We are bursting into summer, and it’s time for your writing to take center-stage as well! Feel free to peruse our collection of contests, and see which one takes your fancy.
FEATURED! Best Emerging Writers 2025
The entry period for The Masters Review Anthology is coming to a close, but there’s still a bit of time left! For the fourteenth volume, we are looking for stories from the best emerging writers. Submissions can be fiction or narrative nonfiction, but they need to be under 8,000 words. The winners will be published in print and online in The Masters Review Anthology, and $7,000 will be awarded between the ten finalists. This contest is judged by the wonderful Andrew Porter, and he is hoping for stories with honest writing and convincing characters. Check it out!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: June 8
Bard Fiction Prize
This amazing prize is offered to a promising emerging writer through Bard College, and the winners receive a stipend of $30,000, an appointment as writer-in-residence on campus for one semester, and the opportunity to give a public lecture. Be aware, though, they’re looking for writers who are thirty-nine years old or younger. You’ll need to have published a book in order to apply, but this is the chance of a lifetime! Learn more here.
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: June 1
Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize
American Short Fiction and judge Eric Puchner are looking for writers who are confident, concise, and creative—could that be you? Stories must be between 2,000 and 6,500 words, but multiple entries are allowed. First place receives $2,500 and guaranteed publication in an upcoming issue. Additionally, the continued partnership with Tasajillo Residency means that the winner will also receive an all-expenses-paid writing retreat! Details here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: June 1
Poetry Contest for Emerging Poets
Boulevard’s contest is meant to honor a poet who has never published a book of poetry, and that could be you! There is a $1,000 prize, as well as publication in an issue of Boulevard. Entries may include up to three poems, but there is no limit on the number of entries, and all of the entries are considered for publication. Do it!
Entry Fee: $18 Deadline: June 1
Salamander 2025 Fiction Prize
Offered through Suffolk University, Salamander is working with Helen Phillips to discover amazing new fiction! Each submission must be less than 30 pages, include a cover sheet, and be entirely unpublished. First prize is $1000, second prize is $500, and all entries are considered for publication. Learn more here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: June 1
Chapbook Prize
Offered by The Tusculum Review, this prize is meant to reward a chapbook—but NOT a poetry chapbook! Instead, they are looking for a short story chapbook between 2,000 and 7,000 words. The winner receives $1,500, publication in The Tusculum Review, and the creation of a limited-edition stand-alone chapbook with original art. There is also a live reading and reception in Tennessee. Judged by Jaime Cortez. Learn more here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: June 15
New American Fiction Prize
If you have an unpublished fiction manuscript, then this is opportunity knocking! New American Press and Clancy Martin are currently accepting submissions for this prize. A full-length fiction work of outstanding merit will be selected, and the winner will receive a publication contract, including a $1500 advance, 25 author’s copies, and promotional support. Do it!
Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: June 15
Drue Heinz Literature Prize
This contest has some very stringent requirements, but the prize is almost beyond belief! In order to be eligible for the University of Pittsburgh Press’ award, you must have been published by a reputable journal, magazine, or publisher, before you can submit your collection of short fiction for consideration. The winner of this award, however, will have that manuscript published, and then receive $15,000! Details here.
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: June 30
Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fiction
The University of North Texas Press offers this prize every year, and this could be the year for you! Entries can be a combination of flash fiction, short stories, and novellas, from 100 to 200 book pages in length. Authors may submit multiple applications, and simultaneous submissions are allowed. The winner receives $1,000 and publication by UNT Press! Submit here.
Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: June 30
Lascaux Prize in Flash Fiction
If you think you’re ready to medal in writing flash fiction, then this is the contest for you! The Lascaux Review is accepting three stories per submission, under 1,000 words each. All finalists in this contest will be published, but the winner also receives $1,000 and a bronze medallion for their efforts. Check it out!
Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: June 30
2025 Short Story Prize
The Moth is looking for short stories, under 3,000 words, with little constraints beyond that! Only unpublished short stories are eligible, but authors may submit multiple times. The winner receives €3,000 and publication in the autumn issue, second place receives a week-long writing retreat, and third place receives €1,000. Judged by Evie Wyld. Learn more here!
Entry Fee: €15 Deadline: June 30
by Kimberly Guerin