Welcome to Writer’s Digest Competitions!
The Writer’s Digest collection of competitions, all which are held on a yearly basis, have long-standing respect within the writing community.
Over 90 years ago, Writer’s Digest launched its first writing competition. Today, Writer’s Digest holds six distinct competitions. Some competitions have a variety of categories while others are devoted entirely to one genre/format. Honoring writers across a variety of genres and formats including short pieces (fiction and non-fiction), poetry, humor, articles (print or online) and self-published books, Writer’s Digest has a competition to highlight your work.
Winners are eligible for cash prizes, free trips to our ever-popular Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Conference, promotion in our print magazine and website, and more.
We hope that you’ll join us and share your work in any (better yet--all) of the competitions!
Competitions which are accepting submissions are listed below. Each competition has its own individual set of guidelines, rules, prizes, submission instructions, submission fees, deadlines, judges, etc. You can view the complete list of Writer’s Digest writing competitions, including upcoming competitions, by visiting: https://www.writersdigest.com/wd-competitions. The dates, fees, rules, categories etc. are only available and current on the website while the competition is live and accepting entries. You may, however, look at the previous year’s competition to get a sense of what to expect.
Sharpen your pencils, sync your devices, and mark your calendars!
You can compete in multiple WD competitions with a single login!
Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards
DEADLINE: 10/01/2024
Calling all poets! We’re looking for poems of all styles–rhyming, free verse, haiku, and more–for the 19th Annual Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards! This is the only Writer’s Digest competition exclusively for poets. Enter any poem 32 lines or fewer for your chance to win $1,000 in cash.
PROSPECTUS
Everything you’ll need to know can be found on WritersDigest.com or in an easy to follow PDF which outlines the following:
- PRIZES
- DEADLINES AND FEES
- HOW TO ENTER
- PREPARING YOUR ENTRY
- RULES AND GUIDELINES
- FAQ
- 2024-2024 WD COMPETITION SEASON PLANNER
-For questions related to any of the topics above, email us at: writersdigestwritingcompetition@aimmedia.com. Please reference the the competition name in the subject line of the email.
-For questions related to your Submittable account, including payment, connect via email at: submittersupport@submittable.com or via the help form at: https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter/
Writer’s Digest Short Short Story Competition
DEADLINE: 11/15/24
We’re looking for short fiction stories! Think you can write a winning story in 1,500 words or fewer? Enter the 25th Annual Writer’s Digest Short Short Story Competition for your chance to win $3,000 in cash, get a feature interview in Writer’s Digest magazine, and a paid trip to our ever-popular Writer’s Digest Conference!
PROSPECTUS
Everything you’ll need to know can be found on WritersDigest.com or in an easy-to-follow PDF that outlines the following:
- PRIZES
- DEADLINES AND FEES
- HOW TO ENTER
- PREPARING YOUR ENTRY
- RULES AND GUIDELINES
- FAQ
- 2024-2025 WD COMPETITION SEASON PLANNER
-For questions related to any of the topics above, email us at: writersdigestwritingcompetition@aimmedia.com. Please reference the the competition name in the subject line of the email.
-For questions related to your Submittable account, including payment, connect via email at: submittersupport@submittable.com or via the help form at: https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter/
Writer's Digest
Self-Published E-book Awards
DEADLINE: 8/15/2024
We’re looking for the best self-published e-book(s) in eight of the most popular categories. Enter the 12th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published E-book Awards for your chance to win! $5,000 in cash, a feature about you in Writer’s Digest magazine, and a paid trip to our ever-popular Writer’s Digest Conference!
PROSPECTUS Everything you’ll need to know can be found on WritersDigest.com or in an easy to follow PDF which outlines the following:
- PRIZES
- DEADLINES AND FEES
- HOW TO ENTER
- PREPARING YOUR ENTRY
- RULES AND GUIDELINES
- FAQ
- 2024 WD COMPETITION SEASON PLANNER
-For questions related to any of the topics above, email us at: writersdigestwritingcompetition@aimmedia.com. Please reference the the competition name in the subject line of the email.
-For questions related to your Submittable account, including payment, connect via email at: submittersupport@submittable.com or via the help form at: https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter/
Writer's Digest
Personal Essay Awards
DEADLINE: 9/3/2024
We’re looking for personal essays! Think you can write a winning essay in 2,000 words or fewer? Enter the Writer’s Digest Personal Essay Awards for your chance to win! $2,500 in cash, publication in Writer’s Digest magazine, and a paid trip to our ever-popular Writer’s Digest Conference!
PROSPECTUS
Everything you’ll need to know can be found on WritersDigest.com or in an easy-to-follow PDF that outlines the following:
- PRIZES
- DEADLINES AND FEES
- HOW TO ENTER
- PREPARING YOUR ENTRY
- RULES AND GUIDELINES
- FAQ
- 2024-2025 WD COMPETITION SEASON PLANNER
-For questions related to any of the topics above, email us at: writersdigestwritingcompetition@aimmedia.com. Please reference the the competition name in the subject line of the email.
-For questions related to your Submittable account, including payment, connect via email at: submittersupport@submittable.com or via the help form at: https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter/