CONTESTS
Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Prize
http://poets.ca/stursberg/
The Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Prize for Canadian Youth was established to foster a lifelong relationship between Canadian youth and the literary arts, specifically poetry. The prize is supported through a generous donation from the Stursberg family and other donors in honour of Jessamy Stursberg. The prize accepts submissions from young poets all across Canada, with three prizes awarded in both the Junior (grades 7 to 9) and Senior (grades 10 to 12) categories:
Winner: $400
Second Place: $350
Third Place: $300
NEW THIS YEAR! Selected winning poems and runners-up will be published in a special edition of the League of Canadian Poets chapbook series!
Each youth poet selected for the chapbook will receive complimentary copies and will get to see their poem distributed across Canada.
DEADLINE IS APRIL 20, 2020
http://poets.ca/stursberg/
The Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Prize for Canadian Youth was established to foster a lifelong relationship between Canadian youth and the literary arts, specifically poetry. The prize is supported through a generous donation from the Stursberg family and other donors in honour of Jessamy Stursberg. The prize accepts submissions from young poets all across Canada, with three prizes awarded in both the Junior (grades 7 to 9) and Senior (grades 10 to 12) categories:
Winner: $400
Second Place: $350
Third Place: $300
NEW THIS YEAR! Selected winning poems and runners-up will be published in a special edition of the League of Canadian Poets chapbook series!
Each youth poet selected for the chapbook will receive complimentary copies and will get to see their poem distributed across Canada.
DEADLINE IS APRIL 20, 2020
ALBERTA CHAMPIONS
Deadline April 23, 2020
Win Great Prizes!
Grades 7-9 Essay Contest
First Prize: $500 VISA gift card and a certificate of recognition of your achievement
Second Prize: $350 VISA gift card and a certificate of recognition of your achievement
Third Prize: $200 VISA gift card and a certificate of recognition of your achievement
Grades 4-6 Story Contest
First Prize: $300 VISA gift card and a certificate of recognition of your
achievement
Second Prize: $200 VISA gift card and a certificate of recognition of your
achievement
Third Prize: $100 VISA gift card and a certificate of recognition of your achievement
http://albertachampions.org/calgary-area-contest/
Deadline April 23, 2020
Win Great Prizes!
Grades 7-9 Essay Contest
First Prize: $500 VISA gift card and a certificate of recognition of your achievement
Second Prize: $350 VISA gift card and a certificate of recognition of your achievement
Third Prize: $200 VISA gift card and a certificate of recognition of your achievement
Grades 4-6 Story Contest
First Prize: $300 VISA gift card and a certificate of recognition of your
achievement
Second Prize: $200 VISA gift card and a certificate of recognition of your
achievement
Third Prize: $100 VISA gift card and a certificate of recognition of your achievement
http://albertachampions.org/calgary-area-contest/
The Betty Award
The Betty Award has both a Spring & Fall contest. The Betty Award has both a Spring & Fall contest.
Enter now for the Spring 2020 contest! The deadline for the Spring entries is May 9, 2020.
For youth aged 8-12
Maximum Story Length 1000 words, typed
http://www.thebettyaward.com/
The Betty Award has both a Spring & Fall contest. The Betty Award has both a Spring & Fall contest.
Enter now for the Spring 2020 contest! The deadline for the Spring entries is May 9, 2020.
For youth aged 8-12
Maximum Story Length 1000 words, typed
http://www.thebettyaward.com/
RBC/PEN Canada New Voices Award
The RBC/PEN Canada New Voices Award supports and celebrates new Canadian writers. Young unpublished writers are invited to submit short stories, creative non-fiction, journalism, and poetry to a jury of distinguished PEN Canada members for a chance to win $2,000 CAD and mentorship from a Canadian author.
Deadline 5:00PM on May 18, 2020.
https://pencanada.ca/newvoices/
The RBC/PEN Canada New Voices Award supports and celebrates new Canadian writers. Young unpublished writers are invited to submit short stories, creative non-fiction, journalism, and poetry to a jury of distinguished PEN Canada members for a chance to win $2,000 CAD and mentorship from a Canadian author.
