Writing Competitions in July 2023 – No Entry Fees

From poetry to fiction and everything in between, we’ve gathered a collection of incredible writing competitions where you can showcase your skills, win recognition, and even grab some amazing prizes this month.

Ensure you carefully read the guidelines for each one before making a submission. And do check back during the month for updates to this page. Good luck!

Lightspeed

Lightspeed publishes sci-fi and fantasy, including translated works, with limited submission windows. They’re accepting fantasy flash fiction from all writers. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: $0.08/word

Deadline: 7th July, 2023.

The H G Wells Short Story Writing Competitions

This is an international contest centred around the theme of ‘Motion’. Entries range from 1,500 to 5,000 words. There is no fee for those under the age of 21. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: £1,000

Deadline: 10 July, 2023.

sans.Press

sans.Press seeks fiction submissions for their anthology “Another Name for Darkness.” Inspired by the title and cover art, explore shadows, monsters, hidden sides, and the supernatural. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: €150

Deadline: 12 July, 2023, or until filled.

The Helen Schaible International Sonnet Writing Competition

This contest has two categories: traditional sonnet (Shakespearean or Petrarchan) and modern sonnet. Poets can enter one or both categories. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes: 1^st: $50 | 2^nd: $30 | 3^rd: $20

Deadline: 15 July, 2023.

Kaidankai 2023 Contest

They’re seeking “haunted house” fiction submissions of 1,000-3,000 words for the contest. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes: 1^st: $100 | 2^nd: $50 | 3^rd: Two prizes of $25 each

Deadline: 15 July, 2023.

The 1729 Book Prize in Poetry

Mason Jar Press presents The 1729 Book Prize in Poetry, an international contest for poetry manuscripts. Submit book-length works pushing literary norms, hybrids, translations, or experimental collections. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes: $1,000, and more

Deadline: 31 July, 2023, or until filled.

The Pride Award for Emerging LGBTQIA+ Crime Writers

This is a grant for unpublished crime fiction. Open to emerging LGBTQIA+ writers with works ranging from children’s chapter books to adult readers. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: $2,000

Deadline: 31 July, 2023.

The Diverse Writers

This grant aims to offer assistance to emerging writers of speculative fiction who come from under-represented backgrounds, e.g.,writers of colour, individuals with disabilities, women, and those from working-class communities. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: $500

Deadline: 31 July, 2023.

The Diverse Worlds

This grant supports book-length works of speculative fiction (novels, short story collections) that excellently depict a diverse world. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: $500

Deadline: 31 July, 2023.

The Surging Tide Annual Summer Writing Contest

They’re seeking submissions of prose and poetry. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes: $100 for each winner | $25 for runners-up

Deadline: 31 July, 2023.

The Source Writing Prize

The prize is open to new writers for Source magazine. Submit up to 700 words exploring photography-related topics for a chance to be published or commissioned in the future. Book and exhibition reviews are common formats, but other styles are welcomed. Work must be based in or by photographers from the UK or Ireland. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: £500

Deadline: 1 August, 2023.

If you liked this list of writing competitions, kindly share with those that would love to see it. Thanks!

Blessing Obiahu

Blessing Obiahu is a literary enthusiast and law graduate of Alex Ekwueme Federal University in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Her work has been featured in the 2021 Nigerian Students’ Poetry Prize anthology, Black but Famous (now Kaassa), Loana Press, Akpata Magazine, Challenging the Writers, the Umuofia Books and Arts Festival Anthology, and forthcoming in the Anarchist Fictions Journal. She is also the founder of D’LitReview, a literary website, and works as a Freelance Content Specialist.

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