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Best Essay Writing Contests in 2024

Showing 50 contests that match your search.

National Essay Contest

U.S. Institute of Peace

Genres: Essay

This year, AFSA celebrates the 100th anniversary of the United States Foreign Service. Over the last century, our diplomats and development professionals have been involved in groundbreaking events in history – decisions on war and peace, supporting human rights and freedom, creating joint prosperity, reacting to natural disasters and pandemics and much more. As AFSA looks back on this century-long history, we invite you to join us in also looking ahead to the future. This year students are asked to explore how diplomats can continue to evolve their craft to meet the needs of an ever-changing world that brings fresh challenges and opportunities to the global community and America’s place in it.

Additional prizes:

Runner-up: $1,250

📅 Deadline: April 01, 2024 (Expired)

Personal Essay Competition 2024

Write the World

Genres: Essay and Memoir

We want to hear about an experience in your life, rife with characters and description and conflict and scene… but we also want to hear how you make sense of this experience, how it sits with you, and why it has surfaced as writing. Open a window into your life and invite your readers to enter.

Best entry: $100

Runner up: $50 | Best peer review: $50

📅 Deadline: June 24, 2024

A Very Short Story Contest

Gotham Writers Workshop

Genres: Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, and Non-fiction

Write a great short story in ten words or fewer. Submit it to our contest. Entry is free. Winner of the bet gets a free Gotham class.

Free writing class from Gotham Writers Workshop.

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2024

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The Letter Review Prize for Unpublished Books

The Letter Review

Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult

Free to enter. Seeking 0-5000 word (poetry: 15 pgs) excerpts of unpublished books (Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction), including most self-published and indie-published works. 2-4 Winners (publication of extract is optional). We Shortlist 10-20 writers. Open to writers from anywhere in the world, with no theme or genre restrictions. Judged blind.

Optional Publication of Excerpt, Letter of Recommendation

📅 Deadline: April 30, 2024

Literary and Photographic Contest 2023-2024

Hispanic Culture Review

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Poetry

As we move forward we carry our culture wherever we go. It keeps us alive. This is why we propose the theme to be “¡Hacia delante!”. A phrase that means to move forward. This year we ask that you think about the following questions: What keeps you moving forward? What do you carry with you going into the future? How do you celebrate your successes, your dreams, and your culture?

Publication in magazine

📅 Deadline: February 07, 2024 (Expired)

International Essay Competition 2023/24

Avernus Education

Welcome to our prestigious International Essay Competition. At Avernus Education, we are thrilled to provide a platform for young minds to showcase their prowess in Medicine, Engineering, Law, Economics, Psychology, History and Politics. These varied subject categories underscore the importance of interdisciplinary study, a crucial foundation for future leaders in our increasingly interconnected world. Winners receive an exclusive Avernus Education Scholarship worth over £5000 - granting them free entrance to our exclusive summer camp at Oxford University! Outstanding Runners Up receive 5 hours worth of Credits for Avernus Education courses, conferences and tutoring services.

100% Scholarship Award to our Oxford University Summer Programme (worth £5995)

Partial scholarship

📅 Deadline: February 19, 2024 (Expired)

International Voices in Creative Nonfiction Competition

Vine Leaves Press

Genres: Essay, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Novel

Small presses have potential for significant impact, and at Vine Leaves Press, we take this responsibility quite seriously. It is our responsibility to give marginalized groups the opportunity to establish literary legacies that feel rich and vast. Why? To sustain hope for the world to become a more loving, tolerable, and open space. It always begins with art. That is why we have launched this writing competition.

Book publication

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: July 01, 2024

Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award

Killer Nashville

Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Science Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story, and Thriller

The Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award is committed to discovering new writers, as well as superlative books by established authors and, upon discovery, sharing those writers and their works with new readers. There are a large number of both fiction and non-fiction categories you can enter.

💰 Entry fee: $79

📅 Deadline: June 15, 2024

High School Academic Research Competition

Columbia Undergraduate Science Journal

Genres: Essay and Non-fiction

The High School Academic Research Competition is where talented students from around the world compete to publish high-quality research on any topic. SARC challenges students to sharpen their critical thinking skills, immerse themselves in the research process, and hone their writing skills for success.

Indigo Research Intensive Summer Program

📅 Deadline: March 20, 2024 (Expired)

Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award

Trio House Press

Genres: Essay, Memoir, and Non-fiction

We seek un-agented full-length creative nonfiction manuscripts including memoir, essay collections, etc. 50,000 - 80,000 words.

Publication

📅 Deadline: May 15, 2024

Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest

Jane Austen Society of North America

Genres: Children's and Essay

JASNA conducts an annual student Essay Contest to foster the study and appreciation of Jane Austen's works in new generations of readers. Students world-wide are invited to compete for scholarship awards in three divisions: high school, college, and graduate school.

$1,000 scholarship

Two nights’ lodging for JASNA’s Annual General Meeting

📅 Deadline: June 02, 2022 (Expired)

Climate Change Writing Competition

This month, dear writers, ahead of COP27, help us raise the voices of young people in this urgent fight. In a piece of personal narrative, tell the world’s leaders gathering in how climate change impacts you. How has this crisis changed your environment, your community, your sense of the future? Storytelling, after all, plays a critical role in helping us grasp the emergency through which we are all living, igniting empathy in readers and listeners—itself a precursor to action.

Runner-up: $50

📅 Deadline: October 18, 2022 (Expired)

The Hudson Prize

Black Lawrence Press

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

Each year Black Lawrence Press will award The Hudson Prize for an unpublished collection of poems or prose. The prize is open to new, emerging, and established writers.

💰 Entry fee: $28

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2024 (Expired)

Share Your Story

FanStory.com Inc.

Write about an event in your life. Everyone has a memoir. Not an autobiography. Too much concern about fact and convention. A memoir gives us the ability to write about our life with the option to create and fabricate and to make sense of a life, or part of that life.

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: September 15, 2022 (Expired)

Irene Adler Prize

Lucas Ackroyd

Genres: Essay, Non-fiction, and Travel

I’ve traveled the world from Sweden to South Africa, from the Golden Globes to the Olympic women’s hockey finals. I’ve photographed a mother polar bear and her cubs and profiled stars like ABBA, Jennifer Garner and Katarina Witt. And I couldn’t have done it without women. I’ve been very fortunate, and it’s time for me to give back. With the Irene Adler Prize, I’m awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a woman pursuing a degree in journalism, creative writing, or literature at a recognized post-secondary institution.

2x honorable mentions: $250

📅 Deadline: May 30, 2024

Environmental Writing 2024

The writer and activist Bill McKibben describes Environmental Writing as "the collision between people and the rest of the world." This month, peer closely at that intersection: How do humans interact with their environment? Given your inheritance of this earth, the world needs your voices now more than ever.

📅 Deadline: April 22, 2024

Bacopa Literary Review Annual Writing Contest

Writers Alliance of Gainesville

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

Bacopa Literary Review’s 2024 contest is open from March 4 through April 4, with $200 Prize and $100 Honorable Mention in each of six categories: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Flash Fiction, Free Verse Poetry, Formal Poetry, and Visual Poetry.

📅 Deadline: April 04, 2024 (Expired)

Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize

Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult

The Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize is a writing competition sponsored by the stage and radio series Selected Shorts. Selected Shorts is recorded for Public Radio and heard nationally on both the radio and its weekly podcast. This years entries will be judged by Carmen Maria Machado (In the Dream House, Her Body and Other Parties).

$1000 + free 10 week course with Gotham Writers

📅 Deadline: March 01, 2024 (Expired)

Work-In-Progress (WIP) Contest

Unleash Press

Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Science Fiction, Science Writing, and Young Adult

We aim to assist writers in the completion of an important literary project and vision. The Unleash WIP Award offers writers support in the amount of $500 to supplement costs to aid in the completion of a book-length work of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Writers will also receive editorial feedback, coaching meetings, and an excerpt/interview feature in Unleash Lit.

Coaching, interview, and editorial support

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: July 15, 2024

Military Anthology: Partnerships, the Untold Story

Armed Services Arts Partnership

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

Partners are an integral aspect of military life, at home and afar, during deployment and after homecoming. Partnerships drive military action and extend beyond being a battle buddy, wingman, or crew member. Some are planned while others arise entirely unexpectedly. Spouses, family, old or new friends, community, faith leaders, and medical specialists all support the military community. Despite their importance, the stories of these partnerships often go untold. This anthology aims to correct that: We will highlight the nuances, surprises, joy, sorrow, heroism, tears, healing power, and ache of partnerships. We invite you to submit the story about partnerships from your journey, so we can help tell it.

$500 Editors' Choice award

$250 for each genre category (prose, poetry, visual art)

Brink Literary Journal Award for Hybrid Writing

Genres: Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Writing, and Short Story

The Brink Literary Journal Award for Hybrid Writing will be administered to the winner of a literary contest designed to champion innovative hybrid and cross-genre work.

💰 Entry fee: $22

📅 Deadline: February 16, 2024 (Expired)

NOWW 26th International Writing Contest

Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop (NOWW)

Open to all writers in four categories: poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and critical writing.

2nd: $100 | 3rd: $50

💰 Entry fee: $7

📅 Deadline: February 29, 2024 (Expired)

Hispanic Culture Review Contest 2022-2023

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story, and Flash Fiction

As the Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano once said, "the best that the world has is in the many worlds that the world contains." Therefore, this year we invite you to reflect on the following questions: How do you or your community celebrate these connections? How do you value those experiences with those people who leave a mark on your life? 1 work will be awarded in each category: 1) photography & visual arts, 2) poetry, and 3) narrative/essay/academic investigation.

$100 for photography, poetry, and essay winners

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: February 01, 2023 (Expired)

Great American Think-Off

New York Mills Regional Cultural Center

The Great American Think-Off is an exhibition of civil disagreement between powerful ideas that connect to your life at the gut level. The Cultural Center, located in the rural farm and manufacturing town of New York Mills, sponsors this annual philosophy contest.

Solas Awards

Best Travel Writing

Extraordinary stories about travel and the human spirit have been the cornerstones of our books since 1993. With the Solas Awards we honor writers whose work inspires others to explore. We’re looking for the best stories about travel and the world. Funny, illuminating, adventurous, uplifting, scary, inspiring, poignant stories that reflect the unique alchemy that occurs when you enter unfamiliar territory and begin to see the world differently as a result. We hope these awards will be a catalyst for those who love to leave home and tell others about it.

📅 Deadline: September 21, 2024

Artificial Intelligence Competition

New Beginnings

Genres: Essay, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, and Short Story

There is no topic relating to technology that brings more discussion than artificial intelligence. Some people think it does wonders. Others see it as trouble. Let us know your opinion about AI in this competition. Include experiences you have had with AI. 300-word limit. Winners will be selected January 1, 2024. Open to anyone, anywhere.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: December 15, 2023 (Expired)

Journalism Competition 2024

What are the most important issues taking place close to home? Perhaps a rare bird sighting near your town? Or a band of young people in your province fighting for access to higher education? This month, immerse yourself in a newsworthy event inside the borders of your own country, and invite us there through your written reporting.

📅 Deadline: July 22, 2024

Askew's Word on the Lake Writing Contest

Shuswap Association of Writers

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Essay, Memoir, and Short Story

Whether you’re an established or emerging writer, the Askew’s Word on the Lake Writing Contest has a place for you. Part of the Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival in Salmon Arm, BC, the contest is open to submissions in short fiction (up to 2,000 words), nonfiction (up to 2,000 words), and poetry (up to three one-page poems).

💰 Entry fee: $11

📅 Deadline: January 31, 2024 (Expired)

Annual Contest Submissions

So To Speak

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, LGBTQ, Non-fiction, and Poetry

So To Speak is seeking submissions for poetry, fiction, and non-fiction with an intersectional feminist lens! It is no secret that the literary canon and literary journals are largely comprised of heteronormative, patriarchal, cisgender, able-bodied white men. So to Speak seeks work by writers, poets, and artists who want to challenge and change the identity of the “canonical” writer.

💰 Entry fee: $4

📅 Deadline: March 15, 2024 (Expired)

100 Word Writing Contest

Tadpole Press

Genres: Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult, Children's, Poetry, Romance, Short Story, Suspense, and Travel

Can you write a story using 100 words or less? Pieces will be judged on creativity, uniqueness, and how the story captures a new angle, breaks through stereotypes, and expands our beliefs about what's possible or unexpectedly delights us. In addition, we are looking for writing that is clever or unique, inspires us, and crafts a compelling and complete story. The first-place prize has doubled to $2,000 USD.

2nd: writing coach package

💰 Entry fee: $15

World Historian Student Essay Competition

World History Association

The World Historian Student Essay Competition is an international competition open to students enrolled in grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools, and those in home-study programs. Membership in the World History Association is not a requirement for submission. Past winners may not compete in the same category again.

📅 Deadline: May 01, 2024

Narratively 2023 Memoir Prize

Narratively

Genres: Essay, Humor, Memoir, and Non-fiction

Narratively is currently accepting submissions for their 2023 Memoir Prize. They are looking for revealing and emotional first-person nonfiction narratives from unique and overlooked points of view. The guest judge is New York Times bestselling memoirist Stephanie Land.

$1,000 and publication

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: November 30, 2023 (Expired)

Goldilocks Zone

Sunspot Literary Journal

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Script Writing, and Short Story

Sunspot Lit is looking for the perfect combination of craft and appeal in stories, CNF, novel or novella excerpts, artwork, graphic novels, poems, scripts/screenplays. Literary and genre accepted. Enter through Submittable or Duotrope.

Lazuli Literary Group Writing Contest

Lazuli Literary Group

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Novella, and Script Writing

We are not concerned with genre distinctions. Send us the best you have; we want only for it to be thoughtful, intelligent, and beautiful. We want art that grows in complexity upon each visitation; we enjoy ornate, cerebral, and voluptuous phrases executed with thematic intent.

Publication in "AZURE: A Journal of Literary Thought"

📅 Deadline: March 24, 2024 (Expired)

The Letter Review Prize for Nonfiction

Genres: Essay, Memoir, Non-fiction, Crime, Humor, and Science Writing

2-4 Winners are published. We Shortlist 10-20 writers. Seeking Nonfiction 0-5000 words. Judges’ feedback available. Open to writers from anywhere in the world, with no theme or genre restrictions. Judged blind. All entries considered for publication + submission to Pushcart.

Publication by The Letter Review

💰 Entry fee: $2

Discover the finest writing contests of 2024 for fiction and non-fiction authors — including short story competitions, essay writing competitions, poetry contests, and many more. Updated weekly, these contests are vetted by Reedsy to weed out the scammers and time-wasters. If you’re looking to stick to free writing contests, simply use our filters as you browse.

Why you should submit to writing contests

Submitting to poetry competitions and free writing contests in 2024 is absolutely worth your while as an aspiring author: just as your qualifications matter when you apply for a new job, a writing portfolio that boasts published works and award-winning pieces is a great way to give your writing career a boost. And not to mention the bonus of cash prizes!