Deadline 5:00PM on May 18, 2020.
https://pencanada.ca/newvoices/
TNQ
The Peter Hinchcliffe Fiction Award
$1000 for one outstanding short storyDeadline: May 28, 2020
tnq.ca/contests/
The Peter Hinchcliffe Fiction Award
$1000 for one outstanding short storyDeadline: May 28, 2020
tnq.ca/contests/
LITERARY TAXIDERMY SHORT STORY COMPETITION
Calling All Writers — Regulus Press invites you to enter the 2020 LITERARY TAXIDERMY SHORT STORY COMPETITION for your chance to win up to $500 in cash as well as publication in the next Literary Taxidermy Anthology. Our previous competitions were such a success, we couldn't wait to come back!
To enter, you must produce an original story of up to 2500 words in any genre. The catch: We provide your opening and closing lines chosen from a classic work of literature. You provide the rest. Follow the links below to learn how to enter, and join our mailing list for the latest updates.
All submissions must be received before 04 June 2020 at 12:00 PM PST.
Calling All Writers — Regulus Press invites you to enter the 2020 LITERARY TAXIDERMY SHORT STORY COMPETITION for your chance to win up to $500 in cash as well as publication in the next Literary Taxidermy Anthology. Our previous competitions were such a success, we couldn't wait to come back!
To enter, you must produce an original story of up to 2500 words in any genre. The catch: We provide your opening and closing lines chosen from a classic work of literature. You provide the rest. Follow the links below to learn how to enter, and join our mailing list for the latest updates.
All submissions must be received before 04 June 2020 at 12:00 PM PST.
Eden Mills Poetry Contest for Kids and Teens
Poetry Contest for Teens
DEADLINE June 15, 2020
Announcing our 2020 Poetry Contest for Teens!
The theme of this year's contest is “MY WORLD”. Tell us about your world. Big or small, near or far.
Poetry Contest for Children
DEADLINE June 15, 2020
Announcing our 2020 Poetry Contest for Children!
The theme of this year's contest is “MY WORLD”. Tell us about your world! Big or small, near or far.
Poetry Contest for Teens
DEADLINE June 15, 2020
Announcing our 2020 Poetry Contest for Teens!
The theme of this year's contest is “MY WORLD”. Tell us about your world. Big or small, near or far.
Poetry Contest for Children
DEADLINE June 15, 2020
Announcing our 2020 Poetry Contest for Children!
The theme of this year's contest is “MY WORLD”. Tell us about your world! Big or small, near or far.
Blue Mountain Arts Poetry Contest
Blue Mountain Arts Announces Its Thirty-Sixth Biannual Poetry Contest
Deadline: June 30, 2020
1st prize: $350 * 2nd prize: $200 * 3rd prize: $100
In addition, the winning poems will be displayed on our website.
Please read the following, then scroll down to submit your poem.
POETRY CONTEST GUIDELINES
All entries must be the original creation of the submitting author. All rights to the entries must be owned by the author and shall remain the property of the author. The author gives permission to Blue Mountain Arts, Inc. to publish and display the entry on the web (in electronic form only) if the entry is selected as a winner or finalist. Winners will be contacted within 45 days of the deadline date. The contest is open to everyone except employees of Blue Mountain Arts and their families. Void where prohibited.
Blue Mountain Arts Announces Its Thirty-Sixth Biannual Poetry Contest
Deadline: June 30, 2020
1st prize: $350 * 2nd prize: $200 * 3rd prize: $100
In addition, the winning poems will be displayed on our website.
Please read the following, then scroll down to submit your poem.
POETRY CONTEST GUIDELINES
- Poems can be rhyming or non-rhyming, although we find that non-rhyming poetry reads better.
- We suggest that you write about real emotions and feelings and that you have some special person or occasion in mind as you write.
- Poems are judged on the basis of originality and uniqueness.
- English-language entries only, please.
- Enter as often as you like!
All entries must be the original creation of the submitting author. All rights to the entries must be owned by the author and shall remain the property of the author. The author gives permission to Blue Mountain Arts, Inc. to publish and display the entry on the web (in electronic form only) if the entry is selected as a winner or finalist. Winners will be contacted within 45 days of the deadline date. The contest is open to everyone except employees of Blue Mountain Arts and their families. Void where prohibited.
