{"id":6612,"date":"2019-04-26T06:58:31","date_gmt":"2019-04-26T13:58:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/?p=6612"},"modified":"2019-05-02T11:56:15","modified_gmt":"2019-05-02T18:56:15","slug":"20-free-writing-contests-with-cash-prizes-50-to-50000","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/uncategorized\/20-free-writing-contests-with-cash-prizes-50-to-50000\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Free Writing Contests With Cash Prizes ($50 to $50,000)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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These are contests, awards, and bursaries\/fellowships for writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, plays, and graphic narratives. Prizes range from $50 to $50,000. \u2013 S. Kalekar<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

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Pentabus\r\nRural Theatre Company Writer in Residence Bursary 
\r\n<\/strong>Their\r\nguidelines say that this bursary is to \u201csupport a professional playwright in\r\nthe early stage of their career, providing the opportunity for the recipient to\r\nspend up to a year at Pentabus\u2019 base in South Shropshire. During their time\r\nwith Pentabus, the recipient will be given the opportunity to write at least\r\none new full length play or piece of theatre, whilst learning more about how a\r\nprofessional theatre company works.\u201d Application materials include a full\r\nlength play, ideally that has had a professional reading or production.
\r\nValue: \u00a310,000
\r\nDeadline: 1 May 2019
\r\nOpen for: Unspecified
\r\nDetails here<\/a> <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

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Remastered Words Contest
\r\n<\/strong>This organization creates audio\r\ndramatizations of short story submissions and an audio recording. Submit a\r\nstory of up to 5,000 words in any fantasy sub-genre.
\r\nValue: \u00a375, \u00a350, \u00a325, and royalties
\r\nDeadline: 1 May 2019
\r\nOpen for: All writers
\r\nDetails here<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

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The Dallas Institute of\r\nHumanities and Culture: Hiett Prize in the Humanities
\r\n<\/strong>This prize is aimed at identifying candidates in the\r\nearly stages of their careers devoted to the humanities and whose work shows\r\nextraordinary promise to have a significant impact on contemporary culture.\r\nApplications include a Narrative\r\nProfile of Accomplishments and Published Work, and a\r\nplan for Future Scholarship and\/or Project in the\r\nHumanities. Applicants\r\nmust be active and continuing in their work. Age and length of experience are\r\nnot necessarily limiting factors. Past\r\nwinners have included writers of columns, non-fiction, poetry and memoir, and\r\njournalists.
\r\nValue: $50,000
\r\nDeadline: 3 May 2019
\r\nOpen for: Those resident in the US
\r\nDetails here<\/a> <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

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James Laughlin\r\nAward
\r\n<\/strong>This is for a second full-length poetry\r\nmanuscript by a US poet, contracted by a publisher. Manuscripts have to be\r\n48-100 pages long. Translations and new editions of previously\r\npublished books are not eligible.
\r\nValue: $5,000
\r\nDeadline: 15 May 2019 (postmarked)
\r\nOpen for: US poets
\r\nDetails here<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

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Bacopa\r\nLiterary Review Writing Contest
\r\n<\/strong>They have prizes in fiction (250-2,500 words), non-fiction\r\n(up to 2,500 words), poetry (up to three poems), haiku, and mixed genre (up to\r\n750 words).
\r\nValue: $300 in each genre
\r\nDeadline: 17 May 2019
\r\nOpen for: All writers
\r\nDetails here<\/a>
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\r\nFaber Children\u2019s:\r\nFaber and Andlyn BAME (FAB) Prize<\/strong>
\r\n<\/strong>This is for\r\nundiscovered BAME writers and illustrators. Entrants must be of black, Asian or minority ethnic\r\nbackground and UK- or Ireland-based. For writers, they want a maximum of 5,000\r\nwords of text (no minimum word count). Entries must be text or artwork for\r\nchildren (ie 1-18 years).
\r\nValue: \u00a3500 each for a writer and an illustrator, and mentorship
\r\nDeadline: 20 May 2019
\r\nOpen for: UK BAME writers
\r\nDetails here<\/a>
\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>
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Wilbur & Niso\r\nSmith Foundation: Author of Tomorrow Award
\r\n<\/strong>This is designed to find the adventure writers of the future.\r\nWriters must enter a piece of short fiction (1,500-5,000 words; up to 500 words\r\nfor writers aged 11 and under). The work must fall within what can be defined\r\nas adventure writing (see guidelines).    
\r\nValue: \u00a31,000 for category 1 (16-20 years); \u00a3100 +\r\nother prizes for category 2 (12-15 years); \u00a3100 for category 3 (age 11 and\r\nunder)
\r\nDeadline: 31 May 2019
\r\nOpen for: Writers aged 21 and under
\r\nDetails here<\/a>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

