Essay Writing Contests: Your Chance to Shine

If you love to write and want to share your ideas with the world, essay contests are a great place to start. Whether you’re a student hoping to win a scholarship, a creative writer looking for recognition, or just someone with a story to tell, there’s a contest out there for you. In this article, we’ll cover why essay contests are worth entering, what judges look for, and how to stay organized while applying. Plus, we’ve rounded up the best essay writing contests out there right now. Let’s dive in and help you find your next writing opportunity.

Why Choose Essay Contests?

Essay contests aren’t just about winning money or awards (though those are nice perks). They’re one of the most accessible and rewarding ways to grow as a writer, no matter your age or experience level.

Here’s why essay contests are worth your time:

• You get a real deadline: Deadlines give you a reason to sit down, focus, and finish something, perfect for anyone who struggles with procrastination.

• You improve faster: Writing with a goal in mind, like answering a specific prompt or impressing a panel of judges, pushes you to be sharper, clearer, and more thoughtful in your writing.

• You build confidence: Whether you win or not, completing and submitting your work feels like an achievement. It’s proof that you can do the hard part, finish and share your writing.

• You get noticed: Winning or being shortlisted can help you stand out on applications for school, scholarships, or jobs. It's something impressive to add to your resume or portfolio.

• You connect with a writing community: Many contests are run by organizations that offer feedback, host events, or publish winners. It’s a great way to feel less alone in your writing journey.

So if you’re thinking about getting serious with your writing, or just want to test the waters, essay contests are a great place to start.

Top Essay Writing Contests to Enter in 2025

There are hundreds of writing contests out there, but not all of them are worth your time. Some offer huge prizes, others give you a chance to get published, and a few are perfect for building confidence if you’re just starting out.

We’ve done the digging for you and rounded up some of the best essay writing contests you can enter this year. Whether you're into creative nonfiction, personal essays, or literary analysis, there’s something here for everyone. Check out the full list below to find the right fit, and maybe win some recognition (and cash) along the way.

1. Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

The Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest, organized by the Ayn Rand Institute, is one of the most well-known international competitions for student writers. It challenges participants to deeply engage with Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged, exploring complex themes like individualism, freedom, and capitalism.

This contest not only offers a significant financial reward but also gives students the opportunity to sharpen their critical thinking and writing skills. It's a great way for young writers to stand out in college applications and boost their confidence as thinkers and communicators.

• Type of essay: Philosophical/literary analysis

• Who can join: High school seniors, college students, and graduate students worldwide

• Cost to participate: Free

• Prize: Up to $25,000

• Deadline: August 1, 2025

How To Apply:

Visit the Ayn Rand Institute’s website, choose the Atlas Shrugged contest, create an account, and submit your essay through their portal.

2. Aurora Polaris Creative Nonfiction Award

Organized by Trio House Press, this contest is designed to recognize and support innovative works in creative nonfiction. Essays can take many forms, from personal memoirs to reflective cultural critiques.

The award is an excellent opportunity for serious nonfiction writers seeking both recognition and publication from a respected literary press.

• Type of essay: Creative nonfiction

• Who can join: Adults and emerging authors

• Cost to participate: $25

• Prize: $1,000 and publication

• Deadline: May 15, 2025

How To Apply:

Submit your manuscript and payment on the Trio House Press website according to their detailed guidelines.

3. swamp pink Prizes - Essay Category

Previously known as the Crazyhorse prizes, the swamp pink essay contest honors exceptional creative nonfiction. It's run by the College of Charleston’s literary journal and offers publication along with a generous cash prize.

Winning this award is a major boost for writers building a career in literary nonfiction, as publication in swamp pink is highly respected.

• Type of essay: Personal/creative nonfiction

• Who can join: Anyone writing in English

• Cost to participate: $20

• Prize: $2,000 and publication

• Deadline: January 31, 2025

How To Apply:

Submit your essay through swamp pink’s Submittable portal during their open call in January.

4. The $15,000 Writing Challenge (Storyshares)

This contest is focused on “easy-to-read but hard-to-put-down” stories for teens and young adults. While it allows fiction, it also includes nonfiction and essays that fit the age group and readability style.

It’s especially ideal for educators, YA writers, or those passionate about writing stories that connect with reluctant readers.

• Type of essay: Narrative nonfiction/creative nonfiction

• Who can join: Open to all ages

• Cost to participate: Free

• Prize: Up to $15,000 and publication

• Deadline: January 13, 2025

How To Apply:

Submit entries through the Storyshares website. You can send multiple submissions as long as each meets the contest guidelines.

5. The Gabriele Rico Challenge for Nonfiction

Held by Reed Magazine, this annual challenge celebrates engaging and personal nonfiction writing. It encourages writers to be reflective, honest, and stylistically inventive.

This contest is perfect for writers who want to tell personal stories or explore identity, memory, and life in creative ways.

• Type of essay: Creative nonfiction/personal essay

• Who can join: Adult writers

• Cost to participate: $20

• Prize: $1,333 and publication in Reed Magazine

• Deadline: November 1, 2025

How To Apply:

Use Reed Magazine’s submission page to upload your essay and pay the entry fee.

6. Environmental Writing Competition (Write the World + Patagonia)

This contest asks teens to explore environmental issues that matter to them. It combines creative storytelling with real-world concerns, inviting submissions that reflect personal experiences and hopes for the planet.

It’s a great fit for students who care about the environment and enjoy writing about nature, climate change, or sustainability.

• Type of essay: Environmental/creative nonfiction

• Who can join: Writers aged 13–19

• Cost to participate: Free

• Prize: $100 for the winner, $50 for runner-up and best peer review

• Deadline: May 26, 2025

How To Apply:

Submit entries via Write the World’s contest platform. Peer review participation is encouraged and rewarded.

7. Reader Views Literary Awards (Essay/Nonfiction Category)

This contest is geared toward self-published or indie authors. It honors published works in a range of genres, including nonfiction and essay collections, and includes reviews, interviews, and promotional features.

It’s a great way for independent authors to gain recognition and boost visibility for their books.

• Type of essay: Nonfiction book-length essays or essay collections

• Who can join: Independent/self-published authors

• Cost to participate: $89

• Prize: Up to $1,250 and promotion

• Deadline: December 15, 2025

How To Apply:

Fill out the entry form and submit a print copy of your book according to Reader Views’ guidelines.

8. Anthem Essay Contest

The Anthem Essay Contest invites younger students to read Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem and reflect on its core themes of collectivism and individualism. The questions are designed to spark independent thinking and moral reasoning.

It’s a great entry point for middle and high schoolers interested in exploring deeper ideas through literature, while also offering a generous prize pool.

• Type of essay: Literary/philosophical analysis

• Who can join: Students in grades 8-12

• Cost to Participate: Free

• Prize: Up to $2,000

• Deadline: July 31, 2025

How To Apply:

Select the contest on the Ayn Rand Institute site, read the prompt, and submit your essay through your student account.

9. The Reedsy Prompts Contest

Reedsy’s weekly writing contest invites authors to respond to one of five creative prompts released every Friday. While it primarily targets short stories, many prompts are open-ended enough to inspire personal essays or narrative nonfiction.

It’s perfect for writers looking to build a regular writing habit, get exposure, and earn a little cash for short creative pieces. Reedsy also publishes winning entries and offers marketplace credits for top submissions.

• Type of essay: Creative nonfiction/personal narrative

• Who can join: Writers of all levels worldwide

• Cost to participate: $5

• Prize: $250 + possible publication + $25 credit

• Deadline: Weekly (Every Friday)

How To Apply:

Register on Reedsy Prompts, choose a current week’s prompt, and submit your essay or story before the deadline.

How to Stay Organized When Applying

• Create a spreadsheet: Track each contest's name, deadline, entry fee, prompt or theme, submission link, and status (e.g., drafted, submitted, awaiting results).

• Set calendar reminders: Use your phone or digital calendar to set alerts a week before each deadline, and another a day or two in advance to double-check everything is ready.

• Group essays by topic: Save essays in folders based on themes like personal growth, education, social issues, or environment. This makes it easier to reuse or revise content.

• Reuse and adapt strong essays: When contests have similar themes, tweak an essay you’ve already written instead of starting from scratch.

• Schedule weekly check-ins: Dedicate 10–15 minutes each week to look for new contests, update your tracker, and plan writing time.

• Save contest links and rules: Keep bookmarks or a document with direct links and guidelines so you don’t have to dig through emails every time.

• Back up your work: Store your essays and spreadsheet in the cloud (like Google Drive or Dropbox) to keep them safe and accessible.

• Use the right tools: Find writing tools that fit your style and workflow, whether it's a specific keyboard, word processor, app, or notebook, having the right setup can make writing easier and more enjoyable.

Why Freewrite is Perfect for Essay Contests

AtFreewrite, we built our writing tools for one reason: to help writers actually write. If you're preparing for an essay contest, you know how easy it is to get distracted, whether it's social media, email, or just a cluttered screen. That’s why we created Freewrite devices: focused, distraction-free environments that help you get your ideas out fast and clearly.

Our devices strip away everything that gets in the way of writing. No open internet. No notifications. Just you, the keyboard, and your thoughts. Whether you’re brainstorming a powerful personal essay or polishing your final contest entry, Freewrite lets you write in peace. Our community of writers consistently tells us they write 2-3x more words per session with Freewrite. That’s not just productivity, it’s progress toward winning your next contest.

So if you’re serious about hitting those deadlines, staying focused, and turning your ideas into winning entries, we’ve got your back. Let the words flow: no tabs, no popups, no excuses.

Alpha Raven Black with Backlight

Alpha is a lightweight, distraction free drafting device that fits easily in a backpack and fires up the moment inspiration hits. Its warm backlight and low profile mechanical keys let you write comfortably anywhere, while automatic cloud syncing keeps every sentence safe and ready for editing later.

What’s Behind Alpha Raven Black

• Ultra portable body that weighs about 1.6 lb for easy travel

• Warm five level backlight so you can write day or night without eye strain

• Quiet Kailh Choc V2 low profile switches that feel smooth yet tactile

• Up to 100 hours of battery life plus constant local and cloud backups

• Built in kickstand and palm rest that support long, relaxed writing sessions

Valentine Smart Typewriter

TheValentine Smart Typewriter blends classic 1969 Italian style with modern writing tech, turning any coffee shop into your personal studio. Its aluminum shell houses a satisfying mechanical keyboard and crisp E Ink screen, all wrapped in a water resistant carrying case that makes bold creativity truly portable.

What’s Behind Valentine Smart Typewriter

• Iconic retro inspired design that stands out and sparks conversation

• Box brown tactile switches for that satisfying typewriter feel without the noise

• Eye friendly E Ink display that stays sharp indoors or outside

• Seamless Wi Fi syncing to the cloud so drafts are always backed up

• Precision fitted case and strap that protect the device while you roam

Traveler

Traveler is the go anywhere writing companion built for writers who think best on the move. Half the size of a laptop and featherlight, it slips into a daypack yet offers a full size keyboard and sun readable E Ink screen, letting you draft chapters on a train, beach, or park bench with zero online distractions.

What’s Behind Traveler

• Featherweight 1.6 lb frame that makes daily carry effortless

• Glare free E Ink display that stays clear even in direct sunlight

• Full size scissor switch keyboard with smooth, quiet key travel

• Automatic cloud syncing plus local storage for stress free backups

• Long life battery measured in weeks, not hours, to keep you writing everywhere

Wordrunner

Wordrunner is a premium mechanical keyboard built specifically for writers who take their craft seriously. It pairs the precision of a high-end keyboard with unique features designed to boost productivity, like a live word counter and a built-in sprint timer. Whether you're writing an essay, novel, or blog post, Wordrunner helps you stay focused and in flow without needing to touch your mouse or switch apps. It connects easily to multiple devices and feels as solid as it looks.

What’s Behind Wordrunner

• Physically tracks your word count in real time with a built-in 8-digit mechanical Wordometer

• Sprint timer helps you stay in the zone with count-up or countdown modes

• Custom writing-focused keys like Find, Replace, and three programmable macros

• Die-cast aluminum body and sound-dampened keys for a satisfying, long-lasting typing experience

• Supports Bluetooth and USB-C with easy switching between up to four devices

Final Word

Essay contests are more than just a shot at prize money, they’re an opportunity to push yourself, develop your writing skills, and share your voice with the world. Whether you're a student looking to stand out on college applications or a seasoned writer seeking new motivation, there's a contest out there for you.

The key is to start. Pick one that excites you, block out some time to write, and go for it. Even if you don’t win, you’ll walk away with something valuable: a finished piece of writing and the confidence to do it again. Keep writing, keep submitting, and most importantly – enjoy the process.

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