Martyn Godfrey Young Writers Award
YABS is extending the deadline to June 30, 2020
http://yabs.ab.ca/youngwriters.php
We know there are a lot of awesome young writers and artists in Alberta. We think they deserve a little extra recognition, and the Martyn Godfrey Award is just the thing! This is an annual, juried short story contest open to all Albertan students in grades 4 through 9.
YABS is extending the deadline to June 30, 2020
http://yabs.ab.ca/youngwriters.php
We know there are a lot of awesome young writers and artists in Alberta. We think they deserve a little extra recognition, and the Martyn Godfrey Award is just the thing! This is an annual, juried short story contest open to all Albertan students in grades 4 through 9.
Poetry Institute of Canada contest
Deadline: July 31, 2020
This poetry contest is open to “all ages”.
– Contest is “FREE” to enter
– Poems must not exceed 32 lines (spaces not included).
– One entry per poet/per contest
– Entry must be neatly written, or typed and must include your name, full mailing address, and age.
– Please keep a copy of your entry; it will not be returned
– Entry forms will be available soon (but not mandatory)
Deadline: July 31, 2020
This poetry contest is open to “all ages”.
– Contest is “FREE” to enter
– Poems must not exceed 32 lines (spaces not included).
– One entry per poet/per contest
– Entry must be neatly written, or typed and must include your name, full mailing address, and age.
– Please keep a copy of your entry; it will not be returned
– Entry forms will be available soon (but not mandatory)
The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award
July 31, 2020
The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2018 is open for entries! The competition will be open until midnight (BST) 31 July 2018 and is eligible for anyone aged 11-17 years at the date of the deadline.
We are SO delighted that this year’s poet judges are Caroline Bird and Daljit Nagra.
For the competition this year, Caroline has said that she will be looking for “a poem that feels alive on the page… rich with imagery and playfulness, highly alert to language. ” Whilst Daljit remarked that “all I’m looking for is a poet having a good time, whether it be about a serious subject such as environment issues or a silly one such as a chocolate wrapper.”
http://poetrysociety.org.uk/competitions/foyle-young-poets-of-the-year-award/
July 31, 2020
The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2018 is open for entries! The competition will be open until midnight (BST) 31 July 2018 and is eligible for anyone aged 11-17 years at the date of the deadline.
We are SO delighted that this year’s poet judges are Caroline Bird and Daljit Nagra.
For the competition this year, Caroline has said that she will be looking for “a poem that feels alive on the page… rich with imagery and playfulness, highly alert to language. ” Whilst Daljit remarked that “all I’m looking for is a poet having a good time, whether it be about a serious subject such as environment issues or a silly one such as a chocolate wrapper.”
http://poetrysociety.org.uk/competitions/foyle-young-poets-of-the-year-award/
Constance Rooke Creative Nonfiction Prize
http://www.malahatreview.ca/contests/creative_non-fiction_prize/info.html
Deadline August 5, 2020 (opens in May)
Writers may submit one piece of creative nonfiction per entry.
The entry must be no longer than 3,000 words. Please double-space your work and include a word count on the first page of your entry.
There are no restrictions on subject matter or aesthetic approach. For example, the entry may be personal essay, memoir, cultural criticism, nature writing, or literary journalism. (Read our Creative Nonfiction mandate here.)
All entries are judged anonymously (no identifying inormation is to be included on any story submitted).
Multiple entries are allowed (at a reduced fee, if paid for at the same time as the initial entry
Entry Fee: $35 CAD for Canadian entries
http://www.malahatreview.ca/contests/creative_non-fiction_prize/info.html
Deadline August 5, 2020 (opens in May)
Writers may submit one piece of creative nonfiction per entry.
The entry must be no longer than 3,000 words. Please double-space your work and include a word count on the first page of your entry.
There are no restrictions on subject matter or aesthetic approach. For example, the entry may be personal essay, memoir, cultural criticism, nature writing, or literary journalism. (Read our Creative Nonfiction mandate here.)
