Much like book awards, writing contests are opportunities to gain recognition for your efforts, and winning comes with benefits. Yet many people don’t bother to submit their writing to these contests. They wonder, are writing contests worth it? Well, I think they are. After all, you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain. For those of you who haven’t published a book yet, or don’t ever want to write one even, writing contents offer many of the same perks as book awards.
Below I’ll go over some of the benefits that come with winning writing contents. I’ve also compiled a list of some of the many contests out there. Some of these have no entry fee too! But if you’re interested in book awards, you can find my evergreen list here.
What Makes Writing Contests Worth It?
Winning a writing contest brings you recognition and puts you in the spotlight. They offer more than just bragging rights! There are bigger, annual writing contents that have launched the careers of well-known writers and smaller ones that offer cash prizes and a chance for publication.
And even having something published speaks volumes! It increases your chances of continuing to be published too. Publishers of all kinds pay attention when you’ve won a writing award.
But what if you’re an indie author and don’t plan on seeking traditional publishing? Well, winning a writing contest can be social proof to potential readers. They’ll be more willing to take you seriously and take a chance on you if they see you’re award worthy!
So writing contests are totally worth it to enter! Especially when many of them are free.
I’d also like to note that a less tangible benefit of winning a writing contest is the boost it will give your confidence. They can inspire you to keep at it. Trust me, I know the level of self-doubt that plagues writers, and validation can mean a lot.
There are So Many Different Types of Writing Contests
The fact that there are so many types of writing contests, ranging from big and national to small and local makes writing contests worth it too. There are writing contests for all types of writing, genres and levels. There are writing contests for poetry and nonfiction. Even if you only write personal essays, there are writing contests for that! Story Circle even offers a prize for best blog post!
Some contests even focus on the type of writer. For instance, there are competitions for just women writers, or writers under thirty-five, and writers still in school. There are competitions based on themes and experience, and identity.
This means that there is definitely a competition that fits you and/or your writing.
Are Writing Contests Worth it if You Have to Pay for Them?
Sure, many writing contests do charge a submission fee. But these fees are usually small and they go towards the cash prize, or to keep the publication or organization running. So you’re not throwing your money away.
So, yes, even if they’re not free, writing contests are totally worth it! And if you still don’t feel quite right about paying a fee, or it’s not in your budget, there are plenty of writing contests with no entry fees. And no, charging an entry fee doesn’t mean the contest is illegitimate. Note the reasons above.
I’ve compiled a pretty solid list below but if you want to keep up on all the writing contests happening at any given time you may want to subscribe to the email list of an organization like Authors Publish. You can also subscribe to magazines like Poets and Writers, or just check their website for listings.
Some Examples of What Winning a Writing Contest Can Do
For indie publishers, winning a writing contest lends credibility. For those seeking traditional publishing it can lead to opportunity. It gets you noticed! Emerging writer awards are particularly good at this as are specific awards for your genre.
There are inspiring examples of how writing contests launched careers too! The Ploughshares Emerging Writers Contest alone launched the careers of Tim O’Brian, Mona Simpson and Edward P. Jones, to name a few. And other writers, just like you, have had good luck! Winning a writing contest was their stepping stone to writing success. There have been book deals and many more stories published that may not have happened without those prizes.
A Short List of Recurring Writing Contests
I think writing contests are worth it for any writer trying to gain recognition and wanting to have more traditional publishing opportunities come their way. But, without further ado, here is that list I promised. This is by no means a definitive list, that’s why I highly recommend the resources I mentioned above, so you can stay on top of upcoming contests for your region, genre, identity, etc. There are so many, you could find yourself overwhelmed. Just remember, only submit to those that fit and you’ll be good to go.
The Big and Prestigious (or some of them to start, anyway)
The Ploughshares Emerging Writers Contest
This Emerson College sponsored contest is very prestigious for those in the literary crowd. They offer prizes in fiction, poetry and nonfiction. There is no entry fee if you are a subscriber!
This prize has a BIG prize pool and offers prizes in short fiction, nonfiction, poetry and unfinished novels. This is another literary type of publication, with an experienced editor who holds a PhD in English Lit, but they are open to all genres.
The Folly Prize is well-known and respected and best for those that may fall out of the traditional literary genres. They seek the non-stuffy, the adventurous and offbeat. They’re based in New Zealand but open to entries in English from anywhere.
This prize is sponsored by The Breakwater Review magazine from the University of Massachusetts MFA program and offers prizes in poetry and fiction. These kinds of prizes are perfect for those seeking recognition and further opportunities for publication.
The Poetry International Prize
I wouldn’t want the poets to feel like there wasn’t something just for them! This poetry prize is international, as the title suggests. They’ve published the works of many well-known and respected poets, including big names like Seamus Heaney and Adrienne Rich. You can submit single poems and chapbooks.
The Next Generation Short Story Award
Indie authors, or readers of my blog may be familiar with the Next Generation Book Awards. But did you know they offer an annual short story award too? Though they’re not a traditional publisher, they are a big name and they have a big reach and their book awards are well-respected.
Some Smaller, More Approachable(and just as respectable) Prizes
As you may suspect from the title, this essay writing contest is just for women writers. It’s a quarterly contest, which means more opportunities to win. They also choose topics for each quarter, so you can pick and choose what works for you!
This prize is close to my heart because I’m a board member! It’s sponsored by the International Memoir Writers Association, formerly known as the San Diego Memoir Writers Association and prize winners are invited to perform in the memoir showcase, which makes this prize pretty unique and fun. There are always topics and winning means publication in the Shaking the Tree anthology series.
Story Circle is another women focused organization that offers resources for women writers and publishes their stories. They have competitions for the categories of Life Writing, Poetry and even blogging.
This quarterly contest is not exclusive to Alaskans! There are a few categories for submissions and they have different submission dates. A bonus of this one is each submission receives feedback from the judges.
Not to be confused with The Moth Radio, this Moth is an arts and literature magazine. They’re based in the UK but anyone can submit to their contests which include a short story category, poetry, and nature writing.
