If your stories have sugar, pumpkin spice, and everything nice, then these might be the contests for you! Go ahead and check them out, and see if they’re to your taste!
FEATURED! The Masters Review Novel Excerpt Contest
This is our annual fall contest, and we’re looking to find an excerpt that stands on its own—and makes us want to read the rest of the book! The excerpt must be from an unpublished novel, and under 6,000 words. The winning entry will receive $3,000, online publication, and a literary agent consultation. Second and third place will receive $300 and $200, respectively, as well as online publication and feedback. Nick Fuller Googins judges. Don’t miss it!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: November 9
Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest
The University of Alabama Press is looking for fiction that is too innovative, challenging, and ambitious for traditional publishing, and they’re willing to pay you for the privilege of publishing yours! Open to any author writing in English who hasn’t been published with their imprint Fiction Collective Two, submissions may include a collection of short stories, one or more novellas, or a novel of any length. The winner, chosen by judge Alvin Lu, receives $3,000 and publication. Details here!
Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: November 1
Kurt Vonnegut Speculative Fiction Prize
If you write your fiction with a futuristic or supernatural bent, this is the contest you’ve been waiting for! North American Review is looking for an original unpublished work of speculative fiction, and the winner will receive $1,000 and publication. Make a note that although they are interested in experimental fiction, they ask that you query them if your piece requires an unusual layout! Judged by Rachel Yoder. More details here.
Entry Fee: $23 Deadline: November 2
Stegner Fellowship
This astounding fellowship is offered to ten writers through Stanford University, five in poetry and five in literary fiction, and the winners receive tuition, workshops and other events, health insurance, and a living stipend of $75,000. They’re looking for writers who are diverse in experience and style, who have talent and the ability to focus. You’ll need two contacts for recommendations, a statement of plans, and a manuscript up to 9,000 words, but this could be your shot! Overview here.
Entry Fee: $55 Deadline: November 3
F(r)iction Fall Contests
There are so many options in F(r)iction’s collection of contests, there’s bound to be something for everyone! Short stories are judged by Miriam Zoila Pérez, and the winner receives $1,000. Flash fiction is judged by Sam Berman, and the winner will receive $300. Finally, poetry is judged by Bleah Patterson, and also receives $300. All winners and some finalists will be published. Check it out!
Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: November 7
2026 Treehouse Climate Action Poem Prize
If you are a poet and an environmentalist, this is an opportunity meant specifically for you! This prize is meant to honor poems that help readers recognize the gravity of the vulnerable state of our environment, with a $1,000 prize for first place, $750 for second place, and $500 for third place. The judges are poet Craig Santos Perez and climate scientist Dr. Clara Deser! Do it!
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: November 15
Narrative Fall 2025 Story Contest
This contest is open to all fiction and nonfiction writers, writing anything from short stories and memoirs, to essays and literary nonfiction! The entries need to be less than 15,000 words and previously unpublished, while containing a strong narrative drive and intense insights. First prize is $2,500, second is $1,000, and third is $500. All entries are considered for publication, and all contest entries are also eligible for the $5,000 Narrative Prize! Guidelines here.
Entry Fee: $27 Deadline: November 21
Anton Chekhov Award for Flash Fiction
Are your stories brief, brisk, and bracing? LitMag has the contest for you! All submissions need to be between 500 and 1,500 words, and previously unpublished. Judged by the editors of the magazine, the winner receives $1,250, publication, and agency review. Three finalists will receive $100 and consideration for agency review, and all entries will be considered for publication. Submit here.
Entry Fee: $16 Deadline: November 30
Fish Short Story Prize
This annual contest from Fish Publishing is a challenge: Can you write a compelling and resolved story in 5,000 words or less? Judged by Sean Lusk, first place receives $3,892 and publication, and the other nine finalists are published as well. See more here!
Entry Fee: $29 Deadline: November 30
New Millenium Awards
There’s a little something for everyone in this contest, presented by literary journal New Millenium Writings! Writers can send in submissions for poetry, fiction, flash fiction, or nonfiction, with no restrictions on style or subject matter. Fiction and nonfiction must be less than 7,500 words, flash fiction must be less than 1,000 words, and poetry may include three poems less than five pages long. First place in each category receives $1,000, a certificate, publication online and in print, and two copies. Select finalists may also be published and receive complimentary copies. Don’t wait!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: November 30
Winter Contest
The Baltimore Review wants to be taken pleasantly by surprise, which is why there is no theme for this year’s contest! You can interpret this any way you like, but make sure to read the specific guidelines for each category. Flash fiction, flash creative nonfiction, and prose poetry are accepted, and each of the first-place prizes is $400. Judged by Mandy Moe Pwint Tu. Submission guidelines here.
Entry Fee: $8 Deadline: November 30
by Kimberly Guerin