Writing Contests with Entry Fees Under $100

That's a reasonable budget for entry fees! Many reputable writing contests fall within the under $100 range. Here are some options, keeping in mind that entry fees and deadlines can change, so always double-check the official contest websites before submitting:

General Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry:

• The Iowa Review Awards: This well-regarded literary journal holds an annual contest in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. The entry fee is typically around $20 per genre. Winners receive cash prizes ($1,500 for first place) and publication.

• American Short Fiction Contests: American Short Fiction often runs contests for short stories and flash fiction with entry fees usually under $20. Prizes include publication and cash awards.

• Ploughshares Emerging Writer's Contest: This contest is open to writers who have not yet published a book. It accepts submissions in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. The entry fee is around $30, which includes a one-year subscription to the journal. Winners receive $2,000, publication, and a conversation with a literary agent.

• Bellevue Literary Review Prizes: This journal focuses on writing about health, healing, illness, the body, and the mind. They offer prizes in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry with entry fees around $20. Winners receive $1,000 and publication.

• New Letters Literary Awards: New Letters offers annual awards in fiction, poetry, and essays. The entry fee is usually around $25, and winners receive $2,500 and publication.

• The Masters Review Summer Short Story Award for New Writers: This contest is specifically for emerging writers and focuses on short fiction (and sometimes creative nonfiction). The entry fee is typically around $20, and winners receive cash prizes and online publication.

• River Heron Poetry Prize: This contest awards cash prizes ($500 for first place) for poetry submissions. The entry fee is usually around $15.

• Salamander Fiction Contest: Salamander literary journal holds an annual fiction contest for short stories. The entry fee is around $20 and includes a one-year subscription. Winners receive cash prizes and publication.

• L'Esprit Literary Review - Clarissa Dalloway Prize for Short Prose: This contest accepts fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid prose under 5,000 words. Entry fees start at $10.

• Orison Chapbook Prize: This contest awards publication and a cash prize for chapbook-length manuscripts in any genre (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, drama, or hybrid). The entry fee is typically around $15.

• The MacGuffin's Poet Hunt: This poetry contest awards a grand prize and publication. The entry fee is usually around $15 for up to five poems.

• Gemini Magazine Poetry Contest: This contest accepts poems of any length, subject, or style. The entry fee is usually $10 for up to three poems, with a $1,000 first prize.

• Rock Paper Poem Poetry Prize: This contest accepts up to three unpublished poems. The entry fee is typically $10, with a $300 grand prize.

• Flash 405 Contest: This contest from Split Lip Magazine focuses on flash fiction, flash nonfiction, poetry (up to 5 lines), and stage plays (up to 4 pages). The entry fee is usually $5 per submission.

• Jabberwock Review's Nancy D. Hargrove Editors' Prize: This contest awards prizes in fiction and poetry. The entry fee is usually $15 and includes a journal subscription.

  
  

Genre-Specific Contests (often under $100):

• Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition: While they have various categories, the entry fees for individual pieces (like short stories, essays, and poems) are often in the $25-$35 range. They offer significant cash prizes and publication opportunities.

• The Saturday Evening Post Great American Fiction Contest: This contest focuses on short fiction with a fee around $10. The winner receives $1,000 and publication.

• Stephen Leacock Student Humorous Short Story Competition: If you write humor, this contest has a low entry fee (around $5) and offers cash prizes.

• Baen Books & National Space Society - Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award: This science fiction-focused contest has no entry fee but is worth noting for genre writers. Winners receive professional rates for publication.

• Elegant Literature Award For New Writers: This contest has a small monthly membership fee ($9.99) to enter their themed fiction contest with a $3,000 top prize and publication.

  
  

Things to Consider When Choosing a Contest:

• Reputation: Research the organization or journal running the contest. Look for past winners and see if they are well-regarded in the literary community.

• Judges: Knowing who the judges are can give you an idea of the aesthetic and taste the contest might favor.

• Prizes: Consider if the prizes (cash, publication, feedback, etc.) are worthwhile for you.

• Word Limits and Guidelines: Ensure your work meets all the specific requirements of the contest.

• Reading Fees: Understand that many reputable literary journals and organizations charge small reading fees to help cover their operating costs. As long as the fees are reasonable (generally under $30-$40 for short pieces), it's often a sign of a legitimate contest. Be wary of contests with very high entry fees unless the prizes and reputation are exceptional.

  
  

Where to Find More Contests:

• Poets & Writers (pw.org): They have a comprehensive database of grants and awards, including many contests with entry fees listed. You can filter by genre and entry fee.

• NewPages.com: This site has an extensive list of writing contests with deadlines and entry fee information.

• Reedsy Blog: They regularly update their list of writing contests with varying entry fees.

• FundsforWriters.com: This website often lists contests, including those with entry fees under a certain amount.

• Submittable: Many literary journals and organizations use Submittable to manage their submissions for contests, and you can often discover new contests through their platform.

Remember to always read the rules and guidelines carefully before submitting your work. Good luck!