August may bring to mind summer carnivals, picnics, and water parks, but don’t forget about these contests! Take a break from the whirlwind, and make sure you send your work to the right place.
FEATURED CRAFT First Chapters Contest
Our sister litmag, CRAFT, is in search of compelling first chapters to publish through their annual First Chapters Contest. Guest Judge Alejandro Heredia seeks work that “is invested in sentences, style, and form” and is “drawn to work with a special focus on place, be it a neighborhood, city, village, apartment complex,” or other particular space. The winner receives a $2,000 prize, publication, and a full manuscript review by Artful Editor. Submit now!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: August 10
Granum Foundation Prizes
The Granum Foundation strives to identify and invest in the next generation of boundary-breaking writers and artists, and that could be you! This grant money is meant to provide the writer with the freedom and time to spend on their work. One winner will receive $5,000, and up to three finalists will be awarded $500 or more. Applicants need to send in a cover letter, project description, timeline, and a writing sample of the work-in-progress. Check it out!
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: August 1
Gival Press Short Story Award
This is the 22nd annual award given by Gival Press, to the author of an outstanding and unpublished original stand-alone short story. It is open to writers globally, regardless of publishing history. The winner will be published on the website and receive a cash award of $1,000. More details here.
Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: August 8
Oregon Literary Fellowships
These fellowships are meant to help emerging Oregon writers initiate, develop, or complete literary projects, whether they are writing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, or young readers literature! Literary Arts has awarded over 700 authors and publishers since 1987, and dispensed more than $1 million in fellowships and award monies. Submissions require the completed application and a writing sample, in triplicate, and possibly an addendum if they qualify for the Women Writers or Writers of Color fellowships. There’s a fellowship for everyone, so don’t be shy! Specific details here.
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: August 8
Stories That Need to Be Told: The Contest
Presented by TulipTree Press, the best entry for this contest is a submission that truly tells a story. The grand prize is $1,000 and a gift certificate for two years of Duotrope. Additional prizes are offered to stories that excel in humor, passion, depth, and love. Entries must be less than 10,000 words, but multiple entries are allowed. Learn more here!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: August 9
2025 ½ K Prize
Indiana Review and judge Brian Turner are looking for writers who are sharp, short, and definitely not shy: Could that be you? Entries must be under 500 words, but multiple entries are allowed! All genres are accepted, and first place receives $1,000 and guaranteed publication in Indiana Review! Details here
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: August 15
Black Warrior Review 2025 Contest
We want you to play to your strengths, and Black Warrior Review has an opportunity for everyone in this contest! The 2025 Fiction Contest is judged by Sarah Pinsker, the 2025 Nonfiction Contest is judged by Elissa Washuta, and the 2025 Poetry Contest is judged by Aurielle Marie. The first-place prize is a cash reward and publication in each genre. Let’s get started!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: August 16
2025 Barthelme Prize for Short Prose
This is Gulf Coast’s current contest, and they’re looking for a very specific and very succinct sort of entry! Submissions can be flash fiction, prose poems, or micro-essays, but they all need to be under 500 words. The winner receives $1,000 and publication, and it’s judged by Rosebud Ben-Oni! Apply here!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: August 31
Kenneth Patchen Award
If you have an innovative yet unpublished fiction manuscript, you must have been waiting for this contest! The Journal of Experimental Fiction is currently accepting submissions for this prize. An innovative full-length fiction work will be selected, and the winner will receive publication and $1,000. Do it!
Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: August 31
2025 Publishing Lab Prize
The University of New Orleans Press is looking to publish the best novel/short story collection written this year, to bring innovative publicity and broad distribution to authors! The contest is open to all writers, and entries are allowed to be any length and any subject. The winner receives a $10,000 advance and a publishing contract, along with promotion from The Publishing Laboratory at the University of New Orleans. Submit here!
Entry Fee: $28 Deadline: August 31
The St. Lawrence Book Award
If you have an unpublished poetry or short story collection, this could be your big break! Black Lawrence Press is currently accepting submissions from any author who has not yet published a full-length collection. The winner will receive book publication, $1000, and 10 copies of the book. Details here.
Entry Fee: $30 Deadline: August 31
by Kimberly Guerin