The Only Guide to Writing Contests, Grants, and Literary Opportunities You'll Ever Need
- For The Writers | Official
- Nov 5, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 16
Navigating Writing Contests, Grants & Literary Opportunities
Winning a writing contest isn’t just a nice line on your résumé—it can be a career-defining moment. For many writers, especially emerging voices, a single contest win can lead to increased visibility, invitations to residencies, book deals, or representation by top literary agents. A 2022 Poets & Writers industry report found that over 60% of contest winners received offers for publication or agent representation within one year of their win. Whether you're writing poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction, placing in a respected competition can validate your work, expand your readership, and position you for long-term success.
That’s why we built the For The Writers Writing Contests, Grants & Awards Database—to connect writers with curated opportunities that are not only reputable but truly worth your time and effort. Each listing in our database is hand-vetted for transparency, industry recognition, and tangible rewards, including publication, substantial cash prizes, fellowships, and national exposure. These are not the cluttered, pay-to-play listings scattered across the internet. They’re serious opportunities with the power to change the trajectory of your writing life.
What sets these contests apart? First, credibility—we prioritize competitions backed by well-regarded literary journals, foundations, or presses. Second, clarity—every listing includes defined deadlines, submission windows, and expected response times, so you know exactly what to expect. Third, accountability—we assess each program's transparency in judging, mission alignment, and history of fairly and equitably honoring writers.
At For The Writers, we don’t believe in wasting your time. Each opportunity is thoroughly researched and verified—including its submission guidelines, fees, past winners, and judging processes—before it is added to our database. Our goal is to be the most trusted, practical, and empowering resource for discovering literary opportunities that align with your voice, your goals, and your worth.
Because when writers are equipped with the right tools—and when they submit with intention, not desperation—doors open. Careers grow. And stories find the platforms they deserve.
Writing Resources
#ForTheWriters Guide to Writing Contests
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the contest world with insights from the people who make the decisions—series editors, judges, and past winners. This guide is packed with practical, no-fluff advice on how to craft a submission that rises to the top, what judges are looking for, and how to strategically position yourself in high-stakes literary competitions.
#ForTheWriters Complete Guide to Becoming a Writer
This is a playbook for building a literary life with intention. You’ll find a dedicated chapter on navigating the contest landscape, complete with tools to help you research opportunities, prep standout submissions, manage deadlines, and track wins (and rejections) like a pro. Ideal for writers serious about long-term growth, not just one-off wins.
PEN America Grants and Awards Directory
PEN America maintains one of the most robust and respected directories of funding opportunities for writers. This carefully curated database includes current listings for grants, literary awards, fellowships, and residencies across all genres and career stages. Writers can filter results by genre, funding type, or experience level to discover programs that align with their goals, whether they’re emerging voices or established authors seeking project support or professional recognition.
