Poetry and Writing Contest Deadlines

Contests provide writers with challenges, including a deadline, word count limitation, and editing practice.

Did you know that FanStory.com offers 50 new writing contests a month? Now that's a lot of contests! Many of them offer cash prizes and are free to join as a member. The great part about their contests is you also receive feedback on your entry. Here's some of the upcoming contests you may be interested in.

Contests by Deadline: (Please follow the links for complete contest description.)

Flash Fiction
In this flash fiction contest we are challenging writers to write a flash fiction piece that is between 500 and 800 words on the topic provided. The topic is "The Hotel Room."
Prize: $100
Deadline: June 3rd

Anagrams Galore
Write a short story or poem (150 words max) demonstrating three or more anagrams. This is for those of us who LOVE juggling letters!
Deadline: June 6th

Haiku
For this contest you are challenged to write a Haiku poem. Haiku is a form of poetry that only uses three lines. Can you paint a mental image using only three lines?
Prize: $100
Deadline: June 10th

Naani
For this contest you are challenged to write a Naani poem. Naani is a form of poetry with a specific syllable count.
Prize: $100
Deadline: June 20th

Father's Day
Father's Day is a day to give thanks to the person in your life who has devoted themselves throughout the years. Show him how much he is appreciated with a poem.
Prize: $100
Deadline: June 21st

Horror Story
Put your readers on edge or terrorize them for this horror writing contest!
Prize: $100
Deadline: June 28th

Gyoji Haiku
Write a traditional religious (gyoji) haiku. Serious poems only. Click on the link for an example. 5/7/5 not required, but a short/long/short line pattern is. A nature reference is not required.
Deadline: June 30th

Faith
The theme for this poetry contest is "faith." We are looking for poems that in some way pertain to this theme. It doesn't matter if it's spiritual, political, intellectual or emotional as long as faith is clearly represented.
Prize: $100
Deadline: July 1st

Tanka Poetry
For this contest you are challenged to write a Tanka poem. Tanka is a form of poetry with a specific syllable count.
Prize: $100
Deadline: July 10th

Share a Story in a Poem
In this contest you are challenged to write a poem that tells a story and also rhymes.
Prize: $100
Deadline: July 20th

This Sentence Starts the Story
Write a story that starts with this sentence: "Have we met before?"
Prize: $100
Deadline: July 28th

Senryu
Write a Senryu poem. It is a form of poetry that only uses three lines. Senryu poems often refer to emotions or some other aspect of the human condition.
Prize: $100
Deadline: August 1st

Short Love Poem
Write a short love poem with fifteen words or less.
Prize: $100
Deadline: August 7th

Triska-deka-what?
This is a topic based contest. Write a story based on triskaidekaphobia (the fear of the number 13).
Deadline: August 13th

Free Verse Poetry
Write a free verse poem. This is a method of writing poetry that does not follow any structure or style.
Prize: $100
Deadline: August 13th

The Words Are the Same
Write a poem that uses the words listed in the contest announcement link.
Prize: $100
Deadline: August 20th

Acrostic Poetry
Write an acrostic poem. An acrostic poem is a poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word.
Prize: $100
Deadline: August 27th

Blank Verse III
This contest is for blank verse. All lines must be in iambic pentameter with no rhymes unless they are interior in consecutive lines. Please submit your entry early enough that if work is needed, it can be corrected.
Deadline: August 31st

Tetractys
Write a Tetractys poem. This is a poem with only five lines. Each line adds one syllable until the last stanza, which as ten syllables.
Prize: $100
Deadline: September 2nd

New Arrival Poetry
Write an acrostic poem for this contest for new members to the site. An acrostic poem is a poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word.
Prize: $100
Deadline: September 25th

New Arrival Story
For our New Arrival "This Sentence Starts the Story" contest we challenge you to write a story that starts with this sentence: "Hell found me."
Prize: $100
Deadline: September 28th

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I'm not a poetry writer, but after reading these listings, I think I might give it a shot. I'm also interested in the horror writing contest and the ones with a story prompt. I've tried those before and have found them to be a lot of fun! They're adding new ones all the time, so be sure to check out their site for the latest.