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A Definitive List of Writing Contests and Book Awards for 2026

Wednesday, April 09, 2025

by IngramSpark Staff (@ingramspark)

Updated April 21, 2026

Your guide to some of the most prestigious and indie-friendly opportunities this year and next.

For self-published authors, book awards and contests offer recognition, credibility, and new readers. Winning or being a finalist can boost sales, attract media, and open new opportunities. While self-published books were once excluded from such competitions, the industry now offers many more opportunities. 

We've gathered a list of some of the book awards and contests for 2026 that are open to indie authors. They're noted below in order of their deadlines for entry.

Please be sure to read the eligibility, rules, and guidelines for each award before submitting your work. Many of the awards have specifications for submissions related to date published, formats, genre, etc. Additionally, a majority of them require an entry fee upon submission. (However, a number of them offer a discounted "Early Bird" entry fee.)

We'll start with a couple of awards that have deadlines throughout the year…

Chanticleer International Book Awards

The CIBAs celebrate outstanding storytelling in a variety of genres, including mystery and fantasy. This esteemed award offers authors marketing assistance, promotional opportunities, and industry recognition, enhancing their presence in competitive literary markets.

  • Deadline: Varies by category (throughout 2026)
  • Categories: Open to fiction and nonfiction authors globally in 20+ categories
  • Prizes: $1,000 for one lucky Overall Grand Prize Winner; winners receive ribbons, badges, and cash awards along with a powerful promotional boost
  • For More Info: Chanticleer Reviews

The International Impact Book Awards

These awards welcome independent authors and publishers from around the globe to participate. Both fiction and nonfiction entries are welcome.

  • Deadline: Entry deadline for the 2026 International Impact Book Awards is year-round; you can submit your entry at any time throughout the year. 
  • Categories: Awards offered in 30 diverse categories in fiction and nonfiction; submit your book to as many categories as you see fit.
  • Prizes: A digital award seal, a commemorative digital certificate, and year-long recognition and promotion through their network
  • For More Info: The International Impact Book Award

The Literary Titan Book Awards

Literary Titan focuses on recognizing high-quality fiction and nonfiction, regardless of whether the book is traditionally or independently published. Awards are given based on individual merit through their review service. Each month, they recognize books and authors that stand out for their strong narrative craft and engaging concepts. They look for unique writing styles, well-constructed worlds, complex characters, and innovative ideas.

  • Deadline: Award recipients announced every month

  • Categories: Any genre can enter
  • Prizes: Award stickers and custom certificates for award recipients
  • For More Info: Literary Titan Book Awards

Deadline: April

The Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry

An annual prize administered by the Beloit Poetry Journal, supported by the Adrienne Rich Literary Trust. It celebrates poetry that embodies the boldness, creativity, and social engagement championed by Adrienne Rich herself. Submit 1-3 unpublished poems on any subject in any style, up to a maximum of 10 pages per entry.

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Deadline: May

The Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest

Organized by Winning Writers. For this contest, a story is any short work of fiction, and an essay is any short work of nonfiction. Both published and unpublished work is accepted, written in any theme. No restriction on age of author.

The Montreal International Poetry Prize

Run by the Department of English at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, the awards issue one prize to a poet for a single poem of 40 or fewer lines. A jury of internationally reputed poets and critics selects a shortlist of approximately 60 poems, from which a judge chooses one winner. The shortlist is published in The Montreal Poetry Prize Anthology.

The John McGivering Writing Prize

This prize is organised by The Kipling Society, a UK literary society dedicated to preserving and promoting the work and legacy of Rudyard Kipling. This annual competition invites writers to submit original short stories exploring the supernatural, with entries tied — directly or obliquely — to Kipling’s life or writings, echoing the uncanny elements found in his work. Submissions must be original, unpublished short stories in English with a maximum length of 2,500 words (excluding the title).

  • Deadline: May 1

  • Categories: Supernatural themes reflecting a meaningful connection to Kipling’s oeuvre or biography
  • Prizes: First Prize: £350, Second Prize: £100, Third Prize: £50
  • For More Info: The John McGivering Writing Prize 

The Bardsy 2026 Spring First Chapter Anthology Contest

This contest invites writers to submit the opening chapter of a novel for a chance to win cash prizes and publication. Hosted by Bardsy, a U.S.-based platform dedicated to helping writers develop and sell their work, the contest is distinctive in that every entrant receives a detailed, human-written feedback report based on Bardsy's Publishability Index™, along with one opportunity to revise their entry before final judging. Entries must be original, written in English, free of AI-generated content, and between 1,500 and 2,500 words. Open to writers aged 18 and over.

Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition

Writer’s Digest has been shining a spotlight on up-and-coming writers in all genres through its Annual Writing Competition for over 90 years. Enter their 95th Annual Writing Competition for your chance to win and have your work be seen by editors and agents! Almost 500 winners will be chosen.

  • Deadline: Early-Bird Deadline is May 4
  • Categories: Nine categories including Memoirs/Personal Essay, Rhyming Poetry, Humor, Children's/Young Adult Fiction, and more
  • Prizes: 
    • Grand Prize = $5,000 cash, an interview in the magazine, publication of their winning piece online, and more
    • First Place in each category = $1,000 cash and publication online
    • Second through Tenth Place winners in each category win prizes between $500 and $25 cash
  • For More Info: Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition

BSME Young Writers Prize

Free contest open to UK residents aged 18-25 for original work (800-1,000 words). Submit entry form, original writing sample, personal statement, and proof of age via sponsor's online submission form. Sponsored by the British Society of Magazine Editors (BSME).

  • Deadline: May 8

  • Categories: 2026 theme is "Tell us about something you love."

  • Prize: £12,000 pounds, mentorship, and online publication

  • For More Info: BSME Young Writers Prize

The SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction

Also known as "The Smokey", this award is organised by SmokeLong Quarterly, an online literary journal dedicated to flash fiction. Now an annual competition, it celebrates and financially rewards excellence in short-form narrative. Open to anyone aged 18+. However, the submission must be previously unpublished, including not having appeared on personal blogs or websites, and must be 1,000 words or fewer.

Dear Aliens - A Writing Contest

A creative writing contest run by the team at funnest.world. The premise is simple and wonderfully strange: the aliens are coming, and they’ve asked for a single written document from humanity — the one thing they’ll read before they arrive. Entries must not have appeared online, on blogs, social media, or in print previously.

  • Deadline: May 15

  • Categories: Anything goes, as long as the writer believes it would be a good piece of writing for aliens to encounter.
  • Prize:  $2,000 USD for First Place; $250 each for Second and Third Place
  • For More Info: Dear Aliens - A Writing Contest

Changing Light Prize for a Novel-in-Verse

A contest from Livingston Press, at the University of West Alabama, the Changing Light prize is awarded to one novel-in-verse per year. No entry fee. Recommended length: 90-10 pages.

The M.F.K. Fisher Emerging Writers Contest

Organized by the M.F.K. Fisher Foundation, a U.S. nonprofit honoring the food writer and supporting new talent. Open worldwide to writers of all ages in Adult, Youth, and Children’s categories. Submit an original unpublished essay or short story (no poetry) in PDF: 300–500 words for children and youth, up to 750 words for adults.

Inciting Incident Writing Contest

Inciting Incident Script Competition aims to help writers discover if their work is engaging enough to captivate the Hollywood gatekeeper to receive the elusive “Recommend.” Submit your first few pages (up to 12) of your screenplay with your inciting incident or your short screenplay or one-act play. Open to writers 18 years and older. 

  • Deadline: May 25

  • Categories: Focus is specifically on the "inciting incident" or "catalyst" that sets the plot into motion
  • Prizes: Top Prize is $300; Second Prize is $50; Third Prize is written feedback
  • For More Info: Inciting Incident Writing Contest

The San Francisco Book Festival Awards

The 2026 San Francisco Book Festival has issued a call for entries to its annual program celebrating the best books of the spring. There is no date of publication restriction. Submitted works will be judged by a panel of industry experts.

  • Deadline: May 25
  • Categories: The festival will consider nonfiction, fiction, biography/autobiography, children's books, compilations/anthologies, young adult, how-to, cookbooks, science fiction, business, history, wild card, gay, photography/art, poetry, unpublished, technology, self-help, memoir and spiritual/religious works. 
  • Prizes:  A grand prize of $1,500 (or similar cash value for top winners) and honors in various categories.
  • For More Info: San Francisco Beach Festival

 

The CIPA EVVYs™ Awards

The CIPA EVVYs™ is one of the longest-running book award competitions on the Indie publishing scene, running for more than 30 years. The annual contest is sponsored by the Collective of Independent Publishers and Authors (CIPA), along with the CIPA Education and Literacy Foundation (ELF). Open to all types of independently published books.

