Grain Magazine’s Annual Short Grain Writing Contest

Genre: Fiction, Poetry
Entry Fee: $40 for a maximum of 2 entries (includes one-year subscription to Grain Magazine)
Deadline: April 1, 2023
Prize: First prize of $1,000 in each category; second prize of $750 in each category; third prize of $500 in each category; all winning entries will be published in Grain Magazine
Description: Poetry entries to consist of one or two poems no longer than 100 lines each. Fiction entries to consist of one or two stories no longer than 2,500 words each.
Details: https://grainmagazine.ca/contests/short-grain#Entry%20Guidelines

 

Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest

Genre: Poetry
Entry Fee: None
Deadline: April 1, 2023
Prize: First prize of $2,000 and a two-year gift certificate from Duotrope (a $100 value); second prize of $500; 10 honorable mention prizes of $100 each; top 12 entries will be published online
Description: Now in its 22nd year, this contest seeks today’s best humor poems. Submit published or unpublished work. One poem only. Length limit of 250 lines maximum.
Details: https://winningwriters.com/our-contests/wergle-flomp-humor-poetry-contest-free

 

The Masters Review Anthology Volume XII

Genre: Short Story, Essay
Entry Fee: $20 USD
Deadline: April 2, 2023
Prize: Ten awards of $500, publication in a nationally distributed journal, exposure to over 50 literary agencies, and a copy of the anthology
Description: Every year The Masters Review opens submissions to produce an anthology, a collection of ten stories and essays written by the best emerging authors. The aim is to showcase ten writers who will continue to produce great work. The ten winners are nationally distributed in a printed book with their stories and essays exposed to top agents, editors, and authors across the country. Previously unpublished works of fiction and narrative nonfiction only, up to 7,000 words. This contest is for emerging writers only. Writers must not have published a novel-length work at the time of submission; authors of short story collections and self-published titles can submit as can authors with novels or memoirs with a low distribution (about 5,000 copies).
Details: https://mastersreview.com/anthology/

 

The 18th Annual Geist Literal Literary Postcard Story Writing Contest

Genre: Short Story
Entry Fee: $25 plus $5 per additional entry (includes a one-year subscription to Geist, international entrants will receive the digital edition)
Deadline: April 3, 2023
Prize: First prize of $500; second prize of $250; third prize of $150
Description: Send in a story and a postcard—the relationship can be as strong or as tangential as you like, so long as there is a clear connection between the story and the image. If you’re not sure where to look for a postcard, you can make your own or visit Wikimedia Commons. The story can be fiction or non-fiction; maximum length is 500 words.
Details: https://www.geist.com/contests/postcard-contest/

 

Alberta Champions Alberta-Wide 2023 Student Contest

Genre: Essay, Short Story, Poetry, Other Media (Grades 4 – 6 and 7 – 9)
Entry Fee: None
Deadline: April 4, 2023
Prize: Grades 7-9 Essay Contest wins first prize of $500 VISA gift card; second prize of $350 VISA gift card; third prize of $200 VISA gift card
Grades 4-6 Story Contest wins first prize of $300 VISA gift card; second prize of $200 VISA gift card; third prize of $100 VISA gift card
All winners receive a certificate of recognition of achievement
Description: Students grades 4-9 write about great Albertans, catch the inspiration, start to emulate the champions, begin their community involvement, learn good citizenship, and can win great prizes. The contest is open to students from all schools in Alberta, from grades 4-6 and grades 7-9.
Details: https://albertachampions.org/student-contest/

 

Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition 2023

Genre: Short Story, Fiction
Entry Fee: Early Bird rate of $15 per entry and regular rate of $20 per entry
Deadline: Early Bird deadline of April 1, 2023; final deadline of April 15, 2023
Prize: First prize of $1,500 and publication of the winning story on the competition website; second and third prizes of $500 each; honourable mentions awarded to entrants whose work demonstrates promise
Description: The competition has a forty-two year history of literary excellence, and Lorian Hemingway and her small judging panel are dedicated to enthusiastically supporting the efforts and talent of writers of short fiction whose voices have yet to be heard. Lorian Hemingway, a granddaughter of Nobel laureate Ernest Hemingway, is the author of three critically acclaimed books: Walking into the River, Walk on Water, and A World Turned Over. Stories must be original unpublished fiction and may not exceed 3,500 words in length. There are no theme or genre restrictions. Copyright remains the property of the author.
Details: http://shortstorycompetition.com/guidelines/

 

Room’s 2023 Fiction Contest

Genre: Fiction
Entry Fee: $35 for Canadian entries plus $7 for each additional entry, and $42 USD for entrants outside Canada plus $7 USD for each additional entry (includes a one-year subscription to Room)
Deadline: April 15, 2023
Prize: First prize of $1,000; second prize of $250; honourable mention prize of $100; all prizes include publication on Room’s website
Description: Open to women (cisgender or transgender), transgender men, Two-Spirit, and nonbinary people. One prose initial entry is one short story of up to 3,500 words. An additional fiction entry is one short story of up to 3,500 words.
Details: https://roommagazine.com/contest/#FCT

