Award
No fee
Green Linden Press — The Stephen Mitchell Prize (2026)
Green Linden Press
All Disciplines · Translation
Dec 1, 2026No fee
Free contests and prizes with no entry fee
Free contests and prizes with no entry fee
Writing, art and photography contests and prizes listed with no entry fee, with the deadline and prize for each.
Explore opportunitiesBefore you apply
115 open now on Missa, each linked to the organizer's own page. These contests and prizes list no entry fee. Read the prize terms and the rights you grant before entering; a free contest can still ask for publication rights.
- No entry fee on the organizer’s page
- Prize and how it is paid
- Rights you grant if you win
- Deadline and accepted formats
48 opportunities on this page
Contest
No fee
Contest
No fee
Contest
No fee
Dunes Review — 2027 Michigan Writers Chapbook Contest
Dunes Review
Writing · Emerging
Dec 2, 2026No fee
The Fiddlehead — 2026 Poetry Contest — The Ralph Gustafson Prize for Best Poem
The Fiddlehead
Poetry · Lgbtq+
Dec 2, 2026No fee
Poetry International — C.P. Cavafy Poetry Prize 2026
Poetry International
Poetry · Translation
Dec 2, 2026No fee
Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery — "Winter 5 for $10" 2026
Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
All Disciplines
Dec 16, 2026No fee
Contest
No fee
Adventure Cycling Association — 18th Annual Bicycle Travel Photo Contest
Adventure Cycling Association
Photography
Jan 1, 2027No fee
Award
No fee
Horror Writers Assoc. — 2026 Novel — Bram Stoker Award Jury Consideration
for Horror Writers Assoc.
Fiction
Jan 1, 2027No fee
Horror Writers Assoc. — 2026 First Novel — Bram Stoker Award Jury Consideration
for Horror Writers Assoc.
Fiction
Jan 1, 2027No fee
Horror Writers Assoc. — 2026 Young Adult Novel — Bram Stoker Award Jury Consideration
for Horror Writers Assoc.
Fiction
Jan 1, 2027No fee
Horror Writers Assoc. — 2026 Middle-Grade Novel — Bram Stoker Award Jury Consideration
for Horror Writers Assoc.
Fiction
Jan 1, 2027No fee
Horror Writers Assoc. — 2026 Graphic Novel — Bram Stoker Award Jury Consideration
for Horror Writers Assoc.
Fiction
Jan 1, 2027No fee
Horror Writers Assoc. — 2026 Long Fiction — Bram Stoker Award Jury Consideration
for Horror Writers Assoc.
Fiction
Jan 1, 2027No fee
Horror Writers Assoc. — 2026 Short Fiction — Bram Stoker Award Jury Consideration
for Horror Writers Assoc.
Fiction
Jan 1, 2027No fee
Horror Writers Assoc. — 2026 Screenplay — Bram Stoker Award Jury Consideration
for Horror Writers Assoc.
Film
Jan 1, 2027No fee
Horror Writers Assoc. — 2026 Collection — Bram Stoker Award Jury Consideration
for Horror Writers Assoc.
All Disciplines
Jan 1, 2027No fee
Horror Writers Assoc. — 2026 Non-Fiction (Long) — Bram Stoker Award Jury Consideration
for Horror Writers Assoc.
Fiction
Jan 1, 2027No fee
Horror Writers Assoc. — 2026 Non-Fiction (Short) — Bram Stoker Award Jury Consideration
for Horror Writers Assoc.
Fiction
Jan 1, 2027No fee
Horror Writers Assoc. — 2026 Poetry — Bram Stoker Award Jury Consideration
for Horror Writers Assoc.
Poetry
Jan 1, 2027No fee
Contest
No fee
Baltimore National Heritage Area — 2026 It's A Snap! Baltimore Photo Contest
Baltimore National Heritage Area
Photography
Jan 1, 2027No fee
Contest
No fee
Bellevue Literary Review — No-Fee Submissions for Current BLR Subscribers
Bellevue Literary Review
All Disciplines
Jan 1, 2027No fee
Contest
No fee
Bellevue Literary Review — No-Fee Submissions for New BLR Subscribers (Subscribe + Submit)
Bellevue Literary Review
All Disciplines
Jan 1, 2027No fee
Award
No fee
Vermont Writers' Prize — Accepting Entries for 2027 — Vermont Writer's Prize — Accepting Entries for 2027
Vermont Writers' Prize - Accepting Entries for 2027
All Disciplines
Jan 2, 2027No fee
Contest
No fee
Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc. — TeenQuill Writing Contest
Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc.
Writing · Bipoc
Jan 2, 2027No fee
Contest
No fee
Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc. — Stories of Inspiration
Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc.
All Disciplines · Bipoc
Jan 4, 2027No fee
Award
No fee
Santa Fe Writers Project — 2026 Literary Awards Program judged by Nikesha Elise Williams (Waiver)
Santa Fe Writers Project
Writing · Translation
Jan 5, 2027No fee
Contest
No fee
Unleash Press — Dear Body, an anthology — submissions & contest
Unleash Press
All Disciplines
Jan 13, 2027No fee
Contest
No fee
Aviário Studio Printmaking Residency — Summer and Fall 2027
Aviário Studio
Photography · Painting
Jan 20, 2027No fee
Award
No fee
Guides
Read before you apply
- Free to apply isn’t always free: the fees an open call can charge
Entry, hanging and participation fees and sales commission: when each one is charged, and how to find the full cost before you apply.
- Submission fees and tip jars: when it’s worth paying to submit
Reading fees, contest fees and tip jars: what each one buys, when to pay, and how to find magazines that read for free.
- How to spot a scam open call or a vanity gallery
How to check an open call or gallery invitation before you pay: the red flags, a ten-minute check, and what to do if you’ve paid.