Narratively Memoir Prize
- Nov 13, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 30, 2025
Narratively, known for championing raw, deeply human storytelling, has opened submissions for its Memoir Prize, inviting writers to submit personal narratives that go beyond the surface. This prestigious competition is designed for writers who are unafraid to be vulnerable on the page, those who can transform lived experience into art that moves, challenges, and lingers. More than a publication opportunity, the prize offers visibility to editors, producers, and agents across platforms, including potential for multimedia adaptation, a hallmark of Narratively’s editorial reach.
Entrants will not only have the chance to publish with a highly respected outlet but also to join a community built on storytelling that is unflinchingly honest and universally resonant. The contest seeks narratives that confront identity, reckon with change, and capture resilience in the face of life’s most defining moments.
About the Contest
The Narratively Memoir Prize seeks deeply personal essays that explore themes of resilience, identity, transformation, and emotional complexity. Submissions should be rooted in the writer’s lived experience and written with literary precision, narrative tension, and emotional clarity. Whether you’re reflecting on personal trauma, cultural identity, a pivotal relationship, or a moment of hard-won growth, Narratively seeks stories that begin with the individual but ultimately arrive at the universal.
Selected entries will be published on Narratively.com, featured in a special digital showcase, and promoted widely across the platform’s channels, placing your work in front of thousands of engaged readers and industry professionals.
Key Details
Submission Period: Opens October 28, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. EDT. Closes December 19, 2024, at 9:00 p.m. EDT
Word Count: 2,000 to 7,000 words per submission. Pieces should be complete, stand-alone narratives with a strong beginning, middle, and end.
Entry Fee: $20 (nonrefundable) for non-members. Free for Narratively paid subscribers—an incentive for those actively engaged with the publication.
Eligibility: Open to all writers 18 years or older, anywhere in the world. Submissions must be original, unpublished work written in English (translations from other languages are welcome). Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but writers must notify the editors immediately if their piece is accepted elsewhere.
Prizes and Recognition
The 2025 Narratively Memoir Prize offers meaningful recognition—and more than a bit of momentum—for writers ready to share personal narratives with impact. The competition awards $3,000 to one Grand Prize winner, along with publication and editorial support. Three additional finalists will each receive $1,000, and all winning stories will be published on Narratively.com as part of a curated digital feature.
But the rewards don’t stop at the page. Narratively’s editorial team will also consider selected entries for adaptation into other storytelling formats, including TV, film, audio, and podcast projects, a rare opportunity for memoirists to see their work developed for new audiences and platforms.
2025 Prizes Overview
Grand Prize: $3,000 + publication
Finalists (3): $1,000 each + publication
Adaptation Potential: Editorial collaboration for TV, film, or audio projects
Exposure: Featured across Narratively’s newsletter and digital channels, reaching thousands of readers and industry professionals
Judging Panel
While the 2025 guest judge has yet to be announced, the panel will feature an esteemed voice in contemporary literature, selected for their expertise in memoir, emotional resonance, and narrative craft.
For context, the 2024 Memoir Prize was judged by Jami Attenberg, bestselling author of The Middlesteins and All Grown Up. Known for her literary insight and bold storytelling, Attenberg brought a discerning eye to submissions, with an emphasis on originality, emotional clarity, and voice.
Stay tuned to Narratively’s website for updates on the 2025 judging panel, which is expected to continue the tradition of thoughtful, writer-centered evaluation.
Evaluation Process
All submissions undergo a multi-round editorial review led by Narratively’s in-house team. Each entry is assessed for narrative voice, originality, structure, and emotional impact. Finalists are selected through this process, with the guest judge evaluating the final shortlist and selecting the Grand Prize winner.
The editorial team is committed to a transparent and respectful reading process, actively seeking work from diverse voices and perspectives, as well as those with varied lived experiences.
How to Submit
Writers can submit their stories directly through Narratively’s official submission portal, linked on their website. Submissions must meet the following guidelines:
Stories must be original, unpublished, and between 2,000–7,000 words;
Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but writers must withdraw their piece if accepted elsewhere;
Multiple entries are allowed; each must be submitted separately and include a new entry fee;
Writers 18 years or older may apply from anywhere in the world; and
Submissions must be written in English (translations accepted).
For full details and a link to the submission form, visit:
Why Enter?
The Narratively Memoir Prize is so much more than a literary accolade. It’s a launchpad. With cash awards, national exposure, editorial mentorship, and the real possibility of multimedia adaptation, this prize offers writers an unmatched opportunity to amplify their voice and gain momentum in their careers.
Whether you’re an emerging writer with a story that demands to be told or an established author looking to break into personal nonfiction, this competition offers a platform where your work won’t just be read—it will be seen, heard, and remembered.
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