Table of Contents
Discover the best writing competitions for beginners and unpublished authors. Get expert tips on how to prepare your submission, stand out, and launch your career.
You've done it. You've wrestled with the blinking cursor, slain your inner critic, and typed those two beautiful words: The End. Your manuscript is a living, breathing thing, and it’s a massive accomplishment. But after the initial celebration (and maybe a long nap), a daunting question creeps in: “Now what?” For many new authors, the path to publication feels like a locked door without a key. This is where entering writing competitions for beginners can be a total game-changer. It’s not just about the prize money or the bragging rights; it’s a strategic move to get your work noticed, gain invaluable feedback, and build the momentum you need. Think of it as your official entry into the literary world. This guide will walk you through the absolute best contests for emerging writers, how to polish your entry until it shines, and what red flags to watch out for. Let's get you on that longlist.
More Than Just a Prize: Why Writing Competitions are a Game-Changer for Beginners
Let’s be honest, the thought of a cash prize is alluring. But focusing only on the grand prize misses the point entirely, especially when you're just starting out. The real value of entering writing competitions for beginners lies in the massive, career-building perks that come with just participating. Seriously.
First and foremost, it’s about validation. Writing can be an isolating and doubt-filled journey. Receiving a notification that you’ve been longlisted or shortlisted is a powerful external signal that your work has merit. It’s an expert saying, “Hey, you’ve got something here.” According to a survey by the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses, literary contests remain a primary discovery engine for new talent. Making the list, any list, is a huge confidence booster that can fuel your writing for months.
Here’s another thing: exposure. Winning or placing in a reputable competition puts your name directly in front of industry gatekeepers. Agents and editors actively follow the results of major contests. Author Gail Honeyman’s debut, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, won the Lucy Cavendish College Fiction Prize for unpublished authors before it became a global bestseller. Her story isn't an anomaly; it's a testament to the power of these platforms. Many top-tier competitions even guarantee that shortlisted entries will be read by a panel of literary agents.
And let's talk about a dirty word: deadlines. As a writer, your biggest enemy can be the endless, unstructured void of “someday.” A competition deadline is a powerful motivator. It forces you to stop tinkering and start polishing. It transforms your manuscript from a private project into a professional submission. This process of preparing your work for judging—rigorous editing, proofreading, and formatting—is an invaluable education in itself. As noted by Writers & Artists, the discipline required to meet a deadline is a crucial skill for any professional author. Finally, some competitions offer feedback or critiques as part of the entry fee or as an add-on. This can be gold for a new writer, offering professional insight that’s often hard to come by without paying for a full manuscript assessment.
Know Your Arena: Navigating Different Types of Writing Competitions
Not all writing competitions are created equal, and throwing your epic fantasy novel into a contest for literary short stories is a recipe for a swift rejection. Understanding the landscape is key to finding the right fit for your work. Most writing competitions for beginners fall into a few key categories, so let’s break them down.
- Short Story Competitions: These are perhaps the most common and accessible entry points. They typically ask for stories between 1,000 and 5,000 words. This is a fantastic way to hone your craft on a smaller scale, experiment with voice, and build a portfolio of published work. Prestigious contests like the BBC National Short Story Award might feel intimidating, but there are hundreds of smaller, highly respected competitions perfect for emerging writers. Organizations like NewPages.com maintain extensive lists of these opportunities.
- Novel Competitions: Have a full manuscript ready to go? These are for you. But here’s the thing: you usually don’t submit the whole book. Most novel competitions for new writers ask for the first 5,000-10,000 words plus a one- or two-page synopsis. This is designed to mirror the agent submission process, making it excellent practice. The focus is on finding a compelling voice, a killer premise, and a professional presentation. Many of these are explicitly for unagented and unpublished authors, leveling the playing field. A resource like the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) often highlights reputable contests that celebrate debut talent.
- Flash Fiction Contests: If you love the art of brevity, flash fiction is your playground. These contests call for ultra-short stories, often under 1,000 words, and sometimes as short as 50 or 100 words. They are a superb exercise in precision and impact. The barrier to entry is low, and the turnaround is often quick, providing more frequent opportunities to test your skills and potentially see your name in print. The popularity of this form has exploded, with many online literary journals now running their own flash fiction prizes.
- First Chapter or Opening Page Contests: These are specifically designed to judge the most critical part of your novel—the beginning. They are low-stakes, often with smaller entry fees, and provide a focused way to get feedback on whether your hook is working. Winning one of these can be a great line to include in a query letter to an agent, as it proves your opening has been vetted and praised.
Before you submit, always check the fine print for eligibility. Many of the best writing competitions for beginners are restricted to writers who have not yet published a full-length book or secured an agent, which is exactly what you should be looking for.
Your Hit List: The Best Writing Competitions for Beginners to Enter Now
Okay, let’s get to the good stuff. While hundreds of contests exist, some have a proven track record of discovering and nurturing new talent. This isn’t just a random list; these are competitions known for their respected judging panels, industry connections, and genuine focus on unpublished writers. Author's Note: Deadlines and entry fees change annually, so always, always, always check the official website for the most current information.
1. The Bath Novel Award
- What they want: Completed, unpublished novels for adults or young adults.
- Why it's great for beginners: Founded in 2013, this award has become a powerhouse for launching debut authors. Its track record is impeccable, with a huge percentage of listed writers going on to secure agents and publishing deals. The longlist announcement, where they provide a one-line pitch for each book, generates significant buzz. They also offer a sponsored spot for a writer from a low-income background. According to their own success stories page, dozens of authors have found representation after being listed.
2. Blue Pencil Agency First Novel Award
- What they want: The first 5,000 words and a synopsis of a novel by an unagented author.
- Why it's great for beginners: This award is run by a literary agency, which means your work is being read by people whose job it is to find the next big thing. The grand prize includes an introduction to a literary agent and a cash prize. It's specifically tailored for those seeking representation, making it one of the most practical and career-focused writing competitions for beginners. The judges are always industry professionals, as highlighted by Blue Pencil Agency.
3. Mslexia Women's Fiction Competition
- What they want: Novels, short stories, and poetry by women writers. They have separate competitions for each category.
- Why it's great for beginners: Mslexia is a highly respected literary magazine dedicated to supporting women writers. Their competitions are judged by top-tier agents and editors, and the prizes are substantial, often including cash, mentorship, and agent introductions. Because they are judged anonymously, your work stands entirely on its own merit. Their Novel Competition is specifically for unpublished women, making it a crucial platform for new female voices. You can find details on their various prizes on the Mslexia website.
4. L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest
- What they want: Science fiction and fantasy short stories.
- Why it's great for beginners: Don't let the name throw you; this is one of the most prestigious and long-running speculative fiction contests in the world. Here’s the killer feature: it's free to enter. This removes a major barrier for many new writers. It's judged by some of the biggest names in SFF, and the winners are flown out for a week-long workshop with master authors. For aspiring SFF writers, this is an unparalleled opportunity, as detailed on their official site.
5. Grindstone Literary International Novel Prize
- What they want: Opening chapters and a synopsis for a novel.
- Why it's great for beginners: Grindstone stands out for its transparency and feedback options. They offer different entry tiers, some of which include detailed written feedback on your submission, regardless of whether you place. This is invaluable. The judging panel includes agents and publishers, and they actively promote their longlisted and shortlisted writers to their industry contacts. Their entire ethos is about creating opportunities for new writers, a mission they outline on their homepage.
6. The Bridport Prize
- What they want: Short stories, flash fiction, poetry, and novels (via their First Novel Award).
- Why it's great for beginners: The Bridport Prize is one of the most prestigious writing competitions in the UK. While it attracts a lot of entries, its reputation is so strong that even making the longlist is a significant achievement you can put on your writing CV. Their First Novel Award is specifically for emerging writers, and the shortlist is sent to a curated list of agents and publishers, leading to many success stories. It’s a high bar, but one worth aiming for.
