Every writer starts somewhere, and for many, that 'somewhere' is a contest. Essay writing contests are one of the smartest ways to get noticed (and maybe even paid) for your writing. Beyond the obvious opportunities, such contests are also amazing for connecting with those whose voices actually matter in the industry.
We've put together a list of 20 essay writing contests you can enter in 2025 to sharpen your writing skills and move forward in your field. You won't have to keep track of submission dates and entry fees anymore - you'll find everything in one place. But here are five standout options to consider first:
- The To Hull and Back Humorous Short Story Competition
- The 2025 Book Prize
- Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest
- The Narrative Prize
- The Unleash WIP Award
If your school assignments are a bit higher on your list of priorities than contests, you can always delegate your tasks to EssayHub. Hire essay writer so the only deadlines you have to focus on are the ones for essay writing contests.
Essay Writing Contests in 2025
If you want to enroll in a writing contest but have no idea where or how to start, this list is for you. An essay writing contest by EssayHub doesn't exist yet, but here are 20 of the best options for the year. Some of these competitions are looking for nonfiction writers who can create essays that hit hard. Others want stories that make people laugh or cry. And yes, most of the winners receive cash prizes!

1. The To Hull and Back Humorous Short Story Competition
The To Hull and Back Humorous Short Story Competition is a well-known UK-based contest that rewards original, laugh-out-loud storytelling. This contest invites writers who know how to use wit and satire in their stories. Winning entries are published in an annual anthology, plus the first-place author's face gets featured on a book cover.
- Genres: Humorous fiction, comedy, satire
- Prize: £1,200 for the first prize, plus publication in the annual anthology
- Entry fee: £14
- Deadline: July 31, 2025

2. International Voices in Creative Nonfiction Competition
The International Voices in Creative Nonfiction Competition is run by Vine Leaves Press and focuses on true stories. It's open to both up-and-coming writers and those who already have experience, as long as their work reflects personal experiences. The goal of the contest is to make the literary scene diverse by bringing attention to underrepresented voices.
- Genres: Creative nonfiction, memoir, hybrid nonfiction
- Prize: $1,000 and publication by Vine Leaves Press
- Entry fee: $25
- Deadline: July 1, 2025

3. Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest
The Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest is a respected international competition that welcomes poets writing in any form or style. It encourages both modern free verse and structured, classical poetry. This competition offers a platform for writers with different poetic voices and techniques.
- Genres: Poetry (traditional and contemporary)
- Prize: $3,000 for the Tom Howard Prize (any style) and $3,000 for the Margaret Reid Prize (traditional verse)
- Entry fee: $20 per submission (1-3 poems)
- Deadline: September 30, 2025

4. The Narrative Prize
The Narrative Prize is given each year to a writer whose work stood out in Narrative magazine of the previous year. It awards writers with fresh perspectives and memorable voices, regardless of whether it's fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.
- Genres: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry
- Prize: $5,000
- Entry fee: None (by invitation through prior publication in Narrative)
- Deadline: July 15, 2025

5. The Unleash WIP Award
The Unleash WIP Award is for writers in the middle of a book project who need a hand to keep going. It's meant to support works-in-progress with funding and guidance. A generous cash prize is not the only award winners get; they can also benefit from professional editorial feedback so they can finish what they've started.
- Genres: Fiction and nonfiction works-in-progress
- Prize: £1,000 and tailored editorial feedback
- Entry fee: £10
- Deadline: July 1, 2025

6. The Anthology Short Story Competition
The Anthology Short Story Competition is open to writers who have a knack for storytelling. It welcomes original short fiction on any theme as long as the writing is fresh and engaging. The contest gives writers a chance to be published in Anthology magazine and reach a wide audience.
- Genres: Short story, literary fiction
- Prize: €1,000 and publication in Anthology Magazine
- Entry fee: €18
- Deadline: July 31, 2025

7. The TCK Publishing Poetry Awards Contest
The TCK Publishing Poetry Awards Contest is open to emerging writers and those who are already published. Writers across all styles and themes are given a chance to share their work with an audience worldwide. The contest is free to enter, so everyone has an equal chance to show off their creativity.
- Genres: Poetry (any style or theme)
- Prize: $1,000
- Entry fee: None
- Deadline: July 31, 2025

