Category Archives: Contests Anytime

Nov 22 2011

Christmas Chillers Writing Contest 2011

Entry Fee: Still just 5 pounds

Deadline: December 31, 2011

Guidelines: Christmas Chillers website

Can you write a Christmas story that will send chills down your readers’ spines? You know I don’t mean from the cold. I mean from the macabre.

As you can tell from the title of the contest, the tale doesn’t take the warm, fuzzy route. Have fun with this twist on Christmas with a scary holiday story in 1,200 words.

According to the website, many stories don’t make the final cut because of basic problems. Too many spelling or grammar errors, not having a good opening, or not following directions are mentioned. So be sure to read the rules, send in your best work, and have the best of luck in this contest.

You might want to bookmark the site. They have quarterly writing challenges, so if you don’t have time to get into this one, you might want to try the next.

Happy writing!

Nov 15 2011

WOW! Women on Writing Fall 2011 Contest

Entry Fee: $10.00

Deadline: November 30, 2011

Guidelines: WOW! Women on Writing

If you want to get noticed by an editor of a publishing house, the WOW! Women on Writing quarterly contests are one way to do it. They are judged by editors, agents, and seasoned writers. The contests are friendly and fun, and still are able to be professional.

Read the WOW! website, and you’ll get a feel for the quirky, upbeat, and fun, (yes, I used the “f” word again) atmosphere. The same writing style goes over well with the contests. But don’t be fooled into thinking it’s just an easy does it contest. The competition is quite fierce, as the site has a fabulous reputation among female writers.

This contest has an open prompt, which means you can write about any topic you love in any genre, keeping it between 250 and 750 words. The $10 entry fee pays for the awards and the tons of swag that go to the winners. Best of all, WOW! is eager to promote the winners on their website with interviews and pictures.

Happy writing!

Jul 5 2011

Five Stop Story Competitions

Deadline: Varies; check the guidelines

Entry fee: Free

Guidelines: http://www.fivestopstory.com/Write.html

The people at Five Stop Story have introduced a new project, designed to provide commuters with stories to read while on the train, bus, or carpool. Hence the name, Five Stop Story.

They run contests on a regular basis, with closing dates varying for each. Therefore, I’m simply posting this announcement, and I’ll let you check out the site for the current details.

If you’d like to read some background information about the contest and the how and why of it, this article at Essential Writers gives some insight.

Good luck, and happy writing!

Apr 7 2010

Writers of the Future Contest

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: March 31,  June 30, September 30, December 31 every year.

Genre: Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy

Guidelines: http://www.writersofthefuture.com/rules.htm

If you’re a new writer, and you’ve not been professionally published in a novel, more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, then you can enter this popular contest. It is judged by some of the biggest names in science fiction today, such as Kevin Anderson, Orson Scott Card, and Anne McCaffrey. The contest began in 1988 and is still well respected.

The website has forums for writers, and plenty of tips for those who want to learn more about writing in these genres. A short YouTube book trailer is on the main page, and an interview with Orson Scott Card is on the “How to Win” page. He talks about reasons why to enter this particular contest.

If you win, your story will be published in the L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Anthology. Prizes are $1000 for first place, $750 for second, and $500 for third. In addition, the winners will receive a trip to the award ceremony in Seattle, and be registered for a week-long workshop. So what are you waiting for? The future is yours!

Oct 1 2009

Writers of the Future Contest

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: December 31, 2009

Genre: Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy

Guidelines: http://www.writersofthefuture.com/rules.htm

If you’re a new writer, and you’ve not been professionally published in a novel, more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, then you can enter this popular contest. It is judged by some of the biggest names in science fiction today, such as Kevin Anderson, Orson Scott Card, and Anne McCaffrey. The contest began in 1988 and is still well respected.

The website has forums for writers, and plenty of tips for those who want to learn more about writing in these genres. A short YouTube book trailer is on the main page, and an interview with Orson Scott Card is on the “How to Win” page. He talks about reasons why to enter this particular contest. 

If you win, your story will be published in the L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Anthology. Prizes are $1000 for first place, $750 for second, and $500 for third. In addition, the winners will receive a trip to the award ceremony in Seattle, and be registered for a week-long workshop. So what are you waiting for? The future is yours!