 

Royal City Literary Arts Society (RCLAS) Write On! Contest 2023

Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee: $10 per story or poem for RCLAS members and $20 per story or poem for non-RCLAS members
Deadline: April 15, 2023
Prize: First prize of $150; second prize of $100; third prize of $75; three honourable mention prizes; winners and honourable mentions will be published in RCLAS E-Zine, Wordplay at Work
Description: Maximum of three submissions per person combined in any one or all three categories. Poems and stories will only be accepted by email. For further information email writeon@rclas.com.
Details: https://rclas.com/2023-write-on-contest/

 

The Raymond Carver Short Story Contest

Genre: Literary Fiction
Entry Fee: $17 USD
Deadline: April 15, 2023
Prize: First prize of $2,000 USD; second prize of $500 USD; third prize of $250 USD; two Editor’s Choice prizes of $125 USD each
Description: Now in its 22nd year, the Raymond Carver Short Story Contest is one of the most renowned fiction contests in the world and is open to writers from all over the world. Winning stories will be read by three literary agents. Winners announced August 1 and published in fall issue online and in print. Honorable mentions and semi-finalists will be listed online for up to 6 months. All work submitted will also be considered for non-contest publication. One short story per entry with no limit to number of entries. Story must be previously unpublished (including online). No genre fiction (romance, horror, sci-fi), literary fiction only. 10,000 maximum word count.
Details: https://www.carvezine.com/raymond-carver-contest/

 

The PRISM International 2023 Grouse Grind Lit Prize for V. Short Forms

Genre: Short Forms
Entry Fee: $15 per entry and $5 for each additional entry
Deadline: April 16, 2023
Prize: Grand prize of $500; runner-up prize of $150; second runner-up prize of $50
Description: 300 words maximum (including title) per entry. There are no other form limitations for this contest. Flash fiction and nonfiction, hybrid forms and experimental work are all welcome.
Details: http://prismmagazine.ca/2022/04/14/2022-grouse-grind-lit-prize-extended-deadline/

 

2023 Omnidawn Single Poem Broadside Poetry Contest

Genre: Poetry
Entry Fee: $10 USD for the first poem and $5 USD for each additional poem
Deadline: April 17, 2023
Prize: $1,000 USD, letterpress publication of the broadside by Omnidawn, 50 free copies of the broadside, and publication of the winning poem in the Omniverse online journal
Description: Omnidawn’s poetry broadsides, like other fine art poetry broadsides, are done with an old fashioned letter press, which uses an inked raised surface directly applied to sheets of paper. Letterpress printing was the type of printing originally invented by Gutenberg about 1450. The letters created by this method are slightly raised on the paper by the impression made with the raised type. Such poetry broadsides are highly prized and collected within the poetry community. It is recommended that poems be between 8 and 24 lines in length, with blank lines used as stanza breaks each counting as a line. The title line and the blank line following are not counted in this 8 to 24 line recommendation. Poems that are outside this recommended size are still completely eligible, but may require special formatting and/or smaller type to fit well on the finished broadside.
Details: http://www.omnidawn.com/contest/poetry-contests.htm#broadside-contest

 

The Pen Parentis Writing Fellowship for New Parents

Genre: Fiction (no poetry or plays)
Entry Fee: $15 for the first story, $20 for two stories and additional entries at $10 each
Deadline: April 17, 2023
Prize: $2,000, a year of mentorship, publication in Dreamers Creative Writing Magazine online and in print, inclusion in the annual Dreamers Writing Anthology. and the opportunity to read the winning story online at a Pen Parentis Literary Salon in Fall 2023
Description: Awarded annually since 2010, this Fellowship is intended to incentivize writers to produce new works of quality fiction at the very busiest point in their parenting journey. Entrants must be the parent of at least one child under 10 years of age, but there are no style or genre limitations on the works of fiction submitted for consideration. Entrants can be at any level of their literary careers.
Details: http://www.penparentis.org/fellowships/guidelines/

 

Contemporary Verse 2 Two-Day Poem Contest

Genre: Poetry
Entry Fee: $26 for registration plus a one-year subscription to Contemporary Verse 2 magazine or $16 for registration only
Deadline: Register by April 21, 2023, to compete in the contest from April 21 – 23, 2023
Prize: First prize of $500; second prize of $300; third prize of $150; Editor’s Choice, Editor’s Mom’s Choice and People’s Choice prizes of one-year subscription to and publication in Contemporary Verse 2 magazine; top 3 winners also receive one-year subscription to and publication in Contemporary Verse 2
Description: This annual contest challenges you to write an original poem in 48 hours — with only one catch. The final poem must include ten words that they provide.
Details: https://contemporaryverse2.ca/2-day-poem-contest/