That being said, we understand that taking part in writing contests can be tough for emerging writers. First, there’s the same affliction all writers face: lack of time or inspiration. Entering writing contests is a time commitment, and many people decide to forego this endeavor in order to work on their larger projects instead — like a full-length book. Second, for many writers, the chance of rejection is enough to steer them clear of writing contests. 

But we’re here to tell you that two of the great benefits of entering writing contests happen to be the same as those two reasons to avoid them.

When it comes to the time commitment: yes, you will need to expend time and effort in order to submit a quality piece of writing to competitions. That being said, having a hard deadline to meet is a great motivator for developing a solid writing routine.

Think of entering contests as a training session to become a writer who will need to meet deadlines in order to have a successful career. If there’s a contest you have your eye on, and the deadline is in one month, sit down and realistically plan how many words you’ll need to write per day in order to meet that due date — and don’t forget to also factor in the time you’ll need to edit your story!

For tips on setting up a realistic writing plan, check out this free, ten-day course: How to Build a Rock-Solid Writing Routine.

In regards to the fear of rejection, the truth is that any writer aspiring to become a published author needs to develop relatively thick skin. If one of your goals is to have a book traditionally published, you will absolutely need to learn how to deal with rejection, as traditional book deals are notoriously hard to score. If you’re an indie author, you will need to adopt the hardy determination required to slowly build up a readership.

The good news is that there’s a fairly simple trick for learning to deal with rejection: use it as a chance to explore how you might be able to improve your writing.

In an ideal world, each rejection from a publisher or contest would come with a detailed letter, offering construction feedback and pointing out specific tips for improvement. And while this is sometimes the case, it’s the exception and not the rule.

Still, you can use the writing contests you don’t win as a chance to provide yourself with this feedback. Take a look at the winning and shortlisted stories and highlight their strong suits: do they have fully realized characters, a knack for showing instead of telling, a well-developed but subtly conveyed theme, a particularly satisfying denouement?

The idea isn’t to replicate what makes those stories tick in your own writing. But most examples of excellent writing share a number of basic craft principles. Try and see if there are ways for you to translate those stories’ strong points into your own unique writing.

Finally, there are the more obvious benefits of entering writing contests: prize and publication. Not to mention the potential to build up your readership, connect with editors, and gain exposure.

Resources to help you win writing competitions in 2024

Every writing contest has its own set of submission rules. Whether those rules are dense or sparing, ensure that you follow them to a T. Disregarding the guidelines will not sway the judges’ opinion in your favor — and might disqualify you from the contest altogether. 

Aside from ensuring you follow the rules, here are a few resources that will help you perfect your submissions.

Free online courses

On Writing:

How to Craft a Killer Short Story

The Non-Sexy Business of Writing Non-Fiction

How to Write a Novel

Understanding Point of View

Developing Characters That Your Readers Will Love

Writing Dialogue That Develops Plot and Character

Stop Procrastinating! Build a Solid Writing Routine

On Editing:

Story Editing for Authors

How to Self-Edit Like a Pro

Novel Revision: Practical Tips for Rewrites

How to Write a Short Story in 7 Steps

How to Write a Novel in 15 Steps

Literary Devices and Terms — 35+ Definitions With Examples

10 Essential Fiction Writing Tips to Improve Your Craft

How to Write Dialogue: 8 Simple Rules and Exercises

8 Character Development Exercises to Help You Nail Your Character

Bonus resources

200+ Short Story Ideas

600+ Writing Prompts to Inspire You

100+ Creative Writing Exercises for Fiction Authors

Story Title Generator

Pen Name Generator

Character Name Generator

After you submit to a writing competition in 2024

It’s exciting to send a piece of writing off to a contest. However, once the initial excitement wears off, you may be left waiting for a while. Some writing contests will contact all entrants after the judging period — whether or not they’ve won. Other writing competitions will only contact the winners. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind after you submit:

Many writing competitions don’t have time to respond to each entrant with feedback on their story. However, it never hurts to ask! Feel free to politely reach out requesting feedback — but wait until after the selection period is over.

If you’ve submitted the same work to more than one writing competition or literary magazine, remember to withdraw your submission if it ends up winning elsewhere.

After you send a submission, don’t follow it up with a rewritten or revised version. Instead, ensure that your first version is thoroughly proofread and edited. If not, wait until the next edition of the contest or submit the revised version to other writing contests.

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• Writing Tips

7 Essay Writing Contests to Look Out For in 2023

• 7-minute read
• 28th December 2022

Essay contests are not only a great way to exercise your essay-writing skills but also an awesome way to win cash prizes, scholarships, and internship or program opportunities. They also look wonderful on college applications as awards and achievements.

In this article, you’ll learn about 7 essay writing contests to enter in 2023. Watch the video below, or keep reading to learn more.

1. Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest 

Deadline: Now–April 30, 3023

Who may enter:

This is an international contest for people of all ages (except for residents of Syria, Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Russia, and Belarus due to US government restrictions).

Contest description:

●  The contest is organized by Winning Writers, located in MA, USA.

●  They accept stories and essays on any theme, up to 6,000 words each. This contest defines a story as any short work of fiction and an essay as any short work of nonfiction.

●  Your stories and essays must be submitted in English.

●  You may submit published or unpublished work.

Entry fee: USD 22 per entry

●  Story: First Prize is USD 3,000.

●  Essay: First Prize is USD 3,000.

●  10 Honorable Mentions will receive USD 300 each (any category).

●  The top 12 entries will be published online.

Official website

Please visit the competition’s official website for more information on judges and submissions.

2. 2023 Calibre Essay Prize 

Deadline: Now–January 15, 2023, 11:59 pm

Who may enter: All ages and any nationality or residency are accepted.

●  This contest is hosted by the Australian Book Review.

●  Your essay must be between 2,000 and 5,000 words.

●  You may submit nonfiction essays of all kinds, e.g., personal, political, literary, or speculative.

●  You may enter multiple essays but will need to pay separate fees for each one.

●  Your essay must be unpublished.

Entry fee: AU 30 for non-members

Prize: AU 7,500

Official website:

For more information on this contest, please visit its official website.

3. John Locke Institute Essay Competition 

Deadline: June 30, 2023

●  Students from any country.

●  Students aged 15 to 18 years by the competition deadline.

●  Students aged 14 years or younger by the competition deadline are eligible for the Junior prize.

●  The contest is organized by the John Locke Institute.

●  Your essay cannot exceed 2,000 words.

●  There are seven subjects or categories for essay submissions: Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, and Law.

Entry fee: Free to enter

●  The best overall essay winner receives an honorary John Locke Fellowship, which comes with a USD 10,000 scholarship to attend one or more summer schools or gap year courses.

●  There is also a prize for the best essay in each category. The prize for each winner of a subject category and the Junior category is a scholarship worth USD 2,000 toward the cost of a summer program.

●  All winning essays will be published on the Institute’s website.

For more information about this competition and the John Locke Institute, please visit the official website . Also, be sure to check out our article on all you need to know about this contest.

4. The American Foreign Service Association 2023 Essay Competition 

Deadline: April 3, 2023

●  Students in grades 9–12 in any of the 50 states, DC, the US territories, or if they are US citizens or lawful permanent residents attending high school overseas.

●  Students attending a public, private, or parochial school.

●  Home-schooled students.

●  Your essay should be 1,000–1,500 words.

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●  You will select a country or region in which the United States Foreign Service has been involved at any point since 1924 and describe how the Foreign Service was successful or unsuccessful in advancing American foreign policy goals – including promoting peace – in this country or region and propose ways in which it might continue to improve those goals in the coming years.

●  Your essay should follow MLA guidelines.

