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Essay Contests & Non-Fiction Writing Competitions

Quick links on this page:

Last updated 1st 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
  • Entry fee
  • Top prize
  • 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 :-)

Free Writing Course

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'.

Elegant Literature Monthly Fiction Magazine and Contest

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

FanStory writing competitions

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.

Writing Improvement Software Writing Improvement Software Writing Improvement Software

Competition Country Closing Date Winners Announced Max Words Entry Fee Top Prize
Dandy Writers' Writing Contests USA Monthly Monthly Varies Varies Varies
Notes on Dandy Writers' Contest: Any style / genre - they run a variety of regular contests for short stories, flash fiction, non-fiction, poetry and more, so check website for full details
Dream Quest One Writing Contest USA Bi-Annually Bi-Annually 5 pages $10 $500
Notes on Dream Quest One Competition: Any style / genre - winners published in the 'Dare to Dream' section of the website - they also accept short stories
FanStory Writing Contests USA Weekly Weekly Varies Varies Varies
Notes on FanStory Contests: FanStory run a variety of contests including non-fiction - some contests have cash prizes (up to $100)
F(r)iction Contest USA Biannually Biannually 6,500 $15 $500
Notes on F(r)iction Contest: Any style / genre - they also have flash fiction, poetry and short story categories - winners published online or in print in the F(r)iction journal
Immerse Education Essay Competition UK Varies Varies Varies FREE See notes
Notes on Immerse Education Competition: Any style or subject but visit their website for a list of current topics - for students aged 13 to 18 - prize is a scholarship for one of Immerse Education’s residential or online academic programmes - current competition details are usually somewhere on their homepage
Lab42 Essay Contest Switzerland Quarterly Quarterly 3,000 FREE $2,000
Notes on Lab42 Contest: Any style but themed, so check the website for current details - the best papers will be published on the Lab42 website and the winning author will be featured on their hall of fame page - to find the competition page, look in the "Challenges" section of the site and click on "Essay: ARC"
Letter Review Prize for Non-Fiction Australia Bi-Monthly Bi-Monthly 5,000 FREE $333
Notes on Letter Review Prize: Any style / genre - open to memoir, journalism, essay (including personal essay), fictocriticism, creative nonfiction, travel, nature, opinion, and many other permutations - there are three winners who each receive the $333 top prize - winners published at Letter Review - all entrants considered for publication
Monomousumi International Monthly Essay Competition India Monthly Monthly no max FREE Varies
Notes on Monomousumi Competition: Any style, subject but sometimes themed, so check website for current info
New Millennium Award USA Bi-Annually Bi-Annually Varies $20 $1,000
Notes on New Millennium Awards: Any style or subject - word limit varies, but has been up to 7,500 words in the past - winners published in print and online - multiple categories, each with a $1,000 prize
OxBright Essay Competition UK Bi-Annually Bi-Annually See notes FREE See notes
Notes on OxBright Competition: Any style but themed, so check website for current details - open to 15–18-year-olds - 3,800 characters (approx. 500 words) max -they offer lots of academic prizes including courses, certificates and a place at a residential Oxford summer school - to find the competition page, look in the "Resources" section of their website
UniPrepare Book Review Scholarship UK Bi-Annually Bi-Annually No max Free See notes
Notes on UniPrepare Scholarship: Book reviews - the winner receives a UniPrepare premium scholarship worth over £3,000
WOW! Women on Writing Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest USA Quarterly Quarterly 1,000 $12 $500
Notes on WOW! Women on Writing Contest: Any style / genre, from personal essay and memoir to lyric essay, hybrid and more, so see website for full details - multiple runner-up prizes (a very generous prize pot)
YeahWrite Super Challenge USA Varies Varies 1,000 Varies See notes
Notes on YeahWrite Challenge: Any style, but check website for current theme and writing prompts - alternates between non-fiction and fiction - prize varies ($150 guaranteed minimum) - YeahWrite also run free weekly challenges for both fiction and creative non-fiction

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Writing Improvement Software

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.

Writing Course

Competition Country Closing Date Winners Announced Max Words Entry Fee Top Prize
Accenti Writing Contest Canada February May 2,000 C$30 C$1,000
Notes on Accenti Contest: Any style, subject or theme - open to non-fiction and fiction submissions
Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize UK Varies Varies 2,500 FREE £10,000
Notes on Alpine Fellowship Prize: Any style but themed, so check website for this year's details - winner and two runners up invited to attend the current symposium - usually closes around March / April time
American Foreign Service Association National High School Essay Contest USA April May Varies FREE $2,500
Notes on AFSA Contest: Any style but themed, so check website for full details - winner also recieves an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. to meet U.S. Department of State and a full-tuition paid voyage with Semester at Sea upon the student’s enrollment at an accredited university - very generous runner-up prize too, including cash and scholarship
Avernus Education International Essay Competition UK February Easter See notes FREE See notes
Notes on Avernus Education Competition: Any style, subject or theme - 1,800 words max for senior applicants, 1,200 words max for junior - winner receives scholarship worth £5,995 granting free entrance to Avernus Education summer camp at Oxford University - to find the contest details, look in the "Connect" section of the website or on the homepage (the contest is featured there when it is running)
Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest USA November February 1,600 FREE $10,000
Notes on Atlas Shrugged Contest: Any style or subject but based on prompts themed around the heroic mystery novel written by Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged, so check website for current details - open to students - multiple cash prizes for runners-up - to find the contest details, look in the "Students" section of the website
Bodley Head/Financial Times Essay Prize UK Varies Varies 3,500 FREE Varies
Notes on Bodley Head/FT Prize: Any style or subject - entrants must be between 18 and 35 years old - you can find more information on the FT website - seems to run once every 2 or 3 years - prize has been £1,000 to £1,500 in the past
Lab42 Essay Contest Switzerland Quarterly Quarterly 3,000 FREE $2,000
Notes on Lab42 Contest: Runs regularly, so see listing in regular comps list above for full details
Fountain Magazine Essay Contest USA Varies Varies 2,500 FREE $1,000
Notes on Fountain Magazine Contest: Any style or subject but themed, so check website for current details - no dedicated competition page, so go to the 'Blog' section of the website to find details of the latest competition - winners published in Fountain Magazine
Hektoen International Grand Prix Essay Competition USA Varies Varies Varies FREE Varies
Notes on Hektoen International Competition: Medical and humanities, see website for full details - top prize varies, but has been up to $5,000 in the past - winners published in Hektoen International Journal - no dedicated competition page, so type 'grand prix' into their website search to find the most recent information
Hidden Compass Pathfinder Prize USA July December no max FREE $15,000
Notes on Hidden Compass Prize: They are looking for proposals that showcase the diversity of exploration and touch on subjects such as history, science, art, ethics and more - prize to be used to fund a global expedition - to find the competition page, look in the "Explore" section of their website
Michael Terence Publishing (MTP) Competition UK May ? 3,000 £8 £1,000
Notes on MTP Competition: Any style or subject - winners published in printed anthology - also accept short stories (fiction) - generous cash prizes for runners-up
Moth Magazine Nature Writing Prize Ireland September December 4,000 €15 €1,000
Notes on Moth Magazine Nature Prize: Any style / genre but themed around nature: check website for full details - in addition to cash, winner receives a week's stay at a writing retreat - winning story published in Moth's winter issue - also accept fiction and poetry
Narratively Memoir Prize USA November February 7,000 $20 $3,000
Notes on Narratively Memoir Prize: Memoirs in any style - also offer generous prizes for runner-up - winners published in digital collection - you can find out more information about this prize on the "pitch us" page on their site
New Millennium Essay Award USA Bi-Annually Bi-Annually Varies $20 $1,000
Notes on New Millennium Awards: See notes in regular awards list above
Prism International Creative Non-Fiction Contest Canada Varies Varies 6,000 See notes C$1,500
Notes on Prism International Contest: Any style or subject - all contest entrants receive a 1 year subscription to Prism International - winners published in the Prism International magazine - second prize C$600 and C$400 third prize - entry is C$35 if you live in Canada, C$40 if you live in the US and C$45 if you live anywhere else in the world
Room Magazine Creative Non-Fiction Contest Canada Varies Varies 3,500 $55 $1,000
Notes on Room Magazine Contest: Any style / genre - entry cost varies depending where you live ($55 is most expensive tier), but all entries include a year's subscription to Room Magazine - winners published in Room Magazine
Ruminate Magazine's Nonfiction Contest USA Varies Varies 5,500 $20 $1,500
Notes on Ruminate's Contest: Any style or subject - entry fee includes a complimentary copy of Ruminate Magazine - winner published in Ruminate Magazine - usually closes around October / November time - go to the 'submit' section of the website to find contest details

Society of Authors Prizes

UK Varies Varies Varies Varies Varies

Notes on the Society of Authors Prizes: Any style or genre - they run a variety of non-fiction competitions, including The Somerset Maugham Awards and The Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography - prizes up to £5,000 - see the 'prizes' section of their website

Story Unlikely's Short Story Contest USA January June 4,500 FREE $1,500
Notes on the Story Unlikely Contest: Any style or genre - open to creative non-fiction and fiction - winning stories are professionally illustrated and published in Story Unlikely magazine
StoryShares Story of the Year Contest USA February May 15,000 FREE $2,000
Notes on the StoryShare Contest: Any style or genre - 4 categories, all with large cash prizes
TCK Publishing Short Story Awards Contest USA August September 4,000 $12 $1,000
Notes on the TCK Publishing Awards: Any style / genre but multiple categories, so check website for full details - winners published on website - no permanent award page, so type 'award' or 'contest' or 'short story' into the search function at the top of the homepage and all the current award details will come up - it's a short story contest, but they have a creative non-fiction category
The Douglas B. Rogers Essay Competition USA January February No max FREE $2,000
Notes on Douglas B. Rogers Competition: Any style or subject but often themed - open to full-time students in North America - often run in conjunction with other institutions, lastest of which is Abbeville Institute
TNQ Edna Staebler Personal Essay Contest Canada March Varies Varies C$40 C$1,000

Notes on The New Quarterly Edna Staebler Contest: For essays in which the writer’s personal engagement with the subject provides the frame - must be Canadian citizen or resident to enter - entry fee includes a 1-year subscription to The New Quarterly - all entries are considered for publication in TNQ (paid at $250)

Tom Howard / John H Reid Essay Contest USA April October 6,000 $20 $3,000
Notes on Howard / Reid Contest: Any style / genre - they accept short stories and essays and give 2 x $3,000 prizes: one for fiction and one for non-fiction - winning stories published on the website

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Writing Improvement Software

