Did you know that the very first recorded essay contest can be traced back to the early 16th century, initiated by none other than the renowned philosopher and essayist Michel de Montaigne? In 1580, Montaigne published his collection of essays titled 'Essais,' which not only marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the essay as a literary form but also contained an implicit challenge to his readers. He encouraged them to engage with his ideas and respond by writing their own essays, essentially laying the groundwork for what we now recognize as essay contests.
Fast forward to the vibrant year of 2025, and this tradition of writing competitions has evolved into a global phenomenon, offering emerging writers from all walks of life a captivating platform to share their thoughts, emotions, and narratives with the world.
In this article, our essay writer will review essay writing contests, presenting you with an exclusive selection of the most promising opportunities for the year ahead. Each of these competitions not only provides a stage to demonstrate your writing prowess but also offers a unique avenue for personal growth, self-expression, and intellectual exploration, all while competing for impressive writing awards and well-deserved recognition.
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Top Essay Writing Contests in 2025
If you enjoy expressing your thoughts and ideas through writing, you're in for a treat. Essay writing competitions in 2024 offer you a chance to do just that and win some great prizes in the process. We've put together a list of contests specially designed for students like you. These contests cover various interesting essay topics, giving you a unique opportunity to showcase your writing skills and potentially earn cash prizes or scholarships. So, let's jump right into these fantastic opportunities.
1. F(r)iction Spring 2025 Writing Contests
F(r)iction is looking for writing that doesn’t quite fit in a box. This contest is designed for bold voices that turn wild ideas into stories that don’t play by the rules. F(r)iction is run by the Bring Literacy Project and gives you the space to take risks with your writing. Be unapologetically creative and submit a sharp piece of flash fiction, a daring poem, or simply a story with unforgettable characters.
2. Writer's Digest 94th Annual Writing Competition
The Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition has been running for almost a century now, so it’s become a classic at this point. This contest is known for its variety, as it gives a chance to writers from different backgrounds to get noticed. There’s a place for you here, whether you specialize in poetry, genre fiction, or even scriptwriting. This is one of those prestigious contests which will give you serious bragging rights, along with the possibility to catch the attention of agents and publishers who read Writer’s Digest.
3. The Faber/Observer/Comica Graphic Short Story Prize
If you prefer to tell your stories through both words and art, The Faber/Observer/Comica Graphic Short Story Prize is your moment to shine. This is one of the few places where comic artists and graphic writers get the chance to be featured in a major newspaper. The winning story gets a publication in The Observer, which has helped past winners secure book deals and gain recognition.
4. Bridport Prize – Short Story
The Bridport Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the industry. The contest was first held in 1973 and the award has been every writer’s dream ever since then. Bridport has secured its reputation for discovering some of the most powerful voices in fiction. This contest doesn’t come with any themes or restrictions; it rather focuses on storytelling in its purest form, so all you need to do is your best work.
5. Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest
If you’ve got a story or an essay that hits hard, this is the contest that wants to hear it. The Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest has been around for over three decades and aims to give writers a shot at real recognition (and a pretty generous cash prize!). This contest is open for both published and unpublished writers and rewards all styles: bold, funny, dramatic, or just deeply personal.
6. Backwaters Prize in Poetry
Your full-length poetry collection deserves a wider audience. The Backwaters Prize in Poetry is awarded after the annual contest run by the University of Nebraska Press. This award goes to a poet whose manuscript shows depth and a voice worth remembering, the one who creates a body of work that actually sticks with readers. Winning comes with a cash prize, but it also means publishing your collection and adding to the tradition of Backwaters Press.
7. To Hull and Back Humorous Short Story Competition
To Hull and Back Humorous Short Story Competition is best for those who have a knack for weaving humor into their storytelling. This biennial contest invites writers from all over the world to submit their funniest short stories. This award comes with generous cash prizes, but it also offers something unique: the winner’s face is depicted on the anthology cover riding a flaming motorcycle.
8. WOW! Women on Writing Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest
For the women with raw, honest stories that need to be told, the WOW! Women on Writing Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest offers the perfect opportunity to share them. Essays of all styles are welcome here: as long they’re authentic, they can be funny, serious, or reflective. This contest is particularly writer-friendly and comes with affordable entry fees and quick results. Women writers have an actual opportunity to get their work published and their voices heard.
9. Gutsy Great Novelist Page One Prize
The first page of your novel is where the readers decide whether they want to keep going or move on. The Gutsy Great Novelist Page One Prize knows exactly how important the start of a novel is, so it’s rewarding opening pages that can hook readers right from the get-go. With this contest, unpublished novelists get the opportunity to get their work noticed early and gain valuable feedback on how to write stories that people want to read.
10. Anthology Flash Fiction Award
This contest is for writers who know how to make every single word count. If you decide to submit an entry to the Anthology Flash Fiction Award, you’ll have to tell a complete, unforgettable story in just 250 words or less. So, if your writing is punchy with strong emotions, this contest is your chance to show how impactful short fiction can be when done right.
11. Masters Review Summer Short Story Award for New Writers
The Summer Short Story Award for New Writers is hosted by The Masters Review and is dedicated to finding new voices in fiction. This contest is open to writers who haven’t yet published a novel or memoir, so it’s a level playing field. Winning means breaking into the literary world by getting your work noticed by people who can actually open doors for you.
12. Edwin Markham Prize for Poetry
The Edwin Markham Prize for Poetry is hosted by Reed Magazine. This contest is a great chance to get your work through to the readers. It’s open to different poetic styles and voices as long as it’s original and has an emotional depth. It doesn’t matter whether you’re starting out or have already been writing for years; the Edwin Markham Prize for Poetry is your chance to get published in a respected literary magazine.
13. Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award
The Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award, which is presented by Trio House Press, offers writers regardless of their publication history a chance to share nonfiction with a broad audience. You can submit personal narratives, memoirs, essays, and other forms of creative nonfiction to get your work published and receive a cash prize.
14. Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize
If you’re looking to take part in one of the most prestigious poetry contests in the country, there are few better places to look than The Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize. This award, run by the Academy of American Poets, honors the most original and emotional full-length poetry collections with a generous cash prize and a writing residency at Glen Hollow in New York.
15. Ploughshares Emerging Writer’s Contest
If you’re one of the authors who’s still building a career but have a story that needs to be heard, The Ploughshares Emerging Writer’s Contest is for you. Ploughshares is one of the most respected literary journals in the country, and this contest gives new voices the opportunity to stand with some of the best-known names in literature. By winning, you can join a creative community that values bold and thoughtful work.
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To Sum Up
The world of writing contests is full of exciting chances for writers everywhere. Whether you're drawn to stories about nature or the thrill of super short fiction, there's something for every creative mind. With great prizes and the chance to share your voice, now’s the time to choose a contest, grab your pen, and start writing your best work.
Meanwhile, if you're determined to learn how to overcome writer's block for these contests, we have a wealth of expert tips and strategies to guide you through the process!
Daniel Parker
is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.
- The Ultimate List of Writing Contests in 2020 • Win Cash Prizes! (2020). Reedsy. https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/
- Writing contests and competitions. (2024). Poets & Writers. https://www.pw.org/grants