●  Your essay should use a variety of sources.

●  The first-place winner receives USD 2,500, a paid trip to the nation’s capital from anywhere in the U.S. for the winner and their parents, and an all-expense-paid educational voyage courtesy of Semester at Sea.

●  The runner-up receives USD 1,250 and full tuition to attend a summer session of the National Student Leadership Conference’s International Diplomacy program.

Please visit the American Foreign Service website for more information.

5. The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) 2023 Essay Contest 

Deadline: Mid-February 2023–June 1, 2023

Who may enter: High school (including homeschooled), college, and graduate students worldwide.

●  The 2023 essay contest topic is marriages and proposals.

●  High school students may focus on Pride and Prejudice only or bring in other Austen works.

●  Undergraduate and graduate students should discuss at least two Austen novels of their choice.

●  Your essay must be in MLA format and 6 to 8 pages (not including your Works Cited page).

●  Your essay must be written in English.

●  First place wins a USD 1,000 scholarship.

●  Second place wins a USD 500 scholarship.

●  Third place wins a USD 250 scholarship.

●  Winners will also receive one year of membership in JASNA, publication of their essays on this website, and a set of Norton Critical Editions of Jane Austen’s novels.

For more information and submission guidelines, please visit JASNA’s official website .

6. 2023 Writing Contest: Better Great Achievements by EngineerGirl

Deadline: February 1, 2023

●  Students in Grades 3–12. If international or homeschooled, please select your grade level based on if you were attending a public school in the U.S.

●  This contest is organized by EngineerGirl.

●  Students should write a piece that shows how female or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering’s great achievements.

●  You should choose one of the 20 Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century as a topic and explore the technologies developed in the last century and the new ones being developed today. Make sure to follow the specific guidelines for your grade level.

●  Essays should be 650–750 words based on your grade level.

●  Please visit the contest’s website to see specific requirements based on your grade.

Winners in each grade category will receive the prizes listed below:

●  First-place winners will be awarded USD 500.

●  Second-place entries will be awarded USD 250 .

●  Third-place entries will be awarded USD 100 .

For more information and submission guidelines, please visit the official website .

7. World Historian Student Essay Competition

Deadline: May 1, 2023

Who may enter: Students enrolled in Grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools and home-study programs worldwide.

●  Your essay must address the following issue: In what way has the study of world history affected my understanding of the world in which I live?

●  Your essay should be 1,000 words.

Prizes: USD 500

For more information and submission requirements, please visit the contest’s official website.

Essay contests are a great way to expand your writing skills, discuss a topic that is important to you, and earn prize money and opportunities that will be great for you in the long term. Check out our articles on writing thesis statements, essay organization, and argumentative writing strategies to ensure you take first place every time.

If you need help with your essays and would like to make sure that every comma is in place, we will proofread your first 500 words for free !

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2023 SBO+ Essay Contest Winners

Thanks to our generous sponsors Casio, Alfred Music Publishing, MakeMusic, Yamaha Corporation of America, Hal Leonard, NAMM Foundation, Focusrite and Adam Audio.

T his year, we asked essayists to answer this question: “Tell us about a music teacher who has changed your life. What was it about them that had an impact on you? How did their teaching, personality, or actions differ from other good teachers?”

Gabriel Hill, 12 th Grade Current Teacher: Lindsay Ciechanski – Skyline High School, Ann Arbor, Michigan

I   distinctly remember my first day of music class in first grade. I had recently moved from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Ann Arbor, Michigan midyear -a huge transition for any first grader. I had been used to 14 minutes of music class every other week where we did nothing but watch movies and have bubble gum blowing contests. In Ann Arbor, though, we had music class twice a week for 35 to 40 minutes! When I walked into the classroom for the first time, I knew this was going to be different. Ms. Rothfeld greeted me with a kind smile and a captivating demeanor. She had a unique personality and understood how to get any young student excited about music. Soon, I was singing and playing instruments like the ukulele and the recorder; I was completely engrossed in the music and melodies that surrounded me. She opened a whole new world of music that I didn’t know existed. Despite growing up in a musical family, I now know that I had to find music on my own to truly enjoy it. Ms. Rothfeld fostered this at an early age and educated me about the wonders of using melody to create an emotional response. I know I would not have discovered my love of music if she had not been there twice a week instilling not only the skills but sharing her pure joy and love of music with me.

Zoie Dozier, 12 th Grade Current Teacher: Erma Davis   – South Gwinnett High School, Snellville, Georgia

Those who have had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Davis, my high school orchestra teacher, know she’s one of a kind. Mrs. Davis adores hearing about the positive things happening in our lives and constantly encourages us. Many people today criticize teachers, yet I cannot imagine my life or high school experience without Mrs. Davis. I have had many great teachers through my 13 years in the Gwinnett County Public School System but my favorite one of all must be Mrs. Davis. She taught me how to be more disciplined by implementing the importance of practicing my instrument, being able to be assertive, and the significance of being detail oriented. Mrs. Davis has positively impacted my life through her kindness and her due diligence. Whenever anyone needs a helping hand Mrs. Davis is always there with a smile on her face. For example, when an orchestra student couldn’t afford to buy their concert attire Mrs. Davis surprised them by buying it for them! She goes above and beyond for her students because she loves us and wants to see us succeed. I began high school under difficult circumstances, but because of Mrs. Davis’s encouragement and inspiration, I will graduate with a 3.4 GPA. I have been accepted to Georgia Southern University to major in healthcare administration and sonography. I worked hard to attain academic success, but I also credit Mrs. Davis for encouraging me and assuring me that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to.

Aiden Johnson, 11 th Grade Current Teacher: Daniel Schantol – Lied STEM Academy, Las Vegas, Nevada

The music teacher who has affected my life would be Daniel Schantol, my middle school guitar teacher. When I first started middle school, I noticed a class for teaching guitar, and I originally thought it’d be a fun little class to just get out of tougher electives, but little did I know it would spark my love for music and its inner workings. Mr. Schantol has an optimistic and bright personality, and it was obvious that he had a deep admiration and respect for music, which I would come to share. This passion for their subject is what separates teachers from good to amazing, and an amazing teacher he was. He helped our class explore the intricacies of music, even going into a lesson or two on music theory to help us understand why some music pieces had such a profound effect. I even had the honor to be in the Honor’s Guitar program at the school, a title which only five other people at the school shared. Before the class, I only understood music as something fun to listen to break up the monotonous silence of various pieces of media. It was his teachings and inspiring passion that, to this day, made me love picking apart various music pieces from different media and examining their techniques, a far cry from the simple understanding of music I had before. Mr. Schantol opened my eyes from a once basic understanding of music to a deep love and appreciation for it.

Bridget Bassinger, 12 th Grade Current Teacher: Kate Margrave – Pine Creek High School, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Ms. Margrave never sends an email with less than five exclamation points!!!!! Excitement and enthusiasm bleeds into everything she does, and throughout my high school career, that has made every difference in the world. Ms. Margrave is one of those people who genuinely cares about her students. She has gone to bat again and again for her students, going above and beyond to show how much she cares. When I went to All State Orchestra for the first time, she couldn’t go with me, but she checked in on me every day to make sure I was having a good time. She would text other band directors to go talk to me to ensure that everything was okay and send me support with every update I sent her. She took the time out of her schedule to let me know she was thinking of me, even when I was the only person from our school to go. Her actions of kindness are not just specific to me, though. Ms. Margrave tries her hardest to make every student feel welcome in her classroom. The instrumental music program includes hundreds of kids, but she knows all of us. She isn’t afraid to admit when she doesn’t know something, and she is always willing to find out something for you. She is the ultimate model of what a teacher should be, and I am immensely grateful for getting to learn from her. I want to take her lessons of kindness and inclusion to change others’ lives, the way she changed mine.

