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Nathaniel Tower

Juggling writing and life

How to Host a Writing Contest

Last Updated on March 4, 2024 by Nathaniel Tower

Running a writing contest may seem like a risky undertaking for an individual, a literary magazine, or any other type of publication. In order to get any interest at all, you have to put up some prize money. What happens if there aren’t enough entrants to cover your prize purse? How is a publication supposed to come up with that cash? Well, if money’s the only thing you’re worried about, then you aren’t prepared to host a writing contest.

As managing editor at Bartleby Snopes Literary Magazine , I created and ran the Dialogue-Only writing contest for nine years. During that time, we received thousands of entries and awarded over $10,000 in prize money. The Dialogue-Only contest was one of the best-paying writing contests on the web. How does a contest sponsored by a small literary magazine get to be so big?

Here’s everything you need to know to host a successful writing contest.

Minimizing the Risk

Before getting into the details about how to make your writing contest huge, let’s talk briefly about how to reduce the risk. There are several risks involved when hosting a contest. The two biggest are:

• Losing money
• Dealing with complaints (about judging, submission fees, etc.)

In order to minimize the money lost, I recommend using a formula similar to what we did at Bartleby Snopes . Start with a guaranteed amount that won’t break the bank (we originally started with $250 and eventually guaranteed at least $1,000). Charge a modest submission fee (we always charged $10). Add a little bit of money to the prize pot for each entry over a certain threshold. For example, once you get to 25 entries, add an extra $5-$6 for each new submission. Two warnings here:

• You will need more entries than you think to cover the prize money (if you have a $10 entry fee, you should only count on $9 per entry after processing fees).
• You’ll get the majority of entries near the deadline, so don’t panic if it seems like you’re behind.

Don’t promise an amount that you don’t feel comfortable losing. Always imagine the worst-case scenario. Can you afford to pay the entire prize money out of your pocket? If not, then lower your starting amount (or don’t have the contest at all).

The other major risk you run into when hosting a contest is backlash from the non-winning writers. If you aren’t careful, there may be cries of bias or unfair judging procedures. Writers may ask for their fees to be returned. You may hear complaints that the winning entries weren’t any good. You need to be sure your contest rules are clearly stated, including a bit of legalese. Don’t forget to include these statements:

• All decisions made by the judges regarding the winners are final
• No contest entry fees will be returned
• By submitting, you are agreeing to all contest rules
• Contest rules are subject to change

Additionally, it’s always a good idea to be specific regarding all the various components of the contest. Tell your submitters who the judges are, where the contest fees go, when the winning stories will be published, etc. By taking this proactive and transparent approach, we were able to to stay clear of complaints. None of the writers asked for their fee to be returned (unless there was a glitch), and only one writer ever complained about the results (it was a cry of sexism because one year all 5 winners in our BLIND contest had male-sounding names).

Getting Enough Entries

Our Dialogue-Only contest wasn’t always a big deal. During our first year, we gave out just $450 in prize money. While many writers would be thrilled to win a piece of that, we’re not exactly talking about big bucks. Five years later, our prize pot was over five times that. How were we able to grow so much during that time?

If you want to maximize the number of entries your writing contest gets, you need to do a few things:

• Make the prize worth it
• Establish credibility
• Be transparent
• Advertise and promote
• Do something unique

Let’s discuss each of these elements in detail.

Make the Prize Worth It

A contest doesn’t have to award thousands of dollars to be worth it. Of course, that all depends on what you are asking the writers to do. The higher the fee you are charging, the bigger the prize should be. I recommend a prize-to-fee ratio of at least 20 to 1 (that’s a $100 prize for a $5 entry fee). If the prize is only $25, you aren’t going to get people who are willing to pay $5 or $10 to enter. If your prize-to-fee ratio is on the lower end, be sure to throw in some extra incentive (such as a free issue or subscription). Never  offer guaranteed publication to all entrants.

There are a couple other things to consider when making a prize that’s worth the entry fee:

• What are the odds of winning?
• How much work does the writer need to do to participate?

If you are getting thousands of entries, you need a huge prize. The lower the odds an individual writer has, the more you better hand out.

If you are asking for a very specific story, or if your contest requests a large volume of work, then you need to respect the effort a writer will have to put in to participate. Writers aren’t going to create a story just for your contest if they have only a small chance of winning a small prize.

Establish Credibility

This might sound like it’s impossible to achieve during the first year of your contest, but it definitely can be done. Here are a few suggestions:

• Get an endorsement from a respected figure in the writing community (this could be in the form of a guest judge)
• Get your contest listed by credible publications
• Establish yourself as a respected and professional publisher/editor prior to hosting a contest
• Make sure your contest details are thorough

I wouldn’t recommend launching a contest during the first few months your publication exists. Establish yourself first, then establish your contest. And make sure you have a real website before launching your contest. No one is going to submit if there isn’t clear evidence your contest is real.

Be Transparent

In a world where privacy is becoming more and more of a commodity, people want to know more and more about what they are getting into. Don’t hide anything about your contest. Be forthcoming about everything, including:

• Who the judges are (provide names and links for guest judges)
• Where the money will go (especially if your contest will bring in more money than it awards)
• When and how the winners will be paid
• When and how entrants will be notified
• When the winning stories will be published

Additionally, if you’ve run the contest in the past, you need to make examples of past winners easily available. If the only way to see past winners is by paying money, then you aren’t being transparent. It’s also a good idea to write a blog post or article about the contest. For example, you could discuss the types of stories that generally don’t do well in your contest. Or you could give tips about preparing a contest entry. Naturally, this will also help to establish your credibility.

Advertise and Promote

Advertising your contest can add up quickly. An ad in  Poets & Writers can run you $500 or more. Add in a few other ads and maybe some promoted posts on Facebook and Twitter, and you are easily looking at $800-$1000 just to advertise your contest (which is about what we spent to promote our contest during our biggest years).

If paying big bucks to promote your contest isn’t in the cards for you, then find as many free outlets as possible. Make sure you have a contest listing everywhere you can. There are dozens of lists that compile writing contests for free. Make sure you are on all of them (or at least all the ones you qualify for). Have a separate listing on Duotrope that’s just for your contest. Post about your contest in legitimate writing forums. Reach out to MFA programs and ask if they will spread the word. Be sure to put together a professional announcement regarding the contest. In many cases, your free promotion will bring in more entries than your sponsored ads .

Of course, you should also use social media, but promoting your contest doesn’t just mean you Tweet about it every day. If you really want to promote a contest, you need to find a variety of outlets. The most valuable promotion is anywhere people are already looking for opportunities to make money as writers (online contest listings,  Poets & Writers  Contest Issue, social media groups dedicated to paying publications, etc.).

Do Something Unique

There are thousands of writing contests held every year. If you want people to enter yours, you need to do something different from everyone else. If your guidelines are “Write any story you want and we’ll pick the best one and give you a handful of money,” then no one is going to submit. When I created the Dialogue-Only Contest, I was trying to do something I hadn’t seen done anywhere else before. My “great” ideas included:

• A rolling rejection process
• Unlimited entries for one price
• A growing prize purse
• A very specific format (stories had to be composed entirely of dialogue)

I can’t tell you how many writers contacted me to say they really enjoyed participating in this contest. Every year, I was surprised by how many entrants responded to rejection letters by thanking me for hosting the contest.

Final Notes

Hosting a writing contest is no easy task. There are plenty of obstacles you will deal with along the way, none more difficult than the colossal challenge of sorting through all the entries to pick a winner. If you run your contest the right way, you will find it a rewarding experience. Being able to award almost $2400 to writers is definitely worth the hard work.

How to Host a Writing Contest FAQs

Can anyone host a writing contest.

Yes, in theory, any website or publication can host a writing contest. Before hosting a contest, you should clearly define your contest rules and develop a plan for collecting submissions.

Where can I advertise my writing contest?

You can and should advertise your writing contest in as many places as possible. Some of the best places are Poets & Writers, Duotrope, MFA programs, other online contest listings, and social media. Make sure you have an advertising budget. Promoting your writing contest can get expensive if you aren't careful.

Do I have to award prizes for my writing contest?

If you want people to enter your writing contest, you need to offer prizes. The most appealing prizes are monetary. Publication is also a highly desired outcome. The bigger the prizes, the more entries you'll get.

Can I charge an entry fee for my writing contest?

While some writing contests are free to enter, most require an entry fee. There is nothing wrong with charging a contest entry fee as long as you make the prize worthwhile and you are transparent about where the entry fees go. If you are keeping any of the money as profit, you should disclose this.

What if no one enters my writing contest?

If no one enters your writing contest, or you just don't get many entries, you can try extending the deadline and increasing your promotion efforts. It's always a good idea to include a disclaimer in your contest rules that requires a minimum number of entries for the contest to be held. This way, if you only get a handful of entries, you don't have to award a big prize that will cause you to lose a lot of money.

For writers interested in entering a writing contest

Are you a writer interested in entering a writing contest? Check out these helpful posts:

• How to win a writing contest
• Should I enter a writing contest?
• Everything you need to know before entering a writing contest

Do you have any additional tips for hosting a writing contest? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments. If you are interested in hosting a writing contest, feel free to reach out directly to me for advice. And, as always, please share this post on all your favorite channels.

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2 thoughts on “ How to Host a Writing Contest ”

Recently, I have started using old comics for writing practice. They are public domain and from the WW II era. It is a lot of fun and a challenge since the pictures are already done. Do you have any thoughts on me organizing a writing contest in which writers fill in the blanked dialog balloons. Every entry would have the same eight pages to fill in.

This a great article thank you for being so truthful about the process of build a contest.

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How to Run a Better Online Contest

Updated: 02/01/2023

Whether it’s a creative marketing campaign or scholarship award, knowing how to run an online contest can be an effective way to engage your audience, build brand awareness, and curate quality, user-generated content. 

But running online contests isn’t as easy as announcing a big prize and sitting back and waiting for entries to pour in. 

In fact, if they’re not run thoughtfully or efficiently, they can be a waste of resources—an event that could in fact harm your brand and your long-term goals. 

In this post, learn how to set up and run online contests from start to finish, beginning with goal setting and strategy, and ending with announcing the winner and running analytics. 

Follow each step to ensure that your content has two winners: the person you choose and your organization. 

The benefits of running an online contest 

Yes, online contests are fun and exciting. But if they’re done right, they also serve one or more important goals for the organization running them. 

How you’ll benefit from your contest should be top of mind throughout the process—here are just a few common benefits that have made contests popular marketing campaigns and events in the past: 

• Build brand awareness
• Boost engagement and interest
• Increase social media followers 
• Increase website traffic 
• Grow your email list 
• Grow your leads 
• Associate your brand with winners and top performers 
• Create and strengthen partnerships 
• Collect user-generated content 
• Collect information about your audience 
• Gain insight into your products or services, such as customer reviews or suggestions. 
• Create buzz surrounding a new product or service 
• Help increase sales and your bottom line 

Just remember: these benefits don’t automatically materialize when you decide to run a contest. They come with running a contest the right way and with your goals in mind. 

Your step-by-step guide: How to run an online contest 

Whether you’re running a simple social media contest or conducting a national search for the next big name in filmmaking, your contest process is still going to have the same basic progression of steps in order to make it a success. 

Depending on the structure and goals of your contest, you may need to focus more heavily on some steps rather than others, but most everyone will need to do some work on each step before moving on to the next. Let’s take a closer look. 

Step 1: Determine your goals and objectives 

Take another look at the list of contest benefits above. Does one stick out to you? Or perhaps two or three? 

While contests are wonderful things, that’s not the reason that organizations run them. While the public benefits from a challenge, an event, and a competition, your company will benefit in other concrete ways. 

First and foremost, your contest goals should reflect your business goals. 

• Are you looking for more exposure to your brand, products and services? 
• Do you need to expand your presence on social media? 
• Are you trying to establish an email list? 
• Do you need content, but don’t have a huge budget to buy it? 

It’s a good idea to start with a primary goal—and then perhaps consider a few secondary goals. 

For example, your primary goal may be to create buzz around a new product, which you’ll also be giving away as your grand prize. 

But you could have a couple of secondary goals, like collecting information about what people think about your new product and growing your email list for a drip campaign for your new product. 

Knowing these goals before you begin will ensure that you take steps to achieve them, like adding survey questions to your entry form. 

Step 2: Set a budget 

The ultimate goal of most contests is to improve your bottom line. With that in mind, it’s imperative to budget for your contest carefully, so that your outcome is worth the costs. 

While all contests are different, you should think about the following budget items when in the planning stage: 

• The prize or prizes 
• Your contest management software  
• Your  website or landing page 
• Marketing and advertising costs
• Copywriting and design costs 
• Legal costs 
• Customer service costs 
• Administrative hours collecting and reviewing applications 
• Administrative hours analyzing and reporting on results 

There are tons of ways to keep your contest economical if your budget is looking bigger than you planned. 

Using comprehensive contest management software can cut back significantly on administrative costs. For example, Submittable provides customizable, ready-to-launch landing pages for your contests, so you can save big on costly web design and branding. 

Step 3: Choose your contest timeline 

Choosing a workable and appropriate timeline for your contest is critical. 

A contest that goes on for too long can lose excitement and be expensive to promote. But a contest that’s too short might result in too few entries or leave contestants without enough time to work on their project for entry. 

The solution? Find a balance between duration and urgency. 

Create your timeline based on the user’s investment: It takes much less effort and time to take a photo than it does to write a book. 

A giveaway or sweepstakes doesn’t take any time besides clicking a few buttons and entering some information, and social media contests are just as fast—but a scholarship that requires an essay, transcripts, and other paperwork requires time and effort. 

Finally, don’t just think about this isolated contest’s timeline. Will this type of contest repeat weekly, monthly, or annually in the future? Will there be enough time between contests to give your audience a rest and create a sense of excitement for the next one? Will there be enough time between contests for you to analyze data and use the information and content you’ve collected to your advantage?  

Step 4: Build your contest framework

Do you want to run an award, contest, a giveaway, or a promotion? These words aren’t exactly synonymous—and the one you choose should make the most sense with the goals you’re working toward.  

An award is often based on merit, and winning one requires that the contestant proves they deserve recognition through submitting an application or project. 

A contest is also based on merit and often involves a competition that determines who has done the best job at the task at hand. Contests often involve a creative project, like writing a poem or designing a car, but it could also be fun or silly, like best beard or biggest pumpkin. 

A giveaway or sweepstakes is often based on luck. Users simply enter their information and hope to win. In these contests, users may just be required to take a simple step, like fill out a survey, use a hashtag, or refer a friend. 

A promotional contest is often based on performance or an action—but it is always aiming at spreading awareness of a brand, a product, a service, or a campaign. A promotional contest could ask participants to take a picture of themselves using a product, to write a product’s new jingle, or come up with a brand new flavor of a product. 

Within these four categories of contests, there are almost limitless types of variations. Here are just a few: 

• Photo or video contests
• Creation of content contests 
• Mention or hashtag contests 
• Random win contests 
• Referral contests
• Caption contests
• Naming contests 
• Essay contests
• Public voting contests 

One important consideration when deciding on the type of contest that you’d like to run is what you’d like the barrier of entry to be. Do you want anyone anywhere to be able to enter in a matter of minutes? Or are you looking for only the very best sculptures in the city to submit project proposals for a memorial that will be on display for decades to come? 

Once you’ve chosen the type of contest that best aligns with your goals, choose an entry method that aligns with your type of contest. For example, a mention or hashtag contest is meant to be run on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 

But for a video contest, it makes more sense to use a video contest solution like Submittable that that can accept video file uploads and then display the entries in the gallery. 

Step 5: Write the rules and guidelines 

Having a clear, thorough set of online contest rules and guidelines for your contest is mandatory. If you skip this step, the best outcome is losing credibility with your audience, while the worst outcome is expensive and brand-damaging legal troubles. 

The guidelines should explain to a general audience how to enter the contest successfully. A guideline might be how long you suggest their story is, or what your song should be about. Guidelines might also explain exactly how to enter, what the deadline is, and what the prizes are. 

The rules are a little more technical. They may cover some of the basic ground that the guidelines do, but they’ll also include all the nitty gritty legal details—like if people from certain regions can’t enter, or if relatives of employees can’t apply, or if you can’t submit more than once. 

Here are a few quick tips: 

• The guidelines should be easy to read and as short as possible while still being comprehensive. The rules should be available in addition to the guidelines and contain all the fine print that will protect you if something goes wrong. 
• Have a lawyer look over your rules to make sure they’re airtight and follow state and federal guidelines for running contests and sweepstakes. 
• Understand that having unclear guidelines will result in confused users, wasted customer support time, and more low-quality entries. 
• Realize that social media platforms have their own sets of contest guidelines you need to follow if you’re running that kind of contest. 

Step 6: Select and secure your prizes 

Your prize or award is the primary reason that users will enter your contest. If it’s lacking in any way, you will see fewer entries and fewer quality entries. If it’s great, you’ll see the opposite effect. 

The most important step is to pick a prize that’s relevant to your audience and a prize that makes sense for your contest. 

What prizes might be great for a wildlife photography contest, for example? A trip to an exotic location (with lots of wildlife), new camera equipment, or money for the winner to start their own photography studio. 

Pick a prize that you can get a deal on . Since you’ve already planned your budget a few steps ago, you know how much money you can spend on prizes. But you can make that money go further if you take the time and effort. Consider forming a partnership with another organization, in which you market their prize (maybe it’s a photography equipment company) along with your contest in exchange for a discount. Also consider your own goods and services as a way to not only stay relevant but also to save money. 

In addition to a grand prize and possible prizes for runners-up, consider an added incentive just for entering . Get creative— it could be a digital download, a discount code, a free trial, or a piece of swag—because knowing that you get something just for entering can really boost engagement. 

And don’t forget: convey the prize’s value . You’re going to spend a hefty chunk of your budget and resources on this big prize, but that goes to waste if you don’t accurately or successfully convey the value of the prize to your audience. If it’s not cash, give it a cash value. Make sure it’s prominently mentioned in all of your marketing materials, too. 

Step 7: Define your review process 

Choosing the right winner requires having a solid review process. In addition, having a thoughtful review process can save you time, resources, and a lot of headaches. 

Here are just a few questions to ask when setting up your review process: 

• Who will judge? The public? An internal review panel? Guest judges or reviewers? 
• Will parts of the process need to be anonymous—should some information be protected to make it more fair or for privacy reasons? 
• Will entries have to be reviewed more than once, or by more than one person? 
• Will there be a scoring rubric? Or a yes-or-no decision? 

Recognize that if you will have a panel of review judges, they will need to be selected and trained to use any software you’ll be using. In addition, training them in regards to bias/discrimination and good decision-making practices can save you time and lift up your contest in the long run. 

Especially if your review team is remote, or even if they’re not, contest software like Submittable that allows for in-platform reviewing makes reviewing a lot easier, more fair, and more efficient. 

Important features for the review process include:

• Anonymous review options
• Bias prevention tools
• Options for multiple stages of review
• Five reviewer permission levels
• Easy, customizable scoring options

London Photo Festival, for example, sends a simple gallery link from Submittable to their judges so that they can view the entries from anywhere, on their own timeline—just one of the Submittable tools they use when they run a photo contest .

Want to allow public voting? Submittable offers a gallery view for pictures and videos as well as a number of public voting options. 

Looking for the perfect platform for your online contest?

See what Submittable has to offer in this short demo.

Step 8: Create a contest marketing strategy 

The more entries you can collect, the more successful your contest will be. Getting the word out, not just to the world, but to your targeted audience, is key. 

Create a marketing campaign that is diverse and based on data and insights. Also create a campaign that touches the watering holes where your audience gathers—if your audience is older and less tech savvy, for instance, don’t waste advertising dollars on the newest, freshest social media platform. 

Here are a few ideas to get started: 

Email campaign. You likely have an email list of people who are interested in who you are and what you do. This is an opportune time to use it. Take the extra time to create great content and design for your email piece. 

Blog post. Your blog is another forum where your ideal audience probably visits. It’s also a great place to list all the details and guidelines entrants need aside from the landing page. Blog posts are also great to share on social media. 

Social media. If your audience uses it, social media may be one of the best places to spend your marketing budget. Share your landing page and blog posts, share hype videos, and remind your followers of upcoming deadlines. Buy ad space on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to reach an even bigger audience.  

Website widget. Add an eye-catching widget or clickable banner to your website homepage that brings visitors to your landing page. 

Target specific audiences in forums and communities. If you’re running a photo contest, direct marketing dollars toward advertising in online forums and communities that contain photographers and artists. You can take this strategy offline, too: old school posters hung in places where your audience gathers can be extremely effective depending on the scope of your contest. 

Partnerships. Did you partner with another organization for your contest’s prize? Make sure that partnership also includes help with marketing. Having another organization to amplify your voice can be extremely helpful. 

Influencers. Influencers on and off the web can also amplify your message. Returning to the photo contest example, you might reach out to a few photographers with large followings to share your contest with their audience—and put in a good word for you. 

PPC and other ad buys. Traditional ad buys could be a great option for marketing your contest, depending on your budget and the scope and length of your contest. 

Contest promotional sites. There are specific websites that help connect people looking to enter contests with the best current competitions and sweepstakes. Many of these websites focus on contests with low barriers to entry, so if that’s what you’re running, this is a choice option. 

Submittable Discover . Submittable’s searchable database of opportunities is used by its large stable of submitters who are looking for contests and competitions to enter. Tag your contest with relevant keywords to make it easy for millions of submitters to find you. 

Marketing should be an important part of your budget, but make sure not to put all of your eggs into one basket, like social media or PPC advertising. 

Step 9: Set your contest up online 

As you take the big step to set up your contest online, keep branding, design, and copy at the forefront of your mind. You want your landing page to match the look and feel of your website and the rest of your assets—and you want the copy and design to lend credibility and excitement to your contest. 

Make sure that your landing page includes: 

• Guidelines. Your guidelines should be clear and thorough (although also as concise as possible). As your contest begins, don’t hesitate to update your guidelines to answer common questions that are coming in from entrants. 
• Rules. This is where you want all of your fine print. Some contests post all the rules on their landing page, while others link to the nitty gritty legal stuff from the landing page. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the laws regarding contests in your jurisdiction. 
• Prize. Your landing page should prominently display your prizes—and make their value clear. 
• Timeline. Your deadline should also be prominent, and your copy should reflect some sense of urgency to enter. Consider an incentive for entering the contest early, such as a discount code, a waived entry fee, or free swag. 
• Call to action. The bottom of your landing page should have a clear button that brings them to the entry form. 

Now that you have your landing page, you need to create your entry form. 

Submittable’s drag-and-drop form builder allows you to ask just the questions you need from entrants without wasting their time or yours. 

[TK form builder screenshot]

A few entry form quick tips: 

• Use the branching tool to ask follow-up questions. 
• If your contest has different categories, have entrants select their category so that your can automatically label all submissions and organize them in seconds. 
• If you ask for demographic or personal information on your form, be sure to note how that information will be used or whether it will be hidden during the selection process. 
• Think about what you want your barrier of entry to be: Should anyone be able to enter your contest in a matter of minutes, or do you want only serious competitors with certain experience to be involved? 

Don’t forget: make sure that both your landing page and entry form is tablet friendly and mobile friendly—and accessible to all. 

Step 10: Choose and announce a winner 

If you set up your selection process well in Step 7, choosing a winner should go smoothly and efficiently. Once you have your winners, runners-up, and finalists selected, announce the results across your channels: 

• Social media
• Website 
• Press release
• Email 

A good rule of thumb? Announce the winner in any place that you engaged in marketing the contest. 

Be sure to inform those who did not win, preferably before the winners are announced. 

Submittable allows for in-platform email template creation and personalized bulk notifications, which makes letting everyone know at the same time, and in the same way, easy. It’s also easy to track exactly who’s heard the news and who hasn’t. 

Try to avoid sending a form rejection that isn’t encouraging or informative. Try to Invite them to your next contest, share stats from the contest to show how competitive it was, and involve them in any user-generated content sharing. If you have the ability, offer them something, such as a coupon, a deal, or freebie. Be sure to say thank you to everyone who participated. 

Finally, make sure to send out the prize quickly and in full. 

Step 11: Use your user-generated content 

If one of your goals for your contest was to collect lots of quality user-generated content, now’s the time to organize it and put it to use.  

In Submittable, tou can use auto labels to mark entries with great content to return to later. 

Submittable’s gallery feature is another way to showcase user content, especially if your contest contains visual elements. 

You can also ask certain entrants, such as finalists, to upload testimonials or thank you videos to the contest management platform, which you can then edit into videos or use on social media. 

The Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund , for example, has scholarship winners upload videos in which they talk about how their lives improved after receiving the scholarship. 

Step 12: Track your results 

Sure, you’ve announced your winner and utilized your user-generated content. But your contest shouldn’t end there. Tracking your results and analyzing the data you collected from all your entries can be invaluable, especially if you ever plan on running the contest (or another different contest) again. 

• Reevaluate your target market 
• Look at your spending 
• Revisit your goals 
• Analyze your demographic data 
• Where can you improve? 

Submittable’s advanced reporting tools can help you visualize your results, while our integrations can help you get an even bigger picture of the success of your contest. 

In addition to tracking your results, you also have a little more cleaning up to do. After the confetti has fallen (and been swept up), be sure to: 

• Redirect your landing page
• Turn off your form 
• Remove your website widget 
• Archive old entries 
• Find a home for your user-generated content 
• Make sure everyone’s been notified 
• Add emails to your subscription list 

Manage your contest with care using a contest management platform 

Running a contest is exciting, rewarding, and fun. It can also be a boon for your company or organization in multiple ways if you do it right. Contest management software like Submittable can serve as a foundation, guide, and scaffolding for you every step of the way, from setting up your entry form to distributing prizes to your winners. 

To learn more about Submittable, watch our demo . 

Sarah Aswell is an editor and content strategist at Submittable. She’s also a writer and stand-up comedian who gets rejected via Submittable all the time. You can read her comedy criticism at Forbes , follow her on Twitter , or learn more about her creative work on her website .

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How to Win an Essay Contest

Last Updated: February 28, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Daniel Santos . Daniel Santos is a College Admissions & Career Coach and Prepory's co-founder and CEO. Prepory is a leading college admissions consulting firm that has guided over 9,000 students from 35 countries through the US college admissions process. Prepory is a member of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling and a trusted admissions counseling partner to several competitive high schools across Florida. Prior to founding Prepory, Daniel worked at various leading law firms and the United States House of Representatives. Daniel has been featured as a college admissions and career coaching expert across several major publications, including the Wall Street Journal, FORTUNE, and The Harvard Crimson. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 167,455 times.

If you're hoping to write an essay that will win a contest, there are several ways to make your writing stand out. Before you start writing, make sure you read the essay guidelines so that you're following all of the rules. Come up with a topic that fits the contest's theme and craft a detailed, descriptive, and interesting essay. By making your essay original and error-free, you'll be much more likely to win the contest.

Crafting and Editing the Essay

• If you don’t follow one or more of the rules when writing and submitting your essay, your essay may be disqualified, so make sure to read over the rules several times if necessary.
• It’s a good idea to print out the guidelines so that you can refer to them as you’re writing.

• It’s super important to stick with the theme when you’re writing and not get off-topic.
• For example, if the contest asks you to write about a person who has influenced you, make a list of the people that have had a big impact on your life and choose the person who you can write lots of descriptive examples about.

• It’s okay if you have several different drafts of one essay.
• Make an outline of your essay before you start to help you organize your thoughts.

• Ask a friend or family member to read over your essay to see if it’s interesting and makes sense.
• It may help you to put the essay aside for a day or two after you’ve written it so that you can revise it again with a fresh perspective.

• It may help to ask another person to read over the essay to see if they spot any mistakes.

• Check to see when the submission deadline is in the contest’s guidelines and rules.
• It may help you to put the essay deadline on your calendar so that you don’t forget when it is.
• If you're sending the essay by mail, make sure you send it far enough in advance that it will reach the judges in time.

Making Your Essay Stand Out

• An example of an attention-grabbing introduction might be, “I held my breath for 82 seconds before I was yanked out of the water,” or “Sarah walked slowly up to the door, her body drenched in nervous sweat, before firmly knocking.”

• The title should give the reader a glimpse of what your essay is about while leaving them intrigued.
• For example, if you’re writing an essay about a lemon picker, you might title the essay, "Living with Sour Fingers."

• Instead of saying, “The wheelbarrow fell down the hill,” you could say, “The rusty wheels of the wheelbarrow skidded over smooth rocks and sharp blades of grass until it skidded to a stop at the edge of the water.”

• Read over your essay and look for sentences or ideas that would likely not be found in another person's essay.
• If you're having trouble figuring out if you have an original element, have someone else read over your essay and tell you which parts stand out.

• Review the essay guidelines to see if there’s a special way they’d like the essay formatted.

Expert Q&A

• If you don't win, take a look at the winning entries if possible and see what they did that you didn't. Try to learn from this and incorporate it into your next essay. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 2
• Don't be afraid to ask for help if you have a hard time! As long as your work is original, getting feedback from others is a great way to make your writing stronger. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 2
• If you have difficulty understanding the topic or the guidelines, try to get in touch with the judges. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 2

• Failure to follow the format requirements may disqualify your essay. Thanks Helpful 42 Not Helpful 8
• Be aware of the deadline to ensure you get your essay submitted in time. Thanks Helpful 16 Not Helpful 3

You Might Also Like

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about essay contests, check out our in-depth interview with Daniel Santos .

• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/brainstorming/
• ↑ https://mlpp.pressbooks.pub/writingsuccess/chapter/8-3-drafting/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/revising-drafts/
• ↑ https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/writingprocess/proofreading
• ↑ https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/planning/intros-and-conclusions/
• ↑ https://writing.umn.edu/sws/assets/pdf/quicktips/titles.pdf
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/essay_writing/descriptive_essays.html
• ↑ https://www.oxford-royale.com/articles/write-original-essay/
• ↑ https://facultyweb.ivcc.edu/ramboeng2/handout_essayformat.htm

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How to Organize an Essay Contest

Organizing an essay contest can be fun, but it can also lead to a lot of pressure. Generally essay contests require a strict and straightforward set of guidelines. This way both the writers and judges will have a clear idea of what they're looking for, and ambiguity will be minimized. You also need to direct a lot of energy to actual planning, such as dates, promotion, fund raising, oversight, and prizes. With a little time and patience, though, you can organize a successful essay contest.

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Determine the basic guidelines of the essay contest. Decide if there will be a theme, what the length criteria will be, and any other writing guidelines you believe are necessary for laying out the basic rules of the contest. Most essay contests give the writers a certain starting direction or initiative, such as a topic or category; like current events, childhood, or anything else broad enough to inspire creativity.

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Seek out some help in organizing the essay contest. Talk to friends and other parties who might be interested in volunteering to help out with the process. There are a lot of minor yet important parts of an essay contest that a volunteer can help with. These include mailings, entry fees, marketing and promotional materials such as websites, fliers or posters, and organizing prizes and a judge's panel.

Come up with a judge's panel. Try to seek out established writers or authors who will make confident and competent judges. Having good judges can greatly enhance the quality and popularity of an essay contest. It can also help with any fund raising you might be doing.

