Lesser-Known Competitive Creative Award Opportunities in Literature for High School Students
- Shenaya B
- Mar 7
- 5 min read
As a writer chasing deadlines in early March 2026, you know the thrill (and terror) of a good contest. Whether you’re after cold hard cash, anthology credits, magazine publication, or indie-author marketing boosts, these eight handpicked opportunities—spanning short stories, poetry, fiction/essays, books, humor, and essays—offer real value without the hype. I dug deep into official sites (Scottish Arts Trust, Winning Writers, The London Magazine, Profiles Journal, and Wigtown Book Festival) for the latest rules, prizes, and tips as of now. No sponsorships here—just straight facts to help you submit smart.
Deadlines are tight for several (Edinburgh and London close in days!), so polish those manuscripts and get ready. Let’s dive in.
Deadline: March 10, 2026 (23:59 UK time) — that’s basically days away if you’re reading this on March 6!
Open to writers worldwide (age 16+), this contest welcomes any theme or genre for adult readers. Max 2,000 words (title not included). Stories must be unpublished, original, and non-AI-generated. Multiple entries allowed.
Entry fee: £11 per story (proceeds support Scottish arts; bursaries closed for 2026). Submit anonymously via Submittable in .doc/.docx/.pdf (clean formatting: Arial or Palatino, 1.08 spacing).
Prizes (total value strong with extras):
1st: £3,000
2nd: £500
3rd: £250
5 Commendations: £100 each
Specials: Isobel Lodge Award (£750 + publication for unpublished Scottish writers), Write Mango (£300 + publication for the most amusing/bizarre story), First Write (£300 + publication for unpublished writers worldwide)
Top 15 (longlist + shortlist) get publication offers in the Edinburgh Anthology. Winners/commended also receive Scottish Arts Club membership. Announcement: longlist by Aug 1, shortlist by Aug 10, winners at an online event by Sept 20 (latest). Judged by bestselling crime author Christopher Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman.
Why enter? Prestigious UK exposure + anthology credit that looks great on queries. Tip: Avoid last-minute tech glitches—submit early and read past anthologies for tone. No feedback this year, but the process is transparent and anonymous.
Contest Dates: April 15 – October 1, 2026
This long-running contest (24th annual) splits prizes between free-form and traditional styles. Submit published or unpublished poems (international, most countries eligible).
Prizes (total $12,000):
Tom Howard Prize: $3,500 (any style or genre)
Margaret Reid Prize: $3,500 (poems in traditional rhyme/meter) Plus honorable mentions (typically 10 at ~$100 each in past cycles). Top entries are often featured on the site.
Entry fee: $25 per submission (standard for Winning Writers prose/poetry contests). Poem limits typically allow 1–3 poems per entry (total lines capped around 250 in similar contests). Submit via their platform during the window—watch for the exact submittable link when it opens.
Why enter? Winning Writers is Writer’s Digest-recommended, with excellent past winners (Pushcart-nominated poets). Dual categories reward both experimental and formal work. Tip: Study recent winners for voice—strong imagery and fresh takes win big.
Contest Dates: October 15, 2025 – May 1, 2026
Any theme, any style—fiction (short stories) or nonfiction (essays). Up to 6,000 words per entry. Published or unpublished OK. International (most countries; some US sanctions exclusions).
Prizes (total $12,000):
$3,500 for best story
$3,500 for best essay
10 Honorable Mentions: $500 each, Top 12 published online. Duotrope gift certificates for the top two winners.
Entry fee: $25 per entry. Submit one at a time via Submittable (anonymous, double-spaced preferred, 12-pt+ font). Judge: Tamra Badgett.
Why enter? Flexible for prose writers craving quick cash and web credits. Tip: AI use must be disclosed if quoted—keep it human. Simultaneous submissions OK (withdraw if accepted elsewhere).
Contest Dates: February 15 – July 1, 2026
Tailor-made for indie authors! Self-published or hybrid-published books only (English language, under ~200,000 words). Multiple categories: mainstream/literary fiction, genre fiction, creative nonfiction/memoir, poetry, children’s picture books, middle-grade/YA, art books, etc.
Prizes (cash ~$23,500 + massive value-adds):
Grand Prize: $10,000 + marketing consult, BookBaby credit, blurbs, Atmosphere Press interview/residency in Costa Rica, Gatekeeper Press $7,500 publishing package, Book Award Pro credits, Laura Duffy Design consult, newsletter ads.
Category winners: $1,000 each + tailored perks (editing discounts, merch, consultations).
Honorable Mentions: $500 + smaller perks.
Entry fee: $95 per book (refundable if ineligible). Submit via Submittable + possible physical copy. Judge: Jendi Reiter. Excerpts from winners published online.
Why enter? The add-on services (worth thousands) can launch an indie career. Tip: First-time entrants—watch their short checklist video. Perfect for authors who’ve already invested in publishing.
Contest Dates: August 15, 2025 – April 1, 2026
Fee: None
One humor poem per entry (published or unpublished), up to 250 lines. International, any age. Judge: Jendi Reiter (with Lauren Singer).
Prizes (total $3,750 + extras):
1st: $2,000 + 2-year Duotrope certificate + 5-year Chill Subs membership
2nd: $500 + Chill Subs benefits
3rd: $250 + Chill Subs benefits
10 Honorable Mentions: $100 each. Top 13 published on the site.
Why enter? Zero risk, pure fun. Past winners include quirky UK voices nailing everyday absurdities. Tip: Read winning poems (football culture, genially befuddled narrators)—wit + heart beats slapstick. One of the best free contests is running.
No, this article is not sponsored by them lol
Contest Dates: December 19, 2025 – March 13, 2026 (closing soon!)
Unpublished poems up to 40 lines, any style/theme. International entries welcome. One poem per submission slot.
Prizes:
1st: £1,000
2nd: £600
3rd: £400 All winners published in a print issue + invited to a summer prize-giving event.
Entry fee: £12 per poem (subsequent £6; £6 for students/low-income with proof; one free with membership). Submit via Submittable. Judged by Isabelle Baafi, Dean Browne, and Luke Kennard (Forward Prize winner).
Why enter? Prestige factor is huge—UK’s oldest literary magazine (since 1732!) has published Eliot, Plath, and Larkin. Tip: Buy a recent issue and channel the judges’ tastes (risky, empathetic, idiosyncratic work).
Deadline: March 15, 2026
Not a contest but a strong publication opportunity. Character-driven fiction or nonfiction (including translations), 1,000–5,000 words. Focus: empathetic character studies showing human nature “as it is.”
No entry fee. Welcomes international writers (Ireland/abroad; US/Canada residents restricted except Irish citizens). Especially encourages underrepresented voices. Submit via Google form on their site—read past issues first.
Benefits: Publication in the independent journal (print/digital).
Why submit? Low barrier, character-focused ethos matches literary short fiction/nonfiction. Tip: Avoid moralizing—empathy without apologia wins here. Visual art submissions are also open.
Contest Dates: February 16 – June 15/16, 2026
Fee: None
Literary essays up to 4,000 words on any subject—fresh and insightful short-form writing. For writers aged 16+ who live in Scotland, were born in Scotland, or have a longstanding association.
Prize: £1,500 for the winner (plus shortlist announcements and festival ties).
Submit via the festival site (details launch with the contest).
Why enter? Zero cost, Scottish literary prestige, and the chance to honor broadcaster Anne Brown’s legacy. Tip: Keep it personal yet universal—past winners like “Firle” blend place and reflection beautifully.
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