Annual Essay / Non-Fiction Competitions

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

Daily Writing Prompts App

Competition Country Closing Date Winners Announced Max Words Entry Fee Top Prize
Anthology Nature Writing Competition Ireland September November 1,500 €15 €500
Notes on Anthology Nature Competition: For nature writing - winners offered publication in Anthology Magazine
Anthology Travel Writing Competition Ireland November January 1,000 €15 €500
Notes on Anthology Travel Competition: For travel writing - winners offered publication in Anthology Magazine
Australasian Association of Writing Programs Life Writing Prize Australia July September 3,500 $20 $500
Notes on AAWP Prize: Any style, subject but for autobiography, biography, memoir, and essays - in addition to cash, winner receives a one-year magazine subscription and free entry to the annual conference of the AAWP, where they will be invited to read their work - winner considered for publication in Westerly magazine
Cambridge Centre for International Research 'Re:think' Essay Competition UK July July 2,000 £15 £150
Notes on CCIR Prize: Any style, subject but based on certain topics, so check website for current details - various categories - judged by a panel of leading academics from the University of Cambridge - to find details of the competition, scroll to the bottom of the homepage and look under 'Think Tank' in the footer
Cyberworld Publishing 'The Good Life in Galicia' Competition Galicia, Spain August Varies 4,500 FREE €15
Notes on Cyberworld Publishing Competition: Any style, subject or theme but must be about Galicia in a significant way - winners published in anthology - also accept fiction and poetry
Fairfield Scribes "The Scribes Prize" Canada / USA September October 110 $5 $250
Notes on The Scribes Prize: Creative non-fiction in any style / genre - all winning entries awarded a cash prize, digital award seal to use for promotions, interview & permanent author page on website, plus publication - they also accept fiction
Ireland Writing Retreat Wild Atlantic Writing Awards Ireland Varies Varies 500 €10 €500
Notes on Ireland Writing Retreat Awards: Any style, subject but sometimes themed, so check website for current details - they also run a flash fiction award
Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project Essay Contest USA January February Varies FREE £500
Notes on KSCPP Essay Contest: Any style but based on different topics, so check website for current subject and choice of essay questions - for young writers aged between 10 and 18 - winners published on website
Libra Essay Prize UK June July 2,000 FREE Varies
Notes on Libra Essay Prize: Any style, subject or theme, but essays must be written responding to a single-word essay title, so check website for current details - entrants must be students in years 12 or 13 of UK education - winners published on website - top prize has been up to £150 in the past - you can find the prize page in the footer of the website, under "Resources"
Living Springs Publishers Baby Boomers Plus USA June Varies 4,000 $25 $500
Notes on Living Springs Publishers Competition: Any style / genre - you have to have been born before 1966 to enter - open to non-fiction and fiction - minimum of top fifteen finalists published in book
Memoirist / Dogberry Books Writing Prize UK May June 70,000 min / 90,000 max £25 £500
Notes on Memorist Dogberry Books Prize: Any style or subject - for full length memoirs and autobiographical novels - they also accept fiction - winner offered publication
Pitch Magazine Young Sports Journalist Competition UK April May 600 FREE £50
Notes on Pitch Magazine Competition: Any style or subject but themed, so check website for current details - for writers aged 14-21 - winner offered work experience at Pitch HQ - winning entries published online and in Pitch - to find the competition, click on "Young Sports Journalists This Way" at the top of the homepage
Principia Perspectives USA April June See notes FREE $200
Notes on Principia Perspectives Competition: Any style or subject but themed, so check website for current details - 2 categories: middle school and high school - word limits are 600 words for middle school and 800 words for high school - winners published on website - find the competition details in the 'Academics' section of the website
San Francisco Writers' Conference Writing Contest USA Varies Varies 1,500 Varies Varies
Notes on SF Competition: Any style, subject or theme - top prize has been up to $250 in the past - they also accept short stories -  winners published in anthology and / or on SFWC website
SMK Contests USA November January Varies $5 $100
Notes on SMK Contests: Any style / genre - they have multiple categories for flash fiction, poetry, short story, non-fiction, novel and more, so check website for full details
Society of Spanish Researchers UK 'Science me a Story' Competition UK April June 4 pages FREE £150
Notes on SRUK Competition: Any style / genre but story must be related to science - they accept non-fiction and fiction submissions - stories can be written in English or Spanish - winning stories published in the online magazine PRINCIPIA and in the literature hub at the University of Liverpool
South Warwickshire Literary Festival Writing Competition UK March April 800 £3.50 £50
Notes on South Warwickshire Literary Festival Competition: Any style / genre - winners offered the chance to read their work at the festival if they are able to attend - also open to fiction and poetry

The League of Poets Prize for Literature

Nigeria January May no min / max stated $10 See notes
Notes on The League of Poets Prize: Any style / genre - prizes include trophies, stickers and interviews that will be published in the T.L.O.P. magazine - also open to fiction
The Royal Commonwealth Society 'Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition' UK Varies Varies Varies FREE See notes
Notes on Royal Commonwealth Society Competition: Check website for current topics - for writers aged 18 and under - prizes vary, but in past prizes have included certificates, resources for schools, visits to London and activities /work experience at international organisations - winners published in worldwide media - usually mentioned on homepage, but if not, put 'essay competition' into their site search
Urban Tree Festival Writing Competition UK / Belgium March May 250 words €6 €200
Notes on Urban Tree Festival Competition: Any style or subject but themed, so check website for details - winner becomes writer in residence for the next Urban Tree festival - winners published in illustrated anthology and each author included receives complementary copies - also accept flash fiction and poetry
Walk Listen Create's "Neighbourhood Narratives – Stories Around Us" Writing Competition Belgium / UK April May 350 €8 €100
Notes on Walk Listen Create Competition: Any style / genre - longlist published online and shortlist also as geo-located audio podcasts - to find the competition page, search for "Neighbourhood Narratives" in the website's search function (the tiny pink magnifying glass next to the Login button)
Walt Whitman Film 'East Rock Films' Student Essay Contest USA January March 1,000 FREE $500
Notes on Walt Whitman Film Contest: Any style / genre but based on a questions, so see website for full details - for high school or college students from U.S. or Canada - they accept traditional essays, video essays and performance essays

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Writing Improvement Software

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.

