These lists of writing contests that I put together each month are short, but my hope is that they would be useful to people such as myself, who do not care so much about quantity as they do about quality.
Please remember that I try to ensure all details below are correct, but mistakes do happen. Make sure you go directly to the contest source and read all available information found there.
All quotes found below are from the contest sites themselves. Have fun, and good luck!
2024 RBC PEN Canada New Voices Award
Contest Deadline:"Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST."
Entry Fee: FREE
Special Requirements: "All writers must be 17 or over as of Tuesday, March 19, 2024."
Theme: None
Age Category: 17 and up.
Prize: "$3,000 CAD cash prize and mentorship from a Canadian author."
Prose Submissions: 2,000-4,000 words
Poetry Submissions: May enter multiple poems, but the combined word count must be 2,500 words or less.
I was unable to find information about what rights (if any) over the poem PEN Canada wishes to have. I would recommend contacting the contest manager with any questions you may have.
You can read all of the information I have found here.
A Very Short Story Contest
Contest Deadline: "Entries must be submitted online by 11:59 pm Eastern Time, Friday, May 31, 2024."
Entry Fee: FREE
Special Requirements: None
Theme: None
Age Category: None
Prizes: Winning entry will be posted on GothamWriters.com.
One entry per person. Entry must be just 10 words (or less). You can find details here.
"The winner will be notified by June 19, 2024."
Briefly Write Poetry Prize
Contest Deadline: "Entries open 14 May 2023. The closing date is 30 June 2023 @ 23:59 BST."
Entry Fee: FREE
Special Requirements: None
Theme: None
Age Category: None
Prizes: "There is a prize fund of £70, which will be split as follows: 1st – £40 / 2nd – £20 / 3rd – £10."
In its fourth year, Briefly Write Poetry Prize is still young, which could perhaps mean less entries than other, more established contests. This could certainly give you a leg up.
One entry per person.
Poem must be 10 lines or less.
"By entering the Briefly Write Poetry Prize, you are granting us first electronic rights only. Copyright reverts to the author upon publication."