  • Deadline: May 30

  • Categories: A diverse range of genres and technical categories
  • Prizes: Critical recognition and credibility
  • For More Info: The CIPA EVVYs Awards

 

Bridport Prize

A well-regarded international competition with the mission of encouraging writers everywhere. Previous winners include the novelist Kate Atkinson MBE, Kit de Waal, and Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott.

  • Deadline: May 31
  • Categories: Poetry, Short Story Flash Fiction, Novel, and Memoir
  • Prizes: Range from £5,000 to £250 depending on the category
  • For More Info: Bridport Prize

The Bath Novel Award

A prestigious competition for unpublished manuscripts. Entrants are typically asked to submit the first 5,000 words plus a synopsis by the deadline.

  • Deadline: May 31 
  • Categories: Any genre is accepted for adult and YA manuscripts      
  • Prizes: Winner is awarded £5,000 along with a Minerva trophy. One longlistee wins a place worth £1,980 on the 18 week virtual course Edit Your Novel the Professional Way
  • For More Info: The Bath Novel Award

The Black Orchid Novella Contest

Celebrating the novella format, this contest encourages original, unpublished works that conform to the mystery genre's traditional forms, specifically inspired by the Nero Wolfe series. The contest is designed to highlight the novella, requiring submissions that are tight and engaging, devoid of explicit content.

  • Deadline: May 31

  • Categories: The mystery should be "traditional" in flavor; the crime must be solved using the deductive abilities of the sleuths (no coincidences); and the killer must be known to the victim. 

  • Prizes: First Prize: $1,000 and publication in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine

  • For More Info: The Black Orchid Novella Contest

International Poetry Book Awards

This contest celebrates independent and self-published poets, allowing them to showcase their poetry books and pamphlets. Open to self-publishers and indie authors worldwide who have a book written in English, still in print, from any date. Click here for information on the Children's Poetry Book prize.  

  • Deadline: May 31

  • Categories: Open to all

  • Prizes: First Prize is £800; Second Prize is £400; Third Prize is £200

  • For More Info: International Poetry Book Awards

Deadline: June

Readers' Favorite® Annual Book Award

If you place in this contest, you can display the Readers’ Favorite award seal on your book and marketing materials and promote it as an award winner. They accept manuscripts, published and unpublished books, ebooks, audiobooks, comic books, poetry, and short stories in English, with no word count or publication date limits. Entry also includes free opportunities for potential film or TV adaptation, traditional publication, and representation by a publicist or literary agent.

  • Deadline: June 1
  • Categories: 150+ genres
  • Prize: Up to four levels of winners will be chosen in each genre: Gold, Silver, Bronze and Honorable Mention, as well as a possible Finalist level.
  • For More Info: Readers Favorite Award Contest

Write the World Personal Essay Competition

This contest invites young writers (ages 13-19) to share personal stories, focusing on the theme 'Build a bridge.' Participants are encouraged to include characters, descriptions, and narrative details. share a story from your own life. Make sure to include characters, rich descriptions, and narrative details. Who knows, it might just resonate with a stranger on the other side of the world.

  • Deadline: June 22
  • Categories: Essays and nonfiction
  • Prizes: Winner receives $100; runner-up and best peer review will each receive $50
  • For More Info: Write the World

The Flash 500 Flash Fiction Contest

A quarterly, open-themed flash fiction competition where the prize money truly reflects the skill required to encapsulate an entire story in just 500 words. Only manuscripts which are within the 500-word limit will be accepted.

  • Deadlines: June 30 - September 30 - and December 31

  • Categories: All themes
  • Prizes: First prize: £300, Second prize: £200, Third Prize: £100
  • For More Info:  Flash 500 Flash Fiction Contest

Storytrade Awards

The Storytrade Book Awards are open to all indie authors and publishers, including self-published authors, university presses, and small or independent presses. Books must be written in English and currently available for purchase by the general public. They must have a publication date between 2024-2026. Open to both print and ebooks.

  • Deadline: June 30

  • Categories: 60+ categories
  • Prizes:  Two grand prizes of $1,000 for Book of the Year going to one fiction & one nonfiction book.Industry recognition, medals, & book stickers for Winners and Finalists in all categories.
  • For More Info:  Storytrade Awards 

 

Deadline: July

Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature

The prize will be awarded to the author or authors of the best literary work, the central theme of which is concerned with the mountain environment. The emphasis will be on literary merit. Entries for consideration may have been written by an author of any nationality but the work must be published or distributed in the United Kingdom.

