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Writing Competitions in 2023 – Weekly Updates

Opportunities for aspiring and experienced writers.

Welcome to the most comprehensive list of writing competitions available online. Our list includes short story, poetry, and flash fiction competitions, as well as some events for essay writers, screenwriting, and even entire novel manuscripts. Each item on our list includes basic information about max word count, entry fees, submission deadlines, and the first place prize.

Please do your own research before deciding to enter any event. In case of questions about a particular event, please reach out to the event organizer.

Use our online form to submit a new event to our list.

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february

fri10febAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Green Spaces in the City - Flash Fiction and Poetry CompetitionUKCategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:Free Max word count:500 words (fiction), 30 lines (poem) Top Prize:£25

sun12febAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Unpsychology Magazine - Issue 9: IMAGININGSInternationalCategoryEssayEntry Fee:Free Max word count:2,000 Top Prize:Publication

sun12febAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The International Radio Playwriting CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:53 minutes in length Top Prize:£2500 and a trip to London

tue14febAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Watson Little x Indie Novella PrizeUKCategoryNovelEntry Fee:Free Max word count:5000 Top Prize:Mentorship from literary agency Watson, Little

wed15febAll DayBrink Literary Journal Award for Hybrid WritingInternationalEntry Fee:$22 Max word count:15 pages Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

mon20febAll DayFemmeFluenza 3.0InternationalCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:$2 Max word count:2500 Top Prize:Publication

tue21febAll DayWillow Run Poetry Book AwardInternationalCategoryPoetryEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:100 pages Top Prize:$1,000 a

mon27febAll DayThe Crazy Cats Flash Fiction CompetitionInternationalCategoryFlash FictionEntry Fee:£5 Max word count:400 Top Prize:£50

mon27febAll DayThe 18th Elmbridge Literary CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max word count:1500 (short story), 30 lines (poem) Top Prize:£250

tue28febAll DayWriterwerx University Novel Opening ContestUSACategoryNovelEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:1000 Top Prize:$2,000 in cash and prizes

tue28feb12:00 amtue11:59 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The TRP Southern Poetry Breakthrough SeriesUSACategoryFull ManuscriptEntry Fee:Free Max word count:100 pages Top Prize:Publication

tue28febAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Welkin Writing PrizeUKCategoryFlash FictionEntry Fee:FREE Max word count:400 Top Prize:£150 (plus Writers' HQ Membership)

tue28febAll DayNOWW 25th Annual International Writing ContestInternationalEntry Fee:$10 Max word count:Varies by Category Top Prize:$150

tue28febAll DayPoems for the SolsticeUSACategoryPoetryEntry Fee:$10 Max word count:No limit Top Prize:$250 and publication

tue28febAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Bridge House Annual Anthology: them "Gifted"InternationalCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:Free Max word count:5000 Top Prize:Publication and royalties

tue28febAll DayWOW! Women on Writing Winter 2023 Flash Fiction ContestInternationalCategoryFlash FictionEntry Fee:$10 Max word count:750 Top Prize:$400, publication, interview, and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate

tue28febAll DayThe Anansi Archive Winter Short Fiction CompetitionInternationalCategoryShort FictionEntry Fee:£3 Max word count:3,000 Top Prize:£50

tue28feb1:00 amtue1:00 amPet Flash Fiction ContestInternationalCategoryShort Fiction,Short StoryEntry Fee:$4.99 Max word count:300 Top Prize:$250

tue28febAll DayLetter Review Prize for Flash FictionInternationalCategoryFlash FictionEntry Fee:$10 Max word count:1000 Top Prize:$300

tue28febAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Ripple LitInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:100 lines (poetry); 2000 words (prose) Top Prize:Publication

tue28febAll DayLetter Review Prize for Short StoriesInternationalCategoryShort FictionEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:3000 Top Prize:$600

tue28febAll DayLetter Review Prize for PoetryInternationalCategoryPoetryEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:70 Lines Top Prize:$400

