Will 2021 be the year you write your best work?
Whether you have a story you’re polishing up or 2021 is the year you’re clearing the table and starting anew, it’s good to give your writing projects some specific targets. Writing contests have always been a great motivator for me. It challenges me to put my best foot forward. It gives me a deadline.
Without much further ado, here are some prose contests in 2021.
(contest details are subject to change):
The Jacob Zilber Prize for Short Fiction – PRISM
Prize: $1,500 grand prize
Deadline: January 15, 2021
Entry Fee:
- Canadian: $35 CDN
- USA: $40 USD
- International: $45
Max Length: 4000 words
More details at PRISM international
2021 Calibre Essay Prize
Grand Prize: $5,000
Deadline: January 15, 2021
Entry Fee:
- Online entry (current ABR subscriber) – $15
- Online entry (full-time student) – $15
- Online entry (standard/non subscriber) – $25*
Max Length: 5,000 words
More details at the Australian Book Review
CBC Literary Prizes – Nonfiction
Prize: $6,000
Deadline: February 28, 2021
Entry Fee: $25.00 (taxes included)
Length: 2,000 words
More details at CBC
The Edna Staebler Personal Essay Contest – The New Quarterly
Prize: $1000
Deadline: March 28, 2021
Entry Fee: $40
Length: 2,000-5,000 words
More details at The New Quarterly
Short Grain Contest
Prize: $1,000 and publication in Grain
Deadline: TBD (Usually in April)
Entry Fee: $40
Length: 2,500 words
More details at Grain Magazine
Far Horizons Award for Short Fiction – The Malahat Review
Prize: $CAN 1,000
Deadline: May 1, 2021
Entry Fee:
- Canadian: $25 CDN
- USA: $30 USD
- International: $35
Max Length: 3,500 words
More details at The Malahat Review
The Peter Hinchcliffe Fiction Award
Prize: $1,000
Deadline: May 28, 2021
Entry Fee: $40 CAD
Length: 2,000-5,000 words
More details at The New Quarterly
Room Creative Non Fiction Contest
Prizes:
- First: $1,000 + publication in Room
- Second: $250 + publication in Room
- Honourable mention: $50 publication on Room’s website
Open: June, 2021
Entry Fee:
- Canadian: $35 CAD
- USA: $42 USD
Length: TBD
Note: Open to women, trans, two-spirited, and genderqueer people.
More details at Room Magazine
Constance Rooke CNF Prize – The Malahat Review
Grand prize: $1,000
Deadline: August 1, 2021
Entry Fee:
- Canadian: $35 CAD
- USA: $40 USD
- International: $45 USD
Length: 3,000 words
More details at The Malahat Review
CBC Short Story Prize
Prize: $6000
Deadline: Oct 2021
Entry Fee: $25
Length: 2500 words
More details at CBC
The Breakwater Fiction Contest
Prize: $1000 and publication in our Winter issue
Deadline: December 1, 2021
Entry Fee: $10.00 USD
Length: 1,000-4,000 words
More details at Breakwater
Check back in soon for deadlines for:
SubTerrain Lush Triumphant Literary Awards (Usually in June)
Know of any other Canadian writing contest? Please share it in the comments.
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Elliot Chan 