Writing Contests Online Novels & Stories

I'm skeptical of most free contests, honestly. Too many feel like data collection or anthology-mill schemes, where you 'win' a spot in a pricey collection you have to buy. But I found one exception last year: 'The First Chapters Prize' from The London Library. No fee, open internationally, decent prize money and mentoring. I entered on a whim, didn't win, but the feedback was genuinely thoughtful—more than I got from some paid submissions. The key is vetting: if it's run by a legit literary journal, university creative writing department, or a major publisher's imprint, it's usually okay. Random websites promising 'exposure'? Run.

WordHunt (formerly Scribophile's) quarterly contests are another solid free option. You need to critique others' work to earn karma points to enter, which keeps the community serious. The prizes are small but real, and the feedback you get during the process is the real value. Helped me tighten a short story that later got published elsewhere. I'd take that over a hundred no-feedback rejections from random places.

Okay, look—contests are a numbers game. Every writer I know with contest success just keeps a spreadsheet. Find twenty that fit your genre and deadlines that work, then submit to all of them. Don’t overthink the ‘perfect fit.’ Half the judging is subjective anyway.

I use Submission Grinder to track openings, but honestly, following a few publishers and writing orgs on Twitter gives you the fastest heads-up. The ‘easy’ part is just being organized; set aside one Sunday a month to update your list and send stuff out. You miss every shot you don’t take, and some of these have tiny entry fees that are worth the lottery ticket.

My only hard rule: never submit something you just finished last week. Let it sit, edit it once more, then send it off. Rushed entries always read rushed.

joining writing contests is one of my favorite ways to challenge myself and connect with fellow writers. To find contests, start by browsing the 'Contests' section under the 'Discover' tab on Wattpad. Many contests are hosted by official Wattpad accounts like 'Wattpad4' or 'WattpadYoungAdult,' but independent authors and book clubs also run their own.

Before entering, carefully read the contest rules, which usually include word count limits, genres, and deadlines. Some contests require specific tags or formatting. I always draft my story separately first, then paste it into Wattpad and add the required tags like '#contestname' or '#wattpadcontest.' Engaging with other participants by reading and commenting on their entries can also boost your visibility and chances of winning.

For inspiration, check out past winners like 'The Arrangement' by 'username' or 'Whispered Promises' by 'user2.' These stories often showcase what judges look for—strong pacing, emotional depth, and originality. Don’t forget to promote your entry on social media; some contests even award bonus points for community engagement. Whether you win or not, contests are a fantastic way to grow your audience and refine your craft.