Writing Contests 2026 with Cash Prizes and Certificates
Quick answer: Writory runs monthly online writing contests judged blind against published rubrics: an international poetry contest open right now in any language, and a short story contest for 100 to 2,000 word stories opening 1 September 2026. Every entrant in every contest receives a participation certificate and a judged score out of 100, winners take cash prizes and free entry to the next round, and writers keep all rights to their work.
Key facts
- Two contests share one honest system: blind judging, a published rubric, a certificate for every entrant, and a five-part score out of 100 delivered by the 30th of the month.
- The poetry contest is open now and runs monthly: any language, any form, no theme restriction, entries close the 25th at 11:59 PM IST.
- The short story contest opens 1 September 2026 on the same monthly rhythm: 100 to 2,000 words, any genre, flash fiction welcome.
- Entry fees start at Rs 150 or $5 for poetry and Rs 199 or $8 for stories; free entry is earned by monthly winners and Seasoned Quill badge holders.
- Cash prizes every month in both contests, and winners are published with their names, scores and work on dated results pages anyone can verify.
- Writers keep all rights to their work in every Writory contest, always.
- Open worldwide to anyone aged 13 or over; entrants come from more than 50 countries.
- A humour writing contest is planned next, on the same transparent system.
Questions
Which writing contests can I enter right now?
The monthly international poetry contest is open now, in any language with no theme restriction. The short story contest opens 1 September 2026. Both close on the 25th of the month at 11:59 PM IST and announce results by the 30th.
What does every entrant receive?
A participation certificate with your name and a judged score out of 100 broken into five published criteria, in every contest, win or not. Winners additionally take cash prizes and free entry to the next round.
Are these contests legitimate?
Every month's winners are published with names, dates, scores and their work on pages you can verify, the rubrics are public, fees and prizes are stated before you enter, and writers keep all rights. Nothing about the judging or the results is hidden.
Can I enter both contests?
Yes. The poetry and story contests run side by side each month once stories open in September, and one account enters both. Each contest is judged separately against its own published rubric.
How much does entry cost?
Poetry starts at Rs 150 in India or $5 internationally; stories start at Rs 199 or $8. Multi-entry tiers cost less per piece, and free entry is earned by monthly winners and Seasoned Quill badge holders rather than given to everyone.
By the Writory editorial team. Updated July 2026.
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