Name: Inception | Sunspot Lit
Start: 2026-3-31T00:00+0:00
End: 2026-3-31T23:59+0:00

International

Upcoming Events

April

tue31mar12:00 am11:59 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventInception | Sunspot LitCategory:Creative Nonfiction, Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Graphic Novel, Letter, Memoir, Micro Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Prose, Script, Short Fiction, Short Non-fiction, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$5 Max Length:250 (prose); 25 (poetry); first page (graphic novel and comic books) Top Prize:$100 and publication

wed01apr2:38 am2:38 amPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Orison Prizes in Poetry & FictionCategory:Fiction, PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:30,000 (fiction); 100 pages (poetry) Top Prize:$1,500 and publication

wed01apr2:08 amthu30(apr 30)11:59 amOnline EventThe Elegant Literature Award for New WritersGentle Gravity Short Story ContestCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free (for Elegant Literature members) Max Length:2,000 Top Prize:$3,000, 10 cents per word, publication, and free enrollment in the New Novelist Accelerator program

wed01apr2:47 pm2:47 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline Event2026 Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry ContestCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:250 lines Top Prize:$2,000 and publication

wed01apr10:18 pm10:18 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Rialto Nature and Place Poetry CompetitionCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£7 Max Length:40 lines Top Prize:£1000

thu02apr2:44 am2:44 amPast DeadlineOnline EventTerry Tempest Williams Creative Nonfiction PrizeCategory:Creative NonfictionInternationalEntry Fee:$23 Max Length:10,000 Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

wed08apr9:38 pm9:38 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventThe Pitch Mag Young Sports Journalist CompetitionOpen to writers aged 14–21Category:EssayInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:800 Top Prize:Recognition, publication

wed15apr5:32 pm5:32 pmOnline EventThe Florida Review Editor’s PrizesCategory:Poetry, ProseInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:30 pages (prose); 5 poems (poetry) Top Prize:$1,000 and publication in The Florida Review

thu16apr6:58 pm6:58 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Online EventPURORRELATO Micro-story Contest 2026Category:Flash Fiction, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:1500 Top Prize:€750

fri17apr5:26 pm5:26 pmOnline EventWriting Fellowship for New ParentsCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:440 Top Prize:$2,000 cash, publication in Dreamers Creative Writing Magazine, and a year of mentorship

sun19apr2:03 pm2:03 pmOnline EventDesperate Literature Short Fiction Prize 2026Category:Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee:€20 Max Length:2000 Top Prize:€2,000, Civitella Ranieri residency, agent consultation, and manuscript assessment

thu23apr3:00 pm10:00 pmFFF Competition Thirty-ThreeCategory:Flash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:£4.95 Max Length:300 words Top Prize:£200

fri24apr(apr 24)12:00 pmsun26(apr 26)11:59 pmOnline EventNot Quite Write Prize for Flash FictionWrite 500 words in 60 hours to WIN!Category:Flash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$28 Max Length:500 Top Prize:$1,500 cash and the coveted Not Quite Write Trophy

tue28apr12:00 am11:59 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Online EventJane Austen Literacy Foundation Short Story Writing CompetitionCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:2000 words Top Prize:Winning stories recorded as an audiobook and published worldwide

thu30apr2:26 am2:26 amOnline EventWare Poets Open Poetry CompetitionCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max Length:50 lines Top Prize:£1,000 and publication

thu30apr12:00 am11:59 pmOnline EventTadpole Press 100-Word Writing ContestCategory:Flash Fiction, Micro Fiction, Multiple categories, Poetry, Prose, Short Fiction, Short Non-fiction, SongwritingInternationalEntry Fee:$15 USD Max Length:100 words or less (including any title) according to Microsoft Word. Top Prize:$1,000 USD

thu30apr4:02 pm4:02 pmOnline EventThe Adrienne Rich Award for PoetryCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:10 pages Top Prize:$1,500 + publication in BPJ

thu30apr5:22 pm5:22 pmMarsh Hawk Press Poetry PrizesCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max Length:84 pages Top Prize:$2,000, book publication, and promotion

thu30apr6:00 pm6:00 pmOnline EventWOW! Creative Nonfiction Essay ContestCategory:Creative NonfictionInternationalEntry Fee:$12 Max Length:1000 Top Prize:$500, publication, interview, and gift code good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store

thu30apr2:00 pm11:59 pmOnline EventAdventure Writers CompetitonCategory:Fiction, Full Manuscript, Novel, Published Books, Unpublished BooksInternationalEntry Fee:$75 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:$1000

May

thu30apr7:00 pm11:59 pmOnline EventRhina Espaillat Poetry AwardCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$7 (Free to Plough subscribers) Max Length:50 lines Top Prize:$2000

fri01may12:46 am12:46 amOnline EventTom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay ContestCategory:Essay, FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:6,000 Top Prize:$3,500 and publication

fri01may4:00 pm4:00 pmOnline EventThe Alpine Fellowship Poetry PrizeAwarded for the best poetic response on the theme of 'JOY'Category:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max Length:500 words Top Prize:£3,000

fri01may4:56 pm4:56 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Online EventWaterston Desert Writing PrizeCategory:Non-fictionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:10 pages Top Prize:$3,000

fri01may5:15 pm5:15 pmOnline EventThe Malahat Review’s Far Horizons Award for PoetryCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:60 lines Top Prize:$1,250 and publication

fri01may9:31 pm9:31 pmOnline EventThe John McGivering Writing PrizePreserving and promoting the work and legacy of Rudyard KiplingCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£8 Max Length:2500 Top Prize:£350

fri01may11:12 pm11:12 pmOnline EventReaders' Favorite Annual Book Award ContestCategory:Multiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:$99 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:Share of $125,000+ in giveaway prizes, awarded to over 270 authors

sat02may5:46 pm5:46 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Online EventThe Mo Siewcharran Prize 2026Category:NovelInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:10,000 words + up to 700-word synopsis Top Prize:£2,500, editorial mentorship, agent introduction, acquisition consideration, and a book hamper

mon04may12:00 am11:59 pmOnline EventBardsy 2026 Spring First Chapter Anthology ContestCategory:Multiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max Length:2,500 words Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

fri08may10:04 pm10:04 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Online EventInternational Jay Yes Short Story ContestCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:4000 Top Prize:Publishing contract with Zero Degree Publishing

sun10may2:13 am2:13 amOnline EventThe SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash FictionCategory:Flash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:1,000 Top Prize:$2,500 and publication

fri15may2:07 am2:07 amFREE to enter! Yay!Dear Aliens - A Writing Contest for HumansCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:1000 Top Prize:$2,000

fri15may2:00 pm2:00 pmFREE to enter! Yay!When Things Fall Apart - Travel Writing CompetitionNon-Fiction Short Travel Story CompetitionCategory:Creative Nonfiction, Essay, Memoir, Non-fiction, Short Non-fictionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:2500 words Top Prize:$500

fri15may2:51 pm2:51 pmOnline EventThe Montreal International Poetry PrizeCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:40 lines Top Prize:$20,000

sat16may8:00 am7:00 amOnline EventF(r)iction Spring 2026 Writing ContestsCategory:Creative Nonfiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:$300 (poetry, flash fiction) to $1,000 (short story)

sat16may7:48 pm7:48 pmOnline EventStanley Kunitz Memorial PrizeCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:Three pages Top Prize:$1,000 and copy of the magazine for all entrants

sun17may12:01 am12:00 pmOnline EventInkspot’s Flash Fiction Short Story Competition£500 for 500 Flash Fiction Writing CompetitionCategory:Flash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max Length:500 Top Prize:£500 and publication