Decide on the prizes you'll be giving. Most essay contests either offer cash prizes or publication opportunities in magazines or anthologies. You can also offer trophies if you want, especially if this is a youth or amateur essay contest. It's a good idea to offer at least three main prizes plus some minor runner-up awards to generate more incentive and get more people involved.

Advertise and promote the essay contest ahead of time. Writers need to know about contests far in advance so they can plan accordingly and won't feel pressured or rushed. Advertise the essay contest on websites and in publications that attract a lot of aspiring writers and essayists. You can also put fliers in coffee shops and bookstores around town.

Write an official statement of the essay contest rules, regulations and prizes. If you have a website, post this statement on it. Otherwise, make it readily available to anyone who asks. This will help you avoid any ambiguity or future controversy over rules or stated guidelines.

Asking for two or more copies of the essays can facilitate the judging process. If you can conduct the essay contest entirely in digital format, you will save time, postage and waste. Offer to critique all the submitted essays in the contest, even those that don't win anything. Essays take a long time to write, and entrants will definitely appreciate the feedback.

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How to Win Essay Contests: A Step-by-Step Guide

10 Steps to Writing Contest-Winning Essays

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Did you know that you can win prizes with your writing skills? Essay contests are a fun way to turn your creativity and your command of the written word into great prizes. But how do you give your essay the edge that gets it picked from among all of the other entries?

Here's a step-by-step guide to writing essays that impress judges. Follow these steps for your best chances of winning writing contests.

Read the Essay Contest Rules

The first thing that you should do to win essay contests is to read the rules thoroughly. Overlooking one small detail could be the difference between winning the contest and wasting your time.

Pay special attention to:

• The contest's start and end dates.
• How often you're allowed to enter.
• The word or character count .
• The contest's theme.
• The criteria that the judges will use to pick the winners.
• Who the sponsoring company is, and what their branding is like.
• And any other details the sponsor requires.

It might help you to print out the sweepstakes rules and highlight the most important elements, or to take notes and keep them close at hand as you write.

If you summarize the relevant rules in a checklist, you can easily check the requirements off when you've finished your essay to ensure you haven't overlooked anything.

Brainstorm Your Essay Ideas

Many people want to jump right into writing their essay, but it's a better idea to take some time to brainstorm different ideas before you start. Oftentimes, your first impulse isn't your best.

The Calgary Tutoring Centre lists several reasons why brainstorming improves your writing . According to their article, brainstorming lets you:

"Eliminate weaker ideas or make weaker ideas stronger. Select only the best and most relevant topics of discussion for your essay while eliminating off-topic ideas. Or, generate a new topic that you might have left out that fits with others."

For a great brainstorming session, find a distraction-free area and settle in with a pen and paper, or your favorite method to take notes. A warm beverage and a healthy snack might aid your process. Then, think about your topic and jot down quick words and phrases that are relevant to your theme.

This is not the time to polish your ideas or try to write them coherently. Just capture enough of the idea that you know what you meant when you review your notes.

Consider different ways that you can make the contest theme personal, come at it from a different angle, or stand out from the other contest entries. Can you make a serious theme funny? Can you make your ideas surprising and unexpected?

Write down all your ideas, but don't judge them yet. The more ideas you can come up with, the better.

Select the Essay Concept that Best Fits the Contest's Theme and Sponsor

Once you've finished brainstorming, look over all of your ideas to pick the one you want to develop for your essay contest entry.

While you're deciding, think about what might appeal to the essay contest's sponsor. Do you have a way of working the sponsor's products into your essay? Does your concept fit the sponsor's company image?

An essay that might be perfect for a Budweiser contest might fall completely flat when Disney is the sponsor.

This is also a good time to consider whether any of your rejected ideas would make good secondary themes for your essay.

Use a Good Hook to Grab the Reader's Attention

When it's time to start writing your essay, remember that the first sentence is the most important. You want to ensure that your first paragraph is memorable and grabs the reader's attention.

When you start with a powerful, intriguing, moving, or hilarious first sentence, you hook your readers' interest and stick out in their memory when it is time to pick winners.

Writer's Digest has some excellent tips on how to hook readers at the start of an essay in their article, 10 Ways to Hook Your Reader (and Reel Them in for Good) .

For ideas on how to make your essay unforgettable, see Red Mittens, Strong Hooks, and Other Ways to Make Your Essay Spectacular .

Write the First Draft of Your Essay

Now, it's time to get all of your thoughts down on paper (or on your computer). Remember that this is a first draft, so don't worry about perfect grammar or if you are running over your word count. 

Instead, focus on whether your essay is hitting the right emotional notes, how your story comes across, whether you are using the right voice, and if you are communicating everything you intend to.

First drafts are important because they help you overcome your reluctance to write. You are not trying to be good yet, you are trying to simply tell your story. Polishing that story will come later.

They also organize your writing. You can see where your ideas fit and where you need to restructure to give them more emotional impact.

Finally, a first draft helps you keep your ideas flowing without letting details slow you down. You can even skip over parts that you find challenging, leaving notes for your next revision. For example, you could jot down "add statistics" or "get a funny quote from Mom" and come back to those time-consuming points later.

Revise Your Essay for Flow and Organization

Once you've written the first draft of your essay, look over it to ensure that it flows. Is your point well-made and clear? Do your thoughts flow smoothly from one point to another? Do the transitions make sense? Does it sound good when you read it aloud?

This is also the time to cut out extraneous words and ensure you've come in under the word count limit.

Generally, cutting words will improve your writing. In his book, On Writing , Stephen King writes that he once received a rejection that read: "Formula for success: 2nd Draft = 1st Draft – 10%." In other words, the first draft can always use some trimming to make the best parts shine.

If you'd like some tips on how to improve your first draft, check out these tips on how to self-edit .

Keep an Eye Out for "Red Mittens"

In her fantastic book, The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio , Terry Ryan talked about how her mother Evelyn used "red mittens" to help her be more successful with contest entries.

As she put it:

"The purpose of the Red Mitten was almost self-explanatory -- it made an entry stand out from the rest. In a basket of mittens, a red one will be noticed."

Rhyme, alliteration, inner rhyme, puns, and coined words were some of the red mittens that Evelyn Ryan used to make her entries pop. Your essay's red mitten might be a clever play on words, a dash of humor, or a heart-tuggingly poignant story that sticks in the judges' minds.

If your first draft is feeling a little bland, consider whether you can add a red mitten to spice up your story.

Put Your Contest Entry Aside

Now that you have a fairly polished draft of your essay contest entry, put it aside and don't look at it for a little while. If you have time before the contest ends, put your essay away for at least a week and let your mind mull over the idea subconsciously for a little while.

Many times, people think of exactly what their essay needs to make it perfect... right after they have hit the submit button.

Letting your entry simmer in your mind for a while gives you the time to come up with these great ideas before it's too late.

Revise Your Essay Contest Entry Again

Now, it's time to put the final polish on your essay. Have you said everything you wanted to? Have you made your point? Does the essay sound good when you read it out loud? Can you tighten up the prose by making additional cuts in the word count?

In this phase, it helps to enlist the help of friends or family members. Read your essay to them and check their reactions. Did they smile at the right parts? Were they confused by anything? Did they connect with the idea behind the story?

This is also a good time to ensure you haven't made any grammar or spelling mistakes. A grammar checker like Grammarly is very helpful for catching those little mistakes your eyes gloss over. But since even computer programs make mistakes sometimes, so it's helpful to have another person — a good friend or family member — read it through before you submit it.

Read the Essay Contest Rules One Last Time

If you've been following these directions, you've already read through the contest rules carefully. But now that you've written your draft and had some time to think things over, read them through one more time to make sure you haven't overlooked anything.

Go through your checklist of the essay requirements point-by-point with your finished essay in front of you to make sure you've hit them all.

And now, you're done! Submit the essay to your contest, and keep your fingers crossed for the results !

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10 Critical Mistakes Writers Make in Writing Contests

by Alice Sudlow | 11 comments

You work hard to write your best story—and if you're honest, you're pretty sure it's amazing. You share it with other writers to get their feedback, and they agree. You work up your courage and hit the “Submit” button, sending it off to a mysterious panel of writing contest judges.

And then . . . you wait. What will the judges think? Will they agree your story deserves to win it all? Did you write the kind of story that will catch the judges' eye? What kind of story  is that, anyway?

I'm going to take you behind the scenes and reveal  exactly what judges are looking for when they choose the winners of writing contests.

Want to enter a writing contest, get feedback, get  published (guaranteed!), and maybe even win a prize? Enter our next writing contest!

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The Bewildering Challenge of Judging a Writing Contest

In the final round of our writing contests , the judges are tasked with an almost impossible challenge: how will they decide which of a small group of excellent stories will win a prize?

For a story to have made it this far, it’s already undergone careful scrutiny by the entire panel. Every single judge has read and considered it, and enough have advocated for it so strongly that it’s moved forward to join an elite selection of stories.

We all know it has fans among the judges. We all know it has great merit. The problem is . . . so do the other ten, or fifteen, or twenty stories that were selected for the ultimate consideration.

How do the judges choose? What sets the winning story apart? And if a story that made it this far doesn’t win (and mathematically, that’s always the case), what’s the fatal flaw that knocks it out?

10 Storytelling Essentials That Wow Judges and Win Writing Contests

I’ve judged nine writing contests with The Write Practice, and I’m gearing up for my tenth. (Want in on the fun? Join our next writing contest here! ) My favorite part of every contest is the discussion amongst the judges. I love hearing what they see in their top picks, what stands out about the strongest contenders.

Throughout these contests, I’ve picked up on some patterns. A handful of critical mistakes appear again and again—and in the final round, it’s these mistakes the judges consider as they make the toughest decisions.

I’ve distilled long hours of judges’ discussion into ten elements the winning stories must include. I’ve seen every single one of these essentials become the deciding factor about whether a story will take home a prize or not.

Want your story to not just make the final round, but win the whole contest? Take a careful look at these ten elements and make sure your story includes each one.

1. Get inspired by the theme.

If the contest has a theme, make sure you adhere to it. You might write a brilliant story—but if you ignore the theme, skip part of it, or in any way disobey the contest guidelines , that’s a quick way to get your story disqualified.

2. Focus on a bite-sized story.

Here’s the thing: a short story is not a novel. You can’t tell an epic fantasy tale in under 1,500 words.

Choose a story idea whose scope fits within the word count requirements. The life story of a 103-year-old might be too long, but an unexpected detour on the way home from the grocery store might be just the right length.

3. Structure your story with clarity in mind.

This goes along with step #2. Yes, you can write a short story set across two time periods with five scene changes and three point-of-view characters, and fit it all in just 1,500 words. But should you? Maybe, maybe not.

When you’re working within a tiny word count, overcomplicating your story can quickly confuse your readers. Make sure that transitions are clear, and that each new element you introduce—a new scene, a new character, a new plot twist—moves the story forward rather than cluttering it up.

It can be hard to judge what’s confusing in your own writing, so have someone read your story before you submit.

4. Hook your readers (and the judges!) with a brilliant first line.

The first sentence of your story is your chance to make an amazing first impression. A powerful, surprising, and intriguing first line will capture the judges’ interest at the start and make them look forward to reading the rest.

Writing contest judges read hundreds of stories in a short amount of time. Make sure your first line gets them excited to stumble across yours.

5. Get straight to the action.

In a 1,500 word story, you don’t have space to write long passages of world building or pages of backstory. And the truth is, that’s not the interesting part anyway.

Don’t open the story with three paragraphs setting the scene. Instead, start your story at the moment when “normal” ends .

What’s the first sign of trouble? The first indication that something will be different about today? The inciting incident that kicks off the action? Skip the descriptive introduction and start your story there.

6. Give your character a goal.

“Make your characters want something right away even if it's only a glass of water. Characters paralyzed by the meaninglessness of modern life still have to drink water from time to time.” —Kurt Vonnegut

Everyone wants something. It might be as small as another hour of sleep or as profound as one more day with their terminally ill grandfather.

Whatever it is, their want—and the things they do to get it—drive the story.

Make sure your character has a goal they're pursuing. Stories about characters without goals ramble on, leaving readers confused about why they're reading at all. Stories about characters who have clear goals and make decisions to pursue them keep us hooked, turning the pages to see what happens next.

Pro tip: everyone  needs something, too. Sometimes what they  want and what they  need aren't the same thing. If your character achieves their goal, will that actually make them happy? Or will they have to deal with some unwanted consequences?

7. Cut excess words so you can focus on the story.

Are you 500 words over the limit and stumped about what to cut? Look for:

Backstory. Yes, you need to know everything about your character—but your readers don’t. It’s tempting to include every detail of their history that led them to this moment, but that will actually slow down your story and burden readers with unnecessary information. Get it all out on the page in the first draft. Then, as you edit, challenge yourself to cut as much backstory as possible. Pro tip: if there’s an important piece of information readers (and characters) need to know, use it as a surprising revelation to fuel the plot.

Florid description. Does a detail move the story forward? Does it show us something about the character or the plot that we need to know? If so, great! If not, cut it. Unless your story is about rogue painters vandalizing the neighborhood waste collection route, we don’t need to know what color your character’s trash cans are.

Adverbs. Cut them ruthlessly. “The road to hell is paved with adverbs,” writes Stephen King, and that’s especially true when you’re limited to just 1,500 words. While you’re at it, cut these seven words, too . Save your space for words that will move the plot forward, not weigh the reader down with clunky prose.

(Did you catch all the adverbs I used in that paragraph? Ouch. We all fall short of editorial perfection.)

8. Make your characters choose.

This is the crux of the story, the crucial moment to focus on. At some point in the story, your character must make a decision .

Throughout the story, the tension is building. The plot is thickening, the stakes are rising, and the risks are becoming greater and greater.

As the story approaches the climax , bring your character to a critical dilemma where they must choose how they’re going to respond.

If your character limps along without making a choice, or if they let the people around them choose for them, the story will feel dissatisfying and incomplete.

But as they choose something and then face the consequences of their decision, we’ll be riveted, wondering, how will they handle what happens next?

9. Make sure something changes.

That moment of crisis, the decision your character makes, has consequences. Maybe they took a risk and it paid off—or maybe they crash and burn. Whatever the case, something must be different as a result of their choice.

Remember, stories are about change. If your character finishes the story in the same place they began, you’ll leave readers wondering why they bothered to read it in the first place.

Make sure the trials your character experiences and the decisions they make leave someone or something irreversibly changed by the end of the story.

On that note, beware of writing a story where the main plot is a dream sequence. Unless the waking world is somehow different as a result of the dream, it feels disingenuous. Any change in the dream world is erased when the character wakes up. Why read a story where nothing changes?

And yes, this applies to daydreams, too. Make sure the story isn’t all in the character’s head.

10. Nail the ending.

The first 1,450 words of your 1,500-word story are riveting. You don’t have a ton of space to wrap it up, but surely if you just tack on some kind of closing, it’ll be fine, right?

It’s very, very hard to write the perfect ending to a short story, the conclusion that will tie up the loose ends neatly but not too neatly, leaving the story feeling resolved and also a bit mysterious. The judges know this.

They’re still looking for the perfect ending .

What does this story need in order to reach closure? What will resolve the conflict? What will allow us to walk away satisfied that we’ve truly reached “The End”?

Remember, a short story is complete in and of itself. It’s not the first chapter of a novel, or a teaser into something larger. Make sure your story stands alone, and that when it ends, this tiny glimpse into your character’s life is truly done.

An otherwise excellent story that fails to nail the ending won’t take the top spot. But a surprising but inevitable climax that leads to a satisfying resolution will amaze the judges and make your story a strong contender to win it all.

Take the time to get your ending right.

Two More Notes About These “Essentials”

I’ve looked at all these elements from the perspective of a writing contest judge—what does our panel look for when we’re challenged to select a handful of winners from an abundance of engaging stories?

But there are two more ways you can read this list.