  • Deadline: July 1

  • Categories: Books with mountain, not necessarily mountaineering, theme whether fiction, non-fiction, drama or poetry, written in the English language (initially or in translation)
  • Prize: £3,000
  • For More Info: Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature 

The DWRI Romance Book Literary Contest

This 2026 Diverse Writers and Readers International contest is open to all authors who have written and published a romance book within the prior year of submission.​ ​Focuses on criteria like plot, grammar, and character development. The author with the most points will win the DWRI Literary Award.

The Emma Romance Book Awards

The Emma Awards, described as DWRI's premier awards, specifically focus on celebrating multicultural excellence in romance and women's fiction. They are open to authors of color, age 18 or older, who first published a novel or novella between January 1 and December 31, 2025, featuring at least one multicultural protagonist.

  • Deadline: July 20

  • Categories: Multiple romance subgenres—including interracial romance, romantic suspense, romantic comedy, and more
  • Prize:  The author who takes home the Book of the Year Award also gets a $250 cash prize. 
  • For More Info:  The Emma Romance Book Awards

 

Deadline: August

Best Indie Book Awards®

Best Indie Book Award® (or BIBA®) is an international literary contest recognizing outstanding achievements by indie authors. Entries are limited to independently (indie) published books, including those from small presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors. Books must be in English and currently available to the public.

  • Deadline: August 1

  • Categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Children’s
  • Prize: The minimum cash prize for each category is $500.
  • For More Info: Best Indie Book Awards

Deadline: September

SFWP Literary Awards

The SFWP Literary Awards recognize outstanding poetry, short fiction, and creative non-fiction by unpublished and published writers. The contest is judged by prominent authors. Unpublished work, self-published work, and work from small or micro-presses that has not received marketing support will be eligible.

  • Deadline: September 15

  • Categories: See website for more details

  • Prizes: Grand Prize is $1,500; two runners-up receive $500 each. A competitive publishing contract will be offered. 

  • For More Info: Santa Fe Writers Project Awards 

Reader Views Literary Awards 

These awards honor excellence in independent publishing. The program recognizes authors who self-publish or publish through small presses, hybrids, or university presses. Today, the awards operate in two seasonal tracks for Fiction and Nonfiction, spotlighting impactful indie books across all genres and topics, and celebrating both new and established voices within the literary community.

  • Deadline (Fiction): September 30, 2026

  • Deadline (Nonfiction): March 31, 2027

  • Prizes: All entries are eligible for recognition, including finalist, winner, and grand prize designations based on merit and final scores.

  • For More Info: Reader Views Literary Awards

The Flash 500 Novel Opening & Synopsis Competition

Published, self-published and unpublished novelists are invited to enter this annual competition looking for a novel opening up to 3,000 words, plus a synopsis of the story (max 750 words) to be submitted together in a single file. The contest is open to all novelists, provided the work is unpublished. 

  • Deadline: October 31

  • Categories: All genres
  • Prizes: First prize: £500, Second prize: £200
  • For More Info: Flash 500 Novels

2027 Deadlines

FEBRUARY

The Flash 500 Short Stories Competition

This is an open-themed competition, looking for stories ranging between 1,000 and 3,000 words, with strong characters, a well-crafted plot, and realistic dialogue (where used). 

  • Deadline: February 2027
  • Categories: All genres, including those written by or for children; adult material is also acceptable providing the content fits the story and isn't gratuitous. 
  • Prizes: First prize: £500, Second prize: £200, Third Prize: £100
  • For More Info: Flash 500 Short Stories Competition

Tips for Entering Book Awards Successfully

  • Read the guidelines carefully: Each contest has specific requirements regarding eligibility, format, submission deadlines, and entry fees.
  • Choose the right category: Picking the best-fitting genre category for your book increases your chances of winning.
  • Determine what the judges are looking for: Do your research and find out what the award judges are seeking. This could possibly help your submission stand out among others.
  • Submit a professionally edited book: Judges value high-quality writing and presentation.
  • Leverage your nomination or win: Even if you don’t win, being a finalist is an excellent marketing tool. Mention it in your author bio, website, and social media.

Winning or placing in a book contest can significantly enhance your credibility as an indie author. With so many opportunities available, there’s no reason not to submit your book and possibly gain some well-deserved recognition.

Sell your book directly to readers

 

IngramSpark Staff

IngramSpark® is an award-winning independent publishing platform, offering indie authors and publishers the ability to create, manage, and globally distribute print and ebooks.

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