page banner - writing competitions and contests

Writing competitions are a great way to practice your writing skills with an opportunity to get feedback for your work, win prizes, gain recognition, and get your work published either online or in print.

Our curated list includes basic information about upcoming writing events with detailed descriptions including entry fees, max word limit, submission deadlines, and prizes for winners and shortlisted authors. Event listings are updated on a weekly basis and features types of competitions, including:

  • short story and flash fiction
  • poetry
  • novel and novella manuscripts
  • essay and non-fiction
  • memoir, screenwriting, and more!

Browse the event archive you are looking for an older event where the deadline has already past.

Note: We do not host any of the events listed here. If you have questions about a particular event please reach out to the event organizer. Always do your own research before submitting your work. See our FAQ page for answers to common questions about writing competitions.
Add an event
Join our group
Subscribe to newsletter
Donate a coffee

FEATURED EVENTS:

fri25jul(jul 25)12:00 pmsun27(jul 27)11:59 pmNot Quite Write Prize for Flash FictionA flash fiction competition with a twistCategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:500 Top Prize:$1,500, trophy, and a publishing contract

ALL FUTURE EVENT DEADLINES:

Current Month

June 2025

sun01junAll Daymon30 Dreaded Destinations Short Story ContestThe Elegant Literature Award for New WritersCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free (for Elegant Literature members) Max word count:2,000 Top Prize:$3,000, 10 cents per word, publication, and free enrollment in the New Novelist Accelerator program

mon02jun(jun 2)12:00 amfri13(jun 13)11:59 pm This event is FREE to enter! Yay!ALLMYNE's Literary Travels Writing CompetitionCategoryEssay,Featured event,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:500 Top Prize:$500, feature blog post on winner shared through social media, and one-year Pro subscription on the ALLMYNE app

sun15jun4:23 pm4:23 pmThe MacGuffin’s 30th Annual Poet Hunt ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:400 lines Top Prize:$500 and publication

sun15jun5:41 pm5:41 pm2025 Montreal Fiction PrizeCategoryShort StoryCanadaEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:4,000 Top Prize:$2,000 and publication

mon23jun11:43 am10:00 pmFree Flash Fiction Competition Twenty-EightCategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:£3.95 Max word count:300 Top Prize:£1500 and publication

wed25jun6:53 pm6:53 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction PrizeAwarding the best Canadian novel or short story collection of the yearCategoryNovelCanadaEntry Fee:Free Max word count:No limit Top Prize:$60,000 (winner); $5,000 (finalists)

mon30jun12:14 am12:14 am2025 Wells Festival of Literature International CompetitionsCategoryPoetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£6 Max word count:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:£1000

mon30jun1:00 am11:59 pmHysteria Writing CompetitionCategoryFlash Fiction,Poetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max word count:1,000 (short story); 250 (flash fiction); 16 lines (poetry) Top Prize:£75 and publication

mon30jun3:40 am3:40 amPoetry London Prize 2025CategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max word count:80 lines Top Prize:£5,000

mon30jun4:03 am4:03 amThe Lascaux Prize in Flash FictionCategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:1,000 Top Prize:$1,000, a bronze medallion, and publication in The Lascaux Review

mon30jun12:17 pm12:17 pmPage Turner International Writing AwardCategoryMultiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:£40 Max word count:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:$1,000

mon30jun12:47 pm12:47 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Short FictionCategoryShort FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$25 (free option available) Max word count:50,000 Top Prize:$1000 and publication by UNT Press

mon30jun1:00 pm10:00 pmHastings Book Festival Writing CompetitionsCategoryFiction,Multiple categories,Non-fiction,Poetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:2,500 Top Prize:£250 and publication

mon30jun1:44 pm11:59 pmThe Letter Review Prize for PoetryCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:70 lines Top Prize:$333 and publication

mon30jun1:47 pm1:47 pmThe Letter Review Prize for Short FictionCategoryShort FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:5000 Top Prize:$333 and publication

mon30jun1:54 pm11:59 pmThe Letter Review Prize for BooksCategoryUnpublished BooksInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max word count:5000 Top Prize:$1000 prize pool + publication

mon30jun2:31 pm2:31 pmThe International Amy MacRae Award for MemoirCategoryMemoirInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max word count:2000 Top Prize:$1,000

mon30jun4:21 pm11:59 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Rinks and Romance Writing Contest: Showcase Your Best Hockey Love StoryCategoryFull ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:No limit Top Prize:$300 USD and a Galatea Publishing Contract

mon30jun4:30 pm11:59 pmCranked Anvil Press Annual Short Story Prize 2025CategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£6 Max word count:2500 Top Prize:£300

mon30jun6:45 pm6:45 pmDrue Heinz Literature PrizeCategoryFull ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:300 pages Top Prize:$15,000 cash prize and publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press

mon30jun6:57 pm6:57 pmHenshaw Press Short Story CompetitionCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£6 Max word count:2,000 Top Prize:£200

mon30jun2:24 pm2:24 pmThe Letter Review Prize for NonfictionCategoryNon-fictionInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:5000 Top Prize:$1000 prize pool + publication

mon30jun8:16 pm8:16 pmSouthword Creative Non Fiction AwardCategoryNon-fictionInternationalEntry Fee:€20 Max word count:No limit Top Prize:€1,000 and publication

mon30jun9:21 pm9:21 pmThe 9th To Hull and Back Humorous Short Story CompetitionCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£10 (early bird entry) Max word count:2,500 Top Prize:£1,000 and publication

mon30jun10:33 pm10:33 pmThe Moth Short Story Prize 2025CategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:€15 Max word count:3,000 Top Prize:€3,000

mon30jun11:34 pm11:34 pmHeroines Women’s Writing PrizeCategoryPoetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:3 pages (poetry), 2500 words (short story) Top Prize:Publication

July 2025

tue01jul12:01 am11:59 pmNorth Street Book PrizeCategoryFull ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee:$85 Max word count:200,000 Top Prize:$10,000

tue15jul4:25 pm4:25 pmDriftwood Press 2025 Adrift Short Story ContestCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max word count:6,000 Top Prize:$500, publication, and five copies of the anthology in which the story appears

tue15jul4:36 pm4:36 pmDriftwood Press 2025 Adrift Chapbook ContestCategoryChapbookInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max word count:15-40 pages of poetry Top Prize:$750 dollars and 20 copies of the published chapbook

tue15jul10:56 pm10:56 pm2025 Rattle Poetry PrizeCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max word count:No limit Top Prize:$15,000

sat19jul12:00 am8:00 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Octo Books Child-Friendly Writing CompetitionCategoryFiction,Short Fiction,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:900 Top Prize:Published by Octo Books, featured on website and social media, custom certificate, and surprise gift!

tue22jul12:01 am11:59 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Black Voices in Children's Literature Writing Contest 2025CategoryMultiple categoriesUSAEntry Fee:Free Max word count:800 Top Prize:$1000

wed23jul11:05 pm11:05 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!National Youth Foundation 'I Matter' ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:Check with organizer for details Top Prize:$500

fri25jul(jul 25)12:00 pmsun27(jul 27)11:59 pmNot Quite Write Prize for Flash FictionA flash fiction competition with a twistCategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:500 Top Prize:$1,500, trophy, and a publishing contract

thu31jul12:01 am11:59 pmThe Next Big Story PrizeCategoryFiction,Novel,Unpublished BooksEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:1,500 Top Prize:£100,000

thu31jul4:53 am11:59 pmAnthology Short Story Competition 2025CategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:€18 Max word count:1500 Top Prize:€1000

thu31jul7:00 am11:58 pmThe Whispering Wisdom Poetry PrizeCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max word count:15 lines Top Prize:£100 and publication

thu31jul11:31 am11:31 amSeán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition 2025CategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:€19 Max word count:3,000 Top Prize:€2,000 and publication in the literary journal Southword

thu31jul12:58 pm12:58 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Berggruen Prize Essay CompetitionCategoryEssayInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:10,000 Top Prize:$50,000

thu31jul2:49 pm5:00 pmWild Atlantic Words Short Story CompetitionCategoryShort StoryIrelandEntry Fee:€10 Max word count:3,000 Top Prize:€500

thu31jul11:04 pm11:04 pmThe Winchester Poetry Prize 2025CategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£6 Max word count:40 lines Top Prize:£1000

