Many writers, at some point, will want to join online writing contests. Joining an online contest seem the easiest thing to do but it is not always safe. Remember, you need to be careful on where you submit your work.

Here are some warning sings:

• To high entrance fee. It is normal to charge for entrance fee or joining fee but when it goes over $50 for novels, you should check it first. It should be lower for poetry or short stories
• No joining fees. It seems great but when there isn’t any, they might require you to buy the book when it is published
• All entries are for publication
• Contest is run by an individual
• Unclear rules

The list below is not a recommendation, please practice due diligence.

10. Good Read Fiction Book Contest

Online Writing Contests Details

They don’t like prose and poetry. They are more interested in insights or a different way of telling a point. They only require the first 75 pages of your work. You need to make sure they get hooked with your characters, they get involved, they fall in love or fall in hate… in other words, you must have a strong thesis and know how to tell them too.

Other Details

AWW Fiction Book Competition is an annual contest. Entries should be a minumum of 60,000 words.
Deadline: November 30, annually
Prizes: One prize of $500
Entry Fee: $40

9. Glimmer Train Fiction Open

Online Writing Contests Details

Open to all writers, all themes. We don’t publish stories for children, and we don’t publish works longer than 20,000 words
Deadline: End of each quarter
Prizes: $2000.00 First place, $1,000.00 second place and $600.00 third place
Entry Fee: $18

8. Robin Blaser Poetry Award

Online Writing Contests Details

The Capilano Review invites entries for the first annual Robin Blaser Poetry Award. Seeking poems that explore discontinuities / particles..
Deadline: 08-31-2011
Prizes: $1,000.00
Entry Fee: $35.00

7. Scare The Dickens Out of Us Ghost Story Contest

Online Writing Contests Details

The contest is open to published and unpublished writers alike. The ghost story must be 5,000 words or less, in English, and typed double-spaced
Deadline:10-01-2011
Prizes:$1,000.00 first place, $500.00 second place and $250.00 third place
Entry Fee:$20.00

6. 2011 Mighty River Short Story Contest

Online Writing Contests Details

We’re searching for the best short story of any theme. Work must not be previously published Maximum of 30 double-spaced pages,
Deadline: 10-01-2011
Prizes: $500.00
Entry Fee: $15.00

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