Are you a writer dreaming of getting published? Writer's Digest has been providing resources for writers for nearly a century. Besides a magazine, books including the popular Writer's Market series and online writing info, there are also yearly competitions in many genres. You may be familiar with the Writer's Market annuals that list publishers of books, magazines and other periodicals as well as give advice on how to break into the specific writing genre each book focuses on—general, children's, romance, etc.

A sampling of few of the top contests is the Writer's Digest Annual, Crime, Romance, Science Fiction. Each contest has a cash prize for the top winner. Along with the cash, the grand prize includes a trip to the Writer's Digest Contest in New York City. Other level prizes include cash and honorable mentions with stories being published in Writer's Digest Magazine.

More contest genres include young adult, horror, thriller and self-published books. There is also a monthly short story contest held based on a writing prompt. The winner will be published in the magazine.

Poets have a chance to enter their work in the annual Poetry Awards contest. All styles are welcome for poems 32 lines or less. First prize winners receive a cash prize (this year it's $1,000), publication of their entry into Writer's Digest and a copy of the current Poet's Market. There are 25 prize levels with the eleventh through twenty-fifth places winning a gift certificate for Writer's Digest books and a copy of Poet's Market.

If you've been procrastinating with your writing, contests area a great way to light a fire under your motivation. You can enter using a printable form or use the site's online submission system. This site also has a link to a free download describing how writing contests can help you become published among other freebies. Visit the Writer's Digest competitions page for more info on the most current contests. The magazine is also available at Amazon.com. Good luck!