August 2025

fri01aug6:37 pm6:37 pm2025 Best Indie Book AwardsCategoryPublished BooksInternationalEntry Fee:$75 Max word count:No limit Top Prize:$500 (minimum)

wed06aug10:34 pm10:34 pmAurora Prize for Writing 2025CategoryPoetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£9 Max word count:2,000 (short stories); 60 lines (poetry) Top Prize:£500 cash, publication, feedback from a leading literary agent, free Society of Authors’ membership, and more

thu07aug8:18 pm8:18 pmHG Wells Short Story Competition 2025CategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max word count:5,000 Top Prize:£1,000 and publication

fri15aug4:31 pm4:31 pmThe Bournemouth Writing PrizeCategoryPoetry,Short StoryEntry Fee:£10 Max word count: 3,000 (short stories); 30 lines (poetry) Top Prize:£1,000 and publication

sun24aug10:45 pm10:45 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Not Quite Write Prize for FLESH FictionErotic fiction competitionCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:1,500 Top Prize:$500 and a trophy

mon25aug7:38 pm7:38 pmSummer Short Story Award for New WritersCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:6000 Top Prize:$3,000 and publication

sun31aug4:57 am11:59 pmAnthology Poetry Competition 2025CategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:€18 Max word count:40 lines Top Prize:€1000

sun31aug5:05 am11:59 pmAnthology Personal Memoir Competition 2025CategoryMemoirInternationalEntry Fee:€15 Max word count:1500 Top Prize:€500

sun31aug10:07 am10:07 amAesthetica Creative Writing AwardCategoryPoetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£18 Max word count:2,000 (fiction); 40 lines (poetry) Top Prize:£5,000, publication, and a big package of other benefits

sun31aug4:05 pm4:05 pmEdinburgh Award for Flash Fiction 2025CategoryFlash FictionEntry Fee:£10 Max word count:250 Top Prize:£2,000 and publication

sun31aug4:17 pm4:17 pmSaveAs Writers’ International Writing CompetitionCategoryPoetry,ProseInternationalEntry Fee:£4 Max word count:60 lines (poetry); 3500 words (prose) Top Prize:£200

sun31aug9:06 pm9:06 pmAjuda Foundation Creative Writing CompetitionCategoryMemoir,Poetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max word count:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:£100 and publication

September 2025

mon01sep3:03 pm3:03 pmGinosko Flash Fiction ContestCategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max word count:1000 Top Prize:$500 and publication

thu25sep6:59 pm6:59 pm2025 Book Pipeline Unpublished ContestCategoryFull ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee:$45 Max word count:Depends on category (check organizer Top Prize:$25,000, industry circulation, executive development

tue30sep1:00 am12:00 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Michael Round PrizeFrom Croydon WritersCategoryFictionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:1,200 Top Prize:£100

tue30sep3:47 am3:47 amTHE WRITERS' COLLEGE Short Story CompetitionProudly Supporting Emerging WritersCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free until 30 June. $15 afterwards. Max word count:2,000 Top Prize:$1000

tue30sep4:59 am11:59 pmAnthology Flash Fiction Competition 2025CategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:€12 Max word count:250 Top Prize:€300

tue30sep5:03 am11:59 pmAnthology Nature Writing Competition 2025CategoryNon-fictionInternationalEntry Fee:€15 Max word count:1500 Top Prize:€300

