Here are five reputable novel writing contests to consider entering between now and April 1, 2026. Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America Best First Crime Novel Competition Deadline: December 14, 2025. Prize: $10,000 and a publishing contract with Minotaur Books....
The Indie Bestsellers List – Published Wednesday, December 3, 2025 (for the sales week ended Sunday, November 30, 2025).
Nekesa Afia, As Long As You Are Mine, Lake Union Publishing – Afia Publishes Another Mystery: As Long As You’re Mine
What’s Hot, Stone Lands, Fiona Robertson, Pegasus Books, An enthralling memoir
What’s Hot – Watch Us Fall, Christina Kovac, Simon & Schuster -A stunning work of suspense that’s impossible to put down.
EXO, Colin Brush, Diversion books, A debut sci-fi mystery set on an abandoned future Earth, featuring a twisty mystery straight out of a John le Carré novel,
Sitting Bull’s War, by Paul Hedren, Pegasus Books – The dramatic story of America’s greatest Indian war told from perspective of the Lakotas and the Northern Cheyennes,
We scoured the Internet (with the help of Google) looking for adult writing contests that appear legit and a deadline of November. Here's some interesting ones we have found. Some contests have an entry fee. General Writing Contests Inkspot Publishing's Inaugural...
The Indie Bestsellers List, Based on reporting from hundreds of independent bookstores across the United States.
A Sword of Bronze and Ashes, Anna Smith Spark, Flame Tree Press – A Celtic-inflected adventure by critically acclaimed, grimdark epic fantasy novelist, Anna Smith Spark
