(and five contests for unpublished fiction writers)
There are any number of writing contests around for both published and unpublished writers. It’s easy to see why a published author would enter a writing contest: to get recognition for their writing, in the same way as actors enter the Oscars or singers enter the Grammys.
But why would unpublished authors enter a writing contest?
I can think of five reasons:
Honest Feedback
Writing contests are a great way to get honest feedback on your writing, and we all need honest feedback. Feedback is a gift which can show us what we’re doing well, and where we need to improve on.
Feedback from Writers
But it’s important to get feedback from the right people. We can ask family and friends for feedback. While they might give encouraging feedback (You’ve done a great job! Keep it up!), it might not be accurate. Family and friends will be proud of you for having written a book, and may be able to tell you what they enjoyed and why, but they probably can’t tell you what needs to be improved (unless they happen to be successful writers who know your genre).
In contrast, contest judges are fellow writers, usually people who write in the same genre. Some will be fellow unpublished authors, some will be published authors, some will have won awards. All are willing to give up their time to help other writers improve their craft.
Targeted Feedback
Because they are writers (or editors, or agents), they know what good writing looks like, and they will judge accordingly. Most contests use a score sheet which looks at different aspects of the writing, such as the opening, the characters, the plot, and use of point of view or showing vs telling. Entering a writing contest will show you if you have issues in some of these areas.
Finding out you’re not using point of view well may be painful, but it’s better to find out from an anonymous contest judge early in your writing career than to polish the manuscript for months (or years), submit to a publisher and be rejected because of your point of view. (And point of view isn’t your opinion on a subject. If you’re a fiction writer and don’t understand what I mean by point of view, you need to learn).
Anonymous Feedback
Judging in unpublished contests is blind, which means the judges don’t know whose entry they are reading and judging. Most contests for unpublished writing ask writers to say who has read the entry so the contest organiser can avoid assigning the entry to a judge who may be biased. In addition, judges are encouraged to notify the organiser if they have seen any entries before so they can be reassigned.
Blind judging means judges can give feedback without worrying about that feedback potentially affecting a relationship (as can happen if you ask family or friends to critique your writing).
Bragging Rights
Finalling in or winning a contest gives you bragging rights aka a line in your query or proposal to an agent or editor. Many well-known Christian writers credit contests with helping them land an agent and/or publishing deal.
What are Good Contests to Enter?
If you’re an unpublished writer, the best and most reputable contests are run by writing organisations.
Here are five contests for unpublished fiction authors:
All are open for entrants until 28 February 2026
America Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award
The premier award for Christian fiction, Genesis provides the opportunity for unbiased feedback on writers’ work by published authors and experienced judges, and the chance for finalists to have their work read by Christian publishing house editors and literary agents.
Entrants: unpublished fiction authors.
Cost: USD 40 for members and USD 125 for non-members (yes, you can join when you enter)
Entries close: 1 March 2026
Romance Writers of New Zealand Pacific Hearts
A full-manuscript contests where readers judge the first 10,000 words in the first round, and a publisher judges finalists’ full manuscripts.
Entrants: unpublished fiction authors.
Cost: NZD 25 for members only.
Entries close: 28 February 2026
Romance Writers of Australia Opal Award
The Opal is a contest for aspiring and emerging romance writers to win the opportunity for short mentorships with established RWAus authors.
Entrants: unpublished fiction authors, or those who have been published for up to three years.
Cost: AUD 50 for members and AUD 70 for non-members
Entries close: 1 March 2026
Romance Writers of Australia Ripping Start
The Ripping Start Contest judges the first 1500 words of a story – key to hooking the reader.
Entrants: Members of Romance Writers of Australia
Cost: AUD 30
Entries close: 1 March 2026
Romance Writers of Australia First Kiss
A 1500-word scene showing the first kiss in a romance.
Entrants: Members of Romance Writers of Australia
Cost: AUD 30
Entries close: 1 March 2026
Hi Iola, Thanks for sharing your helpful tips. ACFW contests (Genesis and also First Impressions) are valuable for all writers, including writers who are planning to indie publish their Christian fiction books.
Unpublished writing contests are an affordable way to gauge if your manuscript is anywhere near publishable standard—and that’s the real gold from entering, imho.
It’s too easy for debut authors to indie publish their book before the book is ready. I’ve sadly seen authors quit writing because they were crushed by the negative reader feedback via reviews.
The best time to receive constructive feedback and criticism is before the book is published when the author has an opportunity to fix the problems that critique partners, contest judges and early readers have identified in the story.
The ACFW contests provide excellent feedback for Christian fiction writers because they are targeted at the Christian market, and because they have 8-10 categories (not just romance).
If a writer can final or win Genesis or First Impressions, it’s fair to say their writing is up to scratch. Of course, the challenge then is finishing the full book (not just the first 5-15 pages!).