Taryn Mareau, 12 th Grade Current Teacher: Josh Markham, Sequoyah High School, Canton, Georgia

Depending on the teacher, chorus class can be a slew of notes and words, or it can make music come alive. My high school choir teacher breathed life into music. Mr. Markham taught me that every song resonates with someone. He always gives everyone in the class a chance to share what life experience of theirs allows them to connect to the music. I’ll never forget the first time I noticed someone cry at the end of a song my freshman year: the picture is so burned within my brain because we weren’t even singing English. That person was brought to tears by the sheer subliminal emotion evoked through the chords/singing. I’ve thrown my heart into every song since that one; there’s always a reason to since learning that every song resonates with someone. And I may not have ever learned that if Markham hadn’t tried to teach it. He also taught me that anyone can have a passion for and be brought together by music. Markham reminded us that the point of music was to learn and sing it together. And maybe that—rather than any musicality or technical skill applied—is what makes a song beautiful, that unseen yet ever-present tether tying us to the music and to each other. Ultimately, Mr. Markham has irrevocably changed my life because unlike other ‘good’ teachers, he gave me a lesson I can take with me no matter where I end up: he taught me that music connects us all.

Prudence Peng, 6 th Grade Current Teacher: Matt Murdock, Sycamore School, Indianapolis, Indiana

Do-Re-Mi … 1-2-3 … were the words that I always heard any time after I entered my elementary school music room. However, I was not curious about these words and numbers at that time, I was astonished by my elementary school music teacher, Mrs. Shaw, who had a huge impact on my view of music. She was an old, affectionate lady with a pleasant voice who adored every kid and had a soft spot for teaching. No matter how horrible a mistake was, if you learned a lesson from it, she would still be the nicest person on the planet. One of the amusing memories I had was learning how to play the recorder. Although our recorder playing sounded like a dying goat with pneumonia, Mrs. Shaw would still support us with passion and love. Another vivid memory of Mrs. Shaw is when we were practicing playing the xylophone. Mrs. Shaw gave everyone a perfect example of how to play the xylophone. When it’s our turn to play, “oh boy!” was an understatement but Mrs. Shaw was so encouraging with friendly smiles and had us to start again. Mrs. Shaw taught me that it’s okay not to be perfect if we enjoy the process and appreciate the opportunities to enjoy music. Even though most of us were not going to become professional musicians and play all these instruments, Mrs. Shaw planted the seeds of loving music in our hearts, minds, and souls, forever blooming.

Olivia Laudicina, 7 th Grade Current Teacher: Man May – Lake Travis Middle School, Spicewood, Texas

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops,” said Henry Brooks Adams, an acclaimed American historian. A teacher is not just someone who gives us daily lessons, but someone whose lessons are lifelong and impacts our personal growth and maturity. Mrs. May exemplifies this philosophy because she has made a meaningful impact on my character development. Mrs. May taught me “the harder way is the better way,” the road less traveled has thorns and gravel, but it will make me a stronger person. For instance, Mrs. May will challenge me to play more complex literature knowing I may not win in competition. It is not about winning, but about the calluses caused by the immeasurable number of times I practiced on my cello to achieve the perfect pitch. Though learning the harder piece is more painful and takes more dedication, I win in the end because I am now a better cellist.   Mrs. May’s classroom provides a safe haven for me. When I’m sad, the music in her room lifts my spirits and makes me happy. When I am stressed, her classroom helps me find peace and quietude because she teaches us to find relaxation in music. Finally, her class is a place where I can socialize without judgment or peer-pressure because the orchestra students come from various ethnic backgrounds and social-economic status, and I don’t have to pretend to fit in. Mrs. May teaches us that music brings people together from all walks of life.

Ansley Floyd, 8 th Grade Current Teacher: Shanna Danielson, Bermudian Springs Middle School, York Springs, Pennsylvania

“You work on your own time. We are here to practice, not rehearse.” My band director Mrs. Danielson has shown me how integrating passion and dedication into music can change a person’s life, because it changed mine. Many of my music teachers in the past have reluctantly told students to play a song, but not give any valuable feedback to make us better as a band as well as individual musicians. Mrs. Danielson is the opposite. Her voice is always bouncy and energetic. She is always motivating us and pushing us to our limits. Mrs. Danielson has made me view notes like a baby that needs love. We need to take care of each and every note based on its personality. If it has a staccato, embrace the jumpy, short bursts of energy. If it is a tenuto, embrace its curiosity in living longer. Before Mrs. Danielson led the way, notes were only notes. Now when I see an accent or a slur, my heart leaps. I couldn’t wait to embrace each note’s unique character to be a unified, harmonious, and musical song. My passion for music wasn’t always as alive as it is now. In fact, my old band directors influenced my hatred for music. Mrs. Danielson, however, made music an enjoyable, sometimes emotional experience. She took our band on a colorful, wonderful adventure in the land of music. I couldn’t ask for a better tour guide to help lead the way in the diverse world of music.

Leah Salavarria, 8 th Grade Current Teacher: Brenda Hascall – Vandenberg Middle School, Lompoc, California

The music teacher that changed my life is Mrs. Hascall. I have never really been interested in any instrument, and I had just happened to choose guitar as my elective. I wanted to try it out since it was a new elective option for my school, and I never knew it’d lead to my biggest passion. Ms. Hascall has introduced me to guitar and helped me learn more about music. Ms. Hascall’s teaching is so simple, yet effective and resonates with me. She has been able to teach me guitar basics and fundamentals while bringing joy to it, like singing and playing together as a class. She makes this class my favorite class out of my whole schedule because she allows me to be creative. Of course, there are many other good teachers, but I feel like the difference between Ms. Hascall and other teachers is she can invoke creativity and joy in a person while playing guitar. When we play songs together as a class, it feels fun but calming at the same time. Even though I don’t know Ms. Hascall on a personal level, she has always been kind to me, and my class and she has always had a smile on her face. Even if things are as simple as playing guitar for one period and learning in class, it makes my day much better because I get to express myself through my music. For that, she has changed my life. Even when school is over and I go home, I continue to play guitar for hours on end just to improve. Without Ms. Hascall, I don’t even know if I would’ve gotten into guitar in the first place. Playing the guitar is my life now, and one day I aspire to be a great guitarist like Ms. Hascall.

Simone Rankin, 5 th Grade Current Teacher: Allison Kipp, Legacy Elementary, Brambleton, Virginia

Déjà vu! Mrs. Kipp has an interesting story, and it happened to me as well. The story is about her as a fifth grader, being inspired by her music teacher. I understand this feeling, and I feel powerful every time I sing. I feel even stronger when Mrs. Kipp is conducting. It’s an incredible feeling, having her around, as she is exceptionally enjoyable and kindhearted. I also like that she makes sure no one’s being distracting. Distractions, in my opinion, are hard to get rid of, while Mrs. Kipp makes it look extremely easy. Also, Mrs. Kipp is not just teaching us the basic music staff. In my school, there is a fifth (and fourth) grade chorus, and Mrs. Kipp gracefully conducts it. There is also All County Chorus, a program that requires auditioning. Applying for All County Chorus was stressful, and only a thing fifth grade chorus members could get into. I was accepted and learned that practice would occur every Wednesday. On my first day, Mrs. Kipp was there, bright and happy, welcoming everyone in. It made me feel a lot more confident. Evidently, Mrs. Kipp is an extraordinary music teacher. She is filled with kindness and passion. She also teaches well and passes on valuable skills. I hope Mrs. Kipp knows how much her students need and admire her, and I will be sad to leave her for sixth grade. Every single day, I am so appreciative of her.