 

Eco Friendly Writing Contest

Genre: Non-fiction, Science Writing, Essay
Entry Fee: $5
Deadline: April 22, 2023
Prize: First prize of $200; second prize of $100; third prize of $50
Description: The aim of the contest is to share eco-friendly ideas. Tell something you think helps make the planet become more eco-friendly such as an eco-friendly product or packaging type, a recipe for a natural product, or a waste-management tip. Up to 500 words. Any writer from anywhere can submit an entry. Winners will be selected on June 1, 2023.
Details: https://www.ecofriendlycontest.com/eco-friendly-writing-contest

 

2023 Australian Book Review Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize

Genre: Short Story
Entry Fee: $20 AU for current ABR subscribers or $30 AU for non-subscribers
Deadline: April 24, 2023
Prize: First prize of $6,000; second prize of $4,000; third prize of $2,500
Description: Seeking original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words on any subject and in any style.
Details: https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/prizes-programs/elizabeth-jolley-story-prize/2023-jolley-prize

 

First Pages Prize

Genre: Fiction
Entry Fee: $20 USD per entry; $35 USD per entry during extended entry period
Deadline: April 10, 2023; an extended entry period opens on April 10 and closes on April 24, 2023 at 11:59 pm PT
Prize: First prize of $2,000 USD; second prize of $1,500 USD; third prize of $1,000 USD; all winners receive a tailored edit up to the first 100 pages to support the completion of their full manuscript and a consultation with an agent via Zoom
Description: The First Pages Prize is an annual prize awarded to three emerging writers. The competition is for writers who are NOT currently represented by a literary agent, whether for previously published or unpublished work. Writers from anywhere in the world may enter, if eligible. Entrants must be currently unagented. If you are working with an agent, you are NOT eligible to enter. Please submit the first 1,250 words (maximum) of a fiction or creative non-fiction manuscript (such as a novella, novel, memoir, etc.)
Details: https://www.firstpagesprize.com/guidelines-and-termsconditions

 

2023 Bristol Short Story Prize

Genre: Fiction
Entry Fee: £9 per story
Deadline: April 26, 2023 at midnight BST
Prize: First prize of £1,000; second prize of £500; third prize of £250; 17 remaining shortlisted writers will receive £100 each
Description: This is an annual international writing competition open to all published and unpublished, UK- and non UK-based writers. An annual anthology of the winning stories is also published.
Details: https://www.bristolprize.co.uk/news/2023-bristol-short-story-prize-is-open

 

2023 Toronto Book Awards

Genre: All Genres
Entry Fee: None
Deadline: April 28, 2023
Prize: Grand prize of $10,000; five finalist awards of $1,000
Description: Submission must contain some clear Toronto content (this may be reflected in the themes, settings, subjects, etc.), but authors do not necessarily have to reside in Toronto. There are no separate categories: novels, short story collections, books of poetry, books on history, politics and social issues, biographies, books about sports, children’s and young adult books, graphic novels, and photographic collections are judged together. Books must be published between June 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023.
Details: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/awards/toronto-book-awards/book-awards-submission-information-eligibility/

 

The Royal Society of Literature (RSL) Writers Awards

Genre: Substantial Works of Outstanding Literary Merit
Entry Fee: None
Deadline: April 28, 2023
Prize: 12 writers will be appointed 2023 RSL International Writers
Description: The RSL was founded in 1820, as a UK charity for the advancement of literature. The RSL International Writers programme 2023 is open to recommendations. Anyone, anywhere, can recommend a writer. Please submit your recommendations and share how to recommend with colleagues and your networks. To be eligible, the writers you recommend must not be resident in, or citizens of, the UK; and have published two substantial works of outstanding literary merit (where works are translated into English, or originally written in English). Guided by your recommendations, the panel of RSL Fellows will select the next 12 writers to be appointed RSL International Writers in 2023.
Details: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-international-writers-2023-recommendation-form/

 

2023 Vallum Chapbook Award

Genre: Poetry
Entry Fee: $25
Deadline: April 30, 2023
Prize: First prize of $300 and publication in the Vallum Chapbook Series
Description: The editors at Vallum are committed to enriching and continuing the tradition of poetry in the present day. They welcome submissions that deepen their understanding of what poetry is and can be. They encourage Indigenous writers, writers of colour, gender non-conforming writers, differently abled writers, LGBTQ writers, writers with mental or physical illnesses, and writers who are otherwise affected by structural inequality to submit their work for consideration.
Details: https://vallummag.com/guidelines-chapbook-award/

 

FreeFall Annual Prose & Poetry Contest

Genre: Prose, Poetry
Entry Fee: $25 (includes 1-year subscription to FreeFall magazine) and $5 for each additional entry (at time of  original entry only)
Deadline: April 30, 2023
Prize: First prize of $500; second prize of $250; third prize of $125; honorable mention prize of $75
Description: All contest entries are also automatically entered into the Lynn Fraser Memorial contest for a chance to win $100. Maximum of 3,000 words prose, or 5 poems per entry. Only previously unpublished work may be entered. No simultaneous entries.
Details: http://freefallmagazine.ca/contest.html

 

Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Prize

Genre: Poetry (Grades 7 – 9 and 10 – 12)
Entry Fee: None
Deadline: April 30, 2023
Prize: First prize of $400; second prize of $350; third prize of $300
Description: The  Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Prize for Canadian Youth was established to foster a lifelong relationship between Canadian youth and the literary arts, specifically poetry. The prize is supported through a generous donation from the Stursberg family and other donors in honour of Jessamy Stursberg. The prize accepts submissions from young poets all across Canada, with three prizes awarded in both the Junior (grades 7 to 9) and Senior (grades 10 to 12) categories.
Details: http://poets.ca/awards/stursberg/

 

Storyhouse Nonfiction Animal Stories Contest

Genre: Nonfiction
Entry Fee: None
Deadline: April 30, 2023
Prize: First prize of $200 and automatic entry to the Winners Circle Contest; runner-up prize of $100; all winners receive certificates of recognition suitable for framing
Description: Stories should be factual and true accounts of an encounter or encounters by the author with a wild animal or animals. These include, but are not limited to, birds, fish, butterflies, snails, lions, bears, turtles, wombats, etc., as long as it is not a pet. Stories must be between 1,000–10,000 words in length. Language in the stories should be free of words or scenes not suitable for children. Stories can be submitted from any country, although they must be written in English. There is a limit of two contest submissions. No story may be entered in more than one contest. Stories entered in any of our previous contests will not be eligible for current year contests.
Details: https://www.storyhouse.org/contest2023.html

 

The Pottersfield Prize for Creative Nonfiction

Genre: Nonfiction Manuscript
Entry Fee: $25
Deadline: April 30, 2023 (early submissions encouraged)
Prize: First prize of publication with a $1,000 advance on 10% royalty for all sales; second prize of publication and an $800 advance on 10% royalties
Description: Manuscript of 30,000 to 150,000 words. Genres include history, memoir, autobiography, biography, literary journalism, political or social commentary, travel writing or any nonfiction medium.
Details: https://www.pottersfieldpress.com/creative-nonfiction-prize

 

Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest

Genre: Fiction, Essay
Entry Fee: $22 USD per entry
Deadline: April 30, 2023
Prize: First prize of $3,000 in each category; ten honorable mention prizes of $200 each; top 12 entries will be published online
Description: For this contest, a story is any short work of fiction, and an essay is any short work of nonfiction. Submit published or unpublished work.
Details: https://winningwriters.com/our-contests/tom-howard-john-h-reid-fiction-essay-contest

 

Whistler Independent Book Awards (WIBA)

Genre: Fiction, Nonfiction
Entry Fee: $100 per entry
Deadline: April 30, 2023 (Entries for the 2023 WIBAs opens March 1, 2023)
Prize: Various non-monetary prizes, see website for details
Description: Jointly administered by the Whistler Writing Society, Canadian Authors, and Vivalogue Publishing, the Whistler Independent Book Awards (WIBAs) provide independent authors with a unique opportunity to have their work recognized through a juried process typically reserved for trade-published titles.
Details: https://independentbookawards.ca/

 

Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction

Genre: Nonfiction
Entry Fee: None
Deadline: 2023 contest details to be announced
Prize: $10,000
Description: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Edna Staebler Award program has been on hold. The situation is being monitored and updates will be posted as they become available. Open to print books and eBooks of creative nonfiction published in the previous calendar year.
Details: https://www.wlu.ca/information-for/community-members/literary-initiatives/edna-staebler-awards/edna-staebler-award-for-creative-non-fiction/index.html

 

RBC PEN Canada 2023 New Voices Award

Genre: Short Story, Creative Nonfiction, Journalism, Poetry
Entry Fee: None
Deadline: 2023 contest details to be announced
Prize: $3,000 and mentorship from a distinguished Canadian author
Description: This prize offers a space for writers to submit fiction, creative nonfiction, journalism, and poetry. The competition is open to writers over the age of 17 whose work has not yet been published. Prose entries must be between 2,000 – 4,000 words. Poetry entries may take the form of individual poems, a sequence, or one long poem of no more than 2,500 words in total. This year’s prize will be judged by Chantal Gibson, Eva Crocker and Hasan Namir. Please send all submissions to submissions@pencanada.ca.
Details: https://pencanada.ca/news/new-voices-award-2022-open-for-submissions/