The Top 5 Writing competitions of 2019
Are you an aspiring writer? One of the best ways to get recognized by the international writing community is to enter a competition. It doesn’t matter if you specialize in short stories or lengthy manuscripts, there’s a competition for your specific skillset.
Take a look through these 5 writing competitions and enter one, or all of them. Winning any one of these prestigious contests will increase your credibility and reputation as a writer, why not give them a try?
1. Gotham Writers Past-Year Memoir Contest
There’s no reason why you can’t find the time to enter this competition. All you need is 16 words to complete your entry. Yes, you read that right; 16-word entry limit.
Gotham writers are looking for ultra-short stories that can have any theme, from the hilarious to the heartbreaking. Write out the last year of your life in a few sentences, the winners chosen based on the most captivating story told within the contest guidelines.
The competition is free for anyone to enter and the winner receives an entry into their Gotham writing course where you’ll learn writing skills from the masters.
2. The Reedsy Weekly Writing Contest
The site for writers, Reedsy.com, hosts a weekly writing contest with a cash prize of $50. To register, open a free account at Reedsy and sign up for their newsletter. Reedsy publishes the competition every Friday and sends their subscribers 5 subject prompts for writers to use in their submissions. Your submission must reach their editors before Friday the following week.
Winners also receive publication on the Reedsy Medium blog, where their work has the potential to be read by thousands of Reedsy subscribers, how’s that for an added incentive?
3. ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
The Australian Book Review’s Short Story Prize honors celebrated Australian author, Elizabeth Jolley. The winning piece features in the ABR, one of the southern hemispheres leading arts and literary reviews.
On top of that, a cash prize of $7,000 is up for grabs for first place, with second and third place receiving $2000 and $1000, respectively. It’s $25 to enter this competition, and your submission must be between 2,000 to 5,000 words.
4. Keats-Shelley Prize
The Keats-Shelly Memorial Association offers poets and romantics the chance to enter this dual essay and poetry competition. Winning will earn you a £3,000 prize. However, all shortlisted candidates will receive publication online, or in print, at some stage in the future.
The rewards ceremony of this prestigious competitions takes place at the classy venue of London’s Royal Festival Hall. Make sure your submission is limited to 3,000-words, and no more than 30-lines.
5. National Flash Fiction Youth Competition
Organized by the University of Chester and the International Flash Fiction Association, this competition is free to enter for international writers, but all submissions must be in UK English, and limited to 360-words.
This opportunity suits youth writers looking for recognition of a prestigious writing authority to boost the start of their writing career.