press is for fiction that is 100 words or less.
Deadline: April 30, 2026
Prizes: $1,000 + 2-year Duotrope Gift Certificate

Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition
Writer's Digest is running its 92nd annual writing competition. WD says nearly 500 winners will be chosen.
Deadline: May 4, 2026
Prizes: $5,000 Grand Prize

Bridport Prize: Flash Fiction
A short flash fiction contest with a 250 word limit. It has a £1,000 first prize.
Deadline: May 31, 2026
Prizes: £1,000