mon18may10:00 am10:00 amFREE to enter! Yay!Online EventCLIMATE FICTION CONTEST - Glimpses of TransformationCreative Approaches for Crossings the Frontiers of ResilienceCategory:Fiction, Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:3,500 words Top Prize:Publicaton and showcase at the UNFCCC June Climate Meetings

mon18may3:22 pm3:22 pmOnline EventABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story PrizeCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max Length:5,000 Top Prize:AU$6,000 and publication

mon25may12:40 pm12:40 pmOnline EventLondon Independent Story Prize (LISP)Category:Flash Fiction, Poetry, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£15 Max Length:300 (flash fiction); 3000 (short story); 40 lines (poetry) Top Prize:£100 and publication

mon25may4:00 pm4:00 pmOnline EventInciting Incident Writing ContestCategory:Multiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:$37 Max Length:15 pages Top Prize:$300

mon25may11:00 pm5:00 pmOnline EventM.F.K. Fisher Emerging Writers ContestCategory:Essay, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$50 (free for youth and children) Max Length:750 (adults); 300-500 (youth and children( Top Prize:$250 and publication

wed27may11:57 pm11:57 pmOnline EventThe Reedsy Literary PrizeA stage for exceptional short fictionCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:5,000 Top Prize:$1,500, publication in Reedsy’s literary magazine Prompted, snf personalised feedback from the guest judge

sun31may2:46 am2:46 amOnline EventThe Whispering Wisdom Poetry CompetitionCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max Length:40 lines Top Prize:£250

sun31may12:06 pm12:06 pmOnline EventThe Yeovil Literary PrizeCategory:Children's Literature, Novel, Poetry, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Depends on category - check organizer's website Max Length:10,000 (novel); 2,000 (short story); 40 lines (poetry); 3,000 (young adult) Top Prize:£1350

sun31may3:13 pm3:13 pmOnline EventNever Too Late 60+ AwardCelebrating the achievements of writers aged 60 and overCategory:Flash Fiction, Novel, Poetry, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£12 - £26 Max Length:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:£500 and publication

sun31may3:41 pm3:41 pmOnline EventPoetry Book AwardsCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£40 Max Length:Full manuscript Top Prize:£800 and promotional benefits (certificates, featured reviews, website showcase)

sun31may5:27 pm5:27 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Online EventThe Jonathan and Barbara Silver Foundation Grants for Writing on SculptureCategory:Multiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:2,500 Top Prize:$20,000

sun31may6:00 pm6:00 pmOnline EventWOW! Spring 2026 Flash Fiction ContestCategory:Flash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$10 Max Length:750 words Top Prize:$600, a Novel Course, a 12-Month Reedsy Learning Membership, publication, interview, Amazon Gift Certificate

sun31may9:20 pm9:20 pmOnline EventThe Bath Novel AwardCategory:NovelInternationalEntry Fee:£33 Max Length:5,000 and a one-page synopsis Top Prize:£5,000 and the Minerva trophy

sun31may10:51 pm10:51 pmOnline EventFrogmore Poetry PrizeCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£4 Max Length:40 lines Top Prize:250 guineas (£262.50) + 2-year subscription to The Frogmore Papers

June

mon01jun1:39 pm1:39 pmOnline EventThe Times - Chicken House Children's Fiction CompetitionThe UK's biggest writing contest for children's booksCategory:Children's LiteratureInternationalEntry Fee:£25 Max Length:80,000 Top Prize:Worldwide publishing contract with Chicken House Books and a £10,000 advance (plus agent representation discussion)

mon01jun2:16 pm2:16 pmOnline EventArizona Authors Association Literary ContestCategory:Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Unpublished BooksInternationalEntry Fee:$40 (members); $50 (non-members) Max Length:50 lines (poetry); 5,000 (short fiction/nonfiction); 25 pages (novels/novellas/plays) Top Prize:$500 and publication in the Arizona Authors Literary Magazine

mon01jun7:46 pm7:46 pmOnline EventThe Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year 2026Category:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max Length:60 lines Top Prize:£300, publication, and title of 'Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year'