Sep 17 2009

Writer’s Digest Your Story Contest

Deadline: Bimonthly on the 10th

Entry Fee: FREE

Guidelines:  http://www.writersdigest.com/YourStory/

Here’s an opportunity to get published both in Writer’s Digest magazine and on their website. Every other month, they give a prompt for a story. Using that prompt, you can write any type of flash narrative you like, up to 750 words. According to their guidelines, they are looking for inventiveness, creativity, and humor. Look in the current print issue of Writer’s Digest for the latest contest prompt. If you don’t want to buy it, many libraries carry copies at the circulation desk. Contest #19 ended on July 10, 2009, so the next two contest deadlines should be September 10 and November 10, 2009. The online submission form makes entering a simple process. Don’t’ forget to read past winning entries before you submit your story to “Your Story.”

Sep 3 2009

The First Line Winter Writing Contest

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: November 1, 2009

Guidelines: http://www.thefirstline.com

“Waiting for change always seems to take longer than you would expect.”

 

Use this first line, verbatim, create a story between 300 and 3,000 words to enter in the First Line Writing Contest. This is a quarterly contest, so if you miss the deadline for the May contest, there will be another one, with a new first line, coming up in August.

The editors say they like to make the online magazine eclectic, so they accept stories in all genres. That being said, they will publish the winning entries in their anthology. Winners are notified 2-3 weeks after the deadline, a quick response time in the publishing world.

The first lines are always intriguing, making this a fun writing project. Winners receive $20 and a copy of the anthology. Submissions are all done via e-mail, so check the website for guidelines.

Aug 20 2009

Writer’s Digest Your Story Contest

Deadline: Bimonthly on the 10th

Entry Fee: FREE

Guidelines:  http://www.writersdigest.com/YourStory/

            Here’s an opportunity to get published both in Writer’s Digest magazine and on their website. Every other month, they give a prompt for a story. Using that prompt, you can write any type of flash narrative you like, up to 750 words. According to their guidelines, they are looking for inventiveness, creativity, and humor. Look in the current print issue of Writer’s Digest for the latest contest prompt. If you don’t want to buy it, many libraries carry copies at the circulation desk. Contest #19 ended on July 10, 2009, so the next two contest deadlines should be September 10 and November 10, 2009. The online submission form makes entering a simple process. Don’t’ forget to read past winning entries before you submit your story to “Your Story.”

Aug 6 2009

Writers of the Future Contest

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: September 30, 2009

Genre: Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy

Guidelines: http://www.writersofthefuture.com/rules.htm

If you’re a new writer, and you’ve not been professionally published in a novel, more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, then you can enter this popular contest. It is judged by some of the biggest names in science fiction today, such as Kevin Anderson, Orson Scott Card, and Anne McCaffrey. The contest began in 1988 and is still well respected.

The website has forums for writers, and plenty of tips for those who want to learn more about writing in these genres. A short YouTube book trailer is on the main page, and an interview with Orson Scott Card is on the “How to Win” page. He talks about reasons why to enter this particular contest.

If you win, your story will be published in the L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Anthology. Prizes are $1000 for first place, $750 for second, and $500 for third. In addition, the winners will receive a trip to the award ceremony in Seattle, and be registered for a week-long workshop. So what are you waiting for? The future is yours!

Jun 4 2009

The First Line Fall Writing Contest

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: August 1, 2009

Guidelines: http://www.thefirstline.com

“My life is a sham.”

 

Use this first line, verbatim, create a story between 300 and 3,000 words to enter in the First Line Writing Contest. This is a quarterly contest, so if you miss the deadline for the May contest, there will be another one, with a new first line, coming up in August.

The editors say they like to make the online magazine eclectic, so they accept stories in all genres. That being said, they will publish the winning entries in their anthology. Winners are notified 2-3 weeks after the deadline, a quick response time in the publishing world.

The first lines are always intriguing, making this a fun writing project. Winners receive $20 and a copy of the anthology. Submissions are all done via e-mail, so check the website for guidelines.