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21 Writing Competitions with Deadlines in August 2024

  • Writer: Kristi My
    Kristi My
  • Jul 30, 2024
  • 2 min read

This was so helpful for me to compile that I thought maybe I would do try to compile a list of places taking work every month. I have to admit that I only included writing competitions this time around because the list seemed much more extensive than it was last month. To be more specific, I found twenty-one writing competitions that can be entered without paying a reading fee.


As someone who appreciates working on a deadline, I like knowing about competitions even if I don't end up submitting to them because they can provide inspiration if it is missing in my life.


Full Disclosure/Disclaimer: I will be pulling the submission details from each website instead of writing it up myself because I would hate to disseminate inaccurate information.I'm not going to say that this is a full and comprehensive list of places to send writing this month. After all, many fantastic places are taking work that I haven't included on this list. These are just a few that I found and pulled together as a writer who is interested in getting my work out there while not having to pay a reading fee.


If you're here reading this, I am going to wish you good luck. The competition is sure to be fierce.


A woman typing at a cafe window with a smile on her face.
How I imagine I look when I'm writing.

Writing Contests and Competitions August 2024

Submitting directly to a writing contest is different than submitting to a magazine because the awards could be different (from a money prize to a publication opportunity). The turnaround time could also be different, since the organizations that have put out these contests have set aside time to judge them. When you submit to a magazine, you could be waiting anywhere between a month and beyond a year, depending on how big their submission pool is.

3. Granum Foundation

Deadline: August 1

Website for Further Information: https://www.granumfoundation.org/granum-prize

Description: "The Granum Foundation Prize will be awarded annually to help U.S.-based writers complete substantive literary works—such as poetry books, essay or short story collections, novels, and memoirs—or to help launch these works.


Additionally, the Granum Foundation Translation Prize will be awarded to support the completion of a work translated into English by a U.S.-based writer.


Funding from both prizes can be used to provide a writer with the tools, time, and freedom to help ensure their success. For example, resources may be used to cover basic needs, equipment purchases, mentorship, or editing services.


Competitive applicants will be able to present a compelling project with a reasonable timeline for completion. They also should be able to demonstrate a record of commitment to the literary arts."


An open book held in someone's hands.
All this writing time is going to take up any opportunity I have for reading.

6. Ligonier Valley Writers Flash Fiction Contest

7. Press 53: Monthly 53-Word Story Contest

Deadline: August 15

Website for Further Information: https://www.press53.com/53word-story-contest

Description: "Each month, when we offer a new prompt, we introduce it with a short 53-word description that suggests several ways you might consider the prompt. Even the photo can offer a different way to look at it. What are we looking for? A story that surprises us in its approach to the prompt, something unusual and creative. The first idea that pops into your head probably popped into the heads of others too, so you might want to take another look at how your story can be different. Challenge yourself to find an unusual way to write a 53-word story about the prompt, and don’t think you have to use the prompt in your story, literally; implying the word works too. Surprise us! That’s what we are looking for.


Here’s how to enter (please read our guidelines carefully before sending us your story):


An open comic book.
I wish I read more comic books growing up.

9. Kindle Vella: The Vellys

Deadline: August 20

Website for Further Information: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/Vellys

Description: "The Basics


Someone sitting at the edge of a lake writing in a journal.
I seemed to have my thoughts in nature when I was picking out all of these images.

11. On the Premises Short Story Contest

12. The Northwind Writing Award

Deadline: August 31

Website for More Information: https://raw-earth-ink.com/the-northwind-writing-award/

Description: "The Northwind Writing Award is sponsored by Raw Earth Ink and facilitated by tara caribou to shine light on little-known exceptional writers. Overall we are looking for writing which stirs our emotions, paints vivid imagery, is high-caliber or underappreciated, and is memorable.


A girl with a topknot smiling as she pulls a book from a book shelf.
A desire to learn should be a part of life.

15. The Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative Nonfiction

Deadline: August 31

Website for Further Information: https://lunchticket.org/contests/dwm/

Description: "Creative nonfiction authors are invited to submit work of up to 3,500 words on the subject of their choice to be considered for the Diana Woods Memorial Award in creative nonfiction. Winners will receive $250 and their work will be featured in the next issue of Lunch Ticket. Each award recipient must submit a 100-word biography, current photo, and send a brief note of thanks to the Woods family.

To submit, please click on the button called “Submit to Lunch Ticket” below, and choose the category called “Creative Nonfiction.” All submissions to this category will be considered for the award."


Different stationary supplies laid out.
The thing I am going to miss about school supply shopping is being able to buy new pens with a purpose.

17. The Val Wood Prize 2024: Letters to My Love

Deadline: August 31

Website for Further Information: https://www.valwood.co.uk/val-wood-prize

Description: "We invite you to write "Letters to My Love”. Whether it's a heartfelt letter to a significant other, an expression of unspoken feelings, or a unique voice.


What We Are Looking For:


1. Authenticity and Emotion: Entries must attempt to convey genuine emotion and a deep sense of connection. Your entry should be heartfelt and resonate with the reader, capturing the essence of love in all its forms.

​

2. Creativity and Originality: Your submission should be original and imaginative. Surprise us with your unique perspective, innovative narrative style, or unexpected twist.

​

3. Strong Writing and Structure: We value well-crafted entries with clear structure and coherent flow. Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and overall readability to ensure your entry stands out.

​

4. Diverse Perspectives: Love comes in many forms and experiences. We encourage entries that reflect diverse backgrounds, cultures, and types of relationships, celebrating the rich tapestry of love stories.

​

5. Engagement and Impact: Your entry should engage the reader from the first sentence and leave a lasting impression. We want to feel the emotions you pour into your writing and be moved by your story.

The entry isn’t limited to just romance or love and any genre can be covered as long as it is not unnecessarily violent or gruesome and the subject of the competition is included. The competition, is open to anyone over 16 years of age. 


Entrants are free to write freely as long as the theme is adhered to.  Poetry will NOT be considered for the prize. 


The competition is open to anyone in the world. Your entry must adhere to an overall word-count of 1500. 


The winner of the competition will receive £100 and a signed copy of a Val Wood book. Title TBC. The winning entry will be published on the website valwood.co.uk and shared via various social media outlets.


There will be two further prizes and the winners will receive signed books upon it’s release in Winter 2024. 


Maximum of 1 entry per person to the maximum word count of 1500 per entry. "


A stack of letters and invitations tied together with a bow.
I love writing and receiving letters.

If you decide to enter any of these, cheers to you. I'm wishing that we all get a little lucky, especially since there are twenty-one difference opportunities to do so this August 2024.


Champagne glasses clinking with confetti everywhere.
Good luck to us!


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© 2022 by Kristi Dao

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