Competition Country Closing Date Winners Announced Max Words Entry Fee Top Prize
Anthology Personal Memoir Writing Competition Ireland August October 1,500 €15 €500
Notes on Anthology Memoir Competition: For memoir writing - winners offered publication in Anthology Magazine
Fish Publishing Short Memoir Competition Ireland January April 4,000 €18 €1,000
Notes on Fish Publishing Competition: Any style or theme - winners published in anthology
Memoirist / Dogberry Books Writing Prize UK May June 70,000 min / 90,000 max £25 £500
Notes on Memorist Dogberry Books Prize: Any style or subject - for full length memoirs and autobiographical novels - they also accept fiction - winner offered publication
Narratively’s Memoir Prize USA November February 7,000 $20 $3,000
Notes on Narratively Memoir Prize: See notes in prestigious comps list above
TCK Publishing Short Story Awards Contest USA August September 4,000 $12 $1,000
Notes on the TCK Publishing Awards: See full details in main listing above, but they also accept memoirs
Write by the Sea Literary Festival Writing Competition (Memoir) Ireland June September 1,000 €10 €500
Notes on Write by the Sea Literary Festival Competition: Any style or theme - they also have categories for flash fiction, short stories and poetry

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How to Write a Short Story book ad

One-Off Essay & Non-Fiction Writing Competitions

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

Competition Country Closing Date Winners Announced Max Words Entry Fee Top Prize
No one-off competitions to list at present NA NA NA NA NA NA
Notes on None to list at present: More details coming soon...

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Other Non-Fiction Competition Lists

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

 

A History of Closed Essay Contests

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

Competition Country Closing Date Winners Announced Max Words Entry Fee Top Prize
123Writings Scholarship Writing Contest USA August September 1,000 FREE $2,500
Notes on 123Writings Contest: Any style, subject or theme, but see website for current list of topics - winners published on website - Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists
24Writer 'How Winning Are Your Essays' Contest USA 15th May 2016 1st June 2016 1,000 FREE $500
Notes on 24Writer Contest: Any style but themed so check website for details - CLOSED, was a one-off
Academic Help Writing Contest USA August September 1,200 FREE See notes
Notes on Academic Help Competition: Any style or subject, but must be persuasive - winner receives a writing certificate - entrants must be a high-school, college or university student - CLOSED 2016
ACW Journalism Competition UK 31st August 2018 30th September 2018 1,000 £3 £25
Notes on ACW Competition: Any style but themed around news stories, so check website for full details - prizes paid as book tokens - winning entry published in Christian Writer (ACW magazine, distributed to 800 members) - entry is free for ACW members - CLOSED, was a one-off
Affiliate Blogging Tips Scholarship Program USA December December 500 FREE $800
Notes on Australian Help Contest: Any style, but see website for current subject matters - entries from US citizens / residents only - DOESN'T SEEM TO BE RUNNING ANYMORE, and website is for sale so removed listing Jan 2018
Ageless Authors Writing Contest USA July September 3,500 $20 $500
Notes on Ageless Authors Contest: Any style or subject but sometimes themed, so check website for current contest details - entrants must be aged 50 years or older - winning essays published in anthology - NOT RUN SINCE 2019, so removed listing in 2021 update
All Top Reviews Writing Contest USA 31st December 2017 10th January 2018 700 FREE $500
Notes on All Top Reviews Contest: Review writing contest - prize money has to be spent with a website reviewed by All Top Reviews - CLOSED, was a one-off
Apps Free For PC Digital & Technology Scholarship USA March April 1,000 FREE $500
Notes on Apps Free For PC scholarship: Any style, subject or theme - winner published on the website - REMOVED because site has nothing to do with writing
AskPetersen Scholarship: Essay Writing Contest USA Quarterly Quarterly 1,000 FREE $200
Notes on AskPetersen Scholarship: Any style or subject, but themed so check website for current topics - CLOSED 2016
Assignment Essay Help Benjamin Bloom Scholarship Program USA December February 2,500 FREE $2,500
Notes on Assignment Essay Help Scholarship: Any style or subject - entrants must currently be a student of a college or university - Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists
Assignment Masters Winter Essay Contest USA 20th February 2018 ? 800 FREE $1,000
Notes on Assignment Masters Essay Contest: Any style or theme - CLOSED, was a one off
AussieWritings Scholarship Australia 31st May 2019 20th June 2019 1,000 FREE $1,000
Notes on AussieWritings Scholarship: Any style or theme, but check website for list of topics - winners published on website - Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists
Australian Help Writing Contest Australia Varies Varies 1,200 FREE $700
Notes on Australian Help Contest: Any style or subject but check website for current list of topics - winners published on website - Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists
Best Essay Scholarship UK 30th November 2017 7th December 2017 1,000 FREE $1,000
Notes on Best Essay Scholarship: Any style or theme, but see website for prompts - decent cash prizes for 2nd and 3rd place too - CLOSED, was a one-off
Best of Bests Scholarship USA November December 1,200 FREE $1,000
Notes on BoB Scholarship: Any style, subject or theme - winners published on website - REMOVED because site has nothing to do with writing
Best Pressure Cooker Student Scholarship Bangladesh December December 1,000 FREE $2,000
Notes on BPC Scholarship: Any style, but see website for current topics - you have to be a student to enter - the scholarship - REMOVED because site has nothing to do with writing
Bid 4 Papers Essay Contest USA Quarterly Quarterly 1,500 FREE $500
Notes on Bid 4 Papers Essay Competition: Themed, so check website for current theme - entrants must be 25 or under - winners published on Facebook - CLOSED 2016
Blue Mesa Review Non-Fiction Writing Contest USA August October 6,000 $12 $500
Notes on Blue Mesa Review Contest: Any style, subject or theme - winners published in the Blue Mesa Review - CLOSED, not run since 2016 so removed listing 2019

Boom Essays Writing Contest

USA February March 1,000 FREE $2,000
Notes on Boom Essays Contest: Any style, but check website for current topics - winner published by Boom Essays - 2nd prize $1,500 and 3rd prize $1,000 - NOT RUN FOR OVER A YEAR, so removed listing Jan 2018
Build Your Own Blog New Writer Scholarship USA 29th Nov 2015 Dec 2015 no max stated FREE $4,000
Notes on Build Your Own Blog Scholarship: Any style or theme - CLOSED
Casevac Writing Contest USA Varies Varies 2,000 see notes $2,500
Notes on Casevac Contest: Any style / genre but themed and must also relate to a prompt, so check website for current details - $12 adult entry, $9 for students - 10% of proceeds go to the UNHCR - also open to fiction - sometimes runs more than once a year - CLOSED 2022
Castle Craig Essay Competition UK December April 3,000 FREE £1,000
Notes on Castle Craig Competition: Any style or subject but must be about 1 of 3 essay questions, so see website for full details - open to students studying medicine, psychology, nursing, psychotherapy, social work or a related discipline - winners published on website - NOT RUN SINCE 2018, so removed listing 2020
Confident Writers Scholarship Essay Writing Contest UK Bi-Annually Bi-Annually 700 FREE $700
Notes on Confident Writers Scholarship: Any style or subject but check website for current topics - Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists
Craft Resumes Creative Workforce Transition Scholarship USA Bi-Annually Bi-Annually 1,000 FREE $1,000
Notes on Craft Resumes Scholarship: Any style or subject but themed so check website for details - winners published on the Craft Resumes blog and offered a paid 1 to 3 month internship - CLOSED 2016
Custom Writing Essay Writing Contest UK Quarterly Quarterly 650 FREE $800
Notes on Custom Writing Contest: Any style or subject but check website for current topics - winners published on the Custom Writing blog - NOT RUN SINCE 2016, so removed from lists Jan 2018
EduBirdie Essay Writing Contest USA Quarterly Quarterly 1,500 FREE $500
Notes on EduBirdie Essay Contest: Themed, so check the website for current details - winners published on website - cash prizes for 2nd and 3rd place writers too - CLOSED 2016
EduGeeksClub Essay Writing Contest USA 31st May 2019 15th June 2019 1,000 FREE $450
Notes on EduGeeksClub Competition: Any style / genre but there are set topics, so check website for full details - winners published on EduGeeksClub website - lots of prizes for runners up too - Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists
EssaysCapital Writing Contest USA Biannually Biannually 1,700 FREE $3,000
Notes on Prism International Contest: Any style or subject but there are a choice of topics, so check website for current details - winners' essays will be published on EssaysCapital Blog - I've recently received some concerns from users about this competition - it seems they have not announced winners and not contacted entrants - you can learn more on the EssaysCapital Facebook page, where users are asking what's going on with no response - I've contacted EssaysCapital to ask them if the competition is still running - if I don't hear back soon I'll remove this listing - UPDATE JAN 2017: I NEVER HEARD BACK FROM THEM SO HAVE RETIRED THIS LISTING
EssayHub Essay Writing Contest USA Quarterly Quarterly 1,000 FREE $500
Notes on EssayHub Contest: Any style but check website for current topics - winners published on website - CLOSED 2017
Essay Mama Writing Contest USA Quarterly Quarterly 1,300 FREE $450
Notes on Essay Mama Competition: Themed, so check the website for current details - winners published on the Essay Mama website - CLOSED 2016
Essay Mama Christmas Writing Contest USA 25th December 2014 5th January 2015 4,000 See notes $450
Notes on Essay Mama Competition: Any style / genre, but themed around Christmas - to enter, you must like their Facebook page and share the competition link - 15 winning stories published in a printed book - CLOSED 2015
EssayMash Monthly Competition UK Monthly Monthly 1,000 FREE $100
Notes on EssayMash Competition: Any style or subject but themed, so check website for current details - the EssayMash goal is to promote intellectual discussion around the world - WEBSITE DISAPPEARED 2020
EssayPro Writing Contest USA Varies Varies Varies FREE Varies
Notes on EssayPro Contest: Any style or subject, but you need to chose from a list of topics so check the link for current details - winners published on the EssayPro website - usually offers a $1,000 prize pool - Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists

EssayRoo Australian Writing Contest

Australia March March 800 FREE $3,000
Notes on EssayRoo Contest: Any style or subject but check website for current topics - 2nd prize $2,500, 3rd prize $1,500 - winners published on the website - CLOSED 2017
Essay Service Writer’s Encouragement Scholarship USA Bi-Annually Bi-Annually 1,200 FREE $500
Notes on Essay Service Scholarship: Check website for current topic and other rules regarding citations and style - Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists
Essay Supply Cyberbullying Experience USA 30th June 2017 31st July 2017 1,000 FREE $1,500
Notes on Essay Supply Contest: Any style but themed so check website for details - CLOSED, was a one-off
Essay Writing Expert Essay Writers Contest UK November November 1,000 FREE $500
Notes on Essay Writing Expert Contest: Any style but check website for current list of topics - Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists
Expert Assignment Help Student Essay Writing Competition Australia December December 1,000 FREE $450
Notes on Expert Assignment Help Contest: Any style, subject or theme - winners published in on EAH blog - Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists
Expert Assignment Help Global Goals Scholarship Program Australia December January 3,000 FREE $2,500
Notes on Expert Assignment Scholarship: Any style or subject but themed around Global Goals, so check website for full details - Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists

Field of Words Memoir Competition

Australia Varies Varies 2,000 $15 $400
Notes on Field of Words Competition: Any style or theme - winners published on website - WEBSITE DISAPPEARED 2019
Garden Museum’s Festival of Garden Literature Writing Competition UK May June 2,500 £5 £2,500
Notes on Garden Museum’s Writing Competition: Memoirs inspired by or set in a garden - winners published by Granta Online - CLOSED 2015
Gulf Stream Summer Contest USA August September 5,000 $7 $100
Notes on Gulf Stream Contest: Any style, subject or theme - winners published in Gulf Stream Lit Mag - also accept fiction and poetry - NOT RUN SINCE 2020, so removed listing in 2023 update
Hektoen International Blood Writing Contest USA 15th January 2020 April 2020 1,600 FREE $3,000
Notes on Hektoen Blood Writing Contest: Medical and humanities - themed contest related to blood - winners and other best articles published in Hektorama and may be publicized in email newsletters and on social media - CLOSED, was a one-off
Highfield Press 'Picture Worth 1000 Words' Essay Contest USA Quarterly Quarterly 1,000 $20 $1,000
Notes on Highfield Press Competition: Themed - uses a different picture to inspire writers for each contest, see website for current details - winners published on website - entries may be a personal essay, memoir, narrative nonfiction, commentary, travel piece, historical account, biography, or short story - CLOSED 2016
Hourglass Literary Magazine Best Essay Award Bosnia April September 9,000 $15 $1,000
Notes on Hourglass Contest: No theme, or genre limitations - winners published in Hourglass Literary Magazine - not run since 2017, so removed from lists 2019
Iceland Writers Retreat Writing Contest Iceland Varies Varies Varies FREE See notes
Notes on Iceland Writers Retreat Competition: Any style / genre but themed, so check website for current theme - prize is usually a place on a writing retreat - comps are sometimes for fiction, sometimes poetry and sometimes non-fiction - look at 'News & Events at bottom or homepage or in 'About IWR' section of website then 'News' to find latest competition details - CONTEST NOT RUN SINCE 2020, so removed listing during 2022 update
JetWriters Essay Writing Contest 2nd Edition USA 15th Nov 2015 23rd Nov 2015 1,200 FREE $400
Notes on JetWriters Competition: Themed, so check website for current topics - 2nd prize $250, 3rd prize $150 - CLOSED
Jittery Monks Scholarship USA March March No max FREE $1,500
Notes on Jittery Monks Scholarship: Any style or subject but themed so check website for details - you have to be in full time education to enter - Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists

Juicingbeasts Staying Healthy Scholarship

Malaysia October November 1,000 FREE $500
Notes on Juicingbeasts Competition: Any style but check website for current topic - winners published on website - REMOVED because site has nothing to do with writing
KidGuard For Education Scholarship Program USA October November no max FREE $1,000
Notes on KidGuard Scholarship: Any style or subject but must be inspired by prompts, so check link for current details - 4 categories, university, high school, middle school and elementary school - WEBSITE DISAPPEARED 2020
King's Cut Proofreading and Editing Company Essay Writing Competition UK 21st September 2020 October 2020 500 £5 £200
Notes on King's Cut Competition: Any style, subject but themed around justice - entrants must be between 11 and 16 years of age - the final is a live speech reading by the finalists on Zoom before a panel of judges - CLOSED, was a one-off
Lifesaver Essays Essay Writing Contest USA Varies Varies 1,300 FREE Varies
Notes on Lifesaver Essays Contest: Any style but see website for list of current topics - competition will be run up to 4 times a year - winners published on the Lifesaver Essays blog - top prizes have been as high as $600 in the past - Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists
Logos Institute Essay Writing Competition UK 15th December 2018 19th May 2019 1,500 FREE See notes
Notes on Logos Institute Competition: Any style / genre - UK citizens only - top prize is scholarship to study theology at the University of St Andrews as well as a £2000 towards living expenses - CLOSED, was a one-off
Londnr Magazine New Voices Competition UK 1st June 2017 1st August 2017 1,000 £4 See notes
Notes on Londnr Magazine Competition: Any style or theme - winner receives a paid feature-length article, published in A/W 2017 magazine and a paid contract for a set of three articles for the Londnr online, mentoring, free tickets to the launch party and other Londnr events - CLOSED, was a one-off
MichelsonIP Udemy Learner Writing Contest USA 5th June 2020 25th June 2020 800 FREE $500
Notes on MichelsonIP Contest: Any style, subject but themed around intellectual property - to participate, you have to enroll in their free course - winners published on blog and in Inventors Digest - Closed, was a one-off
Narratively Profile Prize USA April June 7,000 $20 $3,000
Notes on Narratively Prize: Any style / genre, but they are looking for profile pieces that tell the story of ordinary people or communities doing extraordinary things - winners published online and in a digital collection - to find the current competition page, put "prize" into their website search function, which can be found by clicking on the menu icon located on the top right of their website - CLOSED 2023, may or may not run again in the future
Nerdy Bot Scholarship Essay Competition USA February March 500 FREE $1,000
Notes on Nerdy Bot Competition: Any style or subject but check website for current topic - CLOSED 2018
Ninja Essays Writing Contest USA Varies Varies 1,000 FREE $500
Notes on Ninja Essays Competition: Themed, so check website for current topics - competition is run every 3 to 4 months - NOT RUN SINCE 2016, so removed from lists Jan 2018
Noplag Scholarship Essay Contest USA 31st August 2017 September 2017 5,000 FREE $2,500
Notes on Noplag Contest: Any style but there are a number of topics to choose from, so visit the Noplag website for full details - deadline was in June, but extended to end of August - CLOSED, was a one-off
NUHA Foundation Blogging Prizes UK Varies Varies See notes FREE See notes
Notes on NUHA Foundation Prizes: Themed, so check website for current details - 3 categories: 10-14 years 800 words max $250 top prize, 15-18 years 1,200 words max $900 top prize and 19+ years 1,500 words max $2,400 top prize - all entrants published on website - NOT RUN SINCE 2019, so removed listing during 2022 update
OmniPapers Writing Contest USA Varies Varies 1,500 FREE $500
Notes on OmniPapers Contest: Themed, so check website for current theme - participants must be 20-25 years old - winners published on the OmniPapers website - NOT RUN SINCE 2016, so removed from website 2018
Oz Essays Scholarship Essay Writing Contest Australia July July 5 pages FREE $1,000
Notes on Oz Essays Contest: Any style, but entry must answer a question so check website for current details - Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists
Phenq Avis Value Of Being Fit Scholarship Program USA March April 1,000 FREE $750
Notes on Phenq Avis Contest: Any style, subject or theme - winners published on the Phenq Avis website - REMOVED because site has nothing to do with writing
Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Society - William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition USA Varies Varies 2,500 Varies Varies
Notes on Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Society Competition: Any style or subject - winners might be published - essay / non-fiction prizes in the past have been up to $2,000 - many categories, one of which is non-fiction books and one of which is an essay prize - WEBSITE DISAPPEARED 2022
Plozee Post Competition UK 22nd February 2022 22nd March 2022 No max FREE $100