1. Feedback from the judges. One of the things that makes our writing contests special is the opportunity to get feedback directly from the judges on why your story did or didn’t win. I’ll let you in on a secret: 85 percent of the feedback judges write relates back to these ten elements. If you can master this list, they’ll find it a real challenge to give you any critical feedback.

(Want specific feedback on how your story did or didn’t fulfill these ten essentials? Join one of our writing contests and sign up for feedback from the judges!)

2. The secrets of great storytelling. A list like this can feel contrived: “Oh, you mean if I just sprinkle these ten arbitrary things into my story, it’ll be twisted so the judges like it?” But here’s the thing: the judges want to see these elements because they are fundamental skills of great storytelling . You don’t need a writing contest to apply them—master these skills, and you’ll become a better storyteller for any story.

The best way to master these storytelling fundamentals is by entering a writing contest. Plus, you might win a prize! Ready to enter?

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Which of these essentials do you find the most challenging? Let us know in the comments !

For the next fifteen minutes , draft a story based on our last contest theme: haunted. Focus on essentials four and five: hook your readers with a great opening line, and get straight to the action.

When you’re done, share your story the Pro Practice Workshop , and be sure to leave feedback for your fellow writers. Not a member? Join us !

Alice Sudlow

Alice Sudlow is the Editor-in-Chief of The Write Practice and a Story Grid certified developmental editor. Her specialty is in crafting transformative character arcs in young adult novels. She also has a keen eye for comma splices, misplaced hyphens, and well-turned sentences, and is known for her eagle-eyed copywriter skills. Get her free guide to how to edit your novel at alicesudlow.com .

11 Comments

Understand this. Never, ever, mess with my family. If you do, I will hunt you down, rip your head off, and shit down your chest cavity,

I found him, fleeing the township of Joshua, looking for an exit to the Habitat. I followed, whispering in his ear. Using direct audio stimulation of his aural nerves, I whispered inside his eardrums so loud I caused him pain. I did not show mercy, and I did not stop. I echoed his sins against my family, against my home. I detailed every rape and murder his men had committed. I detailed every rape and murder he had committed.

I herded him, closed hatches, opened others, until I had him in the loading base of the aft linear accelerator. I whisper-screamed his sins as I gave him a light show; his Stairway to Heaven. I gently pulsed the accelerator coils of the accelerator to get his ass moving aft. He drifted to the center of the accelerator, begging for mercy, praying for mercy from that sick crap he called God.

I changed the light show. His Stairway to Heaven morphed into his Gates of Hell. A yawning maw of flame and pain opened wide for Saul Oswald. “NO! NO! NO!” he screamed as I pulsed the accelerator and threw him away from my ship and into the blackness and cold of space.

Great opening and ending, and right into actions in between. You followed through all the advice.

This is the post we need, and the post we deserve. Thank you, Alice, for this diamond of writing advice for our community!!!

Excellent advice. Thank you, Ms. Sudlow.

Grabbing her empty sleeve felt odd for Summer. “It feels like I still have my arm.” she said clenching the sleeve in both frustration and anger. Frustration by how long they’re taking in fixing her robotic arm. They said it will take fifteen minutes, but it feels like an hour to Summer. Every second that passes, makers her think to “that day”. Her eyes went to the katana that lay on the table in front of her. Then to her missing arm “I did what I had to do to survive. I’m the master of my own fate.”

I’m not planning to enter the winter writing context, but this is a short story that I wrote over the summer that I’m rather proud of. I still don’t have a title for it, so suggestions would be appreciated!

There had been no rain for months, and the crops were brown and dying in the field. The Donovans’ kitchen window overlooked the carnage, and Mary was forced to survey it every morning while she cooked her husband’s breakfast. “The Parsons are moving,” she said over her shoulder.

Her husband Isaac swallowed his mouthful of coffee. “Where to?”

“California.”

“Why not? There’s good work in California.”

“There’s good work here.”

“Not so’s you’d notice these days.” Mary scraped the eggs from the skillet onto Isaac’s plate. Two eggs, two sausages, and a fried tomato, every day. Isaac was a man who liked his routine. She put the plate in front of him and took the chair adjacent.

Isaac picked up his knife and fork and diced his sausage into even pieces. “The rain will come. Always does.”

Mary toyed with the hem of her apron. It was well past threadbare. “The Parsons are going to Los Angeles. Jim is gonna be a photographer.”

Isaac chuckled. “Photographer? Man’s never touched a camera in his life.”

“He wants to learn. Beth is so excited. She’s gonna take little Georgie swimming in the ocean.”

Isaac clucked his tongue. “Always said that woman had exotic ideas. Hope this photography notion of Jim’s will support her.”

“The ocean don’t cost nothing.” Mary laid her hand on Isaac’s arm as he lanced a bit of egg. “Can you imagine what it would be like, to swim in the ocean? Going all the way out to the deep with nothing but the sun over you and more water ahead?”

Isaac patted her hand. “I know. Gives me the willies too, just thinking about it.” He pushed back from the table and Mary’s hand slipped from his arm. “I’m going into town. Fred Anderson’s made me an offer for the car. Should give us enough to get by till the weather turns.”

He took his jacket and hat down from the peg on the wall and put them on. He opened the front door and for a moment the light seemed to catch him, and hold him there, frozen in amber. Mary started to her feet, her hand shooting out to grab at nothing. “Isaac –”

He turned. “The rain will come, Mary. Always does.”

He may have smiled at her, but the glare of the sun made his face indistinct. “I know,” she said. The door closed. Mary’s arm wilted down to her side. She felt like she ought to wait, stand there a moment longer, pretend to weigh her options. But she was already moving – undeniably decisive movements, though her mind was quiet. She shut the curtains on the kitchen window, blocking out the field. She went to the bedroom, and pulled her suitcase from the closet.

I posted my answer to you in the wrong spot.

You could name your story “The Rain Will Come.” I thought the ending was perfect, as subtle as the unspoken words in the unraveling marriage. You got the feeling that no matter what she said he’d answer as though he never heard her, which he never did, and reassure her that the rain would come. I loved it.

You could name your story “The Rain Will Come.” I thought the ending was perfect, as subtle as the unspoken words in the unraveling marriage. I loved it.

OK. here goes. It’s currently simply titled “Thirty Minutes”.

“No! No! It can’t be happening. It’s too soon!” exclaimed volcanologist Doctor David Narelle.

“Readings all checkout. It’s happening. It’s going to blow!” replied his intern assistant, Andrew.

“How long?”

“Best estimate – thirty minutes.”

The color drained from David’s face.

“We gotta go. Now!” He gathered his coat and keys and left the building.

Andrew didn’t argue. Disconnecting the laptop he was using, he followed the Doctor out the front door.

Ash had been falling all day, but it was coming down particularly heavy now. Andrew looked up at the mountain they had been monitoring. A thick column of smoke was rising form the crater. “It’s going to blow alright”, he thought. “Let’s hope we’re underestimating how much time we’ve got.”

They reached the All Wheel Drive vehicle they were renting. Andrew brushed the ash off the windscreen as David swung behind the wheel.

He turned the key and the started turned over. However, the engine failed to start.

“Come on! Come on!” David muttered.

“Twenty seventeen minutes.” Andrew informed as he settled into the passenger seat.

The engine finally started. David put the car into gear and drove off.

They slid as much as drove down the slope to the valley floor, the ash adding a extra hazard to their escape. “Which way?” David asked upon reaching the main road.

Andrew consulted a map. “There’s a bridge about half a mile to the left. The road on the other side connects straight to the interstate.” he checked his phone clock. “Twenty four minutes.”

David turned right and drove towards the bridge. Upon reaching the bridge they both looked at the half dismantled structure with a large “BRIDGE CLOSED” sign in front of it.

David swore under his breath. “Can we cross the water?”

“It’s too deep.”

“What’s plan B?”

Andrew looked at the map again. “We need to go back and cut through the town. We can join the interstate on the other side.”

David turned the car around and started heading back.

“Twenty one minutes.”

“How big is the P.F. expected to be?” David asked.

Andrew looked at the laptop, open in his lap. “According to the model it should reach at least twenty kilometers. Do you think we can make it?”

“Only one way to find out.”

“Twenty minutes.”

Upon reaching the town outskirts, they were able to pick up the pace a little now they were on asphalt. Fortunately, the townsfolk had been evacuated so the only people in danger were to two scientists. As a bonus, it meant that they had no traffic to contend with.

“Dave, look.” Andrew pointed.

David looked where Andrew was pointing. On the other side of a playing field was two people running towards them. They were waving to them, trying to get their attention.

“Fifteen minutes.” Andrew reported.

David drove the car for a few tens of yards, then abruptly turned and drove across the field to the stranded couple.

He wound down the window as he drove up next to them. “Get in!” he yelled.

The two didn’t hesitate. They climbed into the rear seat and strapped themselves in. David drove off.

“Thanks.” replied the woman. “Thought you were going to leave us for a second.”

“I’m Andrew, this is Dave.”

“Kate. He’s Bill.”

Bill waved. “Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but why are you still here?”

“We’re volcanologists monitoring the mountain. We thought we still had more time. You?”

“Same thing. We left it to the last minute. Then the car broke down. No one else around to give us a lift, so we tied to make it on foot.”

“Nine minutes.” Andrew stated.

“Err.. nine minutes to what?”

“Nine minutes till the mountain blows.”

“Hang on, I thought you mistimed it?”

“Our model only predicts when it is very close to the event … It’s still being developed.”

They managed to get to the interstate, and David picked up as much speed as he could.

“Four minutes”

They continued down the highway, crossing the river they tried to cross earlier.

“Aren’t we far enough away yet?” Kate asked

“Not for the pyroclastic flow.”

“Pyro what?”

“Pyroclastic flow. A Giant cloud of super hot air and ash that travels up to seven hundred kilometers per hour and will cook us alive if it catches us.”

“That’s … informative.”

Andrew turned to David. “One min-”

He was interrupted by a loud explosion that shook the car. The passengers looked back at the mountain. The summit was entirely covered in an expanding cloud of ash.

“Here it comes. We’re still too close. You gotta go faster.”

“How deep is that river under the bridge?” David asked.

“Fifteen … twenty feet maybe.” Kate responded.

David looked into the rear view mirror, gaging the scene behind them. He then pulled on the steering wheel, causing the car to turn sharply. It tilted dangerously as it’s momentum tried to keep it going straight. It righted again once the U turn was complete. David pressed the accelerator to the floor and they raced back they way they came.

“What are you doing?” Andrew asked. He looked ahead at the advancing wave of ash. “Are you crazy? You don’t play chicken with a pyroclastic flow!”

David didn’t reply. He pressed even harder down on the gas pedal and willed the car to go faster.

“It will be on us in seconds!”

They reached the bridge. At halfway across, David pulled on the steering again. The car swerved. It smashed the railing, and flew through he air. All three passenger screamed. With a giant splash, they hit the water, their momentum pushing them down to the bottom.

Three seconds later, the flow passed over. The surface boiled with the heat, but the people were deep enough down to escape the worst of it.

Andrew recovered his breath. He couldn’t believe that he was still alive. A cold, wet sensation around his feet reminded him that they were not out of danger yet.

“Ahh … Dave?”

“We need to stay as long as we can. Then we smash the windows and swim for it.”

Half an hour later, the four people broke the surface of the river and swam to shore. The air was still hot, and filled with ash. While they were not completely safe yet, the most serious danger had passed.

————————————–

Thanks for the advice. Jason

Thank you! The pressure! The pressure!

Thank you, Ms. Sudlow for this article. It is very timely for the writing contest.

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• Writing Tips

7 Essay Writing Contests to Look Out For in 2023

• 7-minute read
• 28th December 2022

Essay contests are not only a great way to exercise your essay-writing skills but also an awesome way to win cash prizes, scholarships, and internship or program opportunities. They also look wonderful on college applications as awards and achievements.

In this article, you’ll learn about 7 essay writing contests to enter in 2023. Watch the video below, or keep reading to learn more.

1. Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest 

Deadline: Now–April 30, 3023

Who may enter:

This is an international contest for people of all ages (except for residents of Syria, Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Russia, and Belarus due to US government restrictions).

Contest description:

●  The contest is organized by Winning Writers, located in MA, USA.

●  They accept stories and essays on any theme, up to 6,000 words each. This contest defines a story as any short work of fiction and an essay as any short work of nonfiction.

●  Your stories and essays must be submitted in English.

●  You may submit published or unpublished work.

Entry fee: USD 22 per entry

●  Story: First Prize is USD 3,000.

●  Essay: First Prize is USD 3,000.

●  10 Honorable Mentions will receive USD 300 each (any category).

●  The top 12 entries will be published online.

Official website

Please visit the competition’s official website for more information on judges and submissions.

2. 2023 Calibre Essay Prize 

Deadline: Now–January 15, 2023, 11:59 pm

Who may enter: All ages and any nationality or residency are accepted.

●  This contest is hosted by the Australian Book Review.

●  Your essay must be between 2,000 and 5,000 words.

●  You may submit nonfiction essays of all kinds, e.g., personal, political, literary, or speculative.

●  You may enter multiple essays but will need to pay separate fees for each one.

●  Your essay must be unpublished.

Entry fee: AU 30 for non-members

Prize: AU 7,500

Official website:

For more information on this contest, please visit its official website.

3. John Locke Institute Essay Competition 

Deadline: June 30, 2023

●  Students from any country.

●  Students aged 15 to 18 years by the competition deadline.

●  Students aged 14 years or younger by the competition deadline are eligible for the Junior prize.

●  The contest is organized by the John Locke Institute.

●  Your essay cannot exceed 2,000 words.

●  There are seven subjects or categories for essay submissions: Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, and Law.

Entry fee: Free to enter

●  The best overall essay winner receives an honorary John Locke Fellowship, which comes with a USD 10,000 scholarship to attend one or more summer schools or gap year courses.

●  There is also a prize for the best essay in each category. The prize for each winner of a subject category and the Junior category is a scholarship worth USD 2,000 toward the cost of a summer program.

●  All winning essays will be published on the Institute’s website.

For more information about this competition and the John Locke Institute, please visit the official website . Also, be sure to check out our article on all you need to know about this contest.

4. The American Foreign Service Association 2023 Essay Competition 

Deadline: April 3, 2023

●  Students in grades 9–12 in any of the 50 states, DC, the US territories, or if they are US citizens or lawful permanent residents attending high school overseas.

●  Students attending a public, private, or parochial school.

●  Home-schooled students.

●  Your essay should be 1,000–1,500 words.

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

●  You will select a country or region in which the United States Foreign Service has been involved at any point since 1924 and describe how the Foreign Service was successful or unsuccessful in advancing American foreign policy goals – including promoting peace – in this country or region and propose ways in which it might continue to improve those goals in the coming years.

●  Your essay should follow MLA guidelines.

●  Your essay should use a variety of sources.

●  The first-place winner receives USD 2,500, a paid trip to the nation’s capital from anywhere in the U.S. for the winner and their parents, and an all-expense-paid educational voyage courtesy of Semester at Sea.

●  The runner-up receives USD 1,250 and full tuition to attend a summer session of the National Student Leadership Conference’s International Diplomacy program.

Please visit the American Foreign Service website for more information.

5. The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) 2023 Essay Contest 

Deadline: Mid-February 2023–June 1, 2023

Who may enter: High school (including homeschooled), college, and graduate students worldwide.

●  The 2023 essay contest topic is marriages and proposals.

●  High school students may focus on Pride and Prejudice only or bring in other Austen works.

●  Undergraduate and graduate students should discuss at least two Austen novels of their choice.

●  Your essay must be in MLA format and 6 to 8 pages (not including your Works Cited page).

●  Your essay must be written in English.

●  First place wins a USD 1,000 scholarship.

●  Second place wins a USD 500 scholarship.

