There are a ton of writing contests out there: not all are created equal. Set a budget for yourself and try to prioritize contests that offer feedback over contests that offer none (if there is an entrance fee). Note that if there isn’t an entrance fee it usually means the competition will be quite fierce. However, there is a lot to be gained from entering a contest.
31 Free Writing Contests -curated by The Writing Life team
Mslexia is a great resource for contests (especially for women). Their magazine has wonderful lists of contests and opportunities for writers inside and outside the UK.
Retreat West was one organization I started submitting my work and had my first shortlisting.
Fiction Factory has several well regarded contests.
Exeter Novel Prize is open to all unpublished novelists and offers superb feedback.
Kallisto Gaia Press offers a great writing contest with a deadline that’s coming due soon. Do check them out!
Henshaw Press Story Competitions –they also offer feedback from their contests.
Writers & Artists has fantastic classes and free competitions as well. If you’re ever in the UK do pop over to one of their courses, totally worth it!
This list is in no way exhaustive, but I figured I’d mention a few I’d entered, as well as my source for finding these contests: it was a combination of finding out about contests from social media-mostly Twitter (and I generally get on social media a few times a week)-other writers telling me about contests, and subscribing to Poets & Writers, Mslexia, and a few other magazines aimed at helping writers become better. A combination of combing magazines and online resources proves very useful!