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The Black Orchid Novella Award
\r\n<\/strong>They want novellas (15,000-20,000\r\nwords) that confirm to the tradition of Rex Stout\u2019s Nero Wolfe series. They\r\nshould focus on the deductive skills of the sleuth. Their guidelines also say,\r\n\u201cWe need to stress that a novella is not a\r\npadded short story. A novella needs to be as tight and fast-paced as a short\r\nstory or a novel. Authors need to ensure that the story they want to tell is\r\nproperly sized for whatever format they choose.\u201d They are not looking for derivatives of the Nero Wolfe series, or\r\nthe milieu. They accept mailed submissions only.
\r\nValue: $1,000 and publication in Alfred Hitchcock\u2019s Mystery Magazine
\r\nDeadline: 31 May 2019 (postmarked)
\r\nOpen for: All writers
\r\nDetails here<\/a> and here<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

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Online Writing Tips Short Fiction Prize
\r\n<\/strong>For this short story contest,\r\nwriters need to send in a short story, on any topic, of 1,000-4,000 words.
\r\nValue: \u00a3100, \u00a350, \u00a325
\r\nDeadline: 31 May 2019
\r\nOpen for: All writers
\r\nDetails here<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

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Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest
\r\n<\/strong>For this fiction contest, while the\r\nstory should appeal to the audience of this magazine, all themes will be\r\nconsidered. Their readers have interests in music, social history, literature,\r\npolitics, art, film and theater, particularly that of the counter-culture of\r\nmid-twentieth century America. Ideally, stories should not exceed 3,000 words,\r\nbut those up to 5,000 words will be considered.
\r\nValue: $100
\r\nDeadline: 31 May 2019
\r\nOpen for: All writers
\r\nDetails here<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

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SFK Press Novel Contest
\r\n<\/strong>They want fiction manuscripts by\r\n\u201cfearless authors\u201d, and they publish stories with a \u201cSouthern accent\u201d. They\r\nspecially welcome work by underrepresented writers.
\r\nValue: $1,500 Advance against royalties
\r\nDeadline: 31 May 2019
\r\nOpen for: All writers
\r\nDetails here<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

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ABA Journal\/Ross Writing Contest for Legal Short Fiction
\r\n<\/strong>They want short stories (up to\r\n5,000 words) that illuminate the role of the law and\/of lawyers in modern\r\nsociety. This contest is for US citizens or legal permanent residents.
\r\nValue: $3,000
\r\nDeadline: 1 June 2019
\r\nOpen for: US writers
\r\nDetails here<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

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The Stony Brook Short\r\nFiction Prize
\r\n<\/strong>This prize is for short fiction of up to 7,500 words. It\r\nis for undergraduates enrolled full time in US\r\nand Canadian universities and colleges for the academic year 2018-19. This prize\r\nhas traditionally encouraged submissions from students with an Asian\r\nbackground, but they urge all students to enter.
\r\nValue: $1,000, scholarship to the Southampton Writers Conference
\r\nDeadline: 1 June 2019
\r\nOpen for: Undergraduate students from the US and Canada
\r\nDetails here<\/a> <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

\r\n

The\r\nFurious Gazelle Spring Writing Contest
\r\n<\/strong>This literary magazine wants submissions on the theme of \u2018Fury\u2019\r\nfor its contest. Their guidelines say, \u201cInterpret\r\nthat theme however strictly or loosely you\u2019d like. Is there a subject that\r\nfills you with rage? A short story filled with fiery passion? A Nick Fury\r\nfanfic you\u2019ve been slaving away on? We want to see the best of your best.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

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We accept all\r\ngenres of writing, and up to five pieces, totaling 5,000 words or under, from a\r\nsingle entrant.\u201d
\r\nValue: $50
\r\nDeadline: 1 June 2019
\r\nOpen for: All writers
\r\nDetails here<\/a>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

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Writing\r\nFor Peace
\r\n<\/strong>This is an international contest for young writers (ages\r\n13-19) to expand their empathy skills by\r\nresearching an unfamiliar culture and writing from the point-of-view of a\r\ncharacter within that new world, while exploring social, political, and\r\nenvironmental pressures, and universal themes. They accept fiction,\r\nnon-fiction, and poetry submissions. For fiction, submit an original\r\nunpublished short story of 800-1000 words in the voice of a character from\r\nanother country or culture; for poetry, submit one poem in the voice of a\r\ncharacter from another country or culture; for non-fiction, write an 800-1000\r\nword essay about a social, political, environmental, or familial challenge\r\nfaced by individuals within a cultural group, or a personal experience with\r\nanother culture.
\r\nValue: $50, $25, $10 each in fiction, non-fiction, and poetry
\r\nDeadline: 1 June 2019
\r\nOpen for: All writers aged 13-19
\r\nDetails here<\/a>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

