Best Writing Contests for 2026
Updated November 2026 · Top 10 · Ranked automatically from live listings
This list ranks the best writing contests currently open to entries, ordered by prize size with free-to-enter contests ranked ahead of fee-based ones. Every contest shows its deadline and entry fee up front, and closed contests drop off automatically — everything here is open right now.
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organization hidden — members only (Cycle Six)
The organization is offering a contract to develop a response into a published book of 25,000 to 40,000 words over approximately seven months for creative thinkers tackling a contemporary social issue, open to entrants at any career stage
$100,000 + moreOpen · closes Jan 27, 2027Free to enter - 2
2027 organization hidden — members only Poetry Prize (Canadian)
The organization is offering the Canadian Prize, which recognizes a first-edition poetry collection written in or translated into English by a living Canadian citizen or permanent resident, with the winning poet or translator receiving substantial…
C$65,000Open · closes Dec 18Free to enter - 3
2027 J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Prize Entry Form
The organization is awarding two J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Prizes annually to nonfiction writers with completed publisher contracts working on significant books about American political or social concern, providing financial support to help close the…
$25,000Open · closes Dec 3Free to enter - 4
Evil Twin Manuscript Initiative
The organization and Zando are seeking unpublished or self-published upmarket horror novels, including supernatural, gothic, and psychological works that may blend with thriller, suspense, science fiction, or fantasy, for a publishing deal with Zando's Evil…
$25,000Open · closes Nov 20Free to enter - 5
organization hidden — members only Prize for Poetry
The organization is offering the organization Prize for Poetry, awarding a substantial cash prize to one winner plus finalist awards, for poets who have not published a single-author book with a major publisher, with manuscripts-in-progress judged by editors…
$25,000Open · closes Jan 31, 2027Entry fee: from $30 - 6
organization hidden — members only Collection Prize
The organization is honoring outstanding the organization collections, recognizing a single author's excellence in short fiction with national literary recognition for the winning book
$20,000 prizeOpen · closes Nov 16Entry fee: $75 - 7
Al and Eurithe organization hidden — members only Poetry Prize 2027
The Al and Eurithe the organization A-the organization Association is offering the Al and Eurithe the organization Poetry Prize, a $10,000 award for an outstanding book of poetry published in 2026 by an established Canadian poet with at least five…
$10,000 prizeOpen · closes Nov 24Free to enter - 8
organization hidden — members only/Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition
The organization and Malice Domestic are seeking unpublished mystery novel manuscripts in the malice domestic genre from debut mystery writers, offering a publishing contract with an advance for the winning manuscript that meets specific genre requirements…
$10,000 advance + royaltiesOpen · closes Nov 30Free to enter - 9
2027 organization hidden — members only Rilke Prize
The organization is awarding the organization Rilke Prize to a mid-career poet for a poetry collection published in the preceding year, with the winner also receiving a reading and book signing at the organization in Fall 2027, open to poets who have…
$10,000Open · closes Nov 30Free to enter - 10
2027 RBC Bronwen Wallace Awards - Short Fiction
The organization invites unpublished short fiction up to 2,500 words from emerging Canadian writers for the RBC Bronwen Wallace Award, with a top prize for the winner and smaller awards for finalists who grant publication rights, open only to Canadian…
$10,000; $2,500Open · closes Dec 1Free to enter
How this list works
This ranking is recomputed automatically from CozyJobs' live opportunity data — no editorial picks. Larger awards rank first, free-to-enter programs rank ahead of fee-based ones at the same award level, and the soonest deadlines break ties. Opportunities past their deadline drop off automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Are writing contests worth entering?+
Selectively, yes — prioritize contests where the prize meaningfully exceeds the entry fee, the judge or publisher carries weight in your genre, and finalists get published or agented attention. A win or shortlist is a durable career credential.
Should I pay entry fees for writing contests?+
Modest fees ($10–$30) are standard for prizes run by literary magazines and presses — they fund the prize. Be skeptical of high fees relative to the award. This list ranks free-to-enter contests ahead of fee-based ones at the same prize level.
How is this list ranked and how often does it update?+
Rankings are recomputed automatically from live data: larger awards first, then free-to-enter programs, then the soonest upcoming deadlines. Closed or past-deadline opportunities drop off automatically, so every entry is open at the time you're reading.
Does CozyJobs list opportunities with entry fees?+
Yes, contests and residencies with modest entry fees are included when the award justifies it, and each listing shows the fee up front. Free-to-enter opportunities are ranked ahead of fee-based ones at the same award level.
Related lists
- Best Free Writing Contests for 2026The best free-to-enter writing contests open right now — no entry fees, real prizes, ranked by award size with deadlines shown.
- Best Poetry Contests for 2026The best poetry contests open for entries right now — single-poem, chapbook, and collection prizes ranked by award size, with deadlines and fees shown.
- Best Short Story Contests for 2026The best short story and flash fiction contests open right now — prizes ranked by award size, with deadlines, word limits, and fees shown.
- Best Writing Grants for 2026The best grants for writers open right now — funding for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry ranked by award size, with deadlines and eligibility.