Strategy Guide: How to Prepare Your Submission and Stand Out
You’ve picked your competition. You’ve got your manuscript. Now what? Submitting isn't just about attaching a file and hitting 'send.' It's about presenting your work in the most professional, compelling way possible. The judges are looking for any reason to move your entry from the 'maybe' pile to the 'no' pile. Don't give them one.
1. Read the Rules. Then Read Them Again. Seriously. This is the number one reason entries get disqualified. If the rules say 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced, with no name on the manuscript, you do exactly that. If the word count limit is 5,000 words, 5,001 is a fail. Anonymity is a huge deal in most contests to ensure fair judging. Violating it, even accidentally, will get you tossed out immediately. As a Jericho Writers article on the topic emphasizes, ignoring the guidelines is the fastest way to waste your entry fee.
2. Your First Page is Everything Judges are often volunteers or are reading through hundreds, sometimes thousands, of entries. They don’t have time to wait for your story to “get good” by page 15. Your first paragraph—heck, your first sentence—needs to grab them. It must establish voice, introduce a compelling character or situation, and ask a question that the reader needs answered. Spend a disproportionate amount of your editing time on that opening page. Make it undeniable.
3. Polish Until It Hurts Do not, under any circumstances, submit a first draft. Or a second. Your competition entry should be the most polished piece of writing you are capable of producing. This means:
- Self-Editing: Read it aloud to catch awkward phrasing. Cut every unnecessary word.
- Beta Readers: Get fresh eyes on it from trusted readers who can point out plot holes or confusing sentences.
- Proofreading: After all edits are done, do a final, meticulous proofread for typos and grammatical errors. A submission riddled with mistakes screams 'amateur.' Many successful authors recommend reading the text backward, sentence by sentence, to focus solely on the mechanics, a tip often shared by sources like the Grammarly blog.
4. Research Past Winners Get a feel for the competition's aesthetic. Go to their website and read excerpts from previous winning entries. Do they tend to favor quiet, literary fiction or high-concept commercial thrillers? While you should never compromise your own voice, understanding the 'type' of story that resonates with the judges can help you decide which of your projects is the best fit. This shows you're a serious contender who has done their homework, a strategy recommended by writing coaches and publications like The Guardian.
Proceed with Caution: Spotting and Avoiding Predatory Writing Contests
While most writing competitions are legitimate opportunities, the literary world has its share of sharks. Predatory contests exist to take your money, and sometimes your rights, without offering any real value in return. Learning to spot the red flags is a crucial skill for any emerging writer.
Here’s what to watch out for:
- Exorbitant Entry Fees: A reasonable entry fee for a reputable contest is typically between $15-$35. This helps cover administrative costs and prize money. If a contest is charging $50 or more with no significant prize or prestigious judging panel, be very wary. The goal may be to profit from fees, not to discover talent.
- A Vague or Non-Existent Judging Panel: Legitimate contests are proud of their judges and list them prominently. If you can't find out who is reading your work, that's a major red flag. The names should be recognizable agents, editors, or established authors. "Judged by our editorial staff" is meaningless without knowing who that staff is.
- Rights Grabs: This is the most dangerous trap. Read the terms and conditions carefully. A contest should only ask for limited, non-exclusive rights to publish your work if you win (e.g., first serial rights for an anthology). If the fine print says they claim perpetual, exclusive, or all rights to your work just for entering, run away. Fast. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America's Writer Beware page is an essential resource for tracking these scams.
- The "Pay-to-Play" Publication Prize: A common scam is offering "guaranteed publication" in an anthology to hundreds of "winners." The catch? You have to buy a copy of the anthology to be included. This isn't a prize; it's a vanity press scheme designed to sell books back to the authors. According to the publishing expert Jane Friedman, any contest where the primary prize seems to be publication in an obscure, author-funded collection should be avoided.
- Lack of History: If a contest has no clear list of past winners, no success stories, and no established presence in the writing community, it's best to wait until it has developed a reputation. Stick with competitions that have a proven track record.