●  Third place wins a USD 250 scholarship.

●  Winners will also receive one year of membership in JASNA, publication of their essays on this website, and a set of Norton Critical Editions of Jane Austen’s novels.

For more information and submission guidelines, please visit JASNA’s official website .

6. 2023 Writing Contest: Better Great Achievements by EngineerGirl

Deadline: February 1, 2023

●  Students in Grades 3–12. If international or homeschooled, please select your grade level based on if you were attending a public school in the U.S.

●  This contest is organized by EngineerGirl.

●  Students should write a piece that shows how female or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering’s great achievements.

●  You should choose one of the 20 Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century as a topic and explore the technologies developed in the last century and the new ones being developed today. Make sure to follow the specific guidelines for your grade level.

●  Essays should be 650–750 words based on your grade level.

●  Please visit the contest’s website to see specific requirements based on your grade.

Winners in each grade category will receive the prizes listed below:

●  First-place winners will be awarded USD 500.

●  Second-place entries will be awarded USD 250 .

●  Third-place entries will be awarded USD 100 .

For more information and submission guidelines, please visit the official website .

7. World Historian Student Essay Competition

Deadline: May 1, 2023

Who may enter: Students enrolled in Grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools and home-study programs worldwide.

●  Your essay must address the following issue: In what way has the study of world history affected my understanding of the world in which I live?

●  Your essay should be 1,000 words.

Prizes: USD 500

For more information and submission requirements, please visit the contest’s official website.

Essay contests are a great way to expand your writing skills, discuss a topic that is important to you, and earn prize money and opportunities that will be great for you in the long term. Check out our articles on writing thesis statements, essay organization, and argumentative writing strategies to ensure you take first place every time.

If you need help with your essays and would like to make sure that every comma is in place, we will proofread your first 500 words for free !

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Best Writing Contests in 2024

Showing 342 contests that match your search.

The Reedsy Prompts Contest

Genres: Fiction and Short Story

Every Friday, Reedsy sends out five writing prompts. Enter your response within a week for a chance at $250. Winners may also be included in a future issue of Reedsy’s literary magazine, Prompted.

Additional prizes:

$25 credit toward Reedsy editorial services

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: December 31, 2024

High School Academic Research Competition

Columbia Undergraduate Science Journal

Genres: Essay and Non-fiction

The High School Academic Research Competition is where talented students from around the world compete to publish high-quality research on any topic. SARC challenges students to sharpen their critical thinking skills, immerse themselves in the research process, and hone their writing skills for success.

Indigo Research Intensive Summer Program

📅 Deadline: March 20, 2024 (Expired)

Rhyming Poetry Contest

FanStory.com Inc.

Genres: Poetry

Write a poem of any type that has a rhyme scheme.

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: May 30, 2022 (Expired)

Craft your masterpiece in Reedsy Studio

Plan, write, edit, and format your book in our free app made for authors.

Learn more about Reedsy Studio .

Primal Fears Horror Short Story Challenge

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, and Short Story

For this short story challenge, all participants will be randomly assigned a horror sub-genre and will receive a list of 20 primal fears. All participants will receive the same 20 primal fears. As soon as you receive your randomly assigned sub-genre and the list of primal fears, you'll have until the closing time to write and submit a short story of any length up to 5,000 words. Your story should fit the sub-genre you were assigned and should be underpinned by one of the primal fears from the list. You get to choose the primal fear that will underpin your story. The available horror sub-genres are: body horror, folk horror, eco horror, psychological horror, and fantasy horror. Early entry tickets are £2.50, general entry tickets are £5, and late entry tickets are £9.

Publication on website

💰 Entry fee: $12

📅 Deadline: February 19, 2024 (Expired)

"I Matter" Contest

National Youth Foundation

Submit a poem or art on the topic of why Black lives matter. This contest is open to students from grades K-12.

📅 Deadline: July 23, 2024

The Plough Prize

The Plough Arts Centre

Now in its twenty first year, the Plough Poetry Prize is an international open competition for poems in English up to 40 lines on any subject. We're delighted that this year's competition will be judged by Roger McGough.

2nd: £500 | 3rd: £250

💰 Entry fee: $6

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2024 (Expired)

April Flash Fiction Challenge

Writing Peers

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Horror, Mystery, Romance, and Thriller

Are you seeking lots of feedback? Ever wondered what it’s like to step into the shoes of a jury? Pull a genre, pick a prompt, and let your creativity soar. Submit your piece, then review other entries and develop an eye for what makes a story stand out. Receive detailed feedback, evolve as a writer and you might even walk away with the prize money!

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: April 14, 2024

The Carolyn Readers' Choice Awards

North Texas Romance Writers

Genres: Romance

The Carolyn Readers Choice Award contest is open to all authors of traditional, e-published, and self-published books. Romances featuring characters of all races, creeds, ethnicities, genders, and sexualities or with disabilities or containing spiritual/religious elements are welcome to enter. Please enter the category that best suits your entry over all.

Digital medallion for runners up

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: March 01, 2024 (Expired)

Crossings Travel Writing Competition

Intrepid Times

Genres: Non-fiction, Short Story, and Travel

Write an original, factual, first-person travel story that centers on a crossing of some kind. Your travel story should, as always, grow around the context of a place or experience; we want to see the theme being used in a way that enhances both. Editors will be looking for originality, voice, and a satisfying story arc that captures attention and makes use of imagery to pull the reader along at every step.

Publication in Intrepid Times

📅 Deadline: April 30, 2024

The Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2024

The Caterpillar Magazine

The Caterpillar Poetry Prize is an annual prize for an unpublished poem written by an adult for children aged 7–11. Every year since 2015, The Caterpillar Poetry Prize has been awarded to a single poem by a single judge – among them John Hegley, Chrissie Gittins, Roger McGough, Michael Morpurgo & Michael Rosen. The winning poems will be published in the Irish Times online.

2nd: €500 | 3rd: €250

💰 Entry fee: $16

3 Line Poetry Contest

Fanstory.com Inc.

Write a poem that has a syllable count of either 5-7-5 or 5-7-7. It does not rhyme. But the poem must address a loved one.

📅 Deadline: May 12, 2022 (Expired)

Fiction Factory Poetry Competition

Fiction Factory

This is a UK based competition but we welcome international entries. Poets are invited to enter poems (maximum 40 lines excluding title) on any theme. Discounts are offered on multiple entries. Besides the cash prize, our judge, poet and author and mentor, Helen Cox, will offer feedback on five of the winner's poems plus an hour-long mentorship zoom call about their poetry.

Feedback on poems, a Zoom mentorship call, and publication

📅 Deadline: October 31, 2023 (Expired)

Solas Awards

Best Travel Writing

Genres: Essay, Non-fiction, and Travel

Extraordinary stories about travel and the human spirit have been the cornerstones of our books since 1993. With the Solas Awards we honor writers whose work inspires others to explore. We’re looking for the best stories about travel and the world. Funny, illuminating, adventurous, uplifting, scary, inspiring, poignant stories that reflect the unique alchemy that occurs when you enter unfamiliar territory and begin to see the world differently as a result. We hope these awards will be a catalyst for those who love to leave home and tell others about it.

Publication

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: September 21, 2024

Anthology Short Story Competition 2024

Anthology Magazine

Established to recognise and encourage creative writing and provide a platform for publication, the Anthology Short Story Competition is open to original and previously unpublished short stories in the English language by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. There is no restriction on theme or style. Stories submitted must not exceed the maximum of 1,500 words. Writers can submit as many entries as they wish. Each submission will require a separate entry form and is subject to a separate entry fee.

💰 Entry fee: $19

📅 Deadline: July 31, 2024

F(r)iction Flash Fiction Contest

Genres: Flash Fiction

We seek work that actively pushes boundaries, that forces us to question traditions and tastes. If your work takes risks, we want to read it. We like strong narratives that make us feel something and stories we haven’t seen before. We accept work, written in English, from anywhere in the world—regardless of genre, style, or origin—and welcome speculative writing and experimental literature. Strange is good. Strange with a strong character arc is even better. Keep it weird, folks.

📅 Deadline: April 20, 2024

The Loraine Williams Poetry Prize

The Georgia Review

The Loraine Williams Poetry Prize is an award for a single poem, to be published in The Georgia Review. The winner will receive an honorarium of $1,500 and an expenses-paid trip to Athens, Georgia, to give a public reading with the judge. We are pleased to announce that Hanif Abdurraqib will serve as the final judge for the 2023 Loraine Williams Poetry Prize.

Expenses-paid trip to Athens, Georgia

💰 Entry fee: $30

📅 Deadline: May 15, 2024

Claymore Award

Killer Nashville

Genres: Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Novel, Science Fiction, and Thriller

Created in 2009, the Killer Nashville Claymore Award assists new and rebranding English-language fiction authors to get published, including possible agent representation, book advances, editor deals, and movie and television sales. The contest is limited to only the first 50 double-spaced pages of unpublished English-language manuscripts containing elements of thriller, mystery, crime, or suspense NOT currently under contract.

💰 Entry fee: $40

📅 Deadline: April 01, 2023 (Expired)

Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest

Winning Writers

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Short Story

Welcome to the 31st annual Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest. Submit published or unpublished work. $9,000 in prizes.

Two-year gift certificate from Duotrope; 10 Honorable Mentions will receive $300 each

💰 Entry fee: $22

📅 Deadline: May 01, 2024

Voice.club Monthly Flash Fiction Contest

Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, and Short Story

Voice.club Writing Contests: Express yourself in a supportive international community, as you develop your writing skills. We invite you to write a story of 350 words or less, based on our current prompt. Our monthly contests are open to writers aged 13 and older from any country, but each story must be written in English. Our March prompt is "Ambition". We look forward to reading your story!

Dave Williamson National Short Story Competition

Manitoba Writers' Guild

Genres: Fiction

Open to writers across Canada. Short prose in English, 2,500-5,000 words in any fiction genre. We actively encourage submissions from all writers who are 18 years of age or older.

2nd: $600 CAD | 3rd: $400 CAD

📅 Deadline: February 15, 2024 (Expired)

Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize

Desperate Literature

The aim of the Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize is both to celebrate the best of new, boundary-pushing short fiction and to give winners the most visibility possible for their writing. That’s why we’ve teamed up with fourteen different literary and artistic institutions to not only offer cash prizes and writing retreats but also to ensure that all our shortlisters have the opportunity to be published in multiple print and online journals, have their work put in front of literary agents, and present their stories in multiple countries.

2nd + 3rd: €1000 | All shortlisters: publication in our print collection Eleven Stories | All longlisters: One-year subscription to The Literary Consultancy's "Being a Writer" platform | One shortlister: two-week residency at Studio Faire, France

📅 Deadline: December 04, 2024

Witcraft Monthly Humour Competition

Genres: Flash Fiction and Humor

Send us your skillfully written stories that are brief, humorous and engaging, with the emphasis on wit, word play, absurdity and inspired nonsense. Whether your story is designed to raise a smile or a belly laugh, we want stories that are a refuge from the relentless barrage of negativity, angst, war and climate catastrophe that dominates the web.

2nd: AUD $20 | 3rd: AUD $10

📅 Deadline: December 15, 2023 (Expired)

Marsh Hawk Press Poetry Prize

Marsh Hawk Press

Beginning December 1, 2023, Marsh Hawk Press is accepting submissions of poetry manuscripts to the annual Marsh Hawk Press Poetry Prizes. Deadline is April 30, 2024. We welcome submissions from emerging as well as established poets. The winner of the Marsh Hawk Press Poetry Prize receives $1,000.00, book publication and promotion. Winners of the Robert Creeley and Rochelle Ratner prizes, selected from finalists, receive $250.00 each.

Maggie Award for Published Writers

Georgia Romance Writers

Genres: Novel and Romance

The purpose of the Published Maggie Award for Excellence is to recognize the achievements of published authors of romantic fiction. The Maggie Award is a symbol of achievement given by the Georgia Romance Writers (GRW) to bring special attention to these authors. The Maggie, a silver medallion commissioned by GRW, receives national attention. Books will be ranked by librarians, booksellers, and other professionals in the publishing industry.​​

📅 Deadline: April 05, 2024

Fish Flash Fiction Prize

Fish Publishing

Genres: Fiction and Flash Fiction

The Fish Flash Fiction Prize is an opportunity to attempt one of the most interesting and rewarding tasks – to create, in a tiny fragment, a completely resolved and compelling story in 300 words or less. The top ten stories will be published in the FISH ANTHOLOGY 2022.

2nd: €300 + Online Writing Course | 3rd: €300

💰 Entry fee: $14

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2024 (Expired)

Memoir/Fiction Book Contest for IML Publications

Genres: Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Novel

We are a boutique publishing company that is dedicated to amplifying the voices of contemporary writers who are nomads and explorers of language, form, and the psyche. High-quality “unpublished” manuscript submissions of memoir, fiction and non-fiction entrusted to us will be read, sorted and pondered by our esteemed author, Jacqueline Gay Walley.

Possible publication

📅 Deadline: October 01, 2024

Creative Nonfiction Prize

Indiana Review

Genres: Essay, Fiction, and Non-fiction

Send us one creative nonfiction piece, up to 5000 words, for a chance at $1000 + publication. This year's contest will be judged by Lars Horn.

💰 Entry fee: $20

John Estey Student Writing Competition

American Writers Museum

Genres: Children's

“Tradition was safety; change was danger.” — Mary Doria Russell, The Sparrow. This prompt is a quote from Russell’s The Sparrow and can be used as a first line, a last line, a jumping-off point, an inspiration for your students’ work.

📅 Deadline: June 07, 2024

Heroica Poetry Prize

Heroica is delighted to announce the launch of our new Poetry Prize. Heroica is a global storytelling platform dedicated to sharing stories about all aspects of gender oppression. Stories that are real, inspiring, challenging and relatable. Your story matters.

2nd: £50 | 3rd: £25 | Publication in anthology

💰 Entry fee: $2

📅 Deadline: February 29, 2024 (Expired)

Biopage Storytelling Writing Contest

Genres: Fiction, Short Story, and Flash Fiction

Biopage is hosting a writing contest to remind people the benefits of writing. Each story (or once chapter of your stories) is limited to 5,000 characters or roughly 1,000 words. You can write about good life experience, or bad, embarrassing, frightening ones. You can win $300, and five runners-up can win $100 each.

📅 Deadline: January 31, 2024 (Expired)

Travel Writing Award

Ottawa Tourism

Genres: Travel

Ottawa Tourism offers an annual $500 CAD prize for outstanding travel writing featuring Canada’s Capital Region. Eligible entries include items in English or in French that have appeared in magazines, newspapers, or online media in 2023 that highlight Ottawa as a travel destination.

📅 Deadline: February 02, 2024 (Expired)

The Killer Nashville Claymore Award

Genres: Fiction and Novel

Every year, the Killer Nashville Claymore Award assists new and rebranding English-language fiction authors get published, including possible agent representation, book advances, editor deals, and movie and television sales. While we cannot guarantee that winners and finalists of this award will receive publication, dozens of winners & runners-up of the Claymore award have gone on to find great success in their careers and many of them attribute that success to this award.

Discounted admission to Killer Nashville, introductions to agents/editors

📅 Deadline: April 01, 2024 (Expired)

J. Michael Samuel Prize for Emerging Writers Over 50

Lambda Literary

Genres: LGBTQ

The J. Michael Samuel Prize honors emerging LGBTQ writers over the age of 50. This award is made possible by writer and philanthropist Chuck Forester, who created it out of the firmly held belief that “Writers who start late are just as good as other writers, it just took the buggers more time.” The prize will go to an unpublished LGBTQ writer over 50 working in any genre.

📅 Deadline: February 16, 2024 (Expired)

Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award

Trio House Press

Genres: Essay, Memoir, and Non-fiction

We seek un-agented full-length creative nonfiction manuscripts including memoir, essay collections, etc. 50,000 - 80,000 words.

