This might be the shortest month of the year, but there’s certainly no shortage of contests for you to join! Take a look at our list, and enter as many contests as you want!
FEATURED! Winter Short Story Award for New Writers
This one is our own contest, and it’s featured for so many good reasons! The Masters Review is looking for stories under 6,000 words, written by emerging writers who are alert to the possibilities of language! The winner receives $3,000, publication, and agency review, and the runners-up also receive cash prizes, publication, and review. Judged by the wonderful Jim Shepard! Check it out!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: February 1
American Short(er) Fiction Prize
American Short Fiction and judge Bret Anthony Johnston are looking for writers who know their way around flash fiction—could that be you? Stories must be less than 1,500 words, but multiple entries are allowed! First place receives $1,000 and guaranteed publication, and all entries are considered for publication. Details here.
Entry Fee: $18 Deadline: February 1
Philip Roth Residence in Creative Writing
This amazing residency is offered to two writers through Bucknell University, and the winners receive a stipend of $5,000 and four months of lodging. They’re looking for writers in any creative genre in the literary arts, who are over the age of twenty-one but not enrolled in a college or university. You’ll need a twenty page sample of your prose, but this could be the opportunity for you! Learn more here.
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: February 1
Slippery Elm Prize
This annual contest from Slippery Elm Literary Journal is looking for the best in both poetry and prose! Jonie McIntire is judging the poetry applications, but the judge for prose applications has yet to be announced. Contestants may enter three poems or a 5,000 word maximum per entry. The winner of each contest receives $1,000, and all entries are considered for publication in the 2026 print issue. Submit here!
Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: February 1
Michael Waters Poetry Prize
There’s only a little time left to enter Southern Indiana Review’s writing contest for poetry collections! Entries must be written in English, and be less than 120 pages. Judged by Carl Phillips, the first-place winner is awarded $6,000 and their collection will be published by Southern Indiana Review Press. Don’t miss it!
Entry Fee: $35 Deadline: February 2
The Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction
Sarabande Books has been around for over thirty years, and now you can be a part of that history! Their contest is open to any short fiction writer in English, and submissions can vary from short story collections to novellas. Judged by Kaveh Akbar, he’s awarding $2,000, publication of the manuscript, and a standard royalty contract to the winner! All finalists are considered for publication. Learn more here!
Entry Fee: $34 Deadline: February 15
Autumn House Fiction Prize
In this contest offered by Autumn House Press, contestants can submit entries for their full-length fiction manuscripts. The contest is judged by Amber Sparks. The winner receives publication, a $1,000 honorarium, and a $1,500 travel/publicity grant to promote their book! Find more details here.
Entry Fee: $35 Deadline: February 28
Flash Fiction Prize
This annual contest from Fish Publishing is a true challenge—can you write a compelling and resolved story in 300 words or less? Judged by Tania Hershman, first place receives $1,345 and publication, and the other nine finalists are published as well. See more here!
Entry Fee: $22 Deadline: February 28
Pinch Literary Award in Fiction
Pinch is focused on publishing work that dissolves boundaries set by traditional publishers, and this contest is looking for the best examples of that in less than 4,000 words! One story will be selected, and the winner will receive $2,000, publication, and two contributor copies. All submissions will also be considered for publication. Judged by the talented Kirstin Chen. Take a look!
Entry Fee: $28 Deadline: February 28
by Kimberly Guerin