Anyone know any short story writing contest?

BlueLucario · Jun 24, 2008

Does anyone know any legitimate writing contests that have no entry fees? I don't have any money to enter, but I'm writing a couple of short stories. There must be prizes, I don't care what they offer.

I hope I'm not asking too much from anyone. I just can't find anything on google.

Momento Mori · Jun 24, 2008

It's better to try getting short stories published in publications rather than winning contests (unless you're entering something like Writers of the Future or the Asham), not least because if you do get published it can count as a credit in any query letter. Go to Duotrope or Ralan and they'll show you how potential markets, pay scales and if you want to save money, publications that accept electronic submissions (which saves you postage and printing).

MM

Maryn · Jun 24, 2008

I'm with Momento Mori on this. If your story is good enough to win a writing contest, it's good enough to sell. Quit putzing around and find the appropriate market, then submit.

Besides, just about every contest gets the prize money from the entry fees of the losers, so finding one without an entry fee is quite rare.

Maryn, not a fan of contests

BlueLucario · Jun 24, 2008

Maryn said:
Besides, just about every contest gets the prize money from the entry fees of the losers, so finding one without an entry fee is quite rare.

Oh, like betting.

Thanks for telling me.

jennifer75 · Jun 24, 2008

BlueLucario said:
Does anyone know any legitimate writing contests that have no entry fees? I don't have any money to enter, but I'm writing a couple of short stories. There must be prizes, I don't care what they offer.

I hope I'm not asking too much from anyone. I just can't find anything on google.

www.writersdigest.com offers these contests - however I think one just passed... register for their free newsletter to stay up on it.

drachin8 · Jun 24, 2008

Yup, I want to add to the push for visiting Duotrope. They are my number one visit for market research.

-Michelle

Soccer Mom · Jun 24, 2008

This might get more traffic in the short stories forum. Hang onto your hats, kids.

ChimeraCreative · Jun 24, 2008

I can give you a hand looking stuff up one night next week, Blue. What kinda short stories are you writing?

-An

Troo · Jun 25, 2008

I third Duotrope and, I think, second Ralan.com (maths is not my strong point).

johnnysannie · Jun 25, 2008

Duotrope lists contests, too. And while winning a contest can be both exciting and occasionally lucrative, you stand a far better chance of publication with just submitting your work.

Glimmer Train accepts standard submisions in April, July, September, and October. Starting late last year, they now allow sim subs - something they did not before.

Counselor · Jun 27, 2008

I'm a new author however an AW member directed me to an awesome free weekly site and it has contests, grants, and inspiration. It serves well in my humble opinion particularly for those of us who are new. The site is FundsforWriters...Best of luck!

Gray Rose · Jun 27, 2008

In speculative fiction right now:

Writers of the Future Contest (ongoing, with prizes)

Chizine annual contest (closes on July 1st, so hurry).

lisake · Jul 14, 2008

For anyone in the Midsouth area, Memphis Magazine has a short story contest that pays $1,000 to the winner and $500 to two honorable mentions (if the quality of the work merits). The deadline is August 1 and entry fee is $10. Authors must live within 150 miles of Memphis.

More details here: http://www.memphismagazine.com/gyrobase/Magazine/Content?oid=oid:40021

Chasmira · Jul 15, 2008

I entered the Calliope fiction contest; didn't win, but I made it to the finals and it's still getting published! It's a good contest; you can enter five stories at once and I only paid an eleven dollar fee. Right now they havet the old contest up there, but keep checking for the next contest.

TENNISMAN · Jul 24, 2008

FanStory.com has dozens of them. It does cost to have a membership, but actually entering the contests is free. Most of their contests have a $100 prize.

pdr · Jul 25, 2008

There are

...a number of writers' newsletters which conveniently drop into your inbox which carry details of markets and comps. Most of them are free.

kristi26 · Aug 7, 2008

Have you heard of this one yet?

http://www.brianagincourtmassey.com/contests.html

I entered the first chapter contest but didn't win.

It's worth a shot though and free.

antebellum · Aug 7, 2008

I know you were looking for no-entry-fee contests, but Writers Weekly is having a 24-Hour Short Story Contest and it's only $5 to enter.

http://www.writersweekly.com/misc/contest.php

CompletelyNovel · Aug 12, 2008

I'm running a short story competition

Hi there,

Just in case you are interested, my website is currently holding a short story competition to mark the launch of our website to the public. We are working with people from across the UK publishing industry and are anticipating a lot of publicity when we launch, so a lot of exposure for the writers who win.

Story should be under 2500 words, submitted by email, and the theme is 'And now for something completely different...'
Deadline is 1st September!

More details at www.completelynovel.com/home/competition

Troo · Aug 13, 2008

Oliver (I presume) - you might want to let Jon know that the website doesn't display especially well on Firefox 2.0.0.16 running under Windows XP. Looks fine in MSIE.

Counselor · Aug 20, 2008

Free Info on contests

www.fundsforwriters has a free weekly online list of writing opportunities you might wish to check it out. Often there are contests for short stories as well as other useful information.

astonwest · Aug 21, 2008

And for those who haven't already noticed, there's a sticky at the top of this sub-forum which was put together recently...

Cybernaught · Sep 18, 2008

The publishing industry is a very good contest.

Joe DePlumber · Sep 24, 2008

anyone heard of Field Report contest? pays $1000 month for each of 24 catagories, and winner goes into da big $250,000 comp at teh end of the year.

it it legit? hope so. I could really use the grand. Sorry folks, normally i wouldn't have, but publishers seem to be having a hard time lately with the cash flow problem

Polenth · Sep 24, 2008

j guevara said:
anyone heard of Field Report contest? pays $1000 month for each of 24 catagories, and winner goes into da big $250,000 comp at teh end of the year.

it it legit? hope so. I could really use the grand. Sorry folks, normally i wouldn't have, but publishers seem to be having a hard time lately with the cash flow problem

Writer Beware blogged about Field Report. You want to read the small print carefully before you make a decision.

Field Report and an update.

Anyone know any short story writing contest?

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