quotes for essay writing competition

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30 Best Quotes for Essay Writing

December 10, 2023 by Sandeep

The essay is an independent, educational, and scientific student research. In writing this paper, students master the methods and gain the ability to conduct research. In addition, essay writing helps form the student’s creative thinking, test the skills of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting literature, and formulate conclusions and suggestions.

Successful essay writing depends on strict adherence to the basic requirements. These requirements relate primarily to the scientific level of the work, its content, structure, form of presentation of the material, and design. The teacher may not accept works in violation of state standards and established requirements. Inconsistencies in the design can significantly affect the final evaluation of the work. The student’s compliance with all the requirements for writing and design of the essay instills certain skills in conducting research, which will be useful in creating other types of papers.

All of the above points are important to gain the ability to complete an essay. However, this is not an as simple type of student paper as it may seem at first glance. Students often have difficulty in both essay writing and designing. Fortunately, today everyone can find someone to write a paper online. It is only necessary to pay the set price. The best writers work for an online company DoMyEssay. To get their help, you should visit the site and request, “Please, do an essay for me.” The high quality and reliability of writing services are guaranteed for everyone.

Requirements for Quotes & References in Essay Writing

A compulsory component of any scientific work is a scientific citation. It is essential to cite the source from which the materials or individual results are borrowed or the ideas and conclusions based on which the problems, tasks, issues to which the work is devoted are developed. Such links make it possible to find relevant sources, check the accuracy of citations, obtain the necessary information about these sources.

The use of references in essays is mandatory and is used in the following cases:

• When quoting fragments of text, formulas, tables, illustrations;
• When paraphrasing, non-verbal reproduction of a fragment of another’s text;
• When analyzing the content of other publications in the text;
• When referring to other publications where the material to be discussed is more complete.

The absence of a link is a copyright infringement, and an incorrect link is considered a serious error. All sources cited in the list of references must be indicated in the text of the paper.

Importance of Correct Citation in Student Papers

The importance of citation is in the need to demonstrate the breadth of research and interest in the publications of other authors, to confirm own arguments with statements from other sources. Text borrowed from other sources is used for this purpose.

Here are three main functions that quotes perform in essay writing :

• Places your work in context, creates dialogue;
• Pay tribute to the previous work that formed the basis of your research;
• Maintains the authenticity and accuracy of scientific literature.

List of Helpful Quotes You Can Use in Your Essay Writing

Below is a list of 30 quotes you can use in your essay writing:

• The simplest example is more convincing than the most eloquent sermon (Lucius Annec Seneca);
• It is not people who need rules, but rules need people (S. Dube);
• The one who is no longer able to serve as anything serves as a good example (Andre Siegfried);
• Take an example from your elders, while they behave approximately (Jerzy Leszczynski);
• The need to set a good example for your children robs middle-aged people of all pleasure (William Feder);
• Remember: sooner or later, your son will follow your example and not your advice (Pierre Corneille);
• An example is stronger than a threat (Pierre Corneille);
• Bad examples are stronger than good rules (Joey Locke);
• You only have one life. You have to live it as fully as possible (Jojo Moyes);
• When life is good, there is no need to argue about it (Ray Bradbury);
• There are moments in life that change us once and for all (Jeffrey Deaver);
• The reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The person who never reads experiences only one (George Martin);
• On our path in life, we will meet everyone who is destined to meet us (Charles Dickens);
• What is the sense of life? Serve others and do good (Aristotle);
• Those who illuminate the lives of others will not be left without light themselves (James Matthew Barry);
• In general, I live without hesitation, so I always have fun (Francis Scott Fitzgerald);
• An example is always more powerful than a sermon (Samuel Johnson);
• When it comes to budget, everyone wants to go to heaven, but no one wants to die (Jean Chrétien);
• Violating our duty, thereby we violate our rights (Jean-Jacques Rousseau);
• You cannot talk about the budget without knowing approximately the figures of its income and expenses (Theodor Herzl);
• Civilization road paved with tax receipts (Andrew McKenzie);
• If you know how to spend less than you get, then you have the Philosopher’s Stone (Benjamin Franklin);
• Only two incentives make people work: the thirst for wages and the fear of losing them (Henry Ford);
• There is no perfection in the world (Antoine de Saint-Exupery);
• You are forever responsible for the one you tamed (Antoine de Saint-Exupery);
• It’s good where we are not (Antoine de Saint-Exupery);
• All adults were children at first, only a few of them remember this (Antoine de Saint-Exupery);
• Live and learn (Lucius Annec Seneca);
• The end justifies the means (Ignatius de Loyola);
• Truth is in wine (Pliny the Elder).

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EveryWriter

Empowering Writers Since 1999

Greatest Writing Quotes Contest!

February 26, 2019 by Richard 33 Comments

Welcome to our Greatest Quotes about Writing by Writers Contest! We are building this page to help writers. I personally love quotes about writing, and I find them very inspirational. Here we are running a contest for the secret quote. Yes, this contest does not take any skill. It just has to do with if you guess the super-secret quote we picked.

So here is how this works. We have blindly picked a quote from writing. This quote is from a famous person about writing. We are taking this quote and emailing it to ourselves, just in case no one believes us.

In the comments below please help us build a list of the best quotes from writers about writing. Just find quotes, clean up their formatting, and paste them into the comments. If you guess the quote we picked, you must be first person to pick the exact same famous quote…you win. If you win and match the quote you get a year of free ads on our site. This means you can have your book cover in our sidebar linking to your site for a year! You also get free tweets, emails, and social medina promotions. We used to charge a 1000$ per month for this service. Now you will get 12 months just for winning this contest. 2nd place gets 1 month free.

We might pick an obscure quote or a really famous quote, it doesn’t matter, and basically you just have to be the first person to pick the quote. Also, 2nd place is if your quote gets the most votes.

This contest will go on for one year. We will from time to time update this page. Remember these writing quotes must be inspirational. They will be writers talking about writing.

Eventually this page will turn into our famous quotes page.

Contest rules:

Post a quote in the comment One QUOTE PER COMMENT The quote must be by an author or famous writer The quote must be about writing In order to win the grand prize you must post the quote we blindly picked and emailed to ourselves. The first person to post any particular quote is the only one who gets credit. You can post as many quotes as you want. Post that gets the most votes gets second place. Contest Deadline 2/26/20

1st prize one year of free promotions on our site in social networking (basically $12,000 in promotions) 2nd prize one month of promotions.

Ok, great, I hope you have fun, now post as many quotes as you want, but don’t repeat quotes anyone else as already quoted. Post your quotes below in a good format (if the format is just we will remove the quote), and make sure you only post ONE QUOTE PER COMMENT.

About Richard

Richard Everywriter (pen name) has worked for literary magazines and literary websites for the last 25 years. He holds degrees in Writing, Journalism, Technology and Education. Richard has headed many writing workshops and courses, and he has taught writing and literature for the last 20 years.  

In writing and publishing he has worked with independent, small, medium and large publishers for years connecting publishers to authors. He has also worked as a journalist and editor in both magazine, newspaper and trade publications as well as in the medical publishing industry.   Follow him on Twitter, and check out our Submissions page .

Reader Interactions

Janice Scully says

February 27, 2019 at 7:32 am

It seems the analysis of character is the highest human entertainment. And literature does it, like gossip, without mentioning real names. Isaac Bashevis Singer

Tanvi suri says

November 20, 2021 at 9:28 pm

We write to taste life twice , in the moment and in retrospect ~ANAIS NIN

February 27, 2019 at 9:38 am

“If I had not existed, someone else would have written me, Hemingway, Dostoyevsky, all of us.” —William Faulkner

Mary Kay Schoen says

February 27, 2019 at 9:54 pm

Writing saved me from the sin and inconvenience of violence. –Alice Walker

MOSHE PRIGAN says

February 28, 2019 at 3:34 pm

The writing itself is painful, because images and feelings belong in the invisible world and have to be translated into words, which are part of the visible world. The writing itself is painful, but a worse pain comes from not writing. – Gerald Murnane.

February 28, 2019 at 4:23 pm

“You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.” ― Octavia E. Butler

JB Wocoski says

May 12, 2019 at 5:14 pm

“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” –Franz Kafka

leovilin Nieto says

May 29, 2019 at 12:45 am

The story of life begins in you. Make your own masterpiece. Life is changing like a music. Someone can STOP the PAIN and hoping to rewind the HAPPINESS. And now, tell it to them. -Leovilin Nieto

B.T. Joy says

May 29, 2019 at 5:59 am

“The best discovery the discoverer makes for himself. It has something unreal for his companion until he too has substantiated it. It seems as if the Deity dressed each soul which he sends into nature in certain virtues and powers not communicable to other men, and sending it to perform one more turn through the circle of beings, wrote, “Not transferable” and “Good for this trip only,” on these garments of the soul.”—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Every Writer says

May 29, 2019 at 3:57 pm

Working on turning the star ratings back on for these….

Pamela Wyman says

June 3, 2019 at 10:21 am

Poetry is not an expression of the party line. It’s that time of night, lying in bed, thinking what you really think, making the private world public, that’s what the poet does. — Allen Ginsberg,

June 10, 2019 at 9:57 pm

“I turned silences and nights into words. What was unutterable, I wrote down. I made the whirling world stand still.” | Arthur Rimbaud

June 10, 2019 at 9:59 pm

We’re fascinated by the words–but where we meet is in the silence behind them. Ram Dass

June 10, 2019 at 10:01 pm

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story. Maya Angelou

June 10, 2019 at 10:02 pm

Last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice.” — T.S. Eliot

June 10, 2019 at 10:04 pm

What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others’ Pericles

All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know. Ernest Hemingway

June 10, 2019 at 10:12 pm

The road to hell is paved with adverbs.” —Stephen King

June 12, 2019 at 10:08 pm

Hope! Thank you. That’s a lot of work. As long as you put 1 per comment, keep them coming.

Kenneth Heard says

June 30, 2019 at 12:30 pm

When you write for a living and you can’t do anything else, you know that sooner or later that the deadline is going to come screaming down on you like a banshee. There’s no avoiding it…So one day you just don’t appear at the El Adobe bar anymore; you shut the door, paint the windows black, rent an electric typewriter and become the monster you always were – the writer.

–Hunter S. Thompson

Navneet says

May 31, 2021 at 7:11 am

The investment made in education yields one with a great profit ahead .

Maryam Khan says

September 3, 2019 at 10:01 pm

“Because people are constantly trying to find the right words to say to someone, they ignore something that is 100 times bigger than the exact words: they ignore the context.” __Kevin Hogan

May 31, 2021 at 7:09 am

Life is unpredictable.

Anjali Jha says

November 17, 2019 at 11:26 pm

Hard Time will come always , controller is you only. Control your heart and say , everything will be fine .

adrian says

January 28, 2021 at 8:29 am

words have the power to move heaven earth and sometimes hell but only the actions with them move the people.

Geetha says

February 26, 2021 at 1:45 am

” If writing is easy you are doing it wrong ” – Bryan Hutchinson

May 31, 2021 at 7:12 am

The more we invest, the more we get .

Aishwarya Mary John says

June 13, 2021 at 8:23 am

“Until 2019, we are strong and fearless for nothing, but now our nightmare and fear is a tiny, invisible, microscopic virus.” ~ Aishwarya Mary John.

Adina Shahzad says

July 11, 2021 at 2:49 pm

Respect everyone, especially those who do not respect you.

Varshika says

October 21, 2021 at 4:37 am

Work hard to dare your dreams and challenge them for completing Who says dreams doesn’t come true They really do but with your efforts ☺️

Kavita says

November 25, 2021 at 10:47 am

Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should end in the reader’s. -Stephen King

Bismillah Ghaznawi says

November 23, 2022 at 12:24 am

As people are born without knowledge eventually, they die without knowledge. All the knowledge and information that people acquire during their lifetime is a bit of knowledge that they reach and they never reach absolute knowledge, because human life is not enough to reach absolute knowledge.

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Famous Quotes on Writing

Need some writing inspiration and courage to keep going? Here are wise words from famous writers.

“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” ~ Richard Bach

“i only write when i’m inspired, so i see to it that i’m inspired every morning at nine o’clock.” ~ peter de vries, “talent is cheaper than table salt. what separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” ~ steven king.

“It’s none of their business that you have to learn how to write. Let them think you were born that way.” ~ Ernest Hemingway

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” ~ Stephen King

“there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” ~ maya angelou, “i love deadlines. i love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” ~ douglas adams, the salmon of doubt.

“A writer is working when he’s staring out of the window.” ~ Burton Rascoe

“just write every day of your life. read intensely. then see what happens. most of my friends who are put on that diet have very pleasant careers.” ~ ray bradbury, “close the door. write with no one looking over your shoulder. don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. it’s the one and only thing you have to offer.” ~ barbara kingsolver, “the english language is an arsenal of weapons. if you are going to brandish them without checking to see whether or not they are loaded, you must expect to have them explode in your face from time to time.” ~ stephen fry, “if my doctor told me i had only six minutes to live, i wouldn’t brood. i’d type a little faster.” ~ isaac asimov.

“Every writer I know has trouble writing.” ~ Joseph Heller

“Good writing is remembering detail. Most people want to forget. Don’t forget things that were painful or embarrassing or silly. Turn them into a story that tells the truth.” ~ Paula Danziger

“there is no rule on how to write. sometimes it comes easily and perfectly: sometimes it’s like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.” ~ ernest hemingway.

“The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better.” ~ Stephen King

“And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” ~ Sylvia Plath

“the best time to plan a book is while you’re doing the dishes.” ~ agatha christie, “there are three rules for writing the novel. unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” ~ w. somerset maugham, “[as a writer] you have to have the three d’s: drive, discipline and desire. if you’re missing any one of those three, you can have all the talent in the world, but it’s going to be really hard to get anything done.” ~ nora roberts, “i try to write a certain amount each day, five days a week. a rule sometimes broken is better than no rule.” ~ herman wouk.

“Never, never, never, never give up.” ~Winston Churchill

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce

“there’s no better teacher for writing than reading… get a library card. that’s the best investment.” ~ alisa valdes.

“Beginning a novel is always hard. It feels like going nowhere. I always have to write at least 100 pages that go into the trashcan before it finally begins to work. It’s discouraging, but necessary to write those pages. I try to consider them pages -100 to zero of the novel.” ~ Barbara Kingsolver

“you have to follow your own voice. you have to be yourself when you write. in effect, you have to announce, ‘this is me, this is what i stand for, this is what you get when you read me. i’m doing the best i can—buy me or not—but this is who i am as a writer.” ~ david morrell.

“A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” ~Thomas Mann

“The miraculous connection between writing and the immune system results from cracking through inhibition. It seems that when we don’t speak the truth of our experience, we inhibit our emotions, and that inhibits our immune function. Keeping secrets and maintaining denial require physical energy, energy our bodies could use in healthier ways were it available.” ~ Peggy Tabor Millin

‘if you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor.’ ~ edgar rice burroughs, “being a good writer is 3% talent, 97% not being distracted by the internet.” ~ anon.

“If you wait for inspiration to write you’re not a writer, you’re a waiter.” ~ Dan Poynter.

 “If a story is not about the hearer, he will not listen. And here I make a rule – a great and interesting story is about everyone or it will not last.” ~ John Steinbeck

“words can be like x-rays if you use them properly – they’ll go through anything. you read and you’re pierced.” ~ aldous huxley, brave new world, “my first feeling was that there was no way to continue. writing isn’t like math; in math, two plus two always equals four no matter what your mood is like. with writing, the way you feel changes everything.” ~ stephenie meyer, “there is probably no hell for authors in the next world – they suffer so much from critics and publishers in this one.” ~ c.n. bovee, “sometimes the ideas just come to me. other times i have to sweat and almost bleed to make ideas come. it’s a mysterious process, but i hope i never find out exactly how it works. i like a mystery, as you may have noticed.” ~ j.k. rowling, “there is no greater threat to the critics and cynics and fearmongers than those of us who are willing to fall because we have learned how to rise.” ~ brené brown.

