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How it works

1. Pay the entry fee using the “Enter Now” button.
2. Upload your 3000 to 10,000 word manuscript in pdf format using the submission form (linked to your payment).
3. Your submittal should include a cover page that has the title of your work as well as the author name, and your real name in parenthesis if you are using a pen name for publishing.
4. We review entries during days 11–end of month (timeline varies by month length and entry volume).
5. Winners announced in week 1 of the following month.
6. Winners published on the website in week 2 of the following month, and added to the annual anthology.

Prizes

• First Place — $50
• Second Place — $25
• Third Place — $15

Winning stories will be published on the RFW Enterprise website and featured in our annual anthology of contest winners.

See stories from past winners in the Writing Showcase.

Enter The Contest Now

Why Enter the RFW Writing Contest

Writing contests are one of the best ways for new authors to share their work and gain recognition. The RFW Enterprise Writing Contest was created to give emerging writers a place to showcase their creativity and reach new readers.

When you enter, you gain the opportunity to:

• Have your work reviewed by judges who value strong storytelling
• Win prize money and recognition
• Be published on the RFW Enterprise website
• Be included in our annual anthology featuring contest winners

Even writers who do not place often gain valuable experience preparing their work for submission and sharing their voice with a wider audience.

Terms & Conditions (summary)

• Full terms and conditions can be found at the link below

Terms and Conditions

Eligibility & originality

• You must submit original work and be the rights holder.
• No plagiarism, AI-copied text, or unauthorized fan fiction.
• By submitting, you confirm your work does not infringe copyrights/trademarks and does not violate laws.

License to publish (winners)

• Authors retain copyright.
• If you win, you grant RFW a non-exclusive license to publish your winning piece on the website and in the annual anthology.
• Non-exclusive means you can still publish your work elsewhere too.

Entry fees

• Entry fees are non-refundable, including for disqualified or incomplete submissions.
• Payment is required before upload/submission is accepted.

Review & decisions

• All decisions are final.
• We reserve the right to disqualify entries that violate rules or contain abusive, illegal, or hateful content.
• We may reject submissions that do not meet format requirements.

Payout

• Winners are contacted by email to collect payment details.
• Payouts are issued after identity/payment details are confirmed.

What our Judges Look For

Our judges look for stories that demonstrate strong storytelling, creativity, and a clear narrative voice. While every submission is unique, the stories that stand out often include:

• Engaging characters readers care about
• A clear story arc with a beginning, middle, and end
• Original ideas or perspectives
• Strong emotional impact or insight

Writers at all experience levels are welcome to submit. The goal of this contest is to encourage emerging voices and celebrate compelling storytelling.

FAQs

When can I submit?

Submissions are open days 1–10 of each month. Entries received outside that window are not eligible for that month.

When will winners be announced and published?

Review happens on days 11–end of month. Winners are announced week 1 of the following month and published on the website week 2 of the following month.

Are entry fees refundable?

No. Entry fees are non-refundable.

Do I keep the rights to my work?

Yes. You keep your copyright. If you win, you grant RFW a non-exclusive license to publish your winning piece on the website and in the annual anthology.

How are payment and uploads linked?

You pay first, then you’re redirected to the upload form with an Order ID so your manuscript upload is tied to your entry automatically.

What if I paid but didn’t upload in time?

We recommend uploading immediately after checkout. If you miss the submission window, your entry may not be eligible for that month.

What genre is requested for each month?

January:  Any genre
February:  Any short story
March:  Self-Help/Education
April:  Non-Fiction
May:  Romance
June:  Mystery
July:  Historical
Augus:  Childrens
September:  Memoir
October:  Horror
November:  Sci-Fi
December:  Family

*Requested genre’s are subject to change at RFW Enterprise Publishing’s Discretion.