All entries are judged anonymously (no identifying inormation is to be included on any story submitted).
Multiple entries are allowed (at a reduced fee, if paid for at the same time as the initial entry
Entry Fee: $35 CAD for Canadian entries
The QueryLetter.com Writing Contest
Can you write a blurb for a hypothetical book?
This writing contest is all about book blurbs. The twist? We want blurbs about completely made-up, nonexistent books. Get creative!
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.
Let your imagination go wild—and who knows? You may be inspired to turn your blurb into a novel of your own one day.
The award
We will award one prize of $500 to the best blurb.
The submitted blurbs will be judged by our team of query letter writers based on how effectively they hook readers, taking into account the writing style and the overall impression.
Requirements
Your blurb must be original. Any submissions found to contain plagiarism will be disqualified.
Please apply by noon (US Eastern time) on September 15, 2020.
Can you write a blurb for a hypothetical book?
This writing contest is all about book blurbs. The twist? We want blurbs about completely made-up, nonexistent books. Get creative!
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.
Let your imagination go wild—and who knows? You may be inspired to turn your blurb into a novel of your own one day.
The award
We will award one prize of $500 to the best blurb.
The submitted blurbs will be judged by our team of query letter writers based on how effectively they hook readers, taking into account the writing style and the overall impression.
Requirements
Your blurb must be original. Any submissions found to contain plagiarism will be disqualified.
- Submissions must be 100 words or fewer. Please run a spellcheck and proofread carefully.
- You can apply from anywhere in the world. No purchase is necessary to enter this contest.
- In applying, you grant us permission to publish your blurb entry on the QueryLetter.com blog.
Please apply by noon (US Eastern time) on September 15, 2020.
Flying Ketchup Press
STORIES FOR KIDS BY KIDS - Various deadlines
Short Story Contests for Kids & Young Adults
Our 2010 Short Story Contests from Flying Ketchup also include our children's and YA editions. Check out the titles which will officially hit the shelves next year. Find your next great reading adventure with Flying Ketchup Press. Lots of contests with many different deadlines for both writing and art. Have a look:
www.flyingketchuppress.com/books
STORIES FOR KIDS BY KIDS - Various deadlines
Short Story Contests for Kids & Young Adults
Our 2010 Short Story Contests from Flying Ketchup also include our children's and YA editions. Check out the titles which will officially hit the shelves next year. Find your next great reading adventure with Flying Ketchup Press. Lots of contests with many different deadlines for both writing and art. Have a look:
www.flyingketchuppress.com/books
Malahat Review
various writing contests - various deadlines
The Malahat Review’s writing contests provide opportunities for writers to have their best work read around the world in one of North America’s finest literary journals.
Many Malahat contest winners have gone on to be recognized by the National Magazine Awards, the Western Magazine Awards, the McClelland & Stewart Journey Prize, and the Best Canadian Poetry in English.
With a contest for every taste and stage of career, it’s easy to find one that matches your ambition and abilities.
www.malahatreview.ca/contests/contests_info.html
various writing contests - various deadlines
The Malahat Review’s writing contests provide opportunities for writers to have their best work read around the world in one of North America’s finest literary journals.
Many Malahat contest winners have gone on to be recognized by the National Magazine Awards, the Western Magazine Awards, the McClelland & Stewart Journey Prize, and the Best Canadian Poetry in English.
With a contest for every taste and stage of career, it’s easy to find one that matches your ambition and abilities.
www.malahatreview.ca/contests/contests_info.html
GET TO KNOW NATURE CONTEST
Nov 1, 2020 Deadline (0pen now)
Did you get outdoors and create an original work of art, writing, photography, videography and/or music inspired by nature?
If so, you're ready to enter!
https://www.gettoknow.ca/enter
Nov 1, 2020 Deadline (0pen now)
Did you get outdoors and create an original work of art, writing, photography, videography and/or music inspired by nature?
