Top 10 International Writing Competitions

The essential guide to the short story prizes, novel awards, and essay contests that can launch your literary career.

For writers, competitions are the most direct route to bypassing the "slush pile." Winning—or even being shortlisted—in a major competition guarantees that your work is read by top agents and publishers.

The following list represents the "gold standard" of writing awards. They are chosen for their reputation, the quality of their judges, and their history of discovering new literary voices.

1. The Bridport Prize (visit site)

Often cited as the most prestigious open writing competition in the English language. It has launched the careers of writers like Kate Atkinson.

  • Categories: Short Story, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Novel Award.
  • Why enter: Massive prize money (£5,000 for the short story) and an anthology read by every serious literary agent in London and New York.

2. The Commonwealth Short Story Prize (visit site)

A global prize with a unique reach, covering the 56 Commonwealth countries. It is free to enter and celebrates diverse voices.

  • Categories: Short Story (2,000–5,000 words).
  • Why enter: Regional winners receive £2,500 and the overall winner receives £5,000. It offers unparalleled global exposure.

3. Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition (visit site)

One of the oldest and most popular competitions in the US. It is less "literary/academic" than others and more focused on genre and commercial viability.

  • Categories: Nine categories including Genre Fiction, Memoir, and Mainstream Fiction.
  • Why enter: The grand prize winner gets $5,000 and an interview in Writer’s Digest, the industry's most widely read magazine.

4. The Bath Short Story Award (visit site)

A fierce, independent international competition that has quickly gained a reputation for high quality.

  • Categories: Short Story (up to 2,200 words).
  • Why enter: Known for its "blind" judging process which ensures famous names don't get preferential treatment. Excellent anthology publication.

5. The First Novel Prize (visit site)

Specifically designed for unagented and unpublished writers launching their first major work.

  • Categories: First Chapter + Synopsis (Novel).
  • Why enter: It focuses on the "commercial potential" of the book. Winners often get signed by agents immediately after the announcement.

6. L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future (visit site)

The premier contest for Science Fiction and Fantasy writers. Despite its origins, it is widely respected in the SFF community for launching professional careers.

  • Categories: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Dark Fantasy short stories.
  • Why enter: Free to enter, quarterly winners, and a gala awards ceremony in Hollywood. It pays professional rates for publication.

7. The Moth Short Story Prize (visit site)

Run by the Irish art and literature magazine The Moth. It is an "artist's prize," valuing style and voice over plot mechanics.

  • Categories: Short Story.
  • Why enter: A single first prize of €3,000 and publication in one of the most beautiful magazines in the world.

8. Bristol Short Story Prize (visit site)

An international writing competition based in Bristol, UK, known for discovering distinct new voices.

  • Categories: Short Story.
  • Why enter: 20 stories are shortlisted and published every year, offering a high chance of publication compared to "winner takes all" contests.

9. Manchester Fiction Prize (visit site)

Run by the Manchester Writing School (UK), this is a heavyweight literary award with a massive cash prize.

  • Categories: Short Story (up to 2,500 words).
  • Why enter: The £10,000 prize is one of the largest available for a single short story anywhere in the world.

10. Drue Heinz Literature Prize (visit site)

One of the few major awards for a collection of short fiction rather than a single story or a novel.

  • Categories: Short Story Collection.
  • Why enter: Publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press and a $15,000 cash prize. It is a career-defining achievement for short story writers.
Pro Tip for Writers:
Follow the formatting rules. It sounds trivial, but using the wrong font (e.g., Comic Sans) or failing to double-space your manuscript can get you disqualified before a word is read. Standard submission format is: Times New Roman, 12pt, double-spaced, with no name on the manuscript file (for blind judging).

Whether you have a polished novel in your drawer or a flash fiction piece in your notebook, there is a prize here for you. Check the deadlines and hit send.