Introduction
Winning a writing contest can bring you recognition and help get your work noticed by agents and editors. Our Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database offers a year’s worth of listings from Poets & Writers Magazine, and connects poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers with the most comprehensive selection of contests that provide publication and/or funding for writers.
We also offer a Submission Calendar that includes writing contests arranged by deadline date, as well as Recent Winners, a section from the magazine that features newly announced contest winners. You can stay informed with G&A: The Contest Blog, featuring reports from the world of writing contests, including news of extended deadlines, recent winners of notable awards, new contest announcements, interviews with winners, and more.
We carefully review the practices and policies of each writing competition and awards program before including it in our listings, both in print and online, ensuring that Poets & Writers is the most trusted resource for legitimate grants and awards for writers.
Use our Submissions Tracker to easily keep track of which contests you’ve submitted to, the amount of money you’ve spent on fees, the status of your submissions, and how much time has passed since you submitted your work—all in one place.
Other Resources
The Poets & Writers Guide to Writing Contests is an essential guide to everything you need to know about writing contests, including expert advice from contest series editors, recent winners, and judges. The Poets & Writers Complete Guide to Being a Writer (Avid Reader Press, 2020) by Kevin Larimer and Mary Gannon offers a chapter dedicated to writing contests.
PEN America offers a list of grants, awards, fellowships, and residencies on its website. The NewPages Big List of Writing Contests lists magazine contests, book contests, chapbook contests, writing contests, and competitions from independent publishers. You can also contact your state or local arts council to learn about grants for writers available in your area.
- Introduction
- Other Resources