- 4-minute read
- 31st December 2022
5 Creative Writing Contests to Look Out For in 2023
Whether you are a published or unpublished writer, creative writing contests are a great way to get your work to a larger audience while also taking home some cash prizes and getting published in top creative writing magazines and websites along the way.
While there are many options for submitting your creative writing to contests around the globe, this article will look at 5 creative writing contests you can enter your original work into in 2023.
1. Aesthetica Creative Writing Award 2023
Deadline: August 31, 2023.
Who may enter: Open to anyone.
Contest description:
● The competition is organized by the international art and culture magazine Aesthetica.
● The competition accepts works of fiction and poetry.
● Fiction entries should be no more than 2,000 words.
● Poetry entries should be no more than 40 lines.
● You may submit work on any topic or theme.
● All work should be in English.
Entry fees:
● Poetry entries are £12.
● Short fiction entries are £18.
Prizes:
● The poetry winner receives £2,500.
● The short fiction winner receives £2,500.
● Both winners will have their works published in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual.
Official website:
Please visit the contest’s official website for more information on entry submission and requirements.
2. 2023 Bristol Short Story Prize
Deadline: April 26, 2023.
Who may enter: Published and unpublished writers over the age of 16.
Contest description:
● Your short story should be more than 4,000 words.
● You may write your short story on any subject or theme and in any style.
● Your short story must be in English.
● The work you submit must not have been published, whether online or in print, or broadcast, or have won a prize in any other writing competition.
Entry fee: £9.
Prizes:
● First prize £1,000.
● Second prize £500.
● Third prize £250.
● Each of the 17 remaining shortlisted writers will receive £100.
● 20 stories will be published in the Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology, Volume 16.
Official website:
For more information on the contest’s submission guidelines and requirements, please visit the official website.
3. The Masters Review Winter Short Story Award for New Writers
Deadline: January 31, 2023.
Who may enter: All emerging writers.
Contest description:
● The Masters Review, an American literary magazine and book publisher, is the organizer of this contest.
● There is no theme.
● Your short story should not exceed 6,000 words.
● Your work should be unpublished.
● Your work should be in English.
Entry fee: $20.
Prizes:
● First place $3,000.
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● Second place $300.
● Third place $200.
● All winners receive publication and agency review.
Official website:
For more information regarding submission guidelines and requirements, please visit the Masters Review’s official website.
4. Scottish Arts Club Short Story Competition
Deadline: February 28, 2023.
Who may enter: Published and unpublished writers over the age of 16.
Contest description:
● This contest is organized by the Scottish Arts Club in Edinburgh, Scotland.
● Your work must be in English.
● Your submitted work must be unpublished in any format.
Entry fee: £10 per story.
Prizes:
● First prize £3,000 (open to writers worldwide).
● Second prize £500 (open to writers worldwide).
● Third prize £250 (open to writers worldwide).
● Isobel Lodge Award £750 (open to unpublished writers living in Scotland).
● Write Mango Award £300 (open to writers worldwide).
● Publication is offered to authors of the top 20 stories (or more) in the Club’s next anthology.
Official website:
Please visit the Scottish Arts Trust’s official website for more information.
5. The Bridport Prize 2023 International Creative Writing Competition
Deadline: May 31, 2022.
Who may enter: Anyone over the age of 16.
Contest description:
● This contest is organized by the Bridport Arts Centre in Bridport, England.
● This contest has five categories: poetry, short story, flash fiction, novel, and memoir.
○ Short story entries must be no more than 5,000 words.
○ Flash fiction entries must be no more than 250 words.
● Your work must be in English.
● Your submitted work must be unpublished in any format, and must not have won or been placed in another writing competition.
Entry fees:
Short story: £14 per short story.
Flash fiction: £11 per flash fiction.
Prizes:
● Short story first place receives £5,000.
● Short story second place receives £1,000.
● Short story third place receives £500.
● Highly commended 10 x £100.
● Flash fiction first place receives £1,000.
● Flash fiction second place receives £500.
● Flash fiction third place receives £250.
● Highly commended 10 x £100.
Official website:
For more information on all categories and submission guidelines and requirements, please visit the official website.
Takeaway
Be sure to check out Proofed’s writing blog for information on writing novels, poetry and fiction, and how to overcome writer’s block to make sure your writing is ready for submission.
If you need help with proofreading your creative writing, Proofed will proofread your first 500 words for free!