February 2024

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• [ July 17, 2019 ] Rally calls for racial equity in Malden schools Education
• [ June 30, 2019 ] Malden marks Juneteenth with meaningful celebration Arts
• [ June 27, 2019 ] International Day at The Immigrant Learning Center celebrates unity and diversity Arts
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How my community benefits from immigration: The Immigrant Learning Center’s 2023 essay contest

“It is simply impossible to act as if our ethical and other differences do not exist; however, we can learn to embrace one another’s customs and lifestyles instead of disregarding them. Our distinctiveness is, after all, what makes us human, and brushing these things aside will only end in ignorance.”  From “How Malden Benefits From Immigration” by Dina Genene, First Prize, The Immigrant Learning Center’s essay contest, 2022

By Jamie Perkins

The Immigrant Learning Center in Malden, Massachusetts, holds an annual essay-writing contest that, according to their website , celebrates “the impact of immigrants and refugees.” The 2023 contest concluded with an awards ceremony at The Immigrant Learning Center on Monday, May 22. This year’s topic was “How My Community Benefits from Immigration.”

All Malden High School, Everett High School, and Medford High School students can apply to the contest at no cost. Participants must write their essays in English but are not solely evaluated on English proficiency, and English learners are encouraged to apply. 

The Immigrant Learning Center is a non-profit organization providing free English language classes to immigrant and refugee adults. They also work to educate Americans about immigration and conduct research with George Mason University on the economic contributions of immigrants.

Makeila Scott, an eleventh grader at the time of the contest, won first place with her essay “Breaking Social Divisions and Inspiring Togetherness.” Scott self-identifies as a second-generation immigrant and mixed Afro-Latina. Her father came to the United States from Panama when he was 19 years old. 

Scott’s essay describes Malden through the lens of a student at Malden High School, where “The halls … are painted in an array of backgrounds, languages, and customs that fuel our community and enrich its soil.” 

She described her interactions with a student who recently moved from China. They swapped stories about each other’s cultures and translated common phrases for each other. “This is the beauty of my community. A place where all backgrounds mesh and create a symphony of blended cultures that one can’t help but stop and listen to,” Scott wrote.

As the daughter of an immigrant and a Malden resident, Scott learns from others’ cultures and is also “someone who has learned to embrace their culture and use it to contribute to my community in any way I can.” 

Miaoyi Hu, also in eleventh grade at the time of the contest, took home the second place prize. When she was a toddler, Hu and her parents moved from China to the U.S., where they met relatives who had already arrived. 

Living in a new country was initially distressing, but things improved as Hu and her parents found a sense of community. Her mother found “her place of belonging” by going to The Immigrant Learning Center to learn English. According to Hu, the diversity in Malden “helped my parents find a community of their own where they could be themselves without feeling intimidated. They found people like them who decided to stick together and have each others’ backs.”

For a long time, Hu felt disconnected from her heritage because she immigrated at a young age. Then, in high school, she joined Asian Voices of Organized Youth for Community Empowerment (A-VOYCE). Hu wrote that through A-VOYCE, “I’ve grown to be more in touch with where I came from and discovered my own cultural identity,” and “for once, I was myself without feeling afraid of being judged.”

Hu and her family benefit from Malden, but Malden benefits from immigrants too. “Immigration has many benefits … communities are growing daily because of the different people and cultures that inspire others to embrace those differences.” 

Nyandeng Yak won third place for her essay “Malden: City of Inclusivity.” Yak was in twelfth grade at the time of the contest. Yak’s family immigrated from South Sudan because of the South Sudanese Civil War, and she was “born and raised in a refugee camp.” 

Yak wrote that the war “is why my mom and I spent years moving from place to place … why all the pressure is on me as the first-born daughter and grandchild to be successful.” 

Her essay begins by juxtaposing her childhood with her father’s, who was one of the first Lost Boys of South Sudan. “My father and relatives began traveling on their bare feet at the age of eleven to seek shelter and safety. To put it in perspective, when I was eleven I was playing with dolls and learning division,” wrote Yak. 

She described the unjust treatment of immigrants in the U.S. “America is a place like no other. One side of the country is promoting change and opportunity whereas another part of the country is watching your every move and screaming at you to either ‘act like an American’ or go back to your country or hide your roots.” 

In a country with such division, Yak expressed gratitude that she lives in Malden, a city “built upon immigrants.” 

“Malden lies in the part of the country that is promoting change … [it] is like an art class where everyone can create art with the colors they possess and share it in the art exhibition. I am glad I lived here because I was able to develop a healthy relationship with my heritage and culture. I never lost my mother tongue … Thank you Malden for allowing me to live freely,” Yak concluded. 

Bakoma Itoe, a tenth grader at the time of the contest, won fourth place for his essay “How My Community Benefits From Immigration.” Itoe lived in Cameroon until 2017 when he and his mother immigrated to the U.S. to join his father. Itoe wrote that his father “wanted us to join him not just because of the educational opportunities this country would provide for me, but also to flee the escalating tensions of a civil war in my home country.”

Itoe’s essay highlights immigrants’ cultural and educational contributions to his new city, Malden. In his opinion, the best cultural contributions come in the form of food. “​​Malden is home to a number of commendable restaurants, a majority of them founded by immigrants, each hailing from a different corner of the world,” he wrote. 

Itoe attends Malden High School, where he’s grown accustomed to interacting with people of different backgrounds in his classes. It was not easy at first. “I had fed into the notion that they wouldn’t want to interact with me or would judge me because of my accent. As time went on, I realized they were just as interested to know more about me as I was to know about them,” Itoe wrote. 

Concluding his essay, Itoe wrote that Malden’s “local economy runs on the sacrifices of hundreds of immigrants who took the risk to spread their culture to the population, unsure of success. Immigration in this city reflects the nation’s ideals of opportunity, diversity, unity, and the pursuit of happiness.” 

The fifth place prize went to Danny Le for his essay “Growing Up an Immigrant.”  

Though he has lived in Medford for his entire life, Le’s parent’s immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam in the early 2000s. Technically a second-generation immigrant, he grew up with his own take on the immigrant experience. “Growing up an immigrant means growing up misunderstood … growing up between two inherently distinct and separate cultures … growing up alienated from my homeland several thousand miles away. Yet, growing up an immigrant also means growing up to discover my true identity. It means growing up to understand the many cultural differences that surround me. It means growing up to love my culture,” Le wrote.

Being the child of immigrants was difficult for Le. He refused to learn Vietnamese and “grew up without a concrete understanding of what [his] heritage meant for [his] family.” But now, thanks to living in Medford, Le no longer sees himself and his Vietnamese culture “through the scope of rejection and distaste.”

“As I grow up, I am constantly surrounded by more and more people and experiences that allow me to further understand my cultural upbringings … I have seen the city grow and continually flourish with immigrants and minorities from all parts of the globe, all contributing to Medford with their own unique sense of culture and identity,” Le wrote. 

Looking toward his future, Le, who was an eleventh grader at the time of the contest, wrote, “Wherever life takes me, I hope to be part of the tens of millions of people who share their life story and experiences as immigrants—immigrants who have made a home in unknown places and forever contribute to the melting pot of culture and diversity.”

The top five winners’ complete essays can be found here . 

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• Immigrant Learning Center
• immigration
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Thank you for a wonderful piece on our youth who are uniting worlds of culture through words and action. Malden is blessed with the Immigrant Learning Center where we all could learn together. This article is inspiring me to put aside the time to explore our cultures at home.