If so, you're ready to enter!
https://www.gettoknow.ca/enter
Polar Expressions Canada
http://www.polarexpressions.ca/StudentContests.html
Poetry Deadline: November 29, 2020
Short-Story Deadline: December 6, 2020 Each year we hold two contests, which are open to Canadian students in kindergarten through grade twelve. Over $9,000 is awarded in cash prizes to schools and students who participate!
There is no entry fee and no obligation to purchase anything.
http://www.polarexpressions.ca/StudentContests.html
Poetry Deadline: November 29, 2020
Short-Story Deadline: December 6, 2020 Each year we hold two contests, which are open to Canadian students in kindergarten through grade twelve. Over $9,000 is awarded in cash prizes to schools and students who participate!
There is no entry fee and no obligation to purchase anything.
VOYA MAGAZINE TEEN POETRY CONTEST
http://voyamagazine.com/teenvoices/teen-poetry-contest/
How to Submit Poems for VOYA’s Teen Poetry Contest 2018
Librarians, teachers, and other professionals working with youth aged twelve to eighteen are invited to sponsor teens in our annual poetry contest. Each of the five winners will receive a $20 cash prize and a copy of the April 2019 issue of VOYA. Please Note: We DO NOT accept entries submitted directly from teens.
Submission Guidelines:
http://voyamagazine.com/teenvoices/teen-poetry-contest/
How to Submit Poems for VOYA’s Teen Poetry Contest 2018
Librarians, teachers, and other professionals working with youth aged twelve to eighteen are invited to sponsor teens in our annual poetry contest. Each of the five winners will receive a $20 cash prize and a copy of the April 2019 issue of VOYA. Please Note: We DO NOT accept entries submitted directly from teens.
Submission Guidelines:
- Contest submissions may be poems of up to thirty lines on any topic.
- Type poem in a Word document. Include poet’s name, age, town, and state and the sponsor’s name, title, organization/school/library, address, and e-mail address.
- Name the document file with the poet’s last name. Ex: Smith.doc
- Attach the document to an e-mail with “VOYA Teen Poetry Contest” in the subject line and send to rmludt@voyamagazine.com.
- Submit one poem per teen.
- Contest deadline is December 31, 2020.
2021 AMAZON YOUTH SHORT STORY CONTEST - Jan 1 2021 - Jan 30 2021
To be eligible, the author must be between the ages of thirteen and seventeen. They must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada. The short story must be under 3,000 words; the single original piece must be a fictional work written by a single author, available in English. Only one entry per youth author is allowed. Signed consent from the author’s parent or legal guardian must be submitted along with the entry. Submit to the Youth Short Story Category here. https://thewalrus.ca/amazonfirstnovelaward/
To be eligible, the author must be between the ages of thirteen and seventeen. They must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada. The short story must be under 3,000 words; the single original piece must be a fictional work written by a single author, available in English. Only one entry per youth author is allowed. Signed consent from the author’s parent or legal guardian must be submitted along with the entry. Submit to the Youth Short Story Category here. https://thewalrus.ca/amazonfirstnovelaward/
Dandelion Press
https://dandelionpreusch.squarespace.com/current-contest
Dandelion Press MicroFiction contest! We are looking forward to 2020 and its promise of creative vision, in images and words. And we thank each of you in advance—returning writers and those who are new to our contest—for sharing your creative process with us.
We begin the new year with our Winter selection--An Elegant Place for Tea. While the days are still short and the forested nights especially deep, perhaps your imaginations will be illuminated by an unexpected light, and an unexpected encounter! The first Dandelion Press Micro-Fiction contest of 2020 is now open.
Email us your version of the story you see here, with any number of words up to one thousand, by midnight, March 20th (Spring Equinox!). Our address is info@dandelionpress.com.
https://dandelionpreusch.squarespace.com/current-contest
Dandelion Press MicroFiction contest! We are looking forward to 2020 and its promise of creative vision, in images and words. And we thank each of you in advance—returning writers and those who are new to our contest—for sharing your creative process with us.
We begin the new year with our Winter selection--An Elegant Place for Tea. While the days are still short and the forested nights especially deep, perhaps your imaginations will be illuminated by an unexpected light, and an unexpected encounter! The first Dandelion Press Micro-Fiction contest of 2020 is now open.
