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Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition 33

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About

Writer’s Digest has been shining a spotlight on up and coming writers in all genres through its Annual Writing Competition for over 90 years.

Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions. The fee range is USD $25 to $35.

Country of Publication

United States

Publication Medium & Contest Frequency

Print Publication Print PublicationAwarded 1 x per year.

Fiction Open Fee-based
Dates:

Open to fiction submissions through 03 June 2024 11:59 PM EDT (in 15 days). 4

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience, including: Children, Young adults.

Genres:
General General
Open to all/most Genres Open to all/most Genres
Lengths:
Short Story Short Story1,000 - 4,000 words.
Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics, including: Religion/Spirituality.

Winner's Prize:

Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Professional payment. Details: USD $5,000.

Submissions:

Method: Submittable submission manager.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.
Multiple entries: Multiple entries are allowed.
Media: Text.

Nonfiction Open Fee-based
Dates:

Open to nonfiction submissions through 03 June 2024 11:59 PM EDT (in 15 days). 0

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience, including: Children, Young adults.

Lengths:
Article ArticleUp to 2,000 words.
Essay EssayUp to 2,000 words.
Narrative Nonfiction Narrative NonfictionUp to 2,000 words.
Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream, Personal.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics, including: Memoir, Religion/Spirituality.

Winner's Prize:

Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Professional payment. Details: USD $5,000.

Submissions:

Method: Submittable submission manager.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.
Multiple entries: Multiple entries are allowed.
Media: Text.

Poetry Open Fee-based
Dates:

Open to poetry submissions through 03 June 2024 11:59 PM EDT (in 15 days). 0

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience, including: Children, Young adults.

Genres:
General General
Open to all/most Genres Open to all/most Genres
Lengths:
Poem PoemUp to 32 lines.
Poetry Forms:

Open to all/most Forms, including: Rhyming.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics, including: Religion/Spirituality.

Winner's Prize:

Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem) Professional payment. Details: USD $5,000.

Submissions:

Method: Submittable submission manager.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.
Multiple entries: Multiple entries are allowed.
Media: Text.

Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.

Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition Submission Statistics — Free Preview!

The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics.
AccuracyWe have received 14 reports from 13 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information.
Days Reported44 min | 107.4 mean avg | 85.5 median | 260 max days (65.2 std dev)
Responses100.00 %
Acceptances14.29 % of submissions accepted (51.0 avg. days per acceptance) | 15.38 % of submitters accepted Rejections are often underreported, which skews the statistics in favor of acceptances. Most publishers have a lower acceptance rate than indicated here.
Rejections85.71 % (116.8 avg. days per rejection) | 0.0 % personal, 75.0 % form, 25.0 % unspecified
Non-Responses0.00 %
Lost/Returned-
Never Responded-
Withdrawals-
Pending8 responses are pending (7 min | 21.4 mean avg | 15.0 median | 58 max days waiting | 16.7 std dev) from 8 different members This only includes pending reports from users who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days

Other Information

The most common submission fee paid: USD $30.00.
Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day.
Most recent response reported was received on 27 Apr 2024.
Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 03 Dec 2023.

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Your Submissions

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Writer's Digest
Writer's Digest Assignment for Kids CLOSED
Writer's Digest Personal Essay Awards Charges fees for all submissions
Writer's Digest Poetry Awards Charges fees for all submissions
Writer's Digest Popular Fiction Awards CLOSED Charges fees for all submissions
Writer's Digest Short Short Story Competition Charges fees for all submissions
Writer's Digest Your Story Competition

Dates

Last Updated: 10 May 2024
Last Audited: 18 Dec 2023. (We audit each active listing twice a year. Learn more at link.)
Date Added: 24 Jan 2012

Before Submitting

We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.

  • Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.
  • Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.
  • Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.
  • Be professional, patient, and persistent.