Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition

Deadline: May 4, 2026

Top Prize: $5,000 Grand Prize

Other Prizes: Multiple prizes in each category.

Entry Fees: $30 for first manuscript entry, $20 for first poetry entry

Frequency: annual

Late Submission Period Available?: yes

Website: Writer's Digest

The Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition features a $5,000 Grand Prize and multiple category prizes. The Grand Prize also includes an interview with the author in Writer's Digest, a paid trip to the Writer's Digest Annual Conference, a pitch opportunity, and more.

The contest features multiple categories including Inspirational/Spiritual, Memoirs/Personal Essay, Print or Online Article, Genre Short Story, Mainstream/Literary Short Story, Rhyming Poetry, Non-rhyming Poetry, Script and Children's/Young Adult Fiction. There are ten winners in each category with cash prizes ranging from $1,000 for first place to a $25 gift certificate for sixth to tenth place.

The contest has a deadline of June 5, 2023. You can save $5 on your entry fee by hitting the early bird deadline of May 4, 2026.

Writer's Digest accepts entries for the contest online only through Submittable.

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