8. The Personal Essay Competition
The Personal Essay Competition by Mslexia is all about real stories told with heart. It's open to women writers with something honest to say and the skill to say it well. Beyond the cash awards, the winning essay also gets a publication in Mslexia.
- Genres: Personal essay, creative nonfiction
- Prize: £500 and publication in Mslexia
- Entry fee: £12
- Deadline: September 16, 2025

9. The Oxford Poetry Prize
The Oxford Poetry Prize is held each year by Oxford Poetry and welcomes unpublished poems that show something genuine. Each round is judged by a notable guest poet, and the contest gives writers a chance to be noticed for their thoughtful work.
- Genres: Poetry
- Prize: £1,000 for first place, plus publication
- Entry fee: £10
- Deadline: September 30, 2025

10. The Paul Cave Prize for Literature
The Paul Cave Prize for Literature is an annual competition that invites different kinds of prose and poetry. This competition, established by Tim Saunders Publications, gives writers an opportunity to have their work read by a professional editor and published in a book.
- Genres: Fiction, short story, essay
- Prize: £200 for the winner
- Entry fee: £15
- Deadline: September 30, 2025

11. Berggruen Prize Essay Competition
The Berggruen Prize Essay Competition focuses on the theme of consciousness. It invites essays that reflect deep thinking and original perspective. Writers are encouraged to approach the topic with curiosity and a strong personal voice.
- Genres: Philosophy, cultural criticism, interdisciplinary nonfiction
- Prize: $50,000 USD for essays submitted in English and $50,000 USD for essays submitted in Chinese
- Entry fee: None
- Deadline: July 31, 2025

12. Summer Short Story Award for New Writers
The Summer Short Story Award for New Writers is run by The Masters Review and supports voices who are just starting out: it's only open to writers who haven't published with a major press. The contest focuses on strong storytelling and gives a solid opportunity to gain recognition in the field.
- Genres: Short fiction, creative nonfiction
- Prize: $3,000 for first place, with additional prizes for runners-up
- Entry fee: $20
- Deadline: August 25, 2025

13. Personal Essay Competition 2025
Share honest, reflective stories about your own life in The Personal Essay Competition 2025. This free writing contest is hosted by Write The World and allows young authors to turn moments from their personal experiences into well-crafted writing.
- Genres: Personal essay, creative nonfiction
- Prize: Publication on Write the World's platform and potential feedback from guest judges
- Entry fee: None
- Deadline: June 23, 2025

14. Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest
The Jane Austen Society of North America hosts this annual essay contest for students who enjoy analyzing Austen's novels. Writers can show off their writing skills through critical analysis of Austen's characters, themes, and social commentary.
- Genres: Literary analysis, academic essay
- Prize: Scholarship awards of $1,000, $500, and $250
- Entry fee: None
- Deadline: June 2, 2025

15. Anthology Travel Writing Competition 2025
The Anthology Travel Writing Competition 2025 invites writers to describe the spirit of a particular place through vivid storytelling. It's less about the places you've been and more about how you can bring your travels to life.
- Genres: Travel writing, personal essay
- Prize: €300 and publication in Anthology Magazine
- Entry fee: €15
- Deadline: November 30, 2025

16. Bellevue Literary Review Prizes
The Bellevue Literary Review Prizes focus on writing that connects to the strengths and the limits of the body. The contest is open to different kinds of writing that focus on health and healing.
- Genres: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry
- Prize: $1,000 in each genre and publication in the Spring 2026 issue
- Entry fee: $20
- Deadline: July 1, 2025

17. Griffin Poetry Prize
The Griffin Poetry Prize is one of the most prestigious and generous awards in the poetry world. It honors a single book of poetry each year that was written or translated into English. This competition is built on a simple idea: powerful poems deserve real recognition.
- Genres: Poetry
- Prize: $130,000 CAD for the winner
- Entry fee: None
- Deadline: June 20, 2025

18. International Short Story Prize
The International Short Story Prize is an annual competition hosted by The Moth, an Irish arts and literature magazine. This contest is open to all writers as long as their work is unpublished and under 3,000 words. Entries are judged anonymously by a single judge each year.
- Genres: Short fiction
- Prize: €3,000 for first place, with additional prizes for runners-up
- Entry fee: €15
- Deadline: June 30, 2025