Muriel Craft Bailey Poetry Contest

The Comstock Review

Here 's how it works: our editorial staff chooses approximately fifty to sixty finalists. The highest scoring finalists (25 or so) are considered Special Merit poems. Special Merit poems go to the judge. The judge determines the top three prize winners. The entire editorial staff then selects the Honorable Mentions from the remaining Special Merits.

Publication by The Comstock Review

📅 Deadline: July 15, 2024

Discover the finest writing contests of 2024 for fiction and non-fiction authors — including short story competitions, essay writing competitions, poetry contests, and many more. Updated weekly, these contests are vetted by Reedsy to weed out the scammers and time-wasters. If you’re looking to stick to free writing contests, simply use our filters as you browse.

Why you should submit to writing contests

Submitting to poetry competitions and free writing contests in 2024 is absolutely worth your while as an aspiring author: just as your qualifications matter when you apply for a new job, a writing portfolio that boasts published works and award-winning pieces is a great way to give your writing career a boost. And not to mention the bonus of cash prizes!

That being said, we understand that taking part in writing contests can be tough for emerging writers. First, there’s the same affliction all writers face: lack of time or inspiration. Entering writing contests is a time commitment, and many people decide to forego this endeavor in order to work on their larger projects instead — like a full-length book. Second, for many writers, the chance of rejection is enough to steer them clear of writing contests. 

But we’re here to tell you that two of the great benefits of entering writing contests happen to be the same as those two reasons to avoid them.

When it comes to the time commitment: yes, you will need to expend time and effort in order to submit a quality piece of writing to competitions. That being said, having a hard deadline to meet is a great motivator for developing a solid writing routine.

Think of entering contests as a training session to become a writer who will need to meet deadlines in order to have a successful career. If there’s a contest you have your eye on, and the deadline is in one month, sit down and realistically plan how many words you’ll need to write per day in order to meet that due date — and don’t forget to also factor in the time you’ll need to edit your story!

For tips on setting up a realistic writing plan, check out this free, ten-day course: How to Build a Rock-Solid Writing Routine.

In regards to the fear of rejection, the truth is that any writer aspiring to become a published author needs to develop relatively thick skin. If one of your goals is to have a book traditionally published, you will absolutely need to learn how to deal with rejection, as traditional book deals are notoriously hard to score. If you’re an indie author, you will need to adopt the hardy determination required to slowly build up a readership.

The good news is that there’s a fairly simple trick for learning to deal with rejection: use it as a chance to explore how you might be able to improve your writing.

In an ideal world, each rejection from a publisher or contest would come with a detailed letter, offering construction feedback and pointing out specific tips for improvement. And while this is sometimes the case, it’s the exception and not the rule.

Still, you can use the writing contests you don’t win as a chance to provide yourself with this feedback. Take a look at the winning and shortlisted stories and highlight their strong suits: do they have fully realized characters, a knack for showing instead of telling, a well-developed but subtly conveyed theme, a particularly satisfying denouement?

The idea isn’t to replicate what makes those stories tick in your own writing. But most examples of excellent writing share a number of basic craft principles. Try and see if there are ways for you to translate those stories’ strong points into your own unique writing.

Finally, there are the more obvious benefits of entering writing contests: prize and publication. Not to mention the potential to build up your readership, connect with editors, and gain exposure.

Resources to help you win writing competitions in 2024

Every writing contest has its own set of submission rules. Whether those rules are dense or sparing, ensure that you follow them to a T. Disregarding the guidelines will not sway the judges’ opinion in your favor — and might disqualify you from the contest altogether. 

Aside from ensuring you follow the rules, here are a few resources that will help you perfect your submissions.

Free online courses

On Writing:

How to Craft a Killer Short Story

The Non-Sexy Business of Writing Non-Fiction

How to Write a Novel

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Stop Procrastinating! Build a Solid Writing Routine

On Editing:

Story Editing for Authors

How to Self-Edit Like a Pro

Novel Revision: Practical Tips for Rewrites

How to Write a Short Story in 7 Steps

How to Write a Novel in 15 Steps

Literary Devices and Terms — 35+ Definitions With Examples

10 Essential Fiction Writing Tips to Improve Your Craft

How to Write Dialogue: 8 Simple Rules and Exercises

8 Character Development Exercises to Help You Nail Your Character

Bonus resources

200+ Short Story Ideas

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100+ Creative Writing Exercises for Fiction Authors

Story Title Generator

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After you submit to a writing competition in 2024

It’s exciting to send a piece of writing off to a contest. However, once the initial excitement wears off, you may be left waiting for a while. Some writing contests will contact all entrants after the judging period — whether or not they’ve won. Other writing competitions will only contact the winners. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind after you submit:

Many writing competitions don’t have time to respond to each entrant with feedback on their story. However, it never hurts to ask! Feel free to politely reach out requesting feedback — but wait until after the selection period is over.

If you’ve submitted the same work to more than one writing competition or literary magazine, remember to withdraw your submission if it ends up winning elsewhere.

After you send a submission, don’t follow it up with a rewritten or revised version. Instead, ensure that your first version is thoroughly proofread and edited. If not, wait until the next edition of the contest or submit the revised version to other writing contests.

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We're empowering the next generation of thinkers, doers, and leaders to create a better world.

Our mission

Our essay contest provides an avenue for high school students to explore these important challenges, and strive for novel answers. More than ever, the world needs thoughtful, critical thinkers. But, more than this, we want to create a genuine sense of compassion and hope for what humanity might be able to achieve.

Our mission is to empower the next generation, through fostering relentless inquiry and uncompromising originality, to shape the vast number of future generations to come.

• Run by Pivotal
• In partnership with Oxford University's Global Priorities Institute
• Financially supported by

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If you have any additional questions, please contact us.

Media inquiries

We have at your disposal a press kit with logos and other resources. We usually respond within a few hours.

Cheating & fraud

"If you have been approached by a contestant to write their essay, or by a service offering to write an essay, please contact us. We will investigate.

Enter Pivotal's Essay Contest for High School Students

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Essay contests & non-fiction writing competitions.

Quick links on this page:

• featured essay contests
• regular essay contests
• prestigious competitions offering large monetary prizes
• annual essay contests
• memoir competitions
• one-off essay competitions
• other non-fiction competition lists
• closed competitions - a history for reference
• user comments

Last updated 23rd March 2024

Below are tables listing various essay contests and other non-fiction writing competitions, prizes and awards. Some are academic, some offer scholarships and others are just for fun.

Please read and make sure you fully understand the rules and the terms & conditions of each competition listed before entering.

If you run an essay competition or non-fiction writing contest and would like me to add it to the lists below, please contact me providing the following information in the body of an email:

• How often you will be running the contest (eg, annually, quarterly, one-off)
• The name of your competition
• A link to your website
• The country you run the competition from
• Closing date
• The date you announce winners
• Maximum word count for essays
• Any other details, including how winning writers' essays might be published and any guidelines on theme / style of essays you accept

I do my best to keep this page up-to-date, but if you spot any errors, incorrect information or links that no longer work, please get in touch and let me know. I try and fix any problems quickly :-)

Note On Essay Writing Service Providers Offering Scholarships

Some of the contests and scholarships that used to be listed on this page were run by essay writing service providers. The more I found out about these types of business, the more I felt that they're not ethical. Essentially, they allow students to cheat, by paying someone else to write their essay/thesis for them. While some of them do offer large cash prizes, so can be of benefit to writers, I wasn't comforable promoting these brands or being associated with them.

Due to my reservations about this business niche, essay writing service providers that offer a non-fiction writing opportunity were removed from the lists in my 2019 January update. You will find them in the history section of the page , with a note that says, ' Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists '.

Note On Affiliate Websites Offering Scholarships

In 2017 I started to receive a lot of requests for listings by affiliate websites that have little or nothing to do with writing. They often offer scholarships with decent cash prizes, but were run by websites that promoted vacuum cleaners, or baby products etc. My audience are writers, so I want to keep this page on topic and relevant to them.

Therefore I am no longer accepting listing requests from websites that are not about writing. I've also moved any listings I did have for off-topic websites into the History of Closed Contests list, with a note saying, ' REMOVED because website has nothing to do with writing '.

Featured Essay / Non-Fiction Contests

Do you run an essay competition or non-fiction writing contest? Do you want it featured at the top of this page? If so, get in touch .

Featured Competition: FanStory

You'll Enjoy

• Contests. Enter all contests with cash prizes for free with upgraded membership. That includes many non-fiction contests. New contests with cash prizes are announced weekly. Click here to view the listing.
• Feedback. Get detailed feedback for everything you write. All skill levels welcomed.
• Community. Share your writing and grow your fan base. Click here for info.

Non-Fiction Contest Highlights

• A First Book Chapter : Share the first chapter of your novel. Non-fiction writing is welcomed. Enter for your chance at the cash prize . Deadline Jan 13th.
• True Story Contest : We all have stories to tell. True stories, small or large, that have impacted our life. Share your true story to enter this writing contest with a cash prize . Deadline Mar 9th.
• Non-Fiction Writing Contest : Share a nonfiction story to enter this writing contest. Share a memory, a difficult time or whatever you feel from the story of your life. Cash prize to the winner. Deadline May 8th.
• True Story Flash : Here is a challenge. Share a true story. But there is a catch - you only get 100 words. Have fun with this writing challenge. The winner takes away a cash prize . Deadline May 27th.

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Regular Essay / Non-Fiction Contests

This table lists non-fiction competitions that are run regularly; weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, bi-annually etc.

Prestigious / Large Prize Essay / Non-Fiction Contests

This table contains details of renowned contests, often offering large amounts of prize money. Any prize awarded in excess of £1,000 ($, € or other currency) is listed here.

Annual Essay / Non-Fiction Competitions

This table lists contests that are run on a yearly basis.

Memoir Competitions

This table lists contests that are run on a yearly basis. There are very few current memoir competitions. If you know of any, please let me know .

One-Off Essay & Non-Fiction Writing Competitions

This table lists details of one-off essay and non-fiction competitions.

Other Non-Fiction Competition Lists

Here you will find details of other online resources that provide lists of non-fiction and essay competitions.

• Mistakes Writers Make
• TCK Publishing

A History of Closed Essay Contests

For reference, a record of non-fiction writing contests that have closed.

This page may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy .

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Cathy M I am semi retired and thinking about taking up writing. I am in the process of putting together my biographical memoirs about a woman growing up during the 20th century in America. I have had a fairly interesting life being born in Southern California just after World War II and wondered if you could direct me to whomever might be interested in reviewing it.

Chris Fielden Cathy, you could try some memoir writing competitions. I know Fish Publishing and Writers Digest accept memoir entries and are well renowned. You could also try the Creative Nonfiction website as they accept all sorts of nonfiction submissions.

If you want to do some research, the Writers' & Artists' yearbook is a good place to start. It's UK based, but contains all sorts of details about different publishers that might be appropriate for you.

I hope that's helpful and wish you the best of luck with publishing your work :-)

Justin S Hi Christopher, this question is purely out of curiosity and not at all an attempt at criticism, but when you post potential writing competitions on your website, have any of them turned out to be fraudulent? I've heard people running into problems with the Essays Capital essay competition and was wondering if you had any more information on the legitimacy of the company and the contest.

Chris Fielden Hi Justin. No, I haven't heard of any problems regarding the Essays Capital competition.

The only website I've ever encountered that kind of problem with was called Chapter One Promotions. A couple of my users highlighted issues and with a bit of research (and personal experience, unfortunately - I had a short story due to be published by them at the time; needless to say, it never happened) I found that there were lots of complaints about the contest and made that clear on my site, linking to other resources that highlighted the problems.

So, if you have any information on issues with this particular competition, please let me know so I can research it. And if there are any relevant links you can send, that would be much appreciated.

Justin S Hello Chris. Well it's mostly from what I've seen from their facebook page. They announced a very truncated time - roughly 6 days - until winners would be notified of their status, however, there hasn't even been any emails of declination. My nephew who entered the competition told me there were no confirmation emails; no social media status updates and basically no aid from their 24/7 help desk. Looking at your description of their competition, it seems like they've done this more than once (since you wrote they hold it biannually in their description).

I'd love to know more about it if you find more information about their legitimacy.

Chris Fielden Hi Justin. Great stuff, thanks for letting me know.

I’ve had a search about and can’t find any other feedback about them, but their Twitter hasn’t been updated for months either.

It looks like there might be issue, so I’ll change the listing on my site to reflect this and link to their Facebook profile as an example. That might spur them to get in touch.

I’ll let you know if I hear from them.

Madeeha K Hi Christopher. Thanks for the links which provide us with information regarding Essay writing contests. Back in August I participated in the EssayPro writing contest. Later they extended the date for the submissions to their essay writing contest. It's now December 2016.

I've also participated in EssayHelp's writing contest which happens to also be a project linked with EssayPro writing services. Now it's been a month, I'd like to know about some Twitter handle for EssayPro so that I can know about the results of the contest, but I'm not able to get in touch with any of customer service representatives there.

It's making me a bit confused and I would very much appreciate it if you could help me in solving this matter. If the chat option is available on their site, why don't they respond to my queries?

Chris Fielden Sorry to hear about your experiences with EssayPro. And thank you for letting me know about it.

I recently liaised with Kurtis (in November), who runs it. So I assume the contest is still active.

I’ve emailed him for you and asked him what is going on.

I’ll let you know if I hear back from him.

In the meantime, this is their Twitter profile: @EssayPro_

Madeeha K Many thanks for your response. I'll be glad if you'll let me know when you hear back.

Chris Fielden Hi Madeeha

I’ve heard back from Kurtis. Please see his message below.

He said you can feel free to contact him.

I hope that’s helpful. Please let me know if you need any more help.

Hi Christopher,

The contest is actually extended, that's absolutely right. We are going to announce names of the winners after the contest is over.

We decided simply to update the page with the contest details rather than get in touch with the participants because there were not many.

EssayHelp is another organization and I can't help with that.

But I will be happy to help this person with the EssayPro contest and to answer all the questions she/he has.

Thank you for this letter.

Let me know if there is anything else you'd like to clarify.

Regards, Kurtis

Madeeha K Thanks Christopher, I've just heard from Kurtis and have found answers to most of my queries.

Chris Fielden Hi Madeeha. OK, great – thanks for letting me know :-)

John S Hi - was looking through your list of essay prizes, and didn't see one on there which you might want to add: The Bodley Head/Financial Times Essay Prize.

Chris Fielden Thanks for this, John – much appreciated. I’ve added the competition to the listings.

Madeeha K Hi Chris. Thanks for your effort in compiling this page of essay writing competitions. Last year, I was declared winner in the edubirdie writing competition listed on your page. I also received an appreciation certificate from lifesaver essay contest, but still have some doubts about writing essays for these essay service providers.

You have mentioned that some of the contests on the page are run by essay service providers, but don't you think that most of them are run by theses types of services? I'm confused, if I write for some contests run by these services, what are they going to do with my essay later on? This is putting me off participating in these types of competition.

I haven't found any other site with this much information and love to write essays, but the thing which is confusing me is the fact that writing competitions listed on your site under the heading of regular and prestigious competitions are all run by essay service providers. Is it fine to write for them?

Chris Fielden Hi Madeeha. No problem. And congratulations on winning the edubirdie competition – that’s great news.

A lot of the contests I list are run by essay writing services. I guess it makes sense for them to run these types of competitions as they are relevant to their websites and help with marketing their brands.

Most of the competitions listed publish winning essays on their websites. That’s good for a writer’s portfolio. And cash prizes are always beneficial :-) Beyond that, I haven’t seen any other statements about what the competition administrators might do with an essay you submit. As you own the copyright, they couldn’t do anything without your permission anyway.

I don’t think there is any harm in submitting to these competitions. I just question the ethics of an industry that offers a service that writes essays for students – to me, it seems like offering a way of cheating. Still, the contests are separate from that and can help a writer develop and add credits to their CV. I guess it’s your call, but personally I don’t see a problem with submitting to contests run by these businesses.

If you’re worried about it, I’d simply submit to contests that are not run by these types of business. There are other sites outside of the essay writing service industry listed on my site. Maybe try some of those?

I hope that answers your question, but please let me know if you require any further information.

Padma P Hi Christopher. I want to write a novel about a girl's life - inspirational, loving, entertaining  mood swings, family, schooling and her entire life in different  situations. I want to publish it but I don't know whom to trust my novel story with.

Chris Fielden You could try Inkitt . They offer a trustworthy platform. It's free to use. I deal with them regularly and they seem like good people.

I hope that helps - good luck with your book :-)

Sandeep N Hi Chris, you are doing great service through this site. Thank you!

I have written a book on raising human consciousness, titled RENEWAL, which I have been advised to enter into competitions. That search is what got me to your site.

Would you have any suggestions for me? Would you like to read a copy?

Chris Fielden Hi Sandeep, thank you for your message. And congratulations on publishing your book.

There are lots of competitions for books, but you'd have to look through all the rules / terms and conditions and see which ones might be suitable for your style of writing. I have a book and novel contest list on my site. You can see that here .

I receive lots of requests to read books and can't accommodate them all, I'm afraid. But thank you for the offer.

I wish you all the best with submitting your book to competitions.

Sandeep N YOU ARE TOTALLY AWESOME CHRISTOPHER! Thanks, Sandeep.

Chris Fielden Thank you Sandeep :-)

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Tips on Winning an Essay Contest

If you want to win a contest with your essay, there are several ways to make your paper stand out. We recommend that you prepare for writing and check all the necessary guidelines to make sure that your essay meets all the requirements. Choose a topic that corresponds to the theme of the contest and write a detailed and engaging essay. You have more chances to win the contest if your essay is original and grammatically perfect. Fortunately, writing experts prepared this guide at https://writers-house.com/ so you can write the best essay possible.

Writing and Editing

1. First, read the rules of the contest to understand what your writing should be about and what standards it should meet. Pay your attention to the word count, submission dates, and other specific guidelines. If you don’t follow the rules of the contest, your essay will likely be disqualified so make sure to follow the necessary requirements before submitting it. We also recommend that you check the guidelines from time to time while writing.

2. Brainstorm to choose a topic that fits the theme of the contest. Most often, essay contests have a particular theme that you should take into account when choosing your topic. Brainstorm and write down several ideas that you would like to turn into an essay. After this, select the topic that looks most interesting to you.  Make sure to stick with the theme while writing. For example, if you’ve been asked to write about an influential person in your life, we recommend that you choose the person who has had a significant impact on you so that you can provide some interesting examples.

3. Write the first draft of your essay. Don’t try to make your first draft perfect, just make sure to include all the points that you consider important. You may also write several drafts of your essay, changing the overall structure and including different examples so that you can choose the best draft later. To make this task easier, we recommend that you write an outline first, and then follow it when writing.

4. Once you’ve written your first draft, revise it. Read your essay a few times and try to make it better. For example, you might want to get rid of some unnecessary sentences or to add something important. Make sure that all your examples are directly related to your topic. In addition, we recommend that you make sure that your essay is logically correct and interesting to read. Read your essay to your friends or parents and listen to what they say. Their feedback can help you understand what needs to be improved.

5. Proofread your essay and fix any grammar mistakes. You won’t be able to win the contest if your essay will be full of typos or have problems with punctuation. You can also order professional proofreading at Writers-House.com.

6. Submit your essay before the deadline. The sooner you submit it, the more time the judges will have to read it. Keep in mind that many people will submit their essays on the deadline so submitting it sooner is your chance to stand out. If you’re going to send your essay by mail, make sure that it will reach the judges before the deadline.

Making an Outstanding Essay

1. Grab your readers’ attention with an interesting introduction. The judges have to read dozens of essays so your essay must catch their attention from the very beginning. We recommend that you write an actionable and engaging hook that will make your readers want to figure out what your story is about.

2. The very first thing your readers see is the title of your essay so we suggest that you choose it carefully. Brainstorm and jot down creative ideas so that you can select the best title. Keep in mind that your title must give your readers a general understanding of what your essay is about while also keeping them intrigued.

3. Use descriptive words to bring your story to life. Describe objects, events, places, sounds, etc. in detail so that your readers can imagine the full picture. A great rule is to show, not to tell. Vivid descriptions allow you to demonstrate your creativity and writing skills.

4. Make your essay authentic and original. Include at least one element that the judges won’t find in any other essay. It may be a description of a place, an interesting dialogue, or some complex subject. We recommend that you read your essay several times to understand whether you can improve simple sentences and make them more interesting. You may also ask somebody to read your essay and tell you what parts stand out.

5. Finally, you need to format your essay according to the necessary requirements. Use the right font and margins. Make sure to check out the guidelines to use the right format. When sending your essay as a letter, fold it nicely so that your paper will look neat and professional.

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The Best Student Writing Contests for 2023-2024

Help your students take their writing to the next level.

When students write for teachers, it can feel like an assignment. When they write for a real purpose, they are empowered! Student writing contests are a challenging and inspiring way to try writing for an authentic audience— a real panel of judges —and the possibility of prize money or other incentives. We’ve gathered a list of the best student writing contests, and there’s something for everyone. Prepare highly motivated kids in need of an authentic writing mentor, and watch the words flow.

1.  The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

With a wide range of categories—from critical essays to science fiction and fantasy—The Scholastic Awards are a mainstay of student contests. Each category has its own rules and word counts, so be sure to check out the options  before you decide which one is best for your students.

How To Enter

Students in grades 7-12, ages 13 and up, may begin submitting work in September by uploading to an online account at Scholastic and connecting to their local region. There are entry fees, but those can be waived for students in need.

2.  YoungArts National Arts Competition

This ends soon, but if you have students who are ready to submit, it’s worth it. YoungArts offers a national competition in the categories of creative nonfiction, novel, play or script, poetry, short story, and spoken word. Student winners may receive awards of up to $10,000 as well as the chance to participate in artistic development with leaders in their fields.

YoungArts accepts submissions in each category through October 13. Students submit their work online and pay a $35 fee (there is a fee waiver option).

3. National Youth Foundation Programs

Each year, awards are given for Student Book Scholars, Amazing Women, and the “I Matter” Poetry & Art competition. This is a great chance for kids to express themselves with joy and strength.

The rules, prizes, and deadlines vary, so check out the website for more info.

4.  American Foreign Service National High School Essay Contest

If you’re looking to help students take a deep dive into international relations, history, and writing, look no further than this essay contest. Winners receive a voyage with the Semester at Sea program and a trip to Washington, DC.

Students fill out a registration form online, and a teacher or sponsor is required. The deadline to enter is the first week of April.

5.  John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

This annual contest invites students to write about a political official’s act of political courage that occurred after Kennedy’s birth in 1917. The winner receives $10,000, and 16 runners-up also receive a variety of cash prizes.

Students may submit a 700- to 1,000-word essay through January 12. The essay must feature more than five sources and a full bibliography.

6. Bennington Young Writers Awards

Bennington College offers competitions in three categories: poetry (a group of three poems), fiction (a short story or one-act play), and nonfiction (a personal or academic essay). First-place winners receive $500. Grab a poster for your classroom here .

The contest runs from September 1 to November 1. The website links to a student registration form.

7. The Princeton Ten-Minute Play Contest

Looking for student writing contests for budding playwrights? This exclusive competition, which is open only to high school juniors, is judged by the theater faculty of Princeton University. Students submit short plays in an effort to win recognition and cash prizes of up to $500. ( Note: Only open to 11th graders. )

Students submit one 10-page play script online or by mail. The deadline is the end of March. Contest details will be published in early 2024.

8. Princeton University Poetry Contest for High School Students

The Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize recognizes outstanding work by student writers in 11th grade. Prizes range from $100 to $500.

Students in 11th grade can submit their poetry. Contest details will be published this fall.

9. The New York Times Tiny Memoir Contest

This contest is also a wonderful writing challenge, and the New York Times includes lots of resources and models for students to be able to do their best work. They’ve even made a classroom poster !

Submissions need to be made electronically by November 1.

10.  Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest

The deadline for this contest is the end of October. Sponsored by Hollins University, the Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest awards prizes for the best poems submitted by young women who are sophomores or juniors in high school or preparatory school. Prizes include cash and scholarships. Winners are chosen by students and faculty members in the creative writing program at Hollins.

Students may submit either one or two poems using the online form.

11.  The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers

The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers is open to high school sophomores and juniors, and the winner receives a full scholarship to a  Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop .

Submissions for the prize are accepted electronically from November 1 through November 30.

12. Jane Austen Society Essay Contest

High school students can win up to $1,000 and publication by entering an essay on a topic specified by the Jane Austen Society related to a Jane Austen novel.

Details for the 2024 contest will be announced in November. Essay length is from six to eight pages, not including works cited.

13. Rattle Young Poets Anthology

Open to students from 15 to 18 years old who are interested in publication and exposure over monetary awards.

Teachers may choose five students for whom to submit up to four poems each on their behalf. The deadline is November 15.

14. The Black River Chapbook Competition

This is a chance for new and emerging writers to gain publication in their own professionally published chapbook, as well as $500 and free copies of the book.

There is an $18 entry fee, and submissions are made online.

15. YouthPlays New Voices

For students under 18, the YouthPlays one-act competition is designed for young writers to create new works for the stage. Winners receive cash awards and publication.

Scroll all the way down their web page for information on the contest, which accepts non-musical plays between 10 and 40 minutes long, submitted electronically. Entries open each year in January.

16. The Ocean Awareness Contest

The 2024 Ocean Awareness Contest, Tell Your Climate Story , encourages students to write their own unique climate story. They are asking for creative expressions of students’ personal experiences, insights, or perceptions about climate change. Students are eligible for a wide range of monetary prizes up to $1,000.

Students from 11 to 18 years old may submit work in the categories of art, creative writing, poetry and spoken word, film, interactive media and multimedia, or music and dance, accompanied by a reflection. The deadline is June 13.

17. EngineerGirl Annual Essay Contest

Each year, EngineerGirl sponsors an essay contest with topics centered on the impact of engineering on the world, and students can win up to $500 in prize money. This contest is a nice bridge between ELA and STEM and great for teachers interested in incorporating an interdisciplinary project into their curriculum. The new contest asks for pieces describing the life cycle of an everyday object. Check out these tips for integrating the content into your classroom .

Students submit their work electronically by February 1. Check out the full list of rules and requirements here .

18. NCTE Student Writing Awards

The National Council of Teachers of English offers several student writing awards, including Achievement Awards in Writing (for 10th- and 11th-grade students), Promising Young Writers (for 8th-grade students), and an award to recognize Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines.

Deadlines range from October 28 to February 15. Check out NCTE.org for more details.

19. See Us, Support Us Art Contest

Children of incarcerated parents can submit artwork, poetry, photos, videos, and more. Submissions are free and the website has a great collection of past winners.

Students can submit their entries via social media or email by October 25.

20. The Adroit Prizes for Poetry & Prose

The Adroit Journal, an education-minded nonprofit publication, awards annual prizes for poetry and prose to exceptional high school and college students. Adroit charges an entry fee but also provides a form for financial assistance.

Sign up at the website for updates for the next round of submissions.

21. National PTA Reflections Awards

The National PTA offers a variety of awards, including one for literature, in their annual Reflections Contest. Students of all ages can submit entries on the specified topic to their local PTA Reflections program. From there, winners move to the local area, state, and national levels. National-level awards include an $800 prize and a trip to the National PTA Convention.

This program requires submitting to PTAs who participate in the program. Check your school’s PTA for their deadlines.

22. World Historian Student Essay Competition

The World Historian Student Essay Competition is an international contest open to students enrolled in grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools, as well as those in home-study programs. The $500 prize is based on an essay that addresses one of this year’s two prompts.

Students can submit entries via email or regular mail before May 1.

23. NSHSS Creative Writing Scholarship

The National Society of High School Scholars awards three $2,000 scholarships for both poetry and fiction. They accept poetry, short stories, and graphic novel writing.

Apply online by October 31.

Whether you let your students blog, start a podcast or video channel, or enter student writing contests, giving them an authentic audience for their work is always a powerful classroom choice.

If you like this list of student writing contests and want more articles like it, subscribe to our newsletters to find out when they’re posted!

Plus, check out our favorite anchor charts for teaching writing..

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Best 2024 Competitions for Students in Grades K-12

Competitions in STEM, ELA and the arts, and more! Continue Reading

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7 Properties Offered as Prizes in Essay Contests

By miss cellania | jun 27, 2016.

What do you do when you’ve decided to sell a huge, historic, or expensive property in a small town, but no one can afford it? One trend that’s gaining popularity is to run an essay contest with an entry fee that will cover your costs. The essay part makes the scheme a competition of skill instead of an out-and-out lottery, which is illegal in some places, and they also ensure that the winner is someone who will likely continue the business (though that’s never a sure thing). Generally, the contests stipulate the minimum number of entries required, which would add up to at least the value of the property; if the minimum isn't reached, then the entry fees are refunded.

The upside to these contests is that the property goes to an individual who might not otherwise be able to own such a property or start a small business, and the seller reaps the value of the property without having to sell to deep-pocket corporations. However, it doesn’t always turn out that way.

1. THE TEMPLE THEATER

In January, the proprietors of the Temple Theater in Houlton, Maine launched an essay contest for ownership of the 98-year-old theater, one of the oldest continuously operating movie theaters in the state.

The contest received entries from nearly every state and at least six countries—but unfortunately, it didn't draw the minimum 3500 entries necessary for a winner to be picked, and all the entry fees were returned to the contestants. But one of the entrants, Charles “Charlie” Fortier, was still interested in buying the theater. A Houlton native and author of six books, Fortier wrote about his history with the theater in his essay, titled "Why I'd Be Perfect to Run the Temple Theater": He'd seen Star Wars at the theater twice the very night it opened and nearly died during a showing of Blazing Saddles when he laughed and choked on candy pom poms. “I know how important the Temple is to the community even with the proliferation of Netflix and Redbox and want to dedicate my sunset years to keeping it going so it can instill the same wonder in others that I felt when I was kid,” Fortier wrote , according to the Bangor Daily News.

By April, the theater was Fortier's, and the Temple Cinema is still open under his management.

2. HUMBLE HEART FARM

Last summer, Paul and Leslie Spell launched an essay contest with a $150 entry fee for their goat farm in Elkhart, Alabama. Humble Heart Farm came with 20 acres, a house, dairy equipment, and nearly 100 goats and sheep. The prize also included $20,000 to help the new owners get their business up and running.

The couple planned to take the funds from the contest and move to Costa Rica, where they intended to help their missionary friends run a goat dairy. "We've had a pretty successful run here and I thought it was time for us to go help someone else," Paul told Alabama Today . "By giving people the opportunity of winning the farm and creamery we will be able to help our missionary friends to become self-sufficient and have enough income for day to day expenses."

The Spells planned to pick a winner on October 15, but as the deadline approached, they announced they did not receive the 2500 entries required. The number of entries was so small that they decided against extending the deadline and refunded the entry fees. “I’d thought for sure this would work,” Paul said . “We didn’t get even close.”

3. MIX CUPCAKERIE AND KITCHEN

In order to relocate her family to Cape Cod, Carole Kelaher put her business, Mix Cupcakerie and Kitchen in Waitsfield, Vermont, up for a contest in 2015. To enter, would-be bakers had to submit an essay and a cupcake recipe along with a $75 fee. The contest prize didn't include the building (Kelaher rented the storefront), but it did include 80 hours of training with Kelaher and two month’s rent as well as money for utilities, supplies, and payroll for the bakery's two employees.