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65 Motivational Writing Quotes to Ignite Your Creative Spark

| Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

Quotes about writing have always been powerful tools to inspire and motivate writers, helping us work through the ups and downs of our creative journeys.

We’ve pooled together an amazing list of famous quotes about writing, penned by some of the greatest authors and thinkers, to give you some guidance, insight, and maybe even a gentle nudge to keep going when the going gets tough. We’ve all been there, and sometimes, a relatable quote can help put things back into perspective.

In this article, I’ll roll out a curated collection of inspirational quotes about writing, which I’ve also categorized by themes like motivation, challenges, process, and craft. Ready to be inspired and get that kick in the britches to keep writing?

Then read on and let these motivational writing quotes ignite that spark!

What Are the Best Motivational Quotes for Writers?

The best motivational quotes for writers are the ones that resonate deeply within us. The words offer comfort, encouragement, or a fresh perspective on the carnival ride that is the writing journey. These are some of my favorite quotes from famous authors, screenwriters, poets, and even unexpected sources.

So, whether you’re losing a battle with writer’s block or looking for a fresh burst of creativity to kickstart a new freelance writing project, these quotes are here to remind you that every writer faces challenges—and every writer has the power to overcome them.

Inspirational Quotes on Writing: Motivation

Motivation is the fuel that keeps the writing engine running, and sometimes, all we need is a few powerful words to jumpstart our creativity.

These inspirational quotes about writing are perfect for pulling out during those moments when you feel absolutely stuck or just in need of a boost. They remind us that writing is a chaotic process that demands perseverance, courage, and maybe even a little bit of faith.

So, soak up these words from literary greats like Terry Pratchett, Jodi Picoult, and Ernest Hemingway, and remember the importance of telling your story.

“The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” – Terry Pratchett

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” – Louis L’Amour

“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” – Jodi Picoult

“You fail only if you stop writing.” – Ray Bradbury

“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” – Toni Morrison

“Write hard and clear about what hurts.” – Ernest Hemingway

“A word after a word after a word is power.” – Margaret Atwood

“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” – Anne Frank

“Writing is its own reward.” – Henry Miller

“Write what you know. That should leave you with a lot of free time.” – Howard Nemerov

“To survive, you must tell stories.” – Umberto Eco

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.” – Anaïs Nin

“If a story is in you, it has to come out.” – William Faulkner

“The secret of it all is to write… without waiting for a fit time or place.” – Walt Whitman

“Write a page a day. Only 300 words. And in a year, you have written a book.” – Stephen King

“To write well, express yourself like the common people, but think like a wise man.” – Aristotle

“Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader—not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon.” – E.L. Doctorow

Inspirational Quotes on Writing: Challenges

Writing isn’t always easy; in fact, it’s almost never easy, otherwise, everyone would do it. Writing sometimes feels like an uphill battle with no end in sight. But facing challenges head-on is all part of the writing journey, whether you want to admit it or not.

This next list of writing quotes brings together ideas that speak to the struggles every writer faces—from self-doubt to writer’s block and the fear of putting your thoughts on paper for an essay . These famous quotes about writing acknowledge the difficulties of the craft, offering both empathy and encouragement.

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” – Stephen King

“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere.” – Anne Lamott

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou

“Every writer I know has trouble writing.” – Joseph Heller

“Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.” – Natalie Goldberg

“You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.” – Saul Bellow

“Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.” – E.L. Doctorow

“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” – Ernest Hemingway

“Writing is the art of disappointment.” – Dan Abnett

“The road to hell is paved with works-in-progress.” – Philip Roth

“The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible.” – Vladimir Nabokov

“Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words.” – Mark Twain

“Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.” – Robert A. Heinlein

“First, find out what your hero wants, then just follow him.” – Ray Bradbury

“The best time for planning a book is while you’re doing the dishes.” – Agatha Christie

Inspirational Quotes on Writing: Process

The writing process is different for every single writer. Some are pantsers, and others are deep plotters. I’ve even met some who are a mix of both. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, you’ll relate to this next list of motivational writing quotes.

It gets into the nuts and bolts of writing—the habits, the routines, the rituals that help writers put words on the page. These quotes emphasize the importance of persistence, imagination, and the willingness to embrace the messiness of the ever-personal creative process.

“The greatest part of a writer’s time is spent in reading in order to write; a man will turn over half a library to make one book.” – Samuel Johnson

“The role of a writer is not to say what we can all say, but what we are unable to say.” – Anaïs Nin

“You don’t write because you want to say something, you write because you have something to say.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” – Richard Bach

“Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.” – Stephen King

“A good writer possesses not only his own spirit but also the spirit of his friends.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

“Write drunk, edit sober.” – Ernest Hemingway

“The best stories are the ones that make you feel something.” – Neil Gaiman

“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” – Mark Twain

“Write without pay until somebody offers to pay.” – Mark Twain

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” – Ernest Hemingway

“To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about, but the inner music that words make.” – Truman Capote

“Writing is thinking on paper.” – William Zinsser

“A book is simply the container of an idea—like a bottle; what is inside the book is what matters.” – Angela Carter

“Imagination is like a muscle. I found out that the more I wrote, the bigger it got.” – Philip José Farmer

“The task of a writer is not to solve the problem but to state the problem correctly.” – Anton Chekhov

“The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.” – Albert Camus

“The writer must write what he has to say, not speak it.” – Ernest Hemingway

“The true alchemists do not change lead into gold; they change the world into words.” – William H. Gass

“The writer is an explorer. Every step is an advance into a new land.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Inspirational Quotes on Writing: Craft

Writing is an art form. There’s no doubt about it. And mastering your craft means dedication, practice, and a deep understanding of language and storytelling. Next up, we’ve gathered quotes that focus on the finer points of writing—the style, the technique, the unique voice every writer strives to develop.

I hope they encourage you to experiment, to play with language, and to express yourself fully and authentically. From the poetic wisdom of Anton Chekhov to the sharp insights of E.L. Doctorow, these quotes will inspire you to hone your craft and find your unique style.

“Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” – Anton Chekhov

“The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” – Thomas Jefferson

“There is no real ending. It’s just the place where you stop the story.” – Frank Herbert

“The only end of writing is to enable the reader better to enjoy life or better to endure it.” – Samuel Johnson

“Writers live twice.” – Natalie Goldberg

“Let the world burn through you. Throw the prism light, white hot, on paper.” – Ray Bradbury

“A blank piece of paper is God’s way of telling us how hard it is to be God.” – Sidney Sheldon

“The pen is the tongue of the mind.” – Horace

“The purpose of literature is to turn blood into ink.” – T.S. Eliot

“A writer should write with his eyes and a painter paint with his ears.” – Gertrude Stein

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” – William Wordsworth

“Style is to forget all styles.” – Jules Renard

How Can Motivational Quotes Inspire Writers?

Motivational quotes can be a helpful tool for writers, offering psychological benefits that combat self-doubt and encourage us to keep going. Reading a quote from a beloved author can remind a writer of their shared struggles, creating a sense of community and shared experience.

For example, knowing that even the great and all-mighty Stephen King finds the start of a first draft to be daunting can make it easier to face your own blank page.

Also, consider how motivational quotes give us daily reminders of why writing is worth the effort. Because it is. Writing isn’t just a hobby–it’s a cathartic release, a sort of therapy. It’s everything that dwells within a writer.

One of my favorite quotes that has always stuck with me is Ernest Hemingway’s advice to “write drunk, edit sober” because it reminds me to just give in and embrace the raw, unfiltered creativity in my initial drafts, knowing I can always refine it later.

Then there are Anne Lamott’s words on the necessity of “terrible first efforts,” which encourages writers to JUST START WRITING, despite the fear of imperfection. I’m a firm believer in the idea that a crappy first draft is a hundred times better than a blank page.

Do These Quotes Get You Motivated to Write?

Motivational writing quotes are more than just silly words—they’re daily reminders to look for the joy in what you love, to embrace the challenge it demands, and to relish the triumph of the writing process.

We covered quotes that speak to the writing process, motivation, challenges, and craft. Save them or bookmark this page to come back time and time again whenever you need a little pick-me-up to keep those words flowing. Which quote resonates the most with you?

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The Best Student Writing Contests for 2024-2025

Help your students take their writing to the next level.

When students write for teachers, it can feel like an assignment. When they write for a real purpose, they are empowered! Student writing contests are a challenging and inspiring way to try writing for an authentic audience— a real panel of judges —and the possibility of prize money or other incentives. We’ve gathered a list of the best student writing contests, and there’s something here for everyone. Prepare highly motivated kids in need of an authentic writing mentor, and watch the words flow.

2024-2025 Student Writing Contests

1.  the scholastic art & writing awards.

With a wide range of categories—from critical essays to science fiction and fantasy—the Scholastic Awards are a mainstay of student contests. Each category has its own rules and word counts, so be sure to check out the options  before you decide which one is best for your students.

How To Enter

Students in grades 7 to 12, ages 13 and up, may begin submitting work in September by uploading to an online account at Scholastic and connecting to their local region. Entry fees are waived for students in need.

2.  YoungArts National Arts Competition

YoungArts offers an annual national competition in the categories of creative nonfiction, novel, play or script, poetry, short story, and spoken word. Student winners may receive awards of up to $10,000 as well as the chance to participate in artistic development with leaders in their fields.

Check out the site for guidelines on writing modes, such as short stories and spoken word poetry, and sign up for updates so you’re ready when the applications open.

FEATURED PICK

3. The Edit

The Edit is a digital storytelling challenge from NBCU Academy and Adobe. Your middle or high school students will build critical communication and collaboration skills as they plan, script, and produce their own 90-second video news reports on wellness topics. Winning classrooms will be rewarded with prizes like GoPros, Fandango gift cards, and more!​

It’s free to enter. All submissions must be received by March 3, 2025.

4. Write the World Competitions

Not only is Write the World one of my favorite places to find writing resources, but it also hosts free monthly contests with cash prizes. There are also opportunities for feedback, and lots of ideas to help students get started.

With a student account, young writers draft and submit their work on the website. ADVERTISEMENT

5. National Youth Foundation Programs

Each year, awards are given for Student Book Scholars, Amazing Women, and the “I Matter” Poetry & Art competition. This is a great chance for kids to express themselves with joy and strength.

The rules, prizes, and deadlines vary, so check out the website for more info.

6.  American Foreign Service National High School Essay Contest

If you’re looking to help students take a deep dive into international relations, history, and writing, look no further than this essay contest. Winners receive a voyage with the Semester at Sea program and a trip to Washington, D.C.

Students fill out a registration form online, and a teacher or sponsor is required. The deadline to enter is March 1, 2025.

7.  Poets.org’s Annual Dear Poet Contest

Each year during National Poetry Month in April, students can write letters to famous poets in response to their work. In this interactive contest, all submissions receive a general letter and certificate, and winners receive a personalized response from the poet they wrote to. It’s a great way to #TeachLivingPoets, and kids get to ask questions about the creative process.

Return to the site in April to find the forms for submitting letters. A guardian or teacher must also provide a letter so the submissions can be published.

8.  John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

This annual contest invites students to write about an elected official’s act of political courage that occurred anytime after 1917, the year Kennedy was born. The winner receives $10,000, and 16 runners-up also receive a variety of cash prizes.

Students may submit a 700- to 1,000-word essay through January 12. The essay must feature more than five sources and a full bibliography.

9. WriteCause Competitions

These free quarterly contests accept a variety of written submissions, each based on a different quarterly theme. WriteCause also provides research links so students can learn about the topics before writing. Open to kids ages 13 to 18.

Check out the Compete link for contest information each quarter, and use the online submission form.

10. The Princeton Ten-Minute Play Contest

Looking for student writing contests for budding playwrights? This exclusive competition, which is open only to high school juniors, is judged by the theater faculty of Princeton University. Students submit short plays in an effort to win recognition and cash prizes of up to $500. (Note: Only open to 11th graders.)

Students submit one 10-page play script online or by mail. The deadline will be announced later this year.

11. Princeton University Poetry Contest for High School Students

The Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize recognizes outstanding work by student writers in 11th grade. Prizes range from $100 to $500.

Students in 11th grade can submit their poetry. Contest details will be published this fall.

12. The New York Times Tiny Memoir Contest

This contest is also a wonderful writing challenge, and the New York Times includes lots of resources and models for students to be able to do their best work. They’ve even made a classroom poster !

Submissions need to be made electronically by November 1.

13.  The New York Times Contest Calendar

For students who want to extend beyond 100-word memoirs, the New York Times also provides competitive opportunities in areas including photography, opinion pieces, and podcasting.

Find an area that students are interested in and check out the rules and deadlines.

14.  The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers

The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers is open to high school sophomores and juniors, and the winner receives a full scholarship to a  Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop .

Submissions for the prize are accepted electronically from November 1 through November 30.

15. Jane Austen Society Essay Contest

High school students can win up to $1,000 and publication by entering an essay on a topic specified by the Jane Austen Society related to a Jane Austen novel.

Details for the 2024 contest will be announced in November. Essay length is from six to eight pages, not including works cited.

16. Rattle Young Poets Anthology

Open to students from 15 to 18 years old who are interested in publication and exposure over monetary awards.

Teachers may choose up to five students to submit up to four poems each on their behalf. The deadline is November 15.

17. The Black River Chapbook Competition

This is a chance for new and emerging writers to gain publication in their own professionally published chapbook, as well as $500 and free copies of the book.

There is an $18 entry fee, and submissions are made online.

18. YouthPlays New Voices

Young writers under 18 create new one-act plays for the stage. Winners receive cash awards and publication.

Scroll all the way down their web page for information on the contest, which accepts non-musical plays between 10 and 40 minutes long, submitted electronically. The entry period opens each year in January.

19. The Ocean Awareness Contest

The theme for the 2025 Ocean Awareness Contest is “Connections to Nature: Looking Inside, Going Outside.” Students are eligible for a wide range of monetary prizes up to $1,000.

Students from 11 to 18 years old may submit work in the categories of art, creative writing, poetry and spoken word, film, interactive media and multimedia, or music and dance, accompanied by a reflection. The deadline is June 13.

20. EngineerGirl Annual Writing Contest

Each year, EngineerGirl sponsors an essay contest with topics centered on the impact of engineering on the world, and students can win up to $500 in prize money. This contest is a nice bridge between ELA and STEM and great for teachers interested in incorporating an interdisciplinary project into their curriculum. The new contest asks for pieces describing the life cycle of an everyday object. Check out these tips for integrating the content into your classroom .

Students submit their work electronically by February 1. Check out the full list of rules and requirements here .

21. NCTE Student Writing Awards

The National Council of Teachers of English offers several student writing awards, including Achievement Awards in Writing (for 10th- and 11th-grade students), Promising Young Writers (for 8th-grade students), and an award to recognize Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines.

Deadlines range from October 28 to February 15. Check out NCTE.org for more details.

22. Narrative High School Writing Contest

The prompt for Narrative’s 10th Annual Writing Contest is “What I Cannot Say, I’ll Say Here.” Stories are limited to 600 words, and kids can also enter poems of no more than 50 lines. The website also provides different ideas and insights to help students approach the prompt.

Students in grades 9 through 12 submit their work through their teacher, who may submit up to 10 pieces.

23. US vs HATE Contests

Engage social media-savvy students with this creative contest that seeks messages of kindness, inclusivity, and bridge-building.

Check the website for an informational poster as well as guidelines and ideas about how students can submit their work.

24. National PTA Reflections Awards

The National PTA offers a variety of awards, including one for literature, in their annual Reflections Contest. Students of all ages can submit entries on the specified topic to their local PTA Reflections program. From there, winners move to the local area, state, and national levels. National-level awards include an $800 prize and a trip to the National PTA Convention.

This program requires submitting to PTAs who participate in the program. Check your school’s PTA for their deadlines.

25. World Historian Student Essay Competition

The World Historian Student Essay Competition is an international contest open to students enrolled in grades K through 12 in public, private, and parochial schools, as well as those in home-study programs. The $500 prize is based on an essay that addresses one of this year’s two prompts.

Students can submit entries via email or regular mail before May 1.

26. Future Scholar Foundation Short Story Contest

Monthly contests, each with different themes, offer Amazon gift cards and publication as awards. It’s open to elementary and middle school students.

Check the site each month for the new theme. Submissions are due on the 28th.

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Best 2024-25 Competitions for Students in Grades K-12

Competitions in STEM, ELA and the arts, and more! Continue Reading

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Creating academic essays isn’t easy, and that’s why each assignment requires more than rigor and diligence. You’ll need some support while doing your best to generate and describe the idea. Such help can come in the form of sayings by the authors from the UK, the USA, and all over the world. Writing a good essay requires inspiration, non-standard thinking, focus, sustained motivation, and a critical perspective at the ready text. Below, you’ll find 25 quotes grouped according to these characteristics that can hopefully make your literary papers more pleasant to create.

5 Quotes to Get Inspired

These are for the very beginning of the process. It’s a commonly known fact that inspiration never comes cheap, but you’ll need it most while crafting the best custom essay possible. 

• “I write to discover what I know.” (Flannery O’Connor). It’s important to choose unusual perspectives and show them in your text, reinterpreting what you’ve learned.
• “I don’t need to know everything, I just need to know where to find it.” (Unknown). This truth is fundamental—students have to test all their assumptions to get everything right, so curiosity is essential.
• “Accessible knowledge is the best kind.” (Malebo Sephodi). You can interpret this one as a call to write simply and know that the readers will enjoy your research without complicated wording.
• “There is no subject so old that something new cannot be said about it.” (Fyodor Dostoevsky). You should remember these words every time you lack confidence and free your thoughts to achieve the goal.
• “The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe.” (Gustave Flaubert). Like our online posts, essays are communicative acts, so they will boost your self-discovery. 

5 Quotes to Start Thinking Like a Great Writer

The right mindset is no less important for a writer than a good command of English or professional approach. That’s why these quotes are essential.

• “Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.” (John Steinbeck). Moreover, thoughts might be difficult to organize, but productivity doesn’t come with perfect order.
• “A good style must first be clear.” (Aristotle). Remember this when you’re making the text personalized to suit your mood and character. 
• “Creativity and originality lie not in the avoidance of established forms but in the imaginative use of them.” (Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein). You’ll have to follow this advice to get a perfect review from your college professor!
• “The writer has to force himself to work.” (Roald Dahl). It’s okay if your writing sometimes feels like a chore, this great author assures.
• “There is no logical A-to-B-to-C way to become a good writer.” (Natalie Goldberg). As true as it is, you need to remember about logic while structuring your text.

5 Quotes Related to Focus

Sometimes, it’s much easier to work with a template than to create all the sections on your own. Online assistance from professional essay writing services like AdvancedWriters can provide you with a perfect example to follow, but what do the greats say?

• “Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers.” (Isaac Asimov). An expert from any big company would probably agree since modernity demands jotting the ideas down as fast as possible.
• “As a writer, you should not judge, you should understand.” (Ernest Hemingway). You’ll have to view your essay as a service that seeks to please every customer, not wage war with those who disagree.
• “A word after a word after a word is power.” (Margaret Atwood). Working slowly but surely is also a good strategy.
• “Words are a lens to focus one’s mind.” (Ayn Rand). Indeed, saying what you believe is easy once you find the right expressions. 
• “To gain your own voice, you have to forget about having it heard.” (Allen Ginsberg). There’s no reason to be anxious about public opinion once you learn to write cautiously and respectfully.

5 Quotes to Support Your Motivation

These might be useful when you make a pause. The quotes selected as assistance for you to remain ready to work while taking your mind off the essay itself.

• “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” (Toni Morrison). Naturally, we can say the same about original papers and research.
• “I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” (Anne Frank). Most companies are desperate to employ the people who feel that way about their studies, too.
• “A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” (Thomas Mann). These worlds may seem paradoxical, but they are true since the more you try, the harder it seems.
• “You can make anything by writing.” (C. S. Lewis). Powerful words can change your status or community’s views.
• “You fail only if you stop writing.” (Ray Bradbury). Perseverance is crucial for everyone.

5 Quotes to Get Critical

It’s vital to look at your complete essay as critically as possible to notice the flaws before submitting it. No spell-checking services will help you edit it as well as your creative vision, and the greats agree with it.

• “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” (Stephen King). In other words, good editing should be informed by experience with similar texts.
• “Writing comes as a result of a very strong impulse.” (C. S. Lewis). That’s what you need to look for while reviewing your paper. 
• “Write. Rewrite. When not writing or rewriting, read. I know of no shortcuts.” (Larry L. King). It’s about constantly training your eyes, looking at the things done right and analyzing them before working on your own essays.
• “It is perfectly okay to write garbage—as long as you edit brilliantly.” (C. J. Cherryh). That’s why the AI-based website won’t really help you with anything but removing typos.
• “You can’t edit a blank page.” (Jodi Picoult). If the previous quote intimidated you, this one’s sure to cheer you up. 

Bottom Line

Hopefully, these quotes will help you craft your greatest literature essay and receive perfect reviews from the professors. The general message that all writers share is that it’s impossible to buy talent or popularity since only hard work will grant you success. No matter what kind of written task you’re completing, following this principle is sure to get you to the top. However challenging it might seem to create a quality text from scratch, remembering that there’s only one way to do it might give you the strength to overcome all the hardships associated with this process.

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Best Essay Writing Contests in 2024

Showing 54 contests that match your search.

Brink Literary Journal Award for Hybrid Writing

Genres: Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Writing, and Short Story

The Brink Literary Journal Award for Hybrid Writing will be administered to the winner of a literary contest designed to champion innovative hybrid and cross-genre work.

Additional prizes:

Publication

💰 Entry fee: $22

📅 Deadline: February 16, 2024 (Expired)

NOWW 26th International Writing Contest

Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop (NOWW)

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

The 26th Annual Writing Contest is currently closed. The next contest will open on January 1, 2025. Categories and further details will be announced later.

2nd place: $100 3rd place: $50

💰 Entry fee: $7

📅 Deadline: January 01, 2025

Young Sports Journalist 2024

Genres: Essay and Non-fiction

The competition seeks articles from aspiring journalists aged 14-21. Winning entries will be published in Pitch Magazine and critiqued by a panel of judges. Winners receive a £50 cash prize and work experience.

Publication in magazine and online, work experience at Pitch Magazine.

📅 Deadline: April 12, 2024 (Expired)

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Environmental Writing Competition

Write the World in partnership with Patagonia

This contest invites teenagers to express their thoughts on the climate crisis and how collective action can address environmental challenges. The competition emphasizes the importance of youth voices in the fight against climate change.

Runner up: $50 | Best peer review: $50 Publication of winning pieces on Patagonia's platforms. Opportunities for mentorship and publication for runners-up.

📅 Deadline: April 22, 2024 (Expired)

World Historian Student Essay Competition

World History Association

Genres: Children's and Essay

The World Historian Student Essay Competition is an international competition open to students enrolled in grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools, and those in home-study programs. Membership in the World History Association is not a requirement for submission. Past winners may not compete in the same category again.

📅 Deadline: May 01, 2024 (Expired)

Askew's Word on the Lake Writing Contest

Shuswap Association of Writers

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Essay, Memoir, and Short Story

Whether you’re an established or emerging writer, the Askew’s Word on the Lake Writing Contest has a place for you. Part of the Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival in Salmon Arm, BC, the contest is open to submissions in short fiction (up to 2,000 words), nonfiction (up to 2,000 words), and poetry (up to three one-page poems).

💰 Entry fee: $11

📅 Deadline: January 31, 2024 (Expired)

Journalism Competition 2024

Write the World

The Journalism Competition 2024 invites teenagers aged 13-19 to showcase their writing skills. Participants can explore various topics and submit their entries for a chance to win cash prizes and recognition from esteemed judges.

Runner up: $50 | Best peer review: $50 Recognition from notable judges and publication opportunities.

📅 Deadline: December 31, 2024

International Voices in Creative Nonfiction Competition

Vine Leaves Press

Genres: Essay, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Novel

The competition is designed to give marginalized voices the opportunity to establish literary legacies. The next competition opens in February 2025.

Publication of the winning manuscript in 2026. Runners up will also be considered for publication.

💰 Entry fee: $25

📅 Deadline: July 01, 2024 (Expired)

Hispanic Culture Review Contest 2022-2023

Hispanic Culture Review

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Short Story, and Flash Fiction

As the Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano once said, "the best that the world has is in the many worlds that the world contains." Therefore, this year we invite you to reflect on the following questions: How do you or your community celebrate these connections? How do you value those experiences with those people who leave a mark on your life? 1 work will be awarded in each category: 1) photography & visual arts, 2) poetry, and 3) narrative/essay/academic investigation.

$100 for photography, poetry, and essay winners

💰 Entry fee: $0

📅 Deadline: February 01, 2023 (Expired)

Work-In-Progress (WIP) Contest

Unleash Press

Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Science Fiction, Science Writing, and Young Adult

The WIP Contest supports writers by allowing submissions of work that is in progress. It emphasizes on creative development and offers a platform for emerging voices.

Coaching, interview, and editorial support

💰 Entry fee: $35

📅 Deadline: December 01, 2024 (Expired)

Narratively 2024 Memoir Prize

Narratively

Genres: Essay, Humor, Memoir, and Non-fiction

Narratively is currently accepting submissions for their 2024 Memoir Prize. They are looking for revealing and emotional first-person nonfiction narratives from unique and overlooked points of view. The guest judge is New York Times bestselling memoirist Jami Attenberg.

$1,000 + publication in Narratively.com

💰 Entry fee: $20

📅 Deadline: December 19, 2024

The Letter Review Prize for Unpublished Books

The Letter Review

Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, and Young Adult

The contest is aimed at unpublished works including novels, novellas, poetry collections, and nonfiction books. It is judged blind and winners can choose to publish an extract. The prize is awarded every three months with a total prize pool of $4,000 USD.

Optional publication of excerpt + letter of recommendation

Share Your Story

FanStory.com Inc.

Genres: Essay and Memoir

Write about an event in your life. Everyone has a memoir. Not an autobiography. Too much concern about fact and convention. A memoir gives us the ability to write about our life with the option to create and fabricate and to make sense of a life, or part of that life.

💰 Entry fee: $10

📅 Deadline: August 13, 2024 (Expired)

Anthology Travel Writing Competition 2024

Anthology Magazine

Genres: Essay, Non-fiction, and Travel

The Anthology Travel Writing Competition invites original and unpublished travel articles in English. Entries should capture authentic travel experiences and convey strong cultural insights. The maximum word count is 1,000, and there is no limit on submissions. Each submission requires a separate entry form and fee.

Publication in Anthology magazine

💰 Entry fee: $16

📅 Deadline: November 30, 2024 (Expired)

Military Anthology: Partnerships, the Untold Story

Armed Services Arts Partnership

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

Partners are an integral aspect of military life, at home and afar, during deployment and after homecoming. Partnerships drive military action and extend beyond being a battle buddy, wingman, or crew member. Some are planned while others arise entirely unexpectedly. Spouses, family, old or new friends, community, faith leaders, and medical specialists all support the military community. Despite their importance, the stories of these partnerships often go untold. This anthology aims to correct that: We will highlight the nuances, surprises, joy, sorrow, heroism, tears, healing power, and ache of partnerships. We invite you to submit the story about partnerships from your journey, so we can help tell it.

$500 Editors' Choice award

$250 for each genre category (prose, poetry, visual art)

📅 Deadline: March 01, 2024 (Expired)

National High School Essay Contest

American Foreign Service Association (AFSA)

Genres: Essay

The contest invites high school students to write an essay exploring future challenges for diplomats, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Foreign Service. Essays must be between 1,000 and 1,500 words, addressing specific prompts and demonstrating an understanding of the Foreign Service.

Winner also receives an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., plus an educational voyage courtesy of Semester at Sea. Runner-up: $1,250 plus full tuition for the National Student Leadership Conference's International Diplomacy program.

📅 Deadline: April 01, 2024 (Expired)

Personal Essay Competition 2024

Genres: Essay, Memoir, and Non-fiction

The Personal Essay Competition invites young writers aged 13-19 to submit personal essays. Participants can showcase their writing skills while receiving feedback from peers and experts.

Best entry: $100

Runner up: $50 | Best peer review: $50 Winners receive cash prizes and a feature on Write the World's blog and social media.

African Diaspora Awards 2024

Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc

Genres: Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Short Story

The African Diaspora Awards invite submissions of original, unpublished works in various genres. Winners will receive cash prizes and publication opportunities. The contest emphasizes themes related to African cultures.

2nd place: $300 3rd place: $200 4th place: $50 Top 6 Finalists: $25 Amazon gift card. Winner also receives publication in the 2025 anthology, 'Black Butterfly: Voices of the African Diaspora', and Kinsman Quarterly's digital magazine.

📅 Deadline: June 30, 2024 (Expired)

A Very Short Story Contest

Gotham Writers Workshop

Genres: Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, and Short Story

Participants write a short story using ten words or fewer, inspired by the famous six-word story attributed to Hemingway. The submission must be original and unpublished, with entries judged based on originality and quality.

Winning entry receives a free Gotham class of their choosing (excluding premium classes).

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2024 (Expired)

Short Story Award for New Writers

Masters Review

Genres: Essay, Fiction, and Non-fiction

This bi-annual contest recognizes emerging writers with submissions of previously unpublished fiction or nonfiction up to 6,000 words. Judged by Colin Barrett, it awards $3,000 for first place, $300 for second, and $200 for third, along with agency reviews for finalists.

Second place: $300 Third place: $200 Agency review for all finalists

📅 Deadline: August 25, 2024 (Expired)

Tusculum Review Nonfiction Chapbook Prize

The Tusculum Review

The Tusculum Review Nonfiction Chapbook Prize is an annual contest that highlights nonfiction essays. In 2024, the prize was awarded to Mirela Musić for her essay 'The Nature of Alaska: An Introduction to Familiar Plants, Animals & Outstanding Natural Attractions.' The winning work will be published in the 20th Anniversary Issue of _The Tusculum Review_ in November 2024.

Publication of the winning essay and a limited edition chapbook with original art. Honorable mentions may also be recognized.

📅 Deadline: June 01, 2025

International Essay Competition 2023/24

Avernus Education

The International Essay Competition gathered over 1000 entries from 50 countries. Participants engaged with a range of challenging questions, fostering academic passion beyond the classroom.

100% Scholarship Award to our Oxford University Summer Programme (worth £5995). Honorary Scholarship to attend Oxford University Summer Programme. Partial scholarships and credits for exclusive online courses for shortlisted entries.

📅 Deadline: February 19, 2024 (Expired)

Human Rights Essay Contest for High School Students

Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation

The contest invites high school students to respond to a prompt regarding human rights. Prizes include $3000 for 1st place, $1500 for 2nd, and $750 for 3rd. Essays should not exceed 2500 words and must include a cover page with specific details.

📅 Deadline: December 10, 2024 (Expired)

High School Academic Research Competition

Crimson Consulting Limited

The High School Academic Research Competition (SARC) is an online contest for high school students aged 13-18 to conduct research on any topic. Participants develop their research proposals and skills through exclusive bootcamps and compete by submitting proposals and video pitches.

1st place: $1000 and free Indigo Research Intensive Program 2nd place: $750 and 50% discount on the program 3rd place: $500 and 25% discount on the program Winners can earn university credits and have their research published.

💰 Entry fee: $15

📅 Deadline: April 30, 2024 (Expired)

WOW! Women On Writing Quarterly Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest

WOW! Women On Writing

Genres: Non-fiction and Essay

Seeking creative nonfiction essays on any topic (1000 words or less) and in any style--from personal essay and memoir to lyric essay and hybrid, and more! The mission of this contest is to reward bravery in real-life storytelling and create an understanding of our world through thoughtful, engaging narratives. Electronic submissions via e-mail only; reprints/previously published okay; simultaneous submissions okay; multiple submissions are okay as long as they are submitted in their own individual e-mail. Open internationally.

2nd: $300 | 3rd: $200 | 7 runner-ups: $25 Amazon Gift Cards

💰 Entry fee: $12

Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award

Killer Nashville

Genres: Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Science Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story, and Thriller

The Silver Falchion Award honors the best books published in 2024 across various genres, including mystery, thriller, suspense, and romance. The competition aims to recognize quality storytelling and is open to all published authors.

💰 Entry fee: $85

📅 Deadline: April 01, 2025

Stories of Inspiration

The Stories of Inspiration contest invites nonfiction essays (500-1200 words) that highlight resilience in marginalized communities. Selected entries will be published quarterly in Kinsman Quarterly's magazine, with winners receiving a cash prize and publication.

Publication in Kinsman Quarterly's online magazine

Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest

Jane Austen Society of North America

JASNA conducts an annual student Essay Contest to foster the study and appreciation of Jane Austen's works in new generations of readers. Students world-wide are invited to compete for scholarship awards in three divisions: high school, college, and graduate school.

$1,000 scholarship

Two nights’ lodging for JASNA’s Annual General Meeting

📅 Deadline: June 02, 2022 (Expired)

Artificial Intelligence Competition

New Beginnings

Genres: Essay, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, and Short Story

There is no topic relating to technology that brings more discussion than artificial intelligence. Some people think it does wonders. Others see it as trouble. Let us know your opinion about AI in this competition. Include experiences you have had with AI. 300-word limit. Winners will be selected January 1, 2024. Open to anyone, anywhere.

💰 Entry fee: $5

📅 Deadline: December 15, 2023 (Expired)

Red Hen Press Women's Prose Prize

Red Hen Press

Genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, Short Story, Essay, Memoir, and Novel

Established in 2018, the Women’s Prose Prize is for previously unpublished, original work of prose. Novels, short story collections, memoirs, essay collections, and all other forms of prose writing are eligible for consideration. The awarded manuscript is selected through a biennial competition, held in even-numbered years, that is open to all writers who identify as women.

Publication by Red Hen Press

📅 Deadline: February 28, 2024 (Expired)

Great American Think-Off

New York Mills Regional Cultural Center

The Great American Think-Off is an annual philosophical essay contest that invites participants to submit essays on significant questions of life. The contest culminates in a live debate where finalists present their arguments, and the audience votes on the best perspective.

Four cash prizes of $500 each for finalists.

Bacopa Literary Review Annual Writing Contest

Writers Alliance of Gainesville

The Bacopa Literary Review is an annual international print journal seeking engaging and original submissions across multiple genres. The contest includes various categories with specific guidelines to encourage diverse forms of writing.

$100 Honorable Mention in each of six categories

📅 Deadline: May 02, 2024 (Expired)

The Lascaux Prize in Creative Nonfiction

Lascuax Review

Creative nonfiction may include memoirs, chronicles, personal essays, humorous perspectives, literary journalism—anything the author has witnessed, experienced, or discovered. Pieces may be previously published or unpublished, and simultaneous submissions are accepted. Winner receives $1,000, a bronze medallion, and publication in The Lascaux Review.

📅 Deadline: September 30, 2024 (Expired)

The Fountain Essay Contest

Fountain Magazine

“Home” holds a special place in our lives. Our earliest memories form inside its walls; we utter our first words and take our first steps there. Does everyone feel the same about home? Is it where you were born or where you earn your bread? Is home a physical place? In a world that moves faster than ever and is confined to small screens, how do perceptions about "home" change? Where is home for people who are forced to leave their homes? Where is your home?

Indignor Play House Annual Short Story Competition

Indignor House Publishing

Genres: Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, and Young Adult

Indignor House Publishing is proud to announce that our annual writing competition (INDIGNOR PLAYHOUSE Short Story Annual Competition) is officially open with expected publication in the fall of 2024. Up to 25 submissions will be accepted for inclusion in the annual anthology.

2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150

Discover the finest writing contests of 2024 for fiction and non-fiction authors — including short story competitions, essay writing competitions, poetry contests, and many more. Updated weekly, these contests are vetted by Reedsy to weed out the scammers and time-wasters. If you’re looking to stick to free writing contests, simply use our filters as you browse.

Why you should submit to writing contests

Submitting to poetry competitions and free writing contests in 2024 is absolutely worth your while as an aspiring author: just as your qualifications matter when you apply for a new job, a writing portfolio that boasts published works and award-winning pieces is a great way to give your writing career a boost. And not to mention the bonus of cash prizes!

That being said, we understand that taking part in writing contests can be tough for emerging writers. First, there’s the same affliction all writers face: lack of time or inspiration. Entering writing contests is a time commitment, and many people decide to forego this endeavor in order to work on their larger projects instead — like a full-length book. Second, for many writers, the chance of rejection is enough to steer them clear of writing contests. 

But we’re here to tell you that two of the great benefits of entering writing contests happen to be the same as those two reasons to avoid them.

When it comes to the time commitment: yes, you will need to expend time and effort in order to submit a quality piece of writing to competitions. That being said, having a hard deadline to meet is a great motivator for developing a solid writing routine.

Think of entering contests as a training session to become a writer who will need to meet deadlines in order to have a successful career. If there’s a contest you have your eye on, and the deadline is in one month, sit down and realistically plan how many words you’ll need to write per day in order to meet that due date — and don’t forget to also factor in the time you’ll need to edit your story!

For tips on setting up a realistic writing plan, check out this free, ten-day course : How to Build a Rock-Solid Writing Routine.

In regards to the fear of rejection, the truth is that any writer aspiring to become a published author needs to develop relatively thick skin. If one of your goals is to have a book traditionally published, you will absolutely need to learn how to deal with rejection, as traditional book deals are notoriously hard to score. If you’re an indie author, you will need to adopt the hardy determination required to slowly build up a readership.

The good news is that there’s a fairly simple trick for learning to deal with rejection: use it as a chance to explore how you might be able to improve your writing.

In an ideal world, each rejection from a publisher or contest would come with a detailed letter, offering construction feedback and pointing out specific tips for improvement. And while this is sometimes the case, it’s the exception and not the rule.

Still, you can use the writing contests you don’t win as a chance to provide yourself with this feedback. Take a look at the winning and shortlisted stories and highlight their strong suits: do they have fully realized characters, a knack for showing instead of telling, a well-developed but subtly conveyed theme, a particularly satisfying denouement?

The idea isn’t to replicate what makes those stories tick in your own writing. But most examples of excellent writing share a number of basic craft principles. Try and see if there are ways for you to translate those stories’ strong points into your own unique writing.

Finally, there are the more obvious benefits of entering writing contests: prize and publication. Not to mention the potential to build up your readership, connect with editors, and gain exposure.

Resources to help you win writing competitions in 2024

Every writing contest has its own set of submission rules. Whether those rules are dense or sparing, ensure that you follow them to a T. Disregarding the guidelines will not sway the judges’ opinion in your favor — and might disqualify you from the contest altogether. 

Aside from ensuring you follow the rules, here are a few resources that will help you perfect your submissions.

Free online courses

On Writing:

• "How to Craft a Killer Short Story" ( Click here )
• "The Non-Sexy Business of Writing Non-Fiction" ( Click here )
• "How to Write a Novel" ( Click here )
• "Understanding Point of View" ( Click here )
• "Developing Characters That Your Readers Will Love" ( Click here )
• "Writing Dialogue That Develops Plot and Character" ( Click here )
• "Stop Procrastinating! Build a Solid Writing Routine" ( Click here )

On Editing:

• "Story Editing for Authors" ( Click here )
• "How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript Like a Pro" ( Click here )
• "Novel Revision: Practical Tips for Rewrites" ( Click here )
• "How to Write a Novel: Steps From a Bestselling Writer" ( Click here )
• "How to Write a Short Story in 9 Simple Steps" ( Click here )
• "100 Literary Devices With Examples: The Ultimate List" ( Click here )
• "20 Writing Tips to Improve Your Craft" ( Click here )
• "How to Write Fabulous Dialogue [9 Tips + Examples]" ( Click here )
• "8 Character Development Exercises to Write 3D Characters" ( Click here )

Bonus resources

• 200+ Short Story Ideas ( Click here )
• 600+ Writing Prompts to Inspire You ( Click here )
• 100+ Creative Writing Exercises for Fiction Authors ( Click here )
• Story Title Generator ( Click here )
• Pen Name Generator ( Click here )
• Character Name Generator ( Click here )

After you submit to a writing competition in 2024

It’s exciting to send a piece of writing off to a contest. However, once the initial excitement wears off, you may be left waiting for a while. Some writing contests will contact all entrants after the judging period — whether or not they’ve won. Other writing competitions will only contact the winners. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind after you submit:

Many writing competitions don’t have time to respond to each entrant with feedback on their story. However, it never hurts to ask! Feel free to politely reach out requesting feedback — but wait until after the selection period is over.

If you’ve submitted the same work to more than one writing competition or literary magazine, remember to withdraw your submission if it ends up winning elsewhere.

After you send a submission, don’t follow it up with a rewritten or revised version. Instead, ensure that your first version is thoroughly proofread and edited. If not, wait until the next edition of the contest or submit the revised version to other writing contests.

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• Writing Tips

7 Essay Writing Contests to Look Out For in 2023

7-minute read

• 28th December 2022

Essay contests are not only a great way to exercise your essay-writing skills but also an awesome way to win cash prizes, scholarships, and internship or program opportunities. They also look wonderful on college applications as awards and achievements.

In this article, you’ll learn about 7 essay writing contests to enter in 2023. Watch the video below, or keep reading to learn more.

1. Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest 

Deadline: Now–April 30, 3023

Who may enter:

This is an international contest for people of all ages (except for residents of Syria, Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Russia, and Belarus due to US government restrictions).

Contest description:

●  The contest is organized by Winning Writers, located in MA, USA.

●  They accept stories and essays on any theme, up to 6,000 words each. This contest defines a story as any short work of fiction and an essay as any short work of nonfiction.

●  Your stories and essays must be submitted in English.

●  You may submit published or unpublished work.

Entry fee: USD 22 per entry

●  Story: First Prize is USD 3,000.

●  Essay: First Prize is USD 3,000.

●  10 Honorable Mentions will receive USD 300 each (any category).

●  The top 12 entries will be published online.

Official website

Please visit the competition’s official website for more information on judges and submissions.

2. 2023 Calibre Essay Prize 

Deadline: Now–January 15, 2023, 11:59 pm

Who may enter: All ages and any nationality or residency are accepted.

●  This contest is hosted by the Australian Book Review.

●  Your essay must be between 2,000 and 5,000 words.

●  You may submit nonfiction essays of all kinds, e.g., personal, political, literary, or speculative.

●  You may enter multiple essays but will need to pay separate fees for each one.

●  Your essay must be unpublished.

Entry fee: AU 30 for non-members

Prize: AU 7,500

Official website:

For more information on this contest, please visit its official website.

3. John Locke Institute Essay Competition 

Deadline: June 30, 2023

●  Students from any country.

●  Students aged 15 to 18 years by the competition deadline.

●  Students aged 14 years or younger by the competition deadline are eligible for the Junior prize.

●  The contest is organized by the John Locke Institute.

●  Your essay cannot exceed 2,000 words.

●  There are seven subjects or categories for essay submissions: Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, and Law.

Entry fee: Free to enter

●  The best overall essay winner receives an honorary John Locke Fellowship, which comes with a USD 10,000 scholarship to attend one or more summer schools or gap year courses.

●  There is also a prize for the best essay in each category. The prize for each winner of a subject category and the Junior category is a scholarship worth USD 2,000 toward the cost of a summer program.

●  All winning essays will be published on the Institute’s website.

For more information about this competition and the John Locke Institute, please visit the official website . Also, be sure to check out our article on all you need to know about this contest.

4. The American Foreign Service Association 2023 Essay Competition 

Deadline: April 3, 2023

●  Students in grades 9–12 in any of the 50 states, DC, the US territories, or if they are US citizens or lawful permanent residents attending high school overseas.

●  Students attending a public, private, or parochial school.

●  Home-schooled students.

●  Your essay should be 1,000–1,500 words.

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●  You will select a country or region in which the United States Foreign Service has been involved at any point since 1924 and describe how the Foreign Service was successful or unsuccessful in advancing American foreign policy goals – including promoting peace – in this country or region and propose ways in which it might continue to improve those goals in the coming years.

●  Your essay should follow MLA guidelines.

●  Your essay should use a variety of sources.

●  The first-place winner receives USD 2,500, a paid trip to the nation’s capital from anywhere in the U.S. for the winner and their parents, and an all-expense-paid educational voyage courtesy of Semester at Sea.

●  The runner-up receives USD 1,250 and full tuition to attend a summer session of the National Student Leadership Conference’s International Diplomacy program.

Please visit the American Foreign Service website for more information.

5. The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) 2023 Essay Contest 

Deadline: Mid-February 2023–June 1, 2023

Who may enter: High school (including homeschooled), college, and graduate students worldwide.

●  The 2023 essay contest topic is marriages and proposals.

●  High school students may focus on Pride and Prejudice only or bring in other Austen works.

●  Undergraduate and graduate students should discuss at least two Austen novels of their choice.

●  Your essay must be in MLA format and 6 to 8 pages (not including your Works Cited page).

●  Your essay must be written in English.

●  First place wins a USD 1,000 scholarship.

●  Second place wins a USD 500 scholarship.

●  Third place wins a USD 250 scholarship.

●  Winners will also receive one year of membership in JASNA, publication of their essays on this website, and a set of Norton Critical Editions of Jane Austen’s novels.

For more information and submission guidelines, please visit JASNA’s official website .

6. 2023 Writing Contest: Better Great Achievements by EngineerGirl

Deadline: February 1, 2023

●  Students in Grades 3–12. If international or homeschooled, please select your grade level based on if you were attending a public school in the U.S.

●  This contest is organized by EngineerGirl.

●  Students should write a piece that shows how female or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering’s great achievements.

●  You should choose one of the 20 Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century as a topic and explore the technologies developed in the last century and the new ones being developed today. Make sure to follow the specific guidelines for your grade level.

●  Essays should be 650–750 words based on your grade level.

●  Please visit the contest’s website to see specific requirements based on your grade.

Winners in each grade category will receive the prizes listed below:

●  First-place winners will be awarded USD 500.

●  Second-place entries will be awarded USD 250 .

●  Third-place entries will be awarded USD 100 .

For more information and submission guidelines, please visit the official website .

7. World Historian Student Essay Competition

Deadline: May 1, 2023

Who may enter: Students enrolled in Grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools and home-study programs worldwide.

●  Your essay must address the following issue: In what way has the study of world history affected my understanding of the world in which I live?

●  Your essay should be 1,000 words.

Prizes: USD 500

For more information and submission requirements, please visit the contest’s official website.

Essay contests are a great way to expand your writing skills, discuss a topic that is important to you, and earn prize money and opportunities that will be great for you in the long term. Check out our articles on writing thesis statements, essay organization, and argumentative writing strategies to ensure you take first place every time.

If you need help with your essays and would like to make sure that every comma is in place, we will proofread your first 500 words for free !

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