19. Editors' Prize Book Award
The Editors' Prize Book Award is held by the Cider Press Review. This is a competition for poets with a full-length manuscript ready to send out into the world. The contest honors a collection that feels complete: something that works as a book, not just a stack of poems.
- Genres: Poetry
- Prize: $1,000, publication, and 25 author copies
- Entry fee: $27
- Deadline: June 30, 2025

20. FSG Writer's Fellowship
The FSG Writer's Fellowship is held by Farrar, Strauss and Giroux. It focuses on giving the underrepresented writers the guidance and editorial feedback they need to complete their manuscript.
- Genres: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry
- Prize: $15,000
- Entry fee: None
- Deadline: July 9, 2025
Why You Should Submit to Essay Competitions
Writers don't enter essay contests just so they can win cash prizes. Sure, it's a nice perk, but the benefits go so much further beyond! Here's why it's always a good idea to take part in writing competitions:
- You put your work out there. Submitting a piece to a contest is already a step toward being read. Being read, in turn, is a step toward recognition. Enrolling in a contest pushes you to believe in your work and take the risk of sharing your voice.
- You get used to judgment. You get exposed to real, professional evaluation here. Even if you don't end up winning, you learn why your writing didn't work as well as you thought. You get used to constructive criticism and get to grow from the experience.
- You build a portfolio. Every submission - win or lose - is a part of your collection. These pieces can then be reused or adapted for future contests and publications. Plus, you've got a body of work to show off.
- It adds weight to applications. If you're aiming for the most expensive colleges (or any college, for that matter), showing off that you've got an award or participated in a writing contest will help you stand out.
- You reach the right people. It's important for any aspiring writer to get their work in front of people who have a say in the field. Contest judges are often editors, publishers, or even respected writers who can open doors to opportunities and connections.
What To Do After You Submit to Essay Writing Competitions?
So, you've proofread everything and already hit submit. What now? Don't just sit around and be anxious about whether you get picked or not; here's what you can do while you're waiting for results:
- Don't send a revised version. Resist the urge to make edits and send an updated draft once you've submitted it. Most competitions don't allow replacements. Instead, take a little extra time to proofread your work before you submit it.
- Set calendar reminders. You probably won't forget it, but it still helps to put the announcement date on your calendar so you remember to check back. Some contests don't notify you unless you've won.
- Ask for feedback (just in case): Most competitions simply can't offer feedback because of so many submissions. But it never hurts to ask! Just make sure to wait until after the results are announced before reaching out.
- Withdraw if your piece wins elsewhere. If you've submitted the same essay to more than one place, notify the others right away if it gets accepted or wins. It's professional and keeps things fair.
Take a few minutes to read our article about the most dangerous college campuses in the country. Understanding the threats will help you stay safe.
The Bottom Line
Now, you've got all the tools and information you need to pick the writing contests that fit you best. But let's quickly go over what you need to keep in mind before you dive headfirst into your application:
- Essay competitions are not just prize hunts. Through them, you can sharpen your skills and build confidence.
- Winning isn't everything. Submitting itself is exposure and progress.
- Submission deadlines help you stay accountable. Themes push you to explore new angles.
- Every entry, winning or not, adds to your portfolio.
- The more you submit, the easier it gets. Rejection is part of the process.
If you're trying to build a solid portfolio, but the schoolwork keeps getting in the way, EssayHub is here to help. Our professional writers can help you write authentic academic papers so you can focus your attention on what actually matters to you.
FAQs
How Can I Win Essay Writing Competitions?
Strong writing is key, but so is following the rules. Stick to all the requirements and make sure your essay is well-structured. Avoid cliches and dig into original perspectives. Don't forget to proofread everything very carefully before submitting; you probably won't be able to edit anything afterward.
Should I Pay to Enter Writing Contests?
It depends. Some contests are free of charge, but sometimes, entry fees go toward prizes, publication, or supporting an organization.
Are Essay Contests Worth It?
Yes! Writing contests are absolutely worth it if you're serious about writing. Even if you don't win, you walk away with an addition to your portfolio and valuable experience. And if you win? You get great exposure and sometimes even a bit of money.
- The Ultimate List of Essay Writing Contests in 2025 • Win Cash Prizes! (2025). Reedsy. https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/essay/