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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.
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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

July 2025

tue01julAll Daythu31 Timeless Terrors 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

sun13jul9:00 am11:59 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Interwoven: Poetry Celebrating ConnectednessCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:100 lines/ or 750 words Top Prize:£200

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

tue15jul12:00 pm11:59 pmThe Screw Turn Flash Fiction CompetitionCategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:1,000 Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

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

wed16jul8:00 pm5:00 pmGutsy Great Novelist Page One PrizeCategoryFiction,Novel,Unpublished BooksInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:One page Top Prize:$1000

thu17jul5:39 pm5:39 pmThe New Writers Poetry CompetitionCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max word count:42 lines Top Prize:£1,200 and publication

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

thu31jul10:53 pm10:53 pmSouthlands Arts Creative Writing Competition 2025CategoryFiction,Non-fictionUnited KingdomEntry Fee:£3 Max word count:2,000 Top Prize:£100

thu31jul11:00 pm11:00 pmWOW! Creative Nonfiction Essay ContestCategoryEssay,Short Non-fictionInternationalEntry Fee:$12 Max word count:1,000 Top Prize:$500, publication, interview, and gift code good for one item from CreateWriteNow

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

sun10aug12:11 am12:11 amCRAFT 2025 First Chapters ContestCategoryNovel,NovellaInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:5,000 Top Prize:$2,000 and a full manuscript critique

fri15aug12:00 am12:00 amThe Sublingua Prize for PoetryCategoryPoetryUSAEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:Full manuscript (48-80 pages) Top Prize:$500, publication, 25 author copies, weeklong writing retreat, and more!

fri15aug11:13 am11:13 amWriter’s Digest’s Self-Published E-book AwardsCategoryPublished BooksInternationalEntry Fee:$100 Max word count:No limit Top Prize:$5,000, Featured interview in issue of Writer’s Digest, paid trip to the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference, and more!

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

fri15aug9:04 pm9:04 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Yale Drama Series 2026International Competition for Emerging PlaywrightsCategoryPlaywritingInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:No limit (minimum 65 pages) Top Prize:$10,000, publication by Yale University Press

thu21aug4:00 am11:59 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Pen & Quill's 3rd Annual Summer CompetitionCategoryMultiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:1,500 Top Prize:$200

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

wed27aug2:38 pm2:38 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Green Stories Flash Fiction CompetitionCategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:500 Top Prize:£300

fri29augAll DayThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Ink of Ages Fiction PrizeHistorical and mythology-inspired short story contestCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:2,000 Top Prize:$1,000 and custom artwork

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

sun31aug12:00 pm12:00 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Intrepid Times Travel Writing Competition - "A Book Led Me There"Travel Writing CompetitionCategoryMemoir,Non-fiction,Short Non-fictionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:2,000 Top Prize:$300

sun31aug2:31 pm2:31 pmEdinburgh True Flash AwardCategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee: £10 Max word count:250 Top Prize:£500 and publication

sun31aug2:56 pm2:56 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!I'm Obsessed Writing ContestGotham Writers WorkshopCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:101 Top Prize:Publication on website + a free Gotham Writing class

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

sun31aug11:00 pm11:00 pmWOW! Summer 2025 Flash Fiction ContestCategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$10 Max word count:750 Top Prize:$400, publication, interview, and $25 Amazon Gift Certificate

September 2025

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

fri05sep12:00 pm12:00 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Inclusive Voices Short Story CompetitionCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:550 Top Prize:Echo Dot

mon22sep3:50 pm3:50 pmMslexia Women's Short Story Competition 2025CategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£12 Max word count:3,000 Top Prize:£3,000 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

tue30sep8:49 pm8:49 pmPudding Press Detritus Writing CompetitionFor unpublished writers whose work has been previously rejectedCategoryFictionInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max word count:20 pages Top Prize:Publishing contract

October 2025

wed01oct12:00 am11:59 pmThe Scribes PrizeCategoryMultiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:$5 Max word count:110 Top Prize:$250 and publication

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

wed01oct3:24 pm3:24 pm35th Annual Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ PrizeCategoryFiction,Non-fiction,PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max word count:8,500 (fiction and non-fiction); 12 pages (poetry) Top Prize:$5,000

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

wed01oct4:00 pm4:00 pmJoy Bale Boone Poetry PrizePoