Writing Prize
The Courage Review Writing Prize seeks stories that illuminate the difficult choices that define character when the cost becomes real.
Contest at a Glance
Prize: US$495
Entry Period: July 1 – October 31, 2026
Length: 1,500–6,000 words
Eligibility: Open internationally
Entry Fee: None
Winner and Runners-Up:
Publication on The Courage Review
Author interviews
Promotion of the winning work and authorship
We are looking for stories about courage wherever it appears—in public life or private life, in moments of crisis or quiet acts of conscience, in extraordinary circumstances or ordinary situations where doing the right thing carries genuine consequences.
We welcome compelling narratives grounded in actual events.
Stories may be drawn from history, biography, memoir, journalism, family history, public records, or personal experience. Narrative techniques, reconstructed scenes, and dramatized dialogue are welcome, provided the story remains faithful to actual events.
Our interest is not in celebrating heroes, but in exploring humanity: fear, sacrifice, integrity, responsibility, and the choices people make when circumstances demand action.
Submission Guidelines
We accept original, unpublished work written in English.
Submissions should be narrative in form and based on actual events.
We encourage strong storytelling, vivid scenes, and compelling characters while maintaining fidelity to the historical record or lived experience.
AI-generated submissions are not accepted. Authors may use AI-assisted tools for research, grammar, and editorial support, but the creative work, interpretation, and writing must be substantially their own.
Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but please notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.
Submit Via
Submittable
or
Email: submissions@thecouragereview.org
Judging Criteria
Entries will be evaluated on:
Narrative quality
Emotional resonance
Historical or factual integrity
Originality
Craftsmanship
The depth and complexity with which courage is explored
About The Courage Review
The Courage Review is an independent literary publication devoted to stories, ideas, and voices that explore courage, integrity, and moral conviction.
We believe storytelling remains one of humanity’s most powerful ways of preserving memory, examining difficult choices, and illuminating what it means to act with courage.