Notes on Plozee Competition: Any style or theme - Plozee is a user-generated content platform, all submissions will be published immediately on the page each contestant has posted their writing - CLOSED, was a one-off

Productivity Spot Education Scholarship India October November 1,000 FREE $1,000
Notes on Productivity Spot Scholarship: Any style but check website for current subject/theme - winners published on website - REMOVED because site has nothing to do with writing
ProEssayWriting Challenge USA 10th February 2017 20th February 2017 1,000 FREE $1,000
Notes on ProEssayWriting Challenge: Any style but there are a number of topics to choose from, please visit the website for full details - 2nd prize $500, 3rd prize $250 - CLOSED, was a one-off
READ Foundation Writing Competition UK 10th October 2018 13th October 2018 500 FREE See notes
Notes on READ Foundation Competition: Any style / genre but themed, so check website for full details - winner publicly displayed across hundreds of schools and read by tens of thousands of children, plus feedback from writer Qaisra Shahraz - also accept poems and flash fiction - CLOSED, was a one-off
Resume Writing Lab Scholarship USA 31st December 2018 14th January2019 500 FREE $500
Notes on Resume Writing Lab Scholarship: Any style or genre but check website for topics - CLOSED was a one-off
Rewarded Essays Writing Contest USA 20th October 2017 30th October 2017 900 FREE $500
Notes on Rewarded Essays Competition: Any style or theme - CLOSED, was a one-off
Sentence House Scholarship USA December January 1,500 FREE $1,500
Notes on Sentence House Scholarship: Any style or subject - winners published on website - OPENS UP RANDOM SPAMMY LINKS, so removed from listings Jan 2018
Shooter Literary Magazine 'Shooter Flash' Competition UK Monthly Monthly 1,000 £3 £50
Notes on Shooter Flash Competition: Any style or subject and they also accept fiction - winner published on website and in anthology sent to Shooter subscribers - NON-FICTION NO LONGER MENTIONED ON SUBS GUIDELINES, so removed listing during 2022 update
Showboxa.Com Writing Contest For Science & Tech Enthusiasts USA Quarterly Quarterly 1,500 FREE $1,000
Notes on Showboxa Contest: Any style but themed, so check website for current details - REMOVED because site has nothing to do with writing
SisterShip Magazine Writing Competitions Australia Varies Varies Varies FREE Varies
Notes on SisterShip Competition: Any style or genre but themed so check website for full details - only open to people who identify as women - winners published by SisterShip Press Pty Ltd. - top prize varies, but has been up to $250 in the past - COMPETITION PAGE DISAPPEARED, so removed listing at the end of 2o19
SisterShip Magazine Writing Competition Australia 17th August 2018 5th October 2018 1,500 FREE $100
Notes on SisterShip Competition: Any style or genre but themed around facing fears - only open to people who identify as women - winners published by SisterShip Press Pty Ltd. - CLOSED, was a one-off
SiW Internet Marketing Scholarship USA December January 1,200 FREE $1,000
Notes on SiW's Scholarship: Any style but themed around internet marketing - winners published on the SiW website - CLOSED, not run since 2017, so removed from lists 2019
Sleek City Press Prose Contest Canada 18th September 2022 3rd November 2022 1,000 See notes $600
Notes on Sleek City Press Contest: Any style / genre and prompt is "who I was, before this" - entry fee is $10, $5 for students - they also accept fiction - $600 prize is awarded in each catgory - CLOSED, was a one-off
Smart Paper Help Writing Scholarship USA January January 1,000 FREE $1,000
Notes on Smart Paper Help Scholarship: Any style but check website for current topics - 2nd prize $700, 3rd prize $400 - CLOSED 2016
Smart.Study Essay Writing Scholarship UK 1st August 2016 15th August 2016 700 FREE $700
Notes on Smart.Study Scholarship: Any style but there are 3 topics to choose from, visit the site for details - winners published on the Smart.Study blog
SolidEssay Essay Contest USA Varies Varies 800 FREE $1,000
Notes on SolidEssay Contest: Any style or subject but you need to chose from a list of topics, so check website for current details - winners published on website - Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists
South Warwickshire Literary Festival Creative Writing Competition UK 30th June 2023 23rd September 2023 800 £3 £50
Notes on South Warwickshire Literary Festival Competition: Any style / genre - winner offered the chance to read their work at the festival if they are able to attend - also open to fiction and poetry - CLOSED, was a one-off
SpeedyPaper Global Essay Writing Contest USA Quarterly Quarterly 600 FREE $1,000
Notes on SpeedyPaper Contest: Any style, but themed, so check website for current details - NOT RUN FOR OVER 6 MONTHS, so removed listing Jan 2018
Student Scholarship from Unplag Cyprus 1st Mar 2016 9th Mar 2016 500 FREE $2,000
Notes on Unplag Contest: Any style but themed so check website for details - winners published on the Unplag blog - prize money given to the University the student studies at, so goes towards their tuition fees - 2 runners-up receive free subscription to Unplag plagiarism detection service