Email us your version of the story you see here, with any number of words up to one thousand, by midnight, March 20th (Spring Equinox!). Our address is info@dandelionpress.com.
Poetry Institute of Canada
ANNUAL YOUNG WRITERS CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST – 2021
(ages 5-18)
We are now accepting entries for our Annual Young Writers Creative Writing Contest for ages 5-18. Theme is open, 360 words or less and one entry per writer. DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2020.
youngwritersofcanada.ca/contests/
ANNUAL YOUNG WRITERS CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST – 2021
(ages 5-18)
We are now accepting entries for our Annual Young Writers Creative Writing Contest for ages 5-18. Theme is open, 360 words or less and one entry per writer. DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2020.
youngwritersofcanada.ca/contests/
SCHOLASTIC ART AND WRITING AWARDS
Submissions open for the 2021 Scholastic Awards on September 1, 2020.
https://www.artandwriting.org/what-we-do/the-awards/categories/
Art Categories
Submissions open for the 2021 Scholastic Awards on September 1, 2020.
https://www.artandwriting.org/what-we-do/the-awards/categories/
Art Categories
- Architecture & Industrial Design
- Ceramics & Glass
- Comic Art
- Design
- Digital Art
- Drawing & Illustration
- Editorial Cartoon
- Fashion
- Film & Animation
- Jewelry
- Mixed Media
- Painting
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Video Game Design
- Art Portfolio (graduating seniors only)
- Critical Essay
- Dramatic Script
- Flash Fiction
- Humor
- Journalism
- Novel Writing
- Personal Essay & Memoir
- Poetry
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Short Story
- Writing Portfolio (graduating seniors only)
- Future New
Habitat For Humanity Writing Contest - The Meaning of Home
The Meaning of Home contest is a unique and meaningful way to get students involved in creative writing. The goal is to teach students the importance of actively participating to better their communities.
Contest not posted for this year yet. Stay tuned. Usually starts in January.
https://meaningofhome.ca/teachers/
The Meaning of Home contest is a unique and meaningful way to get students involved in creative writing. The goal is to teach students the importance of actively participating to better their communities.
Contest not posted for this year yet. Stay tuned. Usually starts in January.
https://meaningofhome.ca/teachers/
The River of Words international art and poetry contest
open to any child in the world, from 5 to 19 years of age, who has not yet completed high school.
https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/center-for-environmental-literacy/rules-and-guidelines
Deadline Feb 1, 2021
open to any child in the world, from 5 to 19 years of age, who has not yet completed high school.
https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/center-for-environmental-literacy/rules-and-guidelines
Deadline Feb 1, 2021
ALICE MUNRO SHORT STORY COMPETITION
Contest Deadline March 18, 2021 – 11:59pm PST
The winning entry will be the Canadian work of up to 2,500 words in the English language, fiction, written by an author not yet published in book format. Winners will be announced at the 2019 Festival with simultaneous social and print media release.
ENTRY FEE
$25 per entry for Adults;
$10 per entry for Youth
http://alicemunrofestival.ca/?page_id=1317
Contest Deadline March 18, 2021 – 11:59pm PST
The winning entry will be the Canadian work of up to 2,500 words in the English language, fiction, written by an author not yet published in book format. Winners will be announced at the 2019 Festival with simultaneous social and print media release.
ENTRY FEE
$25 per entry for Adults;
$10 per entry for Youth
http://alicemunrofestival.ca/?page_id=1317
Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest (no fee)
Now in its 19th year, this contest seeks today's best humor poems. No fee to enter. Submit published or unpublished work. $2,250 in prizes.
Please submit once during
Submit between Aug 1 2020 - April 1, 2021
Prizes:
Now in its 19th year, this contest seeks today's best humor poems. No fee to enter. Submit published or unpublished work. $2,250 in prizes.
Please submit once during
Submit between Aug 1 2020 - April 1, 2021
Prizes:
- First Prize: $1,000 plus a two-year gift certificate from our co-sponsor, Duotrope (a $100 value)
- Second Prize: $250
- Honorable Mentions: 10 awards of $100 each
- Top 12 entries published online