5 of the Best Writing Competitions in 2019

If writing is your passion, then put your skillset to the test in an open forum. Challenge yourself by entering a writing competition in the last half of 2018. Winning a writing contest could launch your writing career to best-seller status overnight. If you have dreams of being a professional writer, enter one of these 5 competitions and take a chance at making your dreams come true.

1. The Weekly Reedsy Short Story Contest

Join the community at Reedsy.com by signing up for their weekly newsletter for writers. Each week, the Reedsy team publish a short story contest and is eligible to all Reedsy members. The competition gives you the choice of writing a short story in one of 5 different prompts. Your submission must reach Reedsy by the following Friday.

If you win, you’ll receive a cash prize of $50. What’s more, Reedsy will publish your piece in their Medium Blog, and read by thousands of aspiring writers and members of the Reedsy community.

2. The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing

This contest is specifically for first-generation immigrants to the United States. Winners have the chance to win a cash prize of $10,000 and publication of their book, or story, by Restless. The contest alternates every year between fiction and non-fiction.

2018 submission s must be works of fiction, with a minimum of 45,000 words. Consult with the Restless Books website for deadline details.

3. Words & Brushes

This competition focuses on combining the skills of artists and writers. To enter, select a piece of artwork from their online gallery. Draw inspiration from the piece and write a short story on it. Winners receive a cash prize of $350, as well as a showcase in a future publication.

There is no entrance fee for this contest and submissions must total between 2,000 and 5,000 words. The deadline for the next competition is still pending.

4. Minotaur Books – Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition

Do you fancy yourself as a crime writer? If you’re 18 years or older, enter the Minotaur Books contest for mystery and crime writers. This contest may have a dark theme, but the prizes will light up your life.

The winner receives a publication deal with Minotaur, with up to $10,000 in royalties from sales of your book. The deadline for the contest is announced in the last quarter of the year, visit their website for further information.

5. Costa Short Story Award

The coffee-giants founded this competition in 2012, as an addition to “The Costa Book Awards,” one of the longest-running book awards in the industry. Costa’s competition is popular with writers because of the exposure a winner can receive in the writing community.

Along with the global acclaim that comes from winning this contest, you receive a $3,000 grand prize as well. This contest has no entrance fee and requires a short story of 4,000 words. Check their website for details and submission guidelines.