tue28febAll DaySouthword Literary Essay CompetitionInternationalCategoryEssayEntry Fee:€20 Max word count:5000 Top Prize:€1,000 and publication

tue28febAll DayMinds Shine Bright Writing CompetitionMultiple award categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:$5 Max word count:Check organizer's website for details Top Prize:$1600 and publication

tue28febAll DayBill Hickok Humor Award for a Single Unpublished PoemInternationalCategoryPoetryEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:No limit Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

tue28febAll DayScottish Arts Club Short Story CompetitionInternationalCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:$10 Max word count:2,000 Top Prize:£3,000

tue28febAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!THE CANTERBURY TALES WRITING COMPETITIONInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:500 Top Prize:£300

march

wed01marAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Queer Fiction Prize For New LGBTQIA WritersInternationalCategoryNovelEntry Fee:Free Max word count:3 chapters and synopsis Top Prize:Representation by Peters Fraser & Dunlop literary agency

wed01marAll DayGutsy Great Novelist Chapter One PrizeInternationalCategoryNovelEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:No limit Top Prize:$1,000

wed01marAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize 2023CategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:Free Max word count:2500 Top Prize:£3,000

wed01marAll DayNature and Place Poetry Competition 2023InternationalEntry Fee:£7 Max word count:40 lines Top Prize:£1000

wed01marAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Alpine Fellowship Poetry Prize 2023InternationalCategoryPoetryEntry Fee:Free Max word count:500 Top Prize:£3,000

mon13marAll DayUrban Tree Festival 2023 Writing CompetitionInternationalCategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:€6 Max word count:Varies (chec website) Top Prize:€200 and publication

wed15marAll DayThe Permafrost Book Prize in PoetryInternationalCategoryPoetryEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:No limit Top Prize:$1000 and publication

wed15marAll Day2023 Perkoff PrizeInternationalCategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:See organizer's website for details Top Prize:$1,000

wed15marAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Hektoen International Medical Student Essay ContestInternationalCategoryEssayEntry Fee:Free Max word count:1,200 Top Prize:$3,500

sat18marAll DaySleek City Press Quarterly ContestInternationalCategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:$9 Max word count:1000 Top Prize:$1000

sun19marAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Intrepid Times - Romance on the Road Travel Writing CompetitionInternationalCategoryNon-fictionEntry Fee:Free Max word count:2000 words Top Prize:$200

sat25marAll DayPeriscope Literary Short Story CompetitionInternationalCategoryShort FictionEntry Fee:£9 Max word count:1000 Top Prize:£1500

sat25marAll DayGinkgo Prize for EcopoetryInternationalCategoryPoetryEntry Fee:£7 Max word count:Unknown - check with organizer Top Prize:£5,000

thu30marAll DayRhina Espaillat Poetry AwardInternationalCategoryPoetryEntry Fee:$5 Max word count:50 lines Top Prize:$2,000 and publication

fri31marAll DayThe Clay Reynolds Novella PrizeUSACategoryFull ManuscriptEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:50,000 Top Prize:$500

fri31marAll DayThe Robert Phillips Chapbook PrizeUSACategoryChapbookEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:40 pages Top Prize:$500

fri31marAll DayCreative Writing Ink Poetry Prize 2023InternationalCategoryPoetryEntry Fee:€6 Max word count:42 lines Top Prize:€1000

fri31marAll DayThe E. H. P. Barnard Poetry PrizeUKCategoryPoetryEntry Fee:£2 Max word count:400 Top Prize:£100 + a poem video, professionally performed, produced and promoted

fri31marAll DayThe Caterpillar Poetry PrizeInternationalCategoryPoetryEntry Fee:€15 Max word count:No limit Top Prize:€1,000

fri31marAll DayWriteFluence SINGLES – Season VInternationalCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:3500 Top Prize:Publication

fri31marAll DayThe Crazy Cats Easter Short Story CompetitionInternationalCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:£7.50 Max word count:2,500 Top Prize:£70

