Fiction Factory Flash Fiction
Top Prize £300
Entry Fee: $7
Deadline: July 31, 2023

This is an international competition, open to writers from all over the world over the age of 16. Stories may be on any theme, but we sadly do not accept YA or Children’s stories.

Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Crime, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller

Inspiring Fiction’s Crime and Speculative Fiction Contest
Top Prize: £100
Entry Fee: $6
Deadline: July 31, 2023

Inspiring Fiction’s first crime and speculative fiction short story contest is on the theme ‘Secrets’. The winner and shortlisted entries will be published in the fourth issue of Tangled Web Magazine.

Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller

https://www.inspiringfiction.com/contest

Gothic Short Story
Top Prize: Publication in Anthology
Entry Fee: Free
Deadline: August 1, 2023

Briar Press NY is looking for Short Stories in the Gothic tradition, previously unpublished and set in any time period/place/culture. We are looking for beautiful writing, an engaging plot, memorable characters, and that authentic Gothic atmosphere (classic tropes are welcomed, but we also want substance and depth!)

Genres: Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Short Story, Thriller

https://www.briarpressny.com/contest

Elegant Literature’s Contest For New Writers
Top Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $10
Deadline: August 1, 2023

One of the largest awards open to unpublished writers, and the only one closed to professionals. We are the first magazine to pay pro rates and only accept submissions from new writers, paying new authors over $70,000. One new writer receives the grand prize. We also choose the best stories, pay the authors above-professional rates, and publish them in our magazine. July’s head judge is award-winning author Ben Galley.

Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult, Flash Fiction, Science Writing

She Writes Press and SparkPress Towards Equality in Publishing (STEP)

Top Prize: $9,500 Publishing Package
Entry Fee: $0
Deadline: August 15, 2023

Since 2018, we’ve been proud to play a role in the much-needed elevation of writers of color by awarding 2-3 authors of color publishing packages per year as part of our She Writes Press and SparkPress Toward Equality in Publishing (STEP). The purpose of this contest is to support inclusivity across our lists, and to fortify our own mission to give voice to women writers.

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Novel, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult

https://shewritespress.com/equality-in-publishing/

Letter Review Prize for Manuscripts

Top Prize: $1,000 (shared by 3 winners)
Entry Fee: $25
Deadline: August 31, 2023

The Letter Review Prize for Manuscripts (Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction) is open to writers from anywhere in the world. Three Winners are awarded and have extracts published. 20 entries are Longlisted. Winners receive letter of recommendation for publishers.

Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Novel, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult

Oxford Flash Fiction Prize

Top Prize: £1,000
Entry Fee: $8
Deadline: August 31, 2023

This summer we celebrate the meaning of gifts, exchanges and the stories we tell about them. This competition runs in partnership with the Bodleian Libraries’ Gifts and Books exhibition at the University of Oxford. Each entrant to the 2023 summer competition will also receive an e-book special edition Oxford Flash Fiction anthology.

Genres: Flash Fiction, Fiction, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult