Daily updated database of writing contests, including competitions for poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and scripts - many free to enter.http://www.firstwriter.com/competitions An exciting new approach to reading. We're bringing the books we love to life with images, music, maps, video, and all the other riches of the Internet. Prizes include GBP 1,000 for first place. 2nd Prize: GBP 500, 5 at GBP 100. Deadline for entries is 31st January 2010. http://www.firstwriter.com/competitions/search/specific.cgi?RecordNumber=5889 Open to all writers who have not had a novel published commercially. Entrants are required to submit the first 3,000 words of their crime-themed novel, plus a 500/1000 word synopsis of the rest of the story. Prizes include GBP 500 for first place. Short-listed entries are read by leading editors and agents. Deadline for entries is 6th February 2010. http://www.firstwriter.com/competitions/search/specific.cgi?RecordNumber=5888 To write a very short story (maximum 750 words) on a theme of your own choice. Open to anyone over the age of 16 years from anywhere. Entries must be in English and not have been previously published. Prizes include GBP 175 for first place. Second prize: GBP 50 Third prize: GBP 25. Deadline for entries is 31st December 2009. http://www.firstwriter.com/competitions/search/specific.cgi?RecordNumber=5887 To write a short story (maximum 5000 words) with a surprise ending. Open to anyone over the age of 16 years from anywhere. Entries must be in English and not have been previously published. Prizes include GBP 175 for first place. 2nd prize GBP 80 plus 3 runner up prizes GBP 25 each. Deadline for entries is 31st December 2009. http://www.firstwriter.com/competitions/search/specific.cgi?RecordNumber=5886 For fiction up to 20 double-spaced pages. Enter online. Prizes include $500 for first place. Also magazine publication. Deadline for entries is 1st January 2010. http://www.firstwriter.com/competitions/search/specific.cgi?RecordNumber=5885 For poems up to 80 lines. Prizes include GBP 2,000 for first place. GBP 1,000; GBP 500. 10 x GBP 50. Deadline for entries is 30th November 2009. http://www.firstwriter.com/competitions/search/specific.cgi?RecordNumber=5884 Contest guidelines follow: 1.Entries must be 250 words or less (excluding title). 2. Submissions limited to one entry per person. 3.Pieces must be a fiction, non-fiction or poetry submission about the winter holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.). 4.Submissions must include separate pages for the author's name and contact information and the entry. Prizes include $25 for first place. Published in BDWN newsletter. Deadline for entries is 30th November 2009. http://www.firstwriter.com/competitions/search/specific.cgi?RecordNumber=5883 The winning submission will be read as part of the Selected Shorts performance on April 7, 2010. The story will be recorded for possible later broadcast as part of the public radio series. The winner will receive $1000. All submissions must be received by January 29, 2010. Your story must be no more than 750 words. Prizes include $1,000 for first place. Winning story will be read during a Selected Shorts performance and may broadcast on NPR. Deadline for entries is 29th January 2010. http://www.firstwriter.com/competitions/search/specific.cgi?RecordNumber=5882 For poetry manuscripts at least 48 pages; prefers between 60 and 100. Prizes include $2,000 for first place. Also magazine publication. Deadline for entries is 31st December 2009. http://www.firstwriter.com/competitions/search/specific.cgi?RecordNumber=5881 For short horror and speculative fiction up to 5,000 words. Prizes include GBP 100 for first place. GBP 50; GBP 25. Also magazine publication. Deadline for entries is 30th November 2009. http://www.firstwriter.com/competitions/search/specific.cgi?RecordNumber=5880