Wonderful article. So nice to hear from the youth who are immigrants, or children of immigrants. Their ability to join the new culture and also hold on to their own culture is great to read about. I have such faith in our youth, and their part in Malden.

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57 Writing Contests in December 2023 — No entry fees

Erica Verrillo

Curiosity Never Killed the Writer

T his December there are more than four dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $40,000 to publication. None charge entry fees.

Some of these contests have age and geographical restrictions, so read the instructions carefully.

If you want to get a jump on next month’s contests go to Free Contests . Most of these contests are offered annually, so even if the deadline has passed, you can prepare for next year.

Otherwise Award . Genre : Work that is changing the way we think about gender through speculative narrative. Prize : $500. Deadline : December 1, 2023. (Deadline unclear)

Scriptlab . Genre : TV script or short screenplay. Prize : Up to $500. Deadline : December 1, 2023.

The Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry . Restrictions : Open to African poets who have not yet published a collection of poetry. Genre : Poetry. Prize : $1,000 and book publication through the University of Nebraska Press and Amalion Press in Senegal. Deadline : December 1, 2023.

The Watchword Prize . Genre : Poetry on theme: Surveillance. Prize : $2000. Deadline : December 1, 2023.

Thomas and Lillie D. Chaffin Award for Appalachian Writing . Restrictions : Open to published writers who are writing from the region. Genres : All. Prize : $1000. Deadline : December 1, 2023.

The Association of Jewish Libraries Jewish Fiction Award. Genre : All works of fiction with significant Jewish thematic content written in English–novels, short story and flash fiction collections–by a single author published and available for purchase in the United States during 2022 are eligible for the award. Jewish thematic content means an extended grappling with Jewish themes throughout the book, including Judaism, Jewish history and culture, Jewish identity, etc. Prize : The award will include a $1,000 cash prize as well as support to attend the AJL conference to receive the award. Deadline : December 1, 2023.

Tony Quagliano Poetry Fund, International Poetry Award . Restrictions : Open to poets who have a published body of work over a period of years. Poems must be in English. Genre : Poetry. Prize : $1,000. Deadline : December 1, 2023. ( Biennial award )

The David J. Langum, Sr. Prize in American Historical Fiction is offered annually to the best book in American historical fiction that is both excellent fiction and excellent history. Prize : $1,000. Deadline : December 1, 2023.

Love Letters to London Writing Competition . Genre : Poetry and “open.” The theme this year is Love Letters to London of the Future. What does your London of the future look like — what are your passions, hopes Prize : £150 — £500. Deadline : December 1, 2023. Open to all ages . Some reprints accepted .

Watchword Prize . Genre : Poetry. Theme: Surveillance (“any aspect of the phenomenon of watching and being watched, in both the intimate and public spheres of our lives”). Prize : $2,000 prize, online publication, and a public reading. Deadline : December 1, 2023.

The Pushcart Prize honors the best “poetry, short fiction, essays or literary whatnot” published in small presses and literary magazines. Magazine and small press editors may nominate up to six works. Pushcart Press publishes yearly anthologies of the winning submissions. Prize : Publication and enormous prestige. Deadline : December 1, 2023.

The Schneider Family Book Award is sponsored by the American Library Association. The award honors an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. Prize : Three annual awards each consisting of $5000 and a framed plaque, will be given annually in each of the following categories: birth through grade school (age 0–10), middle school (age 11–13) and teens (age 13–18). (Age groupings are approximations). Genre : May be fiction, biography, or other form of nonfiction. Deadline : December 1, 2023.

Poetry Center at Smith College Prize . Restrictions : Open to sophomore or junior high school girls in New England. Genre : Poetry. Prize : $500. Deadline : December 1, 2023.

RSL Christopher Bland Prize . Restrictions: Writers must be a citizen of, or resident in, the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland. Books must have been published for the first time in the UK or RoI within the 2023 calendar year. Books must be entered by trade publishers or agents based in the UK or RoI; each publisher, imprint of a publisher, or agent may enter two books only. Genre : Debut novel or non-fiction book first published by a writer aged 50 or over. Prize : £10,000. Deadline : December 1, 2023.

Furious Fiction . Genre : Flash fiction, 500 words max. Prize : $500. Deadline : December 3, 2023. Opens December 1.

Shaughnessy Cohen Award for Political Writing . Genre : Book of literary nonfiction that captures a political subject of relevance to Canadian readers and has the potential to shape or influence thinking on contemporary Canadian political life. Book must be published in Canada. Prize : CAN $25,000. Deadline : December 6, 2023. (For books published between October 4, 2023 and December 5, 2023)

J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award . Genre : Nonfiction book. Applicants for the award must already have a contract with a U.S.-based publisher to write a nonfiction book. Award : $25,000. Deadline : December 7, 2023.

Prism: Pacific Spirit Poetry Prize . Genre : Poetry. Prize : $1,500 grand prize, $600 runner-up, $400 2nd runner-up. Deadline : December 7, 2023. No entry fee for BIPOC and low income writers .

Women’s Prize for Fiction . Genre : Published novel by a woman. Entrants must be writing in English and must be published in the UK between 1 December 2023 and 31 March 2024. All subject matters and women of any age, from any nationality or country of residence are eligible. Prize : £30,000.00. Deadline : December 8, 2023.

Friends of American Writers . Restrictions : The author must be a resident (or previously have been a resident for approximately five years) of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota or Wisconsin; or the locale of the book must be in a region identified above. The author must not have published more than three books under his/her own pen name. Genres : Books can be fiction or creative non-fiction and published in 2023. Self-published and e-Books are not eligible. Prize : $500 — $2000. Deadline : December 10, 2023.

NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowships are awarded in fifteen different disciplines over a three-year period. Prize : $8,000 cash awards are made to individual originating artists living and working in the state of New York for unrestricted use. These fellowships are not project grants but are intended to fund an artist’s vision or voice, regardless of the level of his or her artistic development. Deadline : December 13, 2023.

Apparition Lit . Genre : Flash fiction up to 1000 words on theme. Prize : $30. Deadline : December 14, 2023. See themes.

Subnivean New Writers Award: CNY High School Writing Scholarship Competition . Restrictions : Open to high-school-aged writers in Oswego County, Onondaga County, Oneida County, Herkimer County, Madison County, Cayuga County and Cortland County. Genre : Short stories and poetry. Prize : $100 bookstore gift certificate, $1,000 scholarship to attend SUNY Oswego as a creative writing or English major. Deadline : December 15, 2023.

Ezra Jack Keats Children’s Book Award . Genre : Published or self-published picture books that portray the universal qualities of childhood, a strong and supportive family, and the multicultural nature of our world. Prize : $3,000. Deadline : December 15, 2023.

Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America Best First Crime Novel Competition . Restrictions : The Competition is open to any writer, regardless of nationality, aged 18 or older, who has never been the author of any published novel (except that authors of self-published works only may enter, as long as the manuscript submitted is not the self-published work) and is not under contract with a publisher for publication of a novel. Genre : Murder or another serious crime or crimes is at the heart of the story. Prize : $10,000. Deadline : December 15, 2023.

The Arts South Australia Wakefield Press Unpublished Manuscript Award . Restrictions : The competition is open to South Australian writers. Genre : Book-length manuscripts of non-fiction, fiction and poetry. Prize : $10,000 and publication by Wakefield Press. Deadline : December 15, 2023.

Bronx Recognizes Its Own (BRIO) provides direct support to individual Bronx artists who create literary, media, visual, and performing works of art. Prize : 25 BRIO grants of $3,000 each are awarded to Bronx artists. BRIO award winners complete a one-time public service activity. Deadline : December 18, 2023.