\r\n

Fraser Institute Student Essay Contest<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For this year\u2019s contest,\r\nstudents are required to draw on Adam Smith\u2019s 1776 book, \u2018An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of\r\nNations\u2019<\/em>, construct an essay that takes Smith\u2019s thoughts and\r\nextrapolates them to a current or recent episode in history, or a current\r\nCanadian policy issue (see guidelines). The contest is for high school,\r\nundergraduate, and graduate students studying in Canada and Canadian students\r\nstudying abroad. Essays can have more than one author and should be 1,000-1,500\r\nwords.
\r\nValue: CAD1,500, CAD1,000, CAD500 each\r\nin high school, undergraduate, and graduate categories
\r\nDeadline: 1 June 2019
\r\nOpen for: Canadian students
\r\nDetails here<\/a>\r\nand here<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

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\r\nCreative Future Literary Awards
\r\n<\/strong>This is\r\nfor underrepresented (see guidelines) UK writers of both poetry and short\r\nstories on the theme of \u2018Home\u2019 \u2013 the theme can be explored explicitly or\r\nimplicitly. Poems can be up to 300 words and fiction, up to 2,000 words. The competition is open\r\nto writers who have not previously published a book\/stand-alone publication via\r\nan established press\/publisher (excluding self-published or as part of an\r\nanthology).
\r\nValue:\r\n\u00a3100, \u00a375, \u00a350, \u00a325 each for poetry and prose, as well as\r\nnon-cash prizes
\r\nDeadline: 2 June 2019
\r\nOpen for: UK writers
\r\nDetails here<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

\r\n

The Bruntwood Prize for\r\nPlaywriting
\r\n<\/strong>This is for anyone residing in the UK or Ireland or British\r\nOverseas Territory or with a British Forces Post Office address, and some\r\nplaywrights from other countries. They want a play script of 1 hour or above.\r\nTheir guidelines also say, \u201cAn International Award\r\nof \u00a38,000 \u2013 open to international playwrights invited to anonymously apply via\r\nour named international partners: The BANFF Centre in Canada; Belvoir Theatre\r\nand Melbourne Theatre Company in Australia; Berkeley Rep and Playwrights\r\nHorizons in the USA. We are afraid that no other international submissions can\r\nbe considered at this time.\u201d
\r\nValue: First prize \u00a316,000, Judges\u2019 Award of \u00a38,000, Original New Voice Award of\r\n\u00a38,000, an International Award of \u00a38,000
\r\nDeadline: 5 June 2019
\r\nOpen for: UK playwrights; some international playwrights (see guidelines)
\r\nDetails here<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

\r\n

The Vilcek Prizes for\r\nCreative Promise in Literature
\r\n<\/strong>These are for US-based (see guidelines) writers who have\r\ndemonstrated outstanding achievement early in their careers. Writers should be\r\nunder 38 years of age, born outside the US, and have published a book. The\r\napplication requirements include a CV, essay questions, and writing sample of\r\nup to 20 pages \u2013 which can be from all forms of fiction, non-fiction, and\r\npoetry, including novels, novellas, short stories, graphic novels, memoir,\r\nhistory, book-length journalism, creative non-fiction, graphic non-fiction, and\r\nmore.
\r\nValue: $50,000 each for three writers
\r\nDeadline: 10 June 2019
\r\nOpen for: US writers
\r\nDetails here<\/a>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>

\r\n

Bracken\r\nBower Prize
\r\n<\/strong>The Financial Times and McKinsey & Company\r\nhave recently announced that they are open for the Bracken Bower Prize. This is\r\nan international award for young writers, for the proposal of a business book.\r\nThere are no restrictions on gender and nationality but authors must be below\r\n35 years of age on 30 November 2019. The proposal should take the form of an\r\nessay or article, of up to 5,000 words, that conveys the argument, scope, and\r\nstyle of a proposed full-length business book and includes the description of\r\nthe structure of the proposed work. The award is intended to fuel further\r\nresearch leading to publication of a full-length work.
\r\nValue: \u00a315,000
\r\nDeadline: 31 September 2019
\r\nOpen for: All writers under 35
\r\nDetails here<\/a> and here<\/a>
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\r\nBonus: Avon\r\nBooks \u2013 Big Issue Crime Writing Competition
\r\n<\/strong>This competition\r\nis to win a two-book publishing contract for a novel to be published as a\r\npaperback book under the Avon Books UK imprint by HarperCollins. It is for\r\nUK-based writers; submit a synopsis and a crime novel manuscript. There is no\r\nprize money or advance. Royalties will be paid under a contract.
\r\nDeadline: 31 May 2019
\r\nOpen for: UK writers
\r\nDetails here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n