tue30sep8:52 am8:52 amCreative Writing Ink Short Story Competition 2025CategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£12 Max word count:3,000 Top Prize:£1,000, an online creative writing course, and publication

tue30sep12:12 pm12:12 pm2025 Hammond House Publishing International Literary PrizeCategoryPoetry,Scriptwriting,Short Story,SongwritingInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max word count:5000 (short story); 40 lines (poetry); 10 pages (scripts) Top Prize:£1000, publication, and fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts

tue30sep1:08 pm1:08 pmThe One Page Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max word count:Must fit on a single page Top Prize:$2,000 and publication

tue30sep3:59 pm3:59 pmThe Moth Nature Writing Prize 2025CategoryPoetry,ProseInternationalEntry Fee:€15 Max word count:4,000 Top Prize:€1,000 and a week at The Moth Retreat in Ireland

tue30sep5:12 pm5:12 pmThe Paul Cave Prize for Literature 2025CategoryFlash Fiction,Novella,Poetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:£200 and publication

October 2025

wed01oct12:01 am11:59 pmTom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max word count:250 lines Top Prize:$3,500

wed01oct5:07 pm5:07 pmDzanc Books Short Story Collection PrizeCategoryFull Manuscript,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max word count:40,000 Top Prize:$2,500 and publication by Dzanc Books

wed15oct7:00 pm7:00 pmTennessee Williams Festival Fiction ContestCategoryFictionUSAEntry Fee:$25 Max word count:7,000 Top Prize:1,500 and publication in French Quarter Journal

wed15oct7:00 pm7:00 pmTennessee Williams Festival Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryUSAEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:400 lines Top Prize:$1,000 and publication in French Quarter Journal

wed15oct7:11 pm7:11 pmMemoir/Fiction Book ContestCategoryFull ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee:$40 Max word count:100,000 Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

thu16oct7:00 pm7:00 pmTennessee Williams Festival Short Fiction ContestCategoryFlash Fiction,Micro Fiction,Short FictionUSAEntry Fee:$10 Max word count:1,000 Top Prize:$500 and publication in French Quarter Journal

thu16oct7:00 pm7:00 pmTennessee Williams Festival One-Act Play ContestCategoryScreenwriting,ScriptwritingUSAEntry Fee:$25 Max word count:One act or approx. 60 pages. Top Prize:$1,500 and publication in Bayou Magazine

fri31oct12:01 am11:59 pmThe Bedford Short Story and Poetry CompetitionCategoryPoetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£8.50 Max word count:3000 (short story); 40 lines (poetry) Top Prize:£2000

fri31oct5:22 pm5:22 pmThe Hope PrizeGet published by Simon & Schuster AustraliaCategoryShort Fiction,Short Non-fictionInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max word count:5,000 Top Prize:$10,000 and publication Simon & Schuster Australia

November 2025

sun30nov5:01 am11:59 pmAnthology Travel Writing Competition 2025CategoryNon-fictionInternationalEntry Fee:€15 Max word count:1000 Top Prize:€300

December 2025

wed31dec12:00 am12:00 amKiller Shorts Horror Short Screenplay CompetitionThe premier writing contest for emerging genre writers. CategoryScriptwriting,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max word count:6000 Top Prize:Publication, career mentorship, industry circulation, Scrivener writing software, and a skull-shaped typewriter trophy

February 2026

thu12feb12:00 am11:59 pm2026 Next Generation Indie Book AwardsThe largest international awards program for indie authors and independent publishersCategoryFull ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee:$80 Max word count:No limit Top Prize:$1500, trophy, social media coverage, and many other prizes

thu26feb12:00 am11:59 pm2026 Next Generation Short Story AwardsAn international awards program for authors of short storiesCategoryMultiple categories,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max word count:5000 Top Prize:$500, trophy, publication

sat28feb9:07 am9:07 amEdinburgh Short Story AwardCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£11 Max word count:2,000 Top Prize:£3,000 and publication

RSS Feed for our events
Add an event
Join our group
Subscribe to newsletter
Donate a coffee