fri05jun5:37 pm5:37 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Online EventMeetCute Storyteller CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:Unknown - check with organizer Top Prize:£500 and an offer of literary agency representation

sun07jun10:00 am6:00 pmOnline EventWrite By The Sea Writing Short Story CompetitionsCategory:Flash Fiction, Memoir, Poetry, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:€12 Max Length:2,500 words (short story); 700 words (flash fiction); 40 lines (poetry); 1,000 words (memoir/personal essay) Top Prize:€500

mon15jun1:13 pm1:13 pmOnline EventThe Bridport Prize 2026Category:Flash Fiction, Micro Fiction, Novel, Poetry, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£12 - £26 Max Length:42 lines (poetry); 5,000 (short story); 250 (flash fiction); 8,000 (novel); 8,000 (memoir) Top Prize:£1,000 - £5,000 and publication

mon15jun7:36 pm7:36 pmOnline EventThe Moth Short Story Prize 2026Category:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:€17 Max Length:3,000 words Top Prize:€3,000 and publication

tue30jun1:00 am12:00 pmOnline EventWells Festival of Literature's International Creative Writing CompetitionsCategory:Children's Literature, Poetry, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£8 Max Length:Depends on category Top Prize:£1,000

tue30jun10:48 am10:48 amOnline EventThe Poetry London PrizeCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max Length:80 lines Top Prize:£5,000

tue30jun2:51 pm2:51 pmOnline EventWeatherglass Novella PrizeCategory:NovellaInternationalEntry Fee:£20 Max Length:40,000 words Top Prize:£500 and publication

tue30jun3:34 pm3:34 pmOnline EventMay Sarton New Hampshire Poetry PrizeRecognizing outstanding book-length poetry collectionsCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max Length:80 pages Top Prize:$1,000, book publication by Bauhan Publishing, 50 author copies, and distribution

tue30jun4:24 pm4:24 pmOnline EventOzma Book AwardsFantasy Fiction Novel Writing ContestCategory:Full ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee:$99 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:$1000, a digital badge, a ribbon, and assorted 'goodies'

tue30jun9:00 am11:59 pmThe Indie Gold Awards Recognition ContestCategory:Multiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:$25 (or $20 early bird before 4/30/26) Max Length:6000 words Top Prize:$500

July

wed01jul10:18 pm10:18 pmOnline EventNorth Street Book Prize 2026Category:Published BooksInternationalEntry Fee:$95 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:$10,000

tue07jul9:12 pm9:12 pmOnline EventHG Wells Short Story CompetitionCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£10 (no entry fees for those aged 21 years) Max Length:5,000 Top Prize:£1,000 (Under 21 category) and £500 (Senior category), plus anthology publication

fri31jul7:41 pm7:41 pmOnline EventAnthology Short Story Competition 2026Category:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:€18 Max Length:1,500 Top Prize:€1,000 and publication

fri31jul9:04 pm9:04 pmOnline EventWinchester Poetry Prize 2026Category:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£7 Max Length:40 lines Top Prize:£1,000 and publication

August

sat01aug2:46 pm2:46 pmOnline EventPrairie Schooner Summer Creative Nonfiction ContestCategory:Creative NonfictionInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:5,000 words Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

mon31aug12:00 am12:00 pmOnline EventCharleston Writing ContestSubmit original works about Charleston, South CarolinaCategory:Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:2,500 words (fiction/creative nonfiction); 30 lines (poetry) Top Prize:$500 cash and publication

mon31aug7:19 pm7:19 pmOnline EventAesthetica Creative Writing AwardInternational Literary Prize for Poetry and Short FictionCategory:Poetry, Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee:£18 Max Length:40 lines (poetry); 2000 words (short fiction) Top Prize:£2,500, publication, and many assorted prizes

mon31aug7:33 pm7:33 pmOnline EventAnthology Personal Memoir Competition 2026Category:MemoirInternationalEntry Fee:€15 Max Length:1,500 Top Prize:€500 and publication