Let's Write a Short Story!

10 Handpicked Writing Contests To Submit To

Ever thought about entering your short story into a writing contest but didn’t know where to find one? If so, I’ve got you covered with my handpicked list of my favorite writing contests.

10 Handpicked Writing Contests To Submit To

For a complete explanation of how to write, submit to, and win writing contests checkout my full guide, How to Win a Writing Contest.

Have fun with these writing contests!

Creative Writing Contests for 2016

Know a great writing contest that isn’t included here? Let me know your favorite writing contests here!

In the meantime, here are my favorite writing contests:

  1. Glimmer Train Literary Magazine: Glimmer Train hosts four contests several times each year.
  2. Nelsen Algren Award: The Chicago Tribune awards the prestigious Nelsen Algren Award annually.
  3. Robert and Adele Schiff Awards in Poetry and Prose: The Cincinnati Review awards the annual Robert and Adele Schiff Awards.
  4. Blue Mesa Review: $500 grand prize to a startling, compelling, and beautiful poem or short story. Deadline is August 31, 2016.
  5. Writer’s Digest: Writer’s Digest hosts a short story competition and a general writing competition once each year.
  6. Narrative Magazine: Narrative Magazine hosts short story contests several times a year.
  7. The NANO Prize: NANO Fiction awards the annual NANO prize for short fiction of 300 words or fewer.
  8. The New Guard: The New Guard hosts several short story contests each year.
  9. Writing Maps: Writing Maps hosts a monthly writing contest for short fiction of 150 words or fewer.
  10. The Write Practice: I’m biased, since this is the community I lead, but we run several unique writing contests in partnership with literary magazines each year with big prizes, the chance to get feedback on your writing, and publication for every entrant. You can learn more and sign up for our next contest here.

In addition to these nine, many literary magazines host writing contests. If you have your eye on any literary magazines you’d like to submit a story to, check their guidelines—they may have a contest running soon.

And if you’re not sure where to find a literary magazine that fits your stories, check out our list of literary magazines to submit to here.

Know a great writing contest that isn’t included here? Let me know your favorite writing contests here!

More Writing Contest Resources