Student Wordsmith 'The Growing Unease' Journalism Competition UK 18th December 2015 Jan 2016 2,000 £5 See notes
Notes on Student Wordsmith Competition: Themed, so check website for current topics - winners published in a pamphlet and 'exciting prizes' offered to winners
Swift River 'My Mother, My Hero' Essay Contest USA 1st May 2017 12th May 2017 250 FREE $200
Notes on Swift River Contest: Any style but themed - Swift River will use the winning essay as part of their efforts to fight addiction
Taadiib National Essay Writing Competition Pakistan March April 750 FREE PKR 12,000 (£60)
Notes on Room Magazine Contest: Any style / genre but themed and based around a specific question, so check website for current details - for school children living in Pakistan - winners published on website - COMPETITION LINK BROKEN, so removed listing during 2021 update
The London Magazine Essay Competition UK 31st August 2017 October 1,500 £10 £500
Notes on The London Magazine Competition: Any style or theme - winner published in The London Magazine - runners-up published on website - 2nd prize £300, 3rd prize £200 - CLOSED, was a one-off
The Notting Hill Editions Biennial Essay Prize UK Varies Varies 8,000 £20 £20,000
Notes on Notting Hill Prize: Any subject in classic essay format - 2,000 to 8,000 words - 5 runner up prizes of £1,000 - winners published in anthology - entry fee includes copy of previous anthology - runs every 2 years - NOT RUN SINCE 2017, so removed listing during 2021 update
ThePensters Scholarship USA May June 500 FREE $1,000
Notes on Pensters Scholarship: Any subject, but narrative writing preferred - check the website for details of essay requirements - Essay writing service provider – unethical, so removed from lists
The Spectator John Murray Prize UK May October 4,000 FREE £20,000
Notes on The Spectator Prize: Any style or subject but themed, so check website for full details - for previously unpublished authors only - prize is a £20,000 book deal with John Murray - winning essay published in The Spectator and anniversary anthology - NOT RUN SINCE 2018, so removed listing during 2021 update
The Travelex Next Great Travel Writer 2017 UK 5th February 2017 ? 1,000 FREE £1,500
Notes on Travelex Competition: Any style but themed around travel - in addition to cash, the winner receives a session with a Penguin editor - there's also a student category with a £500 prize - the contest is judged by journalists, Penguin editors and international bloggers - CLOSED, was a one-off
Those That Breathe Environmental Writing Competition UK Monthly during 2021 Monthly during 2021 Varies £4 See notes
Notes on Those That Breathe Competition: Any style or subject, but themed so check website for details - the competition is open from the 1st until the 25th of each month during 2021 - proceeds from entry fees are donated to charities that are trying to make a difference to climate change - winners published on website and in anthology in 2022 - open to non-fiction, poetry, short stories and flash fiction - CLOSED, was a one-off
UK Writing's British Essay Writing Contest UK May June 900 FREE £3,500
Notes on British Essay Contest: Any style or theme, but check website out for the list of current topics - the 3 winning essays are published on the UK Writing website - NOT RUN FOR OVER A YEAR, so removed listing Jan 2018
Verbolatry Laugh-a-Riot Non-Ficiton Contest UK August October 500 See notes See notes
Notes on Verbolatry Laugh-a-Riot Contest : Humorous style and check website for current topic - if you enter for FREE, the top prize is £50; if you pay £5 entry, the top prize is £100 - winning entries published in Verbolatry newsletter and on their website - NOT RUN SINCE 2016, so removed from lists Jan 2018
Widows & Widowers Magazine Writing Competition UK 1st Sept 2015 12th Dec 2015 5,000 FREE See notes
Notes on Widows & Widowers Competition: Themed, so check website for current details - 3 winning essays published in magazine - all shortlisted entries published in an anthology
Win Our Inn Essay Contest USA 31st March 2020 May 2020 350 $99 See notes
Notes on Win Our Inn Contest: For essays about why owning an inn would fulfill your dreams and why you think you'd be successful - prize is a turnkey motel operation on an island off the coast of Maine, plus $25,000 operating fund - CLOSED, was a one-off
Wonder Institute Essay Contest USA November December 1,500 $20 $1,000
Notes on Wonder Institute Contest: Any style or subject but see website for current topic - winner published on the Wonder Institute website - POSTPONED in 2017 and not run since, so removed listing 2019

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How to Write a Short Story by Christopher Fielden

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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.

Thanks!

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.

Thank you!

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 :-)