Writing Competitions – Weekly Updates

Opportunities for aspiring and experienced writers to win prizes and get published.

Our curated list of writing competitions includes basic information about each event including max word limit, entry fees, submission deadlines, and prizes for winners. The list is updated with new events on a weekly basis and features many categories of writing competitions:

  • short stories and flash fiction
  • poetry
  • novel and novella manuscripts
  • essay and non-fiction
  • memoir and screenwriting

In case of questions about a particular event, please reach out to the event organizer. Always do your own research before submitting your work to any event, especially if an entry fee is required.

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Featured event

sun01sep6:05 pmmon30(sep 30)6:05 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Virtual EventThe Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction, and Unpublished BooksAll entries are considered for publication, submission to the Pushcart Prize, and for further anthologies.CategoryNon-fiction,Poetry,Short Fiction,Unpublished BooksInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word countDepends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize$1,000 and publication

Upcoming events

Current Month

September 2024

sun01sepAll Daymon30This event is FREE to enter! Yay!Borders & Boundaries Short Story ContestThe Elegant Literature award for new writersCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry FeeFree (for Elegant Literature members) Max word count2000 Top Prize$3,000, 10 cents per word, and publication

sepThe Poetry.com Contest Monthly Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee$25 Max word count75 lines Top Prize$500 and publication

sun01sep12:54 pmfri01nov12:54 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The 2025 Commonwealth Short Story PrizeCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count5,000 Top Prize£5,000 and publication

sun01sep6:05 pmmon30(sep 30)6:05 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Virtual EventThe Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction, and Unpublished BooksAll entries are considered for publication, submission to the Pushcart Prize, and for further anthologies.CategoryNon-fiction,Poetry,Short Fiction,Unpublished BooksInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word countDepends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize$1,000 and publication

thu05septue01octTennessee Williams Fiction ContestCategoryShort FictionInternationalEntry Fee$25 Max word count7,000 Top Prize$1,500

thu05sep(sep 5)5:40 pmtue15oct(oct 15)5:40 pmTennessee Williams Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee$51 Max word count400 lines Top Prize$1,000

fri13sepAll DayV.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize£1,000 Prize for the best unpublished short story of the year.CategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee£8 Max word count4,000 Top Prize £1,000 and publication

sun15sepAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Ink of Ages Fiction PrizeCategoryShort FictionInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count2000 Top PrizeCustom artwork, books and goodies

sun15sepAll DayFractured Lit Elsewhere PrizeMicro and flash fictionCategoryFlash Fiction,Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee$20 Max word count1500 Top Prize$3,000 and publication

sun22sepAll DayThe 2024 Rising Poet PrizeInternationalEntry Fee$20 Max word countUnder 10 pages Top Prize$3,000, publication, and an interview in Palette Poetry

mon23sep7:47 pmmon7:47 pmMslexia Women's Short Story Competition 2024CategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee£12 Max word count3,000 Top Prize£3,000 and publication

sat28sepAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Future Scholar Foundation Short Story CompetitionCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count350 Top Prize$25 Amazon Gift Card

sun29sep3:12 pmsun3:12 pmThe Stringybark Times Past Short Story Award 2024Historical fiction competition exploring Australian history.CategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee$15 Max word count1500 Top Prize$350 + publication

mon30sep12:00 ammon12:00 amSouthword Editor's Poetry AwardCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee€24 Max word countNo limit Top Prize€1,000, publication in Southword, a complementary one year subscription to Southword, and access to subscriber only Southword competitions

mon30sepAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Letter Review Prize for Short FictionCategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count5000 Top Prize$1000

mon30sepAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Letter Review Prize for PoetryCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count70 lines Top Prize$1000

mon30sepAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Letter Review Prize for NonfictionCategoryEssay,memoir,Multiple categories,Non-fictionInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count5000 Top Prize$1000

mon30sep12:00 ammon11:59 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Nightmare on Story Street ContestCategoryMicro FictionInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count100 Top Prize100

mon30sepAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Letter Review Prize for Unpublished BooksCategoryChapbook,Essay,Full Manuscript,memoir,Multiple categories,Non-fiction,Novel,Novella,Poetry,Short Fiction,Short StoryInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count5000 Top Prize$1000

mon30sepAll DayAnthology Flash Fiction Competition 2024CategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee€12 Max word count250 Top Prize€300

mon30sepAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Writers College Annual Short Story CompetitionProudly Supporting Emerging WritersCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count2000 Top Prize$1000 and publication

mon30sepAll DayJoy Bale Boone Poetry PrizeCategoryPoetryUSAEntry Fee$10 Max word countNo limit Top Prize$500

mon30sepAll DayAnthology Nature Writing Competition 2024CategoryNon-fictionInternationalEntry Fee€10 Max word count1000 Top Prize€500

mon30sepAll DayOne Page Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryUSAEntry Fee$25 Max word count300 Top Prize$2,000

mon30sep12:01 pmmon11:59 pmBest in Rural Writing ContestCategoryMultiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee$5 Max word count6,000 Top Prize$500

mon30sep3:36 pmmon3:36 pmMiller Williams Poetry PrizeUniversity of Arkansas PressCategoryFull Manuscript,PoetryInternationalEntry Fee$28 Max word countFull manuscript (90 pages max) Top Prize$5,000 and publication

mon30sep7:32 pmmon7:32 pmTHE MOTH NATURE WRITING PRIZE 2024CategoryMultiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee€15 Max word count4,000 Top Prize€1,000 and a week at Circle of Misse in France

