After a short hiatus, we’re thrilled to announce the return of our writing competitions list for December 2023. This time around, we’ve compiled a diverse range of FREE entry writing competitions that cater to various interests. From mystery writing to playwriting and everything in between, there’s something for everyone.
Be sure to go through the guidelines for submission for each one that interests you.
Frontier Poetry’s New Voices Poetry Open
They provide a wonderful opportunity for new and emerging poets to showcase their work. The call is open to poets who have not published more than one full-length collection of poetry, and selected pieces will be published online. Poets selected for the New Voices category will receive a payment of $50 per poem, up to $150. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: Open year-round.
Prism: Pacific Spirit Poetry Prize
They are currently accepting submissions in the poetry genre. The writing competitions offer a grand prize of $1,500, with a $600 prize for the runner-up and $400 for the second runner-up. No entry fee for BIPOC and low-income writers. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 7, 2023.
Funicular Magazine
This Canadian publication is currently open for submissions encompassing short and flash fiction and poetry. For flash fiction, submissions can be up to 1,000 words, while short fiction can go up to 3,000 words, and poets can submit up to three poems. Compensation includes $10 per page of short fiction, up to a maximum of $100, and $25 per poem or flash fiction piece. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 11, 2023.
International Essay Contest
The Institute for Youth in Policy is hosting the International Essay Contest.
Picture this: You’ve been elected as the leader of your country, and the challenge is to craft an inaugural address that inspires citizens from every race, religion, political party, and creed. The top prize is $250, and on top of that, the winning entry gets the honour of being published in YIP Magazine. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 11, 2023.
Matter Press
The publisher of The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts, is currently open for submissions in fiction, creative non-fiction, and prose poetry, provided it possesses an element of compression. What’s more, the journal offers a payment of $50 for selected pieces. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 15, 2023.
The Witcraft Monthly Humour Writing Competitions
If you’re adept at crafting brief, humorous, and engaging stories, emphasizing wit, wordplay, absurdity, and inspired nonsense, this is your chance to shine. Here’s the scoop on the prizes: First place with A$50, second place with A$20, and third place with A$10. Payments will be made via Paypal only. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 15, 2023.
The Ezra Jack Keats Children’s Book Award
They are calling for submissions in the genre of published or self-published picture books that beautifully capture the universal qualities of childhood, the essence of a strong and supportive family, and the multicultural tapestry of our world. The prize is $3,000. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 15, 2023.
The Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Writing Competitions
This is a golden opportunity for aspiring writers with unpublished novels. Open to writers aged 18 or older, regardless of nationality, the competition welcomes those who have never authored a Published Novel in any genre. $10,000 awaits the winner. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 17, 2023.
Strange Horizons
This is set to reopen for submissions on December 18th. While they accept various genres, the focus is on speculative fiction. For fiction submissions, the length can be up to 10,000 words, though they prefer pieces up to 5,000 words. Payment of $0.10 per word for fiction. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 18, 2023.
The VCU Cabell First Novelist Award
They’re calling for submissions in the genre of first novels published in 2023. The prize is $5,000. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 30, 2023.
The Cincinnati Review
This literary platform accepts submissions across various genres for its print magazine, including fiction, fiction translations, non-fiction, and poetry. Additionally, they feature works, including hybrids, on their online platform miCRo for most of the year.
For the print magazine, submissions are accepted thrice a year in December, May, and September. They offer compensation of $25 per page for prose and $30 per page for poetry in the print journal. The payment is a flat $25 for miCRo posts or special features. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: 30 December 2023, or until the cap is reached.
Workers Write!
They are calling for submissions for its Issue 20, themed “Further Tales from the Cubicle.” They’re seeking fiction and poems from the perspective of office workers, with a particular interest in exploring the impact of the home office in the era of COVID-19 and the experiences of those navigating the return to office life with its commutes and communal bathrooms. They offer a payment of $5 to $50 based on the selected pieces, as compensation. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 31, 2023.
Shady Grove Literary
They invite writers to submit their flash fiction across any style, genre, or tone. The incentive is a $100 prize awaits the selected flash fiction piece. If you’re up for the challenge and have a story that can pack a punch in 300 words or fewer, submit it. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 31, 2023.
Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest
This contest presents a fantastic opportunity for aspiring science fiction and fantasy writers. Held four times a year, the contest is exclusive to those who haven’t professionally published a novel, short novel, more than one novelette, or more than three short stories in any medium. The prizes are $1,000, $750, and $500 for the top three entries, with an additional Annual Grand Prize of $5,000.
Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 31, 2023.
The Writers College
The My Writing Journey Writing Competitions invites writers to share their insights in the form of a 600-word essay on the theme: “The best writing tip I’ve ever received.” The prize for the winning entry is $200 (or the equivalent of R2,000 or £100). Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 31, 2023.
The Iridescence Award
They are calling on literary or visual artists from the Black, Indigenous, or People of Color Communities to submit their work in the realms of fantasy, folk mythology, science fiction, and the paranormal. The competition welcomes entries in the forms of short fiction and poetry. For the selected entries, the prize ranges up to $500. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 31, 2023.
The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards
This award acknowledges outstanding literary works that significantly contribute to our comprehension of racism and enrich our appreciation for the diverse tapestry of human cultures. It recognizes excellence in both fiction and nonfiction, spotlighting the transformative power of literature in shaping our understanding of these crucial themes. For the winner, a prize of $10,000 is granted. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 31, 2023.
The Neil Postman Award for Metaphor
Sponsored by Rattle, this is open to all published submissions throughout the year, this award honours outstanding metaphorical achievements in the poetic landscape. The prize for the Neil Postman Award for Metaphor is $2,000. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 31, 2023.
The Elizabeth Alexander Creative Writing Award
They’re inviting submissions in the genres of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. This award, named after the esteemed poet and writer Elizabeth Alexander, offers a platform for writers exploring themes related to feminism, race, and transnationalism. The selected awardee not only receives a prize of $500 but also has the honour of having their work published in Meridians Journal. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 31, 2023.
The William Carlos Williams Poetry Writing Competitions
This competition presents a unique opportunity for students enrolled in programs leading to the Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy degree to showcase their poetic talents. The prize is $300. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 31, 2023.
Ninth Letter
This literary journal opens its doors to writers during December for a special submission period. For their print journal, they consider fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry. Additionally, they occasionally announce themed calls for the online magazine. As a reward for selected pieces, Ninth Letter offers $100 for prose and $25 for poetry. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 31, 2023, or until the allotted slots are filled.
The International Young Theatre Playwriting Contest
This is a unique opportunity for playwrights to showcase bold and powerful plays crafted specifically for young audiences. Writers of any age or nationality are encouraged to enter the contest. The prizes are €2,400, €1,000, and €400 for the different categories. Additionally, non-cash prizes are part of the recognition for outstanding plays. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<
Deadline: December 31, 2023.
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