fri31marAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant WritingInternationalCategoryNon-fictionEntry Fee:Free Max word count:See organizer's page for guidance Top Prize:$10,000 and publication by Restless Books

fri31marAll Day'FORM AND FORM-BREAKING' POETRY CONTESTCategoryPoetryEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:No limit Top Prize:$500 and publication

fri31marAll DayHenshaw Short Story CompetitionInternationalCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:£6 Max word count:2000 Top Prize:£200 and publication

fri31marAll Day​Rubery Book AwardInternationalEntry Fee:£44 Max word count:No limit Top Prize:£2000

fri31marAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Deborah Rogers Foundation Writers AwardInternationalCategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:Free Max word count:20,000 Top Prize:£10,000

fri31marAll DayThe Fish Poetry Prize 2023InternationalCategoryPoetryEntry Fee:14 Max word count:60 lines Top Prize:€1,000

fri31marAll DayThe Plough Poetry PrizeInternationalCategoryPoetryEntry Fee:£5 Max word count:40 lines Top Prize:£1,000

fri31marAll DayPinch Literary Awards and Page PrizeInternationalCategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:$10-$20 Max word count:See organizer's website for details Top Prize:$1,000

april

sat01aprAll DayGrindstone Literary International Novel PrizeInternationalCategoryNovelEntry Fee:£16 Max word count:5,000 Top Prize:£1000 + Agent Introductions

sat01aprAll DayThe 45th Nimrod Literary AwardsInternationalCategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:7500 (fiction); 10 pages (poetry) Top Prize:$2,000 and publication

sat01aprAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry ContestInternationalCategoryPoetryEntry Fee:Free Max word count:250 lines Top Prize:$2,000 and publication

mon10apr12:00 ammon12:00 amMy Time: A Fellowship for Parent WritersUSACategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:$35 Max word count:10 pages Top Prize:A one week funded residency and a $500 stipend

sat15aprAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Super Hero Writing CompetitionUKCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:Free Max word count:2,000 Top Prize:£500

sun16aprAll DayDesperate Literature Short Fiction PrizeInternationalCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:€20 Max word count:2,000 Top Prize:€1500, a 7-day stay at the Civitella Ranieri artist’s residency in Umbria, Italy, a manuscript assessment service of up to 60,000 words through The Literary Consultancy, and a consultation with London-based literary agent Charlotte Seymour, of Johnson & Alcock

fri21aprAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Casa África Micro-story Contest - PURORRELATOInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:1500 Top Prize:€750

sat22aprAll DayEco Friendly Writing ContestInternationalCategoryNon-fictionEntry Fee:$5 Max word count:500 Top Prize:$200

mon24aprAll DayFirst Pages Prize 2023InternationalCategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:1250 Top Prize:$2000

mon24aprAll DayABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story PrizeInternationalCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:$30 Max word count:5,000 Top Prize:$6,000 and publication

mon24aprAll DayBath Short Story Award 2023InternationalCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:£9 Max word count:2,200 Top Prize:£1,200

wed26aprAll DayBristol Short Story PrizeInternationalCategoryShort FictionEntry Fee:£9 Max word count:4,000 Top Prize:£1,000 and publication

thu27aprAll DayF(r)iction Writing Contests – Spring 2023InternationalCategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:$15 (short story); $10 (flash fiction); $10 (poetry); $15 (creative nonfiction) Max word count:See organizer's website for details Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

sat29aprAll DayQuill & Ink Literary Festival Writing CompetitionUSACategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:No limit Top Prize:$1,500

sun30aprAll DayTadpole Press 100-Word ContestInternationalCategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:$10 Max word count:100 Top Prize:$1,000

sun30aprAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Author of Tomorrow – Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize 2023InternationalCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:Free Max word count:5000 Top Prize:£1,000

sun30aprAll DayTom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay ContestStories and Essays InternationalCategoryEssay,Short StoryEntry Fee:$22 Max word count:6,000 Top Prize:$3,000

may

mon01mayAll DayThe 2023 Bloom Writing ContestCategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:€3 Max word count:2500 Top Prize:500 Euros

mon01may1:00 ammon11:59 pmThe Heartland Review 2023 Poetry Chapbook ContestUSACategoryPoetryEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:30 pages Top Prize:$500.00

mon01mayAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Heartland Review Press Spring Contests: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction & PoetryUSACategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:Free Max word count:5000 Top Prize:Publication

mon08mayAll DayNextTribe Short Story Contest for Women Over 45USACategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:$25 Max word count:5,000 Top Prize:$500 and publication

sun14mayAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Creative Future Writers’ Award 2023UKCategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:Free Max word count:Check organizer's website for details Top Prize:Publication and mentorship

wed31may1:00 amwed11:00 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Folly Journal Open Short Story PrizeInternationalCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:Free Max word count:2000 Top Prize:$1000

wed31mayAll DayMTP 2023 Short Story CompetitionUKCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:£8 Max word count:3,000 Top Prize:£2,000

wed31mayAll DayThe Bridport PrizeInternationalEntry Fee:£11-£24 Max word count:Depends on category Top Prize:£5,000

wed31mayAll DayThe Yeovil Literary PrizeInternationalCategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:£5-14.50 (depends on category) Max word count:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:£1250

wed31mayAll DayThe Writing District PrizeInternationalCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:3000 Top Prize:$1000 and publication

june

thu01junAll DayThe 2023 Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction CompetitionInternationalCategoryNovelEntry Fee:£20 Max word count:80,000 Top Prize:Worldwide publishing contract with a royalty advance of £10,000

thu01junAll DayGeri Digiorno PrizeInternationalCategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:$5 Max word count:Varies (check organizer's website for details) Top Prize:$300 and publication

sun11junAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Atlas Shrugged Novel Essay ContestInternationalCategoryEssayEntry Fee:Free Max word count:1600 Top Prize:$10,000

fri30junAll DayTo Hull And Back - Humorous Short Story CompetitionInternationalCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:Early bird (until 31st March 2023): £13 for 1 story, £21 for 2 stories, £26 for 3 stories. From 1st April 2023 to 30th June 2023, the entry fee is: £15 for 1 story, £24 for 2 stories, £30 for 3 stories. Max word count:2,500 Top Prize:£1,200, your head on the To Hull And Back Anthology cover and a trip to Hull on a Harley Davidson.

fri30junAll DayNorth Street Book PrizeInternationalCategoryFull ManuscriptEntry Fee:$75 Max word count:200,000 (full manuscript) Top Prize:$10,000

fri30junAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Writers College Annual Short Story CompetitionInternationalCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee:Free Max word count:2000 Top Prize:$1000

fri30junAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!My Writing Journey CompetitionInternationalCategoryEssayEntry Fee:Free Max word count:600 Top Prize:$200

fri30junAll DayQueen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2023InternationalCategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:£10 Max word count:3000 Top Prize:£1000 and publication in Wasafiri magazine.

july

mon31julAll DayThe Writers College Global Novel Writing CompetitionInternationalCategoryNovelEntry Fee:Free Max word count:6000 Top Prize:Writing course package

august

thu31augAll DayAnthology Short Story Award 2023InternationalCategoryShort StoryEntry Fee: €18 Max word count:1500 Top Prize:€1000

thu31augAll DayAesthetica Creative Writing AwardInternationalEntry Fee:£12-£18 Max word count:40 lines (poetry), 2,000 words (short story) Top Prize:£2,500 and publication

september

fri01sepAll DayManchester Writing CompetitionInternationalCategoryMultiple categoriesEntry Fee:£18 Max word count:2500 (short story); 120 lines (poetry) Top Prize:£10,000

sat30sepAll DayTom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry ContestInternationalCategoryPoetryEntry Fee:$22 Max word count:250 lines Top Prize:$3,000

october

tue31octAll DayAnthology Poetry Competition 2023InternationalCategoryPoetryEntry Fee:€18 Max word count:40 lines Top Prize:€1000

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