"I wanted to spread out the pool of perspective owners," Kelaher told Vermont Public Radio . "It's not necessarily about being a buyer. It's more about having the love and the ability to do this job."

Kelaher needed to raise $22,000 to give the bakery away, but it was not to be. Despite a crowdfunding campaign to raise donations in addition to the essay contest, Kelaher only raised about half the needed amount of money . There were only 85 entries in the essay contest, so the fees were returned. But the publicity helped Kelaher to sell the business the old-fashioned way, and a new owner took over in July 2015.

4. CENTER LOVELL INN

An essay contest will determine the new owner of the Center Lovell Inn & Restaurant. http://t.co/R5xles9xgL pic.twitter.com/XSCYlztYld — Portland Press Herald (@PressHerald) March 9, 2015

When Janice Sage decided to retire a year ago, the proprietor of Center Lovell Inn & Restaurant in Lovell, Maine, decided to launch an essay contest to award the inn to a new owner. (Sage had herself won the inn in an essay contest in 1993.) The contest required an entry fee of $125 and a 200-words-or-less essay.

“There’s a lot of very talented people in the restaurant business who would like to have their own place but can’t afford it,” Sage told the Portland Press Herald . “This is a way for them to have the opportunity to try.” She planned to narrow the entries to 20, then turn them over to two judges, who would pick the winner.

Sage received 7255 entries, slightly short of the 7500 entries she’d hoped for, but announced a winner anyway. The contest was won by Prince Roger Adams and his wife, Rose. The pair, who had restored an old inn in the early years of their marriage, seemed especially suited for the job: Rose was a chef, and Prince had experience marketing and managing an inn. "This contest is fortuitous since we now aspire to finally own a place outright; somewhere to share our love of fine food, great wines and entertaining with others," Adams wrote in his essay . "Undoubtedly our passion, hospitality and commitment is the perfect recipe for a successful marriage to the beautiful Center Lovell Inn and Restaurant."

But the transition wasn't seamless. Other entrants complained that the contest was rigged; their complaints spurred a two-month investigation, which found no improprieties . Adams told The New York Times that other entrants have left bad reviews of the inn at TripAdvisor and have been paying him "nasty visits and phones calls."

5. SUSTAINAFEST TINY HOUSE

SustainaFest is a nonprofit organization that works to raise awareness about social, environmental, and economic issues in the Chesapeake Bay region. In 2015, they held an essay contest to award a 210-square-foot home in Washington, D.C., where housing prices are sky-high. The home was evaluated at $76,000. The contest required a $100 entry fee and an essay of 350 or fewer words that answered the question: “What are your keys to living a sustainable lifestyle, and how would owning the SustainaFest Tiny House help you realize your dream of living that lifestyle?" 

The contest was canceled when there weren’t enough entries to cover the costs of constructing the house. But a Texas couple who had submitted three of the entries ended up buying the home for $50,000. “The couple who bought the house decided to downsize and have been living out of an Airstream trailer,” Sustainafest’s Josh Bennett told UrbanTurf. “They started their own business and have decided they need a bit more space so the tiny house will become their primary residence and the trailer will be the business headquarters.”

6. RIVER HOUSE

Rhonda Pennington had an idea to find a new owner for her home on the Ohio River in Vevay, Indiana. The 4200-square-foot house has four bedrooms, three full baths, a wrap-around deck, and a view of Kentucky across the river. Since she had no luck selling the home in the conventional manner, Pennington launched an essay contest with a fee of $199. The essays were to be judged by a panel from Hanover College. The contest was announced in August 2015 , and the deadline was to be November 30.

But the contest did not get the required 2000 entries . Pennington announced that fact on December 11, when she posted on Facebook that the contest was canceled and entry fees would be refunded. Some entrants were upset over the cancelation, others over the fact that Hanover College pulled out of the contest before the entry deadline with no announcement to the public, and still others were angrily waiting for their refunds, which were not sent out until January 2016. "I'm very disappointed in how this whole thing was handled,” one entrant, Mary DiMarco of Oakland, Maine, told The Indianapolis Star .

The house is still for sale; you can see the listing here .

7. THE HARDWICK GAZETTE

The Hardwick Gazette

Just this month, a new business joined the contest craze. The Hardwick Gazette , a weekly newspaper in Hardwick, Vermont, needs a new owner. The paper has been in business since 1889, and Ross Connelly, the current editor and publisher, is retiring. It could be yours for the price of a $175 entry fee and a 400-word essay "about the entrant’s skills and vision for owning a paid weekly newspaper in the new millennium." 

“We want to hear from people who can hold up a mirror in which local citizens can see themselves and gain insights into the lives within their communities,” Connelly says . “We want to hear from people with a passion for local stories that are important, even in the absence of scandal and sensationalism.”

The prize includes the building, office supplies and equipment, furniture, the archives of past editions, and current lists of advertisers, partners, and subscribers. A minimum of 700 entries are needed to complete the contest, but if the maximum of 1889 entries are received, the winner will receive a $5000 cash bonus. You can read more about the contest, including the rules, at the contest's website .

PAVE Essay Contest and Scholarship Program

The entry period for PAVE’s 2024 Essay Contest is now closed.

Thanks to everyone who participated, we plan to announce the winners later this spring., partners for automated vehicle education is excited to partner with steer, the district department of transportation, and the maryland department of transportation to host the second annual  pave essay contest and scholarship program for high school juniors and seniors in washington d.c., maryland, and virginia., what is the pave essay contest, the pave essay contest and scholarship program encourages high school juniors and seniors to imagine a world with autonomous vehicles and write about what this new technology would mean for their communities. students need to submit their final essays (1,000 words or fewer) by 11:59 p.m. et on march 15, 2024., who can enter, the contest is open to high school juniors and seniors who live in washington, d.c., maryland, and virginia., where is the contest, this year’s contest is in the washington d.c. tri-state area, but we will expand to other locations for the 2024-2025 school year., what do i  write  about, students can choose between three essay prompts, and they should submit their essay (1,000 words or fewer) by the march 15, 2024 deadline.  the essay prompts for the contest are listed in the entry form., how are the winners selected, a selection committee, made up of av industry experts, will score the essays using this scoring rubric ., how do i enter, to enter, complete your entry form, including the text of  your essay (1,000 words or fewer), by 11:59 p.m. et on march 15, 2024. if you are unable to access the google form, send an email to [email protected]  and we’ll send you a pdf copy of the submission form., what do the winners receive, the first, second and third place winners will receive college scholarship funding, as follows:, first place – $2500, second place – $1500, third place – $1000, what are the rules, you can read all of the rules and guidelines for the contest here. note that all essays will be run through an ai detector, and any found to have been ai-generated will be disqualified., who are the contest sponsors, we are incredibly grateful for our generous contest sponsors who are providing the scholarship funding, assisting with contest planning, and serving on the evaluation committees., this year’s contest is sponsored by:, maryland department of transportation, district department of transportation ..

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Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

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What is Atlas Shrugged?

The astounding story of a man who said that he would stop the motor of the world—and did.

Tremendous in scope, breathtaking in its suspense, Atlas Shrugged is unlike any other book you have ever read. It is a mystery story, not about the murder of a man’s body, but about the murder—and rebirth—of man’s spirit.

How It Works

Every three months there is a new seasonal entry round, with its own unique essay prompt. You may compete in any or all of these entry rounds.

The top three essays from each season will be awarded a cash prize. The first-place essay from each season will advance to compete for the annual grand prize.

The first-place essay from each season will be eligible to contend for the annual first-place title, with the opportunity to secure a grand prize of $25,000.

Challenging Essay Topics

Each entry round features a unique topic designed to provoke a deeper understanding of the book’s central themes and characters.

Essays must be written in English only and be between 800 and 1,600 words in length.

Questions? Write to us at [email protected] .

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The essay prompt for our fall entry period has not yet been determined. We will post it here as soon it’s available.

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Master our grading standards.

Essays are judged on whether the student is able to justify and argue for his or her view, not on whether the Institute agrees with the view the student expresses. 

Our graders look for writing that is clear, articulate, and logically organized.  Essays should stay on topic, address all parts of the selected prompt, and interrelate the ideas and events in the novel. 

Winning essays must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophic meaning of Atlas Shrugged .

Organization

Understanding, contest timeline, discover the power of atlas shrugged.

Atlas Shrugged  is a mystery novel like no other. You enter a world where scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, and inventors are inexplicably vanishing—where the world is crumbling.

And what you discover, by the end, is an uplifting vision of life, an inspiring cast of heroes, and a challenging new way to think about life’s most important issues.

Learn more and request a free digital copy of the book today.

Learn from Past Winners

Curious to know what makes for a winning essay in the Atlas Shrugged   contest? Check out some of the essays written by our most recent grand-prize winners. 

To varying degrees, they all display an excellent grasp of the philosophic meaning of Atlas Shrugged .

Click here to see the full list of 2022 contest winners.

Jacob Fisher

Graduate Student

Stanford University

Stanford, California

United States

Mariah Williams

Regis University

Denver, Colorado

Nathaniel Shippee

University of Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Samuel Weaver

St. John’s College

Annapolis, Maryland

Patrick Mayles

Graduate student

Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Christina Jeong

College Student

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana

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Other than endorsing perfect punctuation and grammar in English, the Ayn Rand Institute offers no advice or feedback for essays submitted to its contests. However, we do recommend the following resources as ways to improve the content of your essays.

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When our pollsters recently asked voters how they felt about the coming election, they heard words that could also describe rancid garbage, personal regret or a meteor headed for Earth.

Stinks. Ashamed. DOOMED.

“Lousy,” offered Joe Ruddach, 61, the owner of auto and coffee businesses who lives in Spokane, Wash., when I called him last week. He added words like “anxious” and “stressed” for good measure.

“I wish they could get younger people,” he said with a sigh, “or someone that could bring people together.”

I’m the new host of this newsletter, and I get it. The rematch between President Biden and former President Donald Trump feels inherently tired, or perhaps inescapably depressing. The primaries ended quickly; the campaign trail is quiet. Both men are broadly unpopular. More Americans see the contest as bad for the country than good , and a full 30 percent of registered voters in the latest New York Times/Siena College poll said they felt scared or apprehensive.

Election dread is real and bipartisan, although Republicans seem to view things a bit more brightly than Democrats. Whatever your politics, you might be tempted to tune out this presidential election completely.

But today — notwithstanding the fact that it is April 1 — I am here to make the case for the 2024 election, which I think will be as captivating, revealing and far-reaching as any in recent history, one that might turn less on the candidates we know than the voters who will choose them.

This is no Nick at Nite rerun. This is a prime-time sequel, with real-life consequences.

The case for 2024

I will acknowledge that it was not easy to find people who are eager to encourage optimism about 2024.

Some laughed at me. Others rolled their eyes. Even Marianne Williamson, the positive-thinking guru and long-shot presidential candidate who actually returned to the 2024 field after briefly dropping out, described the race in dark terms.

“It’s positive that people are disgusted,” she told me.

But Amy Walter, the editor-in-chief and publisher of the smart and nonpartisan Cook Political Report , said there was much more to the election than meets the eye.

“This election feels like a frozen pond, where it looks kind of boring, but underneath there’s a lot going on,” Walter said. “What’s happening underneath it is really the story.”

Sure, Biden and Trump are both aging, white, former or current presidents. But they are astonishingly different candidates, and this race won’t be a personality contest or a beauty pageant.

Both men have been clear about who they are, what they want to do and how deeply their second terms would diverge.

An indicted former president who wants to consolidate his power, punish his enemies and transform American life is challenging an old-guard incumbent who says he is democracy’s last line of defense. It’s a clash playing out amid extraordinary circumstances.

Biden is an internationalist and institutionalist, who would spend a second term aiming to complete unfinished agenda items from his first. Trump is an iconoclast who delights in violating boundaries, sought to overturn his 2020 election loss, and would use a second term to seek retribution and reimagine the government.

Whatever issue you care most about — be it abortion rights, democracy, taxes, immigration or the economy — will be shaped by the result.

What’s more, Trump is the only person to ever run for president while facing four criminal indictments. Aside from the innate drama of a campaign, his trials add extraordinary suspense, turning his quest for a second term into a race against the clock.

Our familiarity with Biden and Trump means this election is less likely to turn on any new revelation about the candidates, and more likely to be driven by the feelings and attitudes of the electorate. That means voters and the issues they care about have never been more important, and I’m dying to get out on the road and hear all about it.

Strategists in both major parties are obsessing over how to reach voters they have either taken for granted or written off.

Democrats are worrying about young voters, who are the least likely of any age group to express feelings of hope or excitement about the election, according to our poll. Trump and the G.O.P. are working to make inroads with Black and Latino voters, especially men, well aware that even a slight shift in swing states could decide the election.

Even in a field that might feel calcified, voters have already made their voices heard by laying bare the weaknesses of each candidate.

Nikki Haley’s performance in the primaries showed a significant swath of the Republican Party is uncomfortable with Trump. And many Democratic primary voters chose “uncommitted” over Biden to register their displeasure with his support for Israel in its war in Gaza, forcing his administration to dispatch officials to speak with Arab American voters and to acknowledge their concerns more directly — even if they have yet to satisfy them.

Both parties are also nervously watching third-party candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and working hard to mobilize their core supporters.

And having big, bad feelings about an election doesn’t mean voters will stay home. Political scientists know that loathing motivates voters just as much as loyalty . The first season of Biden vs. Trump, in 2020, drew the highest voter turnout of any presidential election in more than 100 years, and high turnouts during the midterm and special elections since then give no indication that the pattern won’t continue this year.

Last week, in a bawdy interview with Maureen Dowd , the Democratic strategist James Carville, 79, declared the 2024 election to be the only one “in my lifetime where it’s about yesterday, not tomorrow.”

This is a transitional election, the likely last stand for a pair of presidents who have run seven times for the job between them.

Both candidates keep fairly light campaign schedules, compared with previous presidential elections, which owes partly to their competing commitments — Biden has to president and Trump has frequent court dates — and may also reflect the reality of their advanced age.

That dynamic has created ample room for surrogates to test their skills and their messages, making this race an excellent way to see which way both parties — and the country — are going. It will also introduce new supporting characters who could one day play a starring role.

Democrats will spotlight rising-star governors like Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Wes Moore of Maryland, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. There are also ascendant progressives like Representative Ro Khanna of California and Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia.

Among the Republicans, we have Trump’s long list of potential vice-presidential contenders as well as other party stars. They include Republicans who have made themselves in his image, like Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio or Representative Elise Stefanik of New York against those, like Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who are trying to walk a slightly finer line.

Down-ballot races sometimes get eclipsed by the fight at the top of the ticket, but I don’t think that’s going to happen this year. We’ll be able to pay close attention to the fights for the Senate and the House, plus governors’ races and beyond, watching how candidates define themselves and their parties, and handle the thorny issues voters care most about.

And at the end of the day, this race has elimination-round energy. Each candidate, old as he may be, is hoping to vanquish the other for good.

Even the double-haters can take some solace in knowing that one of the candidates they don’t like will lose — and that this exact matchup can’t possibly happen a third time.

What excites you about this election?

If you’re like me, and you’re enthused by this year’s election, I’d love to hear from you.

I’m asking readers: What about this year’s election cycle excites you? Perhaps it is a candidate, a local initiative, or a personal connection to one of the issues. If you’d like to share your thoughts, you can fill out this form .

I may use your response in an upcoming newsletter. We will not publish any part of your response without contacting you first.

An earlier version of this article misstated the number of Donald Trump’s terms in office. If he wins the presidential election it will be his second term, not his third.

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