October 2024

sepThe Poetry.com Contest Monthly Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee$25 Max word count75 lines Top Prize$500 and publication

sun01sep12:54 pmfri01nov12:54 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The 2025 Commonwealth Short Story PrizeCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count5,000 Top Prize£5,000 and publication

thu05septue01octTennessee Williams Fiction ContestCategoryShort FictionInternationalEntry Fee$25 Max word count7,000 Top Prize$1,500

thu05sep(sep 5)5:40 pmtue15oct(oct 15)5:40 pmTennessee Williams Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee$51 Max word count400 lines Top Prize$1,000

tue01octAll Day34th Annual Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ PrizeCategoryNon-fiction,Poetry,Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee$25 Max word count8,500 words (fiction/non-fiction); 6 to 12 pages (poetry) Top Prize$5,000 and publication

tue01octAll DayTom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee$22 Max word count250 lines Top Prize$3,500

octThe Poetry.com Contest Monthly Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee$25 Max word count75 lines Top Prize$500 and publication

wed02oct12:00 amwed12:00 amThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Money Chronicles: A Story Initiative 2nd EditionCategoryShort StoryUSAEntry FeeFree Max word countNo limit Top Prize$1000 and publication

wed02octAll DaySaints & Sinners Short Fiction ContestOpen to LGBTQ+ authors at all stages of their careersInternationalEntry Fee$20 Max word count7,000 Top Prize$500 and publication

mon07octAll DayPeter Porter Poetry Prize 2025CategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee$30 Max word count60 lines Top Prize$6,000

sun13octAll DayThe Galley Beggar Press Short Story PrizeCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee£11 Max word count6,000 Top Prize£2500

mon14oct12:01 ammon11:59 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Latino Voice in Children's Literature Writing ContestCategoryFull Manuscript,Non-fiction,Short FictionUSAEntry FeeFree Max word count800 Top Prize$1000

tue15oct1:45 pmtue1:45 pmMarlowe & Christie Novel PrizeCategoryNovelInternationalEntry Fee£19 Max word count3000 Top Prize£1,100

tue15oct3:09 pmtue3:09 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Book Edit Writers’ Prize 2024CategoryNovelUKEntry FeeFree Max word countthe first 1,000 words of your novel, a (500-word max) synopsis and a brief note on your writing experience to date Top PrizePublication and other perks

tue15oct3:35 pmtue12:00 amCaledonia Novel Award 2025CategoryNovelInternationalEntry Fee£28 Max word countFirst 20 pages and a 200-word synopsis Top Prize£1500

tue15oct10:52 pmtue10:52 pmThe Raven Short Story ContestCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee$35 Max word count2500 Top Prize$300

wed16octAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Carol Shields Prize for FictionCelebrating creativity and excellence by women and non-binary writers in Canada and the United StatesCategoryFull ManuscriptInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word countFull manuscript Top Prize$150,000

wed16oct3:30 pmwed3:30 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Anisfield-Wolf Book AwardsCategoryFull Manuscript,Multiple categoriesInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word countFull manuscript Top Prize$10,000

fri18oct(oct 18)12:00 pmsun20(oct 20)11:59 pmVirtual EventNot Quite Write Prize for Flash FictionA flash fiction competition with a twistCategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee$25 Max word count500 Top Prize$1,000 and a trophy

sun20octAll DayEYELANDS BOOK AWARDS 2024International book award based in GreeceCategoryFull ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee€30 Max word countNo limit Top PrizeGrand prize - Five-day stay in Athens, Greece

sun20octAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Letterkenny Literary Festival Flash Fiction competitionCategoryFlash FictionIrelandEntry FeeFree Max word count300 Top Prize€150

sun20oct7:16 pmsun7:16 pmIronbridge Festival Poetry CompetitionCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee£4 Max word count35 lines Top Prize£300 and publication

sun20oct9:18 pmsun11:59 pmCheltenham Poetry Festival 2024 International Poetry CompetitionCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee£4 Max word count50 lines Top Prize£300 plus slot at Festival

sun27oct5:41 pmsun5:41 pmThe Masters Review Novel Excerpt ContestCategoryNovelInternationalEntry Fee$20 Max word count6,000 Top Prize$3,000, online publication; and a consultation with a literary agent

mon28octAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Future Scholar Foundation Short Story CompetitionCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count350 Top Prize$25 Amazon Gift Card

thu31octAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Solstice Writing Prize for Young WritersA nature-themed creative writing prize for 7- to 25-year-oldsCategoryPoetry,Short StoryUKEntry FeeFree Max word count500 words (short stories); 40 lines (poetry) Top Prize£100 and publication

thu31octAll DayTrio International Poetry CompetitionCharitable cause - entry fees will be used to build a community school in UgandaCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee£5 Max word count40 lines Top Prize£1,000

thu31octAll DayNovel Opening and Synopsis CompetitionCategoryNovelInternationalEntry Fee£10 Max word count3000 Top Prize£500 and publication

thu31octAll DayAnthology Poetry Competition 2024CategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee€18 Max word count40 lines Top Prize€1000

thu31octAll DayBedford Short Story Writing CompetitionCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee£8.50 Max word count3000 Top Prize£1500

November 2024

sun01sep12:54 pmfri01nov12:54 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The 2025 Commonwealth Short Story PrizeCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count5,000 Top Prize£5,000 and publication

novThe Poetry.com Contest Monthly Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee$25 Max word count75 lines Top Prize$500 and publication

sat02nov10:43 pmsat10:43 pmKurt Vonnegut Speculative Fiction PrizeNorth American ReviewCategoryShort FictionInternationalEntry Fee$23 Max word count10,000 Top Prize$1,000 and publication

mon04nov3:15 pmmon3:15 pmEGG+FROG Inspirathlon 2024CategoryShort FictionInternationalEntry Fee£6 Max word count800 Top Prize£100 and publication

fri15novAll DayThe SmokeLong Grand Micro Contest 2024CategoryMicro FictionInternationalEntry Fee$11 Max word count250 Top Prize$1,000 and publication

fri15nov1:41 pmfri1:41 pmThe Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition 2024CategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee£9 Max word count3,000 Top Prize£1,000, an online creative writing course with Creative Writing Ink, and publication

sat30novAll DayGregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition 2024CategoryPoetryEntry Fee€7

sat30novAll DayBath Children’s Novel Award 2024CategoryNovelInternationalEntry Fee£29.99 Max word count5,000 plus one page synopsis of novel Top Prize£5,000

sat30novAll DayAnthology Travel Writing Competition 2024CategoryNon-fictionInternationalEntry Fee€15 Max word count1000 Top Prize€500

sat30novAll DayTHE BATH NOVEL AWARDSInternational writing competition for novels and children’s booksCategoryNovelInternationalEntry Fee£29.99 ( sponsored places for writers on a low income available) Max word count5,000 Top Prize£5,000 and full manuscript feedback

sat30nov6:25 amsat11:59 pmTadpole Press 100-Word Writing ContestCategoryMultiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee$15 Max word count100 Top Prize$2,000

December 2024

novThe Poetry.com Contest Monthly Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee$25 Max word count75 lines Top Prize$500 and publication

decThe Poetry.com Contest Monthly Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee$25 Max word count75 lines Top Prize$500 and publication

sun15dec1:00 pmsun1:00 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America Best First Novel CompetitionFirst Crime Novel Competition CategoryFull Manuscript,NovelEntry FeeFree Max word countFull manuscript (check organizer's guidelines for minimum word count) Top Prize$10,000

tue31decAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Stories of Inspiration - Non-Fiction EssaysOpen Submissions Throughout 2024CategoryEssay,Non-fictionInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count2,000 Top PrizePublication

tue31dec12:00 amtue11:59 pmKiller Shorts Horror Short Story CompetitionCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee$30 Max word count6000 Top PrizePublication, Career Mentorship Call, Scrivener Writing Software, Book Brush 1 Year Gold Membership, trophy

January 2025

janThe Poetry.com Contest Monthly Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee$25 Max word count75 lines Top Prize$500 and publication

fri17jan11:59 pmfri11:59 pmJerboa Lit's Inaugural 48-Hour Flash Fiction CompetitionCategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee$20 Max word count500 Top Prize$1,000

tue28jan3:41 pmtue3:41 pmThe 12th Ó Bhéal Five Words International Poetry CompetitionCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee€5 Max word count50 lines Top Prize€750

February 2025

febThe Poetry.com Contest Monthly Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee$25 Max word count75 lines Top Prize$500 and publication

thu13feb12:00 amthu11:59 pmNext Generation Indie Book AwardsCategoryFull ManuscriptCanadaEntry Fee$75 Max word countNo limit Top Prize$1500

thu27febAll DayNext Generation Short Story AwardsA not-for-profit international awards program for authors of short stories.CategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee$25 Max word count5,000 Top Prize$500 and publication

fri28feb8:22 pmfri8:22 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Canterbury Tales Writing CompetitionCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count500 Top Prize£300 for winner and £1000 for their school library

March 2025

febThe Poetry.com Contest Monthly Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee$25 Max word count75 lines Top Prize$500 and publication

sun30mar10:47 pmsun10:47 pmRhina Espaillat Poetry AwardCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee$7 Max word count50 lines Top Prize$2,000 and publication

April 2025

tue01apr7:11 pmtue7:11 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count250 lines Top Prize$2,000 plus a two-year gift certificate, and publication

June 2025

mon30jun9:21 pmmon9:21 pmThe 9th To Hull and Back Humourus Short Story CompetitionCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee£10 (early bird entry) Max word count2,500 Top Prize£1,000 and publication

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