Something that’s been on my mind since I finished #NaNoWriMo is the opportunity for authors to enter their works into a contest or consideration for an award.
As you might already know, Inkitt, a site that allows writers to share their work within the platform, has a contest specifically for authors who participate in #NaNoWriMo. This got me interested in looking at other contests I could enter my book into. I put a lot of work into those 50,000 words, so might as well make the most of it, right?
Surprisingly, there isn’t as much out there as I thought there would be. A lot of awards or contests are hyper-tailored to a specific genre; one award I found only considers novels set in the American South.
I thought it might be helpful to other authors and writers to aggregate a list of contests.
These contests/awards are open to authors 18+ who write fiction, including young adult/new adult. Be aware that some have fees to apply, so I’ve given those less priority.
- Contest for fiction writers who submit their NaNoWriMo projects. Inkitt also offers other contests throughout the year.
- Prize: $1,500 for first; $1,000 for second, and $500 for third. Various other prizes for those selected.
- Fees: none
The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards
- Recognizes works that contribute to an understanding of racism or diversity. Book must be published within the previous year; no self-published works.
- Prize: $10,000
- Fees: none
- Awarded to American citizen 39 or younger with at least one published work and an in-progress work.
- Prize: $30,000 and appt as writer-in-residence at Bard College
- Fees: none
- Recognizes a rising talent who published their first novel within the last year. Self-published books not considered.
- Prize: $5,000 and travel to VA for a reading
- Fees: none mentioned
- Awarded to an emerging Black author for a book of fiction published in the previous year.
- Prize: $15,000
- Fees: none
- Seeks writers who demonstrate intellectual and literary gifts (vague, I know.)
- Prize: $88,000 stipend and a residency at Princeton
- Fees: none
- Recognizes authors under 35 who published a book in the previous year. The book must be for adults.
- Prize: $10,000
- Fees: none
- Recognizes 3 authors of fiction.
- Prize: $15,000 first place; two runner-ups get $5,000
- Fees: unknown (2023 contest opens early next year)
Friends of American Writers Chicago Awards
- Awards fiction and YA writers based in several midwestern states who have published a novel in the last year. No self-published. Must have less than 3 published books.
- Prize: Cash
- Fees: none
James Jones First Novel Fellowship
- Awarded to an American author of a first novel-in-progress.
- Prize: $10,000 first place; $1,000 runner up
- Fees: $30; $33 online submission
William Saroyan International Prize
- Awarded two times a year for newly published fiction and nonfiction. Self-published is eligible.
- Prize: $5,000
- Fees: $50
Cailin Riley 