For many, nothing spurs creativity as much as deadlines do. Like I always say, we are all temporarily superhuman in the face of deadlines. Include a reward for beating the deadlines, and you have just created the biggest motivation for any writer. Here are some writing contests to enter for this September. These writing contests are mostly free to enter so all you have to do is just write.
Shoreline of Infinity Flash Fiction Competition
They want a science fiction story that “will make them chuckle”. Writers can submit up to two stories of up to 1,000 words. The winner gets £50; runners-up get a digital subscription to the magazine.
Deadline: 12 September 2020
Details here
Casa Africa Essay Prize: Climate Change in Africa
Now in its 12th year, Casa Africa seeks essays of 15,000-20,000 words on the theme, ‘Climate change in Africa’. The prize is open to all writers. The winner gets €2,000
Deadline: 17 September 2020
Details here.
The QueryLetter.com Writing Contest
They want a book blurb for an imaginary book, of 100 words or fewer. Their guidelines say, “Write and submit a back cover blurb of 100 words or fewer that sets the stage for a novel, establishes the characters, and raises the stakes in a way that makes readers want to find out more.” Writers can send more than one entry. Winner gets $500
Deadline: 15 September 2020
Details here.
Read Also: What is the Difference Between a Cover Letter and a Bio?
Green Stories Writing Competition: Stories for children
They want writing for children that “touch upon ideas around building a sustainable society”. There are two categories with corresponding suggested length: preschool/ illustrated books (for 2-6 year olds) up to 1,000 words; for young readers category (ages 7-11), up to 2,500 words. All submissions must be in English. The winner gets £200 for best pre-school/illustrated book (aimed at age 2-6) and £200 for best novel in young reader’s category
Deadline: 14 September 2020
Details here.
The Bodley Head/FT Essay Prize
This is an essay contest for young writers, run by the Financial Times and The Bodley Head (an imprint of Random House, UK). Writers should submit an essay, of up to 3,500 words, on any topic. Value: £1,000; mentoring, publication
Deadline: 24 September 2020
Details here.
The Writers College: My Writing Journey Competition
They want a 600-word piece on ‘The best writing tip I’ve ever received’. The contest is open to writers all over the world. The winner gets AUD200/£100
Deadline: 30 September 2020
Details here.
Read Also: A Complete Guide for Submissions to Literary journals
The Bergen International Essay Competition: My generation
This is an international essay contest for writers under 30 years. Essays should be on the theme of ‘My generation’, and up to 2,000 words. The essay can be written in any language, but a translation into English must be provided with the original text. The winner gets €2,500; €500 for three runners-up
Deadline: 1 October 2020
Details here.
Owl Canyon Press Short Story Hackathon:
“Writers are invited to create and submit a short story consisting of 50 paragraphs. The contest provides the first and last paragraph and the short story writer crafts the rest.” First prize is $1000, 2nd prize is $500, and 3rd prize is $250 with the winning short story published in an eBook short story anthology for Amazon, as well as an invitation to give a public reading at Inkberry Books in Niwot, CO.
Deadline: September 30, 2020
Details Here.
Bath Flash Fiction Award
We host two international flash fiction writing competitions; the Bath Flash Fiction Award, and the Bath Novella-in-Flash Award. Entrants have the opportunity to appear in our print and digital books.
Deadline: October 11th.
Details here.
Read the guidelines. Go for glory.
Featured Image: Free-Photos from Pixabay
