Best Writing/Poetry Contests for 2024
I wanted to take a few minutes and share some info for those of you that may be interested in writing, or have poems and books already written, but are waiting for interested buyers. As a writer, I know firsthand how challenging it can get to get your work out into the public view. Writing is one thing, but marketing your book/work can be more difficult than the writing portion.
If you are serious about moving forward with your work, I encourage you to click the links listed after each paragraph and description of the contest, and start submitting your work. I trust that you will find the info helpful. Don’t let it overwhelm you, but rather motivate you to get your material out to the public. If it was in your heart to write there must be someone that would be moved by the words that you penned to paper.
Storytrade Book Awards – Genres include crime, fantasy, fiction, horror, humor, memoir, mystery, non-fiction, novel, poetry, romance, science fiction, science writing, script writing, short story, thriller, and young adult. The entry fee is $75 with the deadline of June 30, 2024. The top prize is $1000.
The Storytrade Book Awards celebrate excellence in small and independent publishing, and the literary craft of authors around the world. This award is open to anyone, and I personally think a great first stop for anyone wanting to get your work seen in a very crowded market. This program highlights outstanding books in a number of fiction and nonfiction categories.
TCK Publishing Poetry Awards Contest – the genre is poetry. If you are looking for some monetary value for the best poem in your collection this one is for you! This contest was established in 2021 and has a global reach. The prizewinner receives a $1,000 honorarium and publication of his or her poem on the TCK Publishing website. This contest is open to writers across the world from diverse backgrounds. Each submission may include up to five poems totaling no more than 500 words. The entry fee is only $5 with the deadline of June 30, 2024.
2024 TCK Publishing Poetry Awards Contest - TCK Publishing
Work-In-Progress (WIP) Contest – genres include crime, essay, fantasy, fiction, horror, humor, memoir, mystery, non-fiction, novel, novella, poetry, science fiction, science writing, and young adult. The top prize is $500, but can also include coaching, interview, and editorial support with the deadline of July 15, 2024.
For the writer that is looking for guidance in the completion of a project with possible coaching support this could be a great outlet. Part of the goal is to assist writers in the completion of an important literary project and vision. The Unleash WIP Award offers writers support to supplement costs of completing their work. Writers will also receive editorial feedback, coaching meetings, and an excerpt/interview feature in Unleash Lit. This could be a great opportunity for the up-and-coming author.
Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize – this is sponsored by the Academy of American Poets and includes only poetry, the entry fee is $75 with a deadline of May 15, 2024. The top prize is $25,000…yes you read that right! $25,000 could go a long way in marketing, publishing other books, and recouping money that has already been spent for former projects. Additional prizes include publication and distribution of your book.
Established in 1975, this award recognizes the most outstanding book of poetry published in the United States in the previous calendar year. It also includes the distribution of your book to hundreds of members in the Academy of American Poets.
This award is in honor of the late Lenore Marshall (1897-1971), an accomplished poet, novelist, essayist, and political activist. Lenore was the author of three novels, three books of poetry, a collection of short stories, and selections from her notebooks. Her work appeared in such distinguished literary magazines as The New Yorker, The Saturday Review, and Partisan Review.
Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize | Academy of American Poets
Hammond House Publishing 2024 International Literary Prize – this is sponsored by the University Centre Grimbsy. The genres are poetry, script writing and short story. Prizes of up to $3000 are offered. The entry fee is $10 with the deadline of September 30, 2024. This year marks the eighth year for this writing competition, and attracts entries from up to 30 countries around the world.
I chose this one as a possibility because of the perks that come with the prizes. Any writer would be thrilled to be a recipient. Winners will have their work listed in the annual anthologies, a televised award ceremony, and worldwide publication plus more. This one is definitely one for consideration!
2023 Writing Competition | Hammond House
Best Indie Book Award (or BIBA) – different genres include crime, fantasy, fiction, horror, humor, mystery, novel, novella, poetry, romance, science fiction, short story, thriller and young adult. The entry fee if $65 with the deadline of August 15, 2024. The cash prize is $500 with a nice trophy and book promotion.
This annual award is a global effort that recognizes self-published and independently published authors for their literary work. Entries are limited to independently (indie) published books, including those from small presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors. We all know the hurdles of self-publishing, but this would be a sweet accolade for anyone that has worked hard to get their work published. Check out the website to hear directly from some of the past winners of this award.
2024 Best Indie Book Awards | Official Entry
Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest – this one is for poets only and is actually 2 different prizes. Poets, here is your chance to shine! This well-established contest is in its 20th year with an entry fee of $20, and the deadline set for October 1, 2024. The Tom Howard top prize is $3500 while the Margaret Reid prize is also $3500 with additional prizes.
The top two winners receive gift certificates (a $100 value) from the co-sponsor Duotrop. Honorable Mentions are awarded to 10 people at $300 each and can be any style of poetry. The top 12 entries are published online.
There are several categories for entry making this contest an appealing one for most poets that have extensive writing in different subject matters. If you are a poet, or maybe have written a few poems over the years I think this would be one that would be worth your effort to inspire you to move forward with your skill.
Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest - Winning Writers
In closing, please leave me a comment below if you enter any of these contests. I encourage you to unveil your stories, poems, literary works in all forms for readers to enjoy. Best wishes for thriving in the skill of writing.