The Helen Anne Bell Poetry Bequest Award . Restrictions : Open to Australian women. Genre : Collection of poems by an Australian woman poet. Prize : $40,000. Deadline : December 18, 2023. Biennial award.

Rider University Annual High School Writing Contest . Restrictions : Open to high school students. Genres : Essays, poetry, fiction. Prizes : 1st-$100, 2nd-$50, 3rd-$25. Deadline : December 20, 2023.

Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest . Restrictions : Registered undergraduate full-time Juniors or Seniors at accredited four-year colleges or universities in the United States. Genre : Essay Topic: What challenges awaken your conscience? Is it the conflicts in American society? An international crisis? Maybe a difficult choice you face or a hard decision you had to make? Engage us. Enlighten us. Explore the ethics of any problem, question, or issue, whether close to home or in the world at large. We are eager to learn from you. Prize : First Prize $10,000, 2nd Prize $5,000, 3rd Prize $3,000, two Honorable Mentions $1,000 each. Deadline : December 29, 2023.

VCU Cabell First Novelist Award . Genre : First novel published in 2023. No self-published books. Prize : $5,000. Deadline : December 30, 2023.

Shady Grove Literary . Genre : Any style, genre, tone of flash fiction. Length: 300 words max. Prize : $100. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

PEN Prison Writing Contest . Restrictions : Anyone incarcerated in a federal, state, or county prison is eligible to enter. Genres : Poetry, fiction, drama, creative nonfiction. Prize : $25 — $250. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest is held four times a year. Restrictions : The Contest is open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, in any medium. Professional publication is deemed to be payment of at least six cents per word, and at least 5,000 copies, or 5,000 hits. Genre : Short stories or novelettes of science fiction or fantasy. Prizes : $1,000, $750, $500, Annual Grand Prize: $5,000. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence . Restrictions : Emerging African American writers. Genres : Short story collection or novel published in the current year. Prize : $10,000. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

Lilith Magazine Fiction Competition . Genre : Fiction. Short story of interest to Jewish women. Prize : $300. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

The Writers College: My Writing Journey Competition . Genre : Essay on the theme: The best writing tip I’ve ever received. 600 words. Prize : $200 (R2 000 or £100). Deadline : December 31, 2023.

The AIIRA Writing Contest . Restrictions : Open to all high school students. Genre : This season, we’re asking you to think about a career you’d like to have in the future. How will AI affect your role in that job within the next decade? How will AI benefit your career, and what responsibilities will become redundant due to AI? You can submit an essay exploring this topic and write a fictional scene depicting how your intended career may look ten years from now. Prize : First Place: $500 USD; Second Place: $400 USD; Third Place: $250 USD. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

Iridescence Award . Restrictions : Open to literary or visual artists of the Black, Indigenous, or People of Color Community. Genre : Fantasy, folk mythology, science fiction, and the paranormal. Short fiction, poetry. Prize : Up to $500. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards recognizes outstanding works that contribute to our understanding of racism and our appreciation of the rich diversity of human cultures. Awards are given for both fiction and nonfiction. Prize : $10,000. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

Griffin Poetry Prize . Genre : Poetry. To be eligible for the prize, a book of poetry must be a published first-edition collection (i.e. not previously published in any country), written in English, or translated into English, by a poet/translator from any part of the world, including Canada. Entries must come from publishers only. Inquiries about entries must also come from publishers only. Prize : The winner will receive C$130,000 and the other shortlisted poets will each receive C$10,000. Deadline : December 31, 2023 for books published between July 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023.

The Lyric College Poetry Contest . Restrictions : Open to undergraduates enrolled full time in an American or Canadian college or university. Genre : Poetry. Prize : $500. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

Neil Postman Award for Metaphor . Sponsored by Rattle. Genre : Poetry. All published submissions during the year are considered for the prize. Follow their regular submission guidelines. Prize : $2,000. Deadline : December 31, 2023. Read more about the award HERE .

The Caribbean Writer Prizes . Genre : Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays or one act plays which explore the ideas resonating within the region and its diaspora, written by a US or UK Virgin Islands resident accepted for publication by The Caribbean Writer during the deadline year. 2023. See theme . Prize : $300 — $600. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

Elizabeth Alexander Creative Writing Award . Genre : Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Prize : $500 and publication in Meridians Journal: feminism, race, transnationalism. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

William Carlos Williams Poetry Competition . Restrictions : Open to students enrolled in programs leading to the Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy degree. Genre : Poetry. Prize: $300. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

The Four Quartets Prize . Genre : unified and complete sequence of poems published in America in a print or online journal, chapbook. Poems in the sequence may have been published in different journals provided that they were brought together and they form a complete sequence. Prize : Three finalists will receive $1,000 each. The winner will receive an additional $20,000. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

Hooks Institute National Book Award . Genre : Nonfiction book that best furthers understanding of the American Civil Rights Movement and its legacy. Prize : $1000. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

Dolors Alberola Poetry Prize . Genre : Full-Length poetry collection. Prize : Winner receives translation to another European language; publication of the collection (bilingual edition); 50 copies; and royalties. Finalists receive publication of the collection (Spanish edition), 10 copies of the book, and royalties on Publisher’s edition and subsidiary rights. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

The W.Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction honors the best fiction set in a period when the United States was at war. It recognizes the service of American veterans and military personnel and encourages the writing and publishing of outstanding war-related fiction. Genre : Military fiction. Prize : $5000. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

Tartts Fiction Award . Restrictions : Open to Americans. Genre : Short story collection. Prize : Winning short story collection will be published by Livingston Press at the University of West Alabama, in simultaneous library binding and trade paper editions. Winning entry will receive $1000, plus their standard royalty contract, which includes 60 copies of the book. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

#GWstorieseverywhere . Genre : Micro fiction or essay on theme of Instability. Your story must be no longer than 25 words, with a max of 280 characters, including spaces and the hashtag. Prize : Free Gotham class. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

The Drabble Harvest Contest . Genre : Drabble on theme of “Alien Fetishes.” A “drabble” is defined as a short story containing exactly precisely no more and no fewer than 100 words. It has a title, which can be from 1 to 15 words — but no more than 15. Prize : $5. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

Black Caucus of the American Library Association . BCALA presents four awards to an African American writer published in the United States during the previous year: one for adult fiction, one for nonfiction, one for a first novelist and one for poetry. These awards acknowledge outstanding achievement in the presentation of the cultural, historical and sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora. Prize : Four $500.00 awards. Deadline : December 31, 2023.

Lex:lead Essay Competition . Restrictions : Candidates must show citizenship in an eligible country and be enrolled in studies with at least one law class in an eligible country at the time of the award. Genre : Essay: How effective have laws protecting the rights of children been to reduce poverty and support economic development? How could they be improved? Prize : $500 scholarship. Deadline : December 31, 2023 ( Must have registered by October 31, 2023 )

Substack runs a monthly short story competition. Their mission is to “revive the art of the short story, support artists, and produce something wonderful.” Genre : Short story. Length: 6000- 10,000 words. Prize : $100 plus 50% of subscription revenue to be sent by Paypal, Zelle, or check. Deadline : December 31, 2023. Reprints are ok so long as you still have the rights to distribute.

Like this article? For more articles about the publishing world, useful tips on how to get an agent, agents who are looking for clients, how to market and promote your work, building your online platform, how to get reviews, self-publishing, as well as publishers accepting manuscripts directly from writers (no agent required) visit Publishing and Other Forms of Insanity .

Written by Erica Verrillo

Helping writers get published and bolstering their flagging spirits at http://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/

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