Be sure to check out our → List of Writing Competitions!

A List of Writing Competitions in 2021 and Beyond

Opportunities for both experienced and aspiring writers.

Welcome to the most comprehensive and up-to-date list of writing competitions. You will find mainly short story, poetry, and flash fiction competitions, but there are also many events for essay writers, screenwriting competitions, and even prizes for entire novel manuscripts. Each item on our list includes basic information about max word count, entry fees, submission deadlines, and the first place prize. Clicking on an entry opens a more detailed description which includes link to the organizer’s submission page. Events that are free to enter are highlighted.

In case of questions about a particular event, please reach out to the event organizer. We do not run any of the events listed on this page, so we will be unable to answer your questions.

Please do your own research before deciding to enter any event.

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september

25sepAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!CLEANAIR.CLUB - CHOICES - FLASH FICTIONInternationalEntry Fee:FREE Max word count:350 Top Prize:$50 / $25 Amazon Gift Cards plus Publication

25sepAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Beechmore Books Writing CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:1000 Top Prize:200

27sepAll DayTroubadour International Poetry Prize 2021InternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max word count:45 lines Top Prize:£2,000

30sepAll DayThe First Page Challenge - A WRITING CONTEST FOR NOVELISTSA Writing Contest for NovelistsEntry Fee:$5 Max word count:One page Top Prize:$70

30sepAll DayThe Henshaw Short Story CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:£6 Max word count:2000 Top Prize:£200

30sepAll DaySENTINEL POETRY BOOK COMPETITION 2021UKEntry Fee:£25 Max word count:86 A4 Pages Top Prize:Publishing Contract and £300

30sepAll DayMeet Me @ 19th Street 3rd Quarter CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:N/A Top Prize:$100, publication in our online literary journal, and consideration for the Arch Street Prize

30sepAll DayManchester Cathedral Poetry CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:£6 Max word count:15 lines Top Prize:£100 and publication

30sepAll DayOvacome Writing Competition 2021UKEntry Fee:£5 Max word count:2,000 Top Prize:£250

30sepAll DayX.J. Kennedy Poetry PrizeUSAEntry Fee:$28 Max word count:N/A Top Prize:$10,000 advance

30sepAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!'Spookoween' Short Story ContestInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:3000 Top Prize:Publication

30sepAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!JOFFE BOOKS PRIZE FOR CRIME FICTION WRITERS OF COLOURUKEntry Fee:Free Max word count:Full-length manuscript (min. 65,000 words) Top Prize:2 book deal

30sepAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!First Chapter CompetitionA Competition for Children’s Writers IrelandEntry Fee:Free Max word count:3000 Top Prize:Mentor and Publishing Pack

30sepAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The César Egido Serrano Foundation International Short Story ContestInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:100 Top Prize:$20,000

30sepAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!César Egido Serrano Foundation International Flash Fiction CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:100 Top Prize:$20,000

30sep12:00 am11:59 pmTom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry ContestSponsored by Winning WritersInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:250 lines Top Prize:$3,000

30sep1:00 am9:00 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Somnium Times Short Fiction ContestFiction that unfolds in the MetaverseInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:3000 Top Prize:Publication

october

01octAll Day31st Annual Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ PrizeInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max word count:8,500 (short stories), 10 pages (poetry) Top Prize:$5,000

01oct1:00 am1:00 amGrindstone International Novel PrizeInternationalEntry Fee:£18 Max word count:3,000 Top Prize:£1,000

04octAll DayPeter Porter Poetry PrizeInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max word count:70 lines Top Prize:$6,000

10octAll DayThe Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize 2021/22InternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max word count: 6,000 Top Prize:£2000

10octAll DayBath Flash Fiction AwardInternationalEntry Fee:£9 Max word count:300 Top Prize:£1,000

16octAll DayFosseway Writers Short SFF Story CompetitionScience-Fiction/Fantasy Short Story CompetitionUKEntry Fee:£5 Max word count:2500 Top Prize:£50

17octAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Create The Future: Climate Writing AnthologyTell us your creative vision for a better future on earthInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:2,000 Top Prize:Publication + other varous prizes

17octAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Create the Future Climate Writing CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:2,000 Top Prize:Publication

20octAll DayEYELANDS BOOK AWARDS 2021InternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max word count:Full manuscript Top Prize:Publication and five-day holiday in Athens

21octAll DayNO BARS POETRY COMPETITIONInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:No limit Top Prize:Mentorship

22octAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Beartooth Anthony’s 4th Annual Halloween Campfire Story ContestHalloween Short Story ContestInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:No limit Top Prize:Eno DoubleNest® Hammock

31octAll DaySouthport Writers Circle Annual Open Short Story CompetitionUKEntry Fee:£3 Max word count:2000 Top Prize:£150

31octAll DayDillydoun International Fiction PrizeUSAEntry Fee:$25 Max word count:8,000 Top Prize:$2,000

31octAll DayAnthology Poetry Award 2021InternationalEntry Fee:€10 Max word count:40 lines Top Prize:€500 and publication

31octAll DayCranked Anvil Short Story CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max word count:1500 Top Prize:£150 and publication

31octAll DayThe National Poetry Competition 2021InternationalEntry Fee:£7 Max word count:40 lines Top Prize:£5,000

31octAll DayWOW! Women On Writing Creative Nonfiction Essay ContestInternationalEntry Fee:12 Max word count:1000 Top Prize:$500, publication, interview, and gift card good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store

31oct1:00 am1:00 amAnthology Magazine Poetry PrizeInternationalEntry Fee:€10 Max word count:40 lines Top Prize:€500 cash prize and work published in a future issue of Anthology

31oct1:00 am1:00 amThe Bedford CompetitionShort Story and Poetry Competitions UKEntry Fee:£7.50 per entry or 3 entries for £15 . Students £5 or 3 entries for £10 Max word count:Short Stories: 3000 words. Poems: up to 40 lines Top Prize:£1000

november

01novAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Commonwealth Short Story PrizeInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:5,000 Top Prize:£5,000

12novAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!2021 TCK Publishing Reader’s Choice Book Awards ContestInternationalEntry Fee:FREE Max word count:NA Top Prize:Grand Prize Winner will receive a Kindle Fire HD 8 Tablet and a 1-Year Access Pass to Bestseller Ranking Pro

14novAll DayBlue Pencil Agency Pitch Prize 2021InternationalEntry Fee:£10 (10 free entries for disadvantaged writers) Max word count:500 Top Prize:Agent introductions for up to seven winners to pitch your novel, receive feedback and industry insights

15novAll DayWriter's Digest Short Short Story CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max word count:1,500 Top Prize:$1,500 and publication

15novAll DaySmokeLong Quarterly Flash Fiction Comedy PrizeInternationalEntry Fee:$7 Max word count:782 Top Prize:Prize fund is at least $1600

29novAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Dinesh Allirajah Prize for Short FictionUKEntry Fee:Free Max word count:6000 Top Prize:£500 + publication for all shortlisted authors

30novAll DayTadpole Press 100 Word Writing ContestWhat does abundance look like to you? Tell us in 100 words or less and you might just win $1,000.InternationalEntry Fee:$10 Max word count:100 Top Prize:$1,000

30novAll DayThe Bath Children’s Novel Award 2021InternationalEntry Fee:£28 Max word count:the first 5,000 words of your novel followed by a synopsis of no more than 300 words Top Prize:£3,000

december

06decAll DayMslexia Women's Poetry Competition 2021Entry Fee:£10 Max word count:no limit (?) Top Prize:£2,000

10decAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Kemper Human Rights Education Essay ContestsInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:2500 Top Prize:$2000

17decAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!St. Martin’s Minotaur / Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:Full manuscript (60,000 words max) Top Prize:$10,000 and publication

31decAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Little Thorn Books Writing EventLooking for victoriana, gothic, steam punk, magic realism, supernatural writingInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:35,000 Top Prize:Publication

31decAll DayThe Moth Poetry PrizeInternationalEntry Fee:€15 Max word count:No limit Top Prize:€6,000

31decAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Green Stories Adult Novel Writing CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:10,0000 Top Prize:Manuscript appraisal (worth £300-400) for top three entries by established literary consultancy Daniel Goldsmith

january

14janAll DayMagma Poetry CompetitionEntry Fee:£5 Max word count:10-50 lines Top Prize:£1,000

25janAll DayFive Words Poetry CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:€5 Max word count:50 lines Top Prize:€750

31janAll DayCranked Anvil Short Story CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max word count:1500 Top Prize:£150 and publication

february

28febAll DayCranked Anvil Flash Fiction CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:£ Max word count:500 Top Prize:£100 and publication

april

01aprAll Day2022 Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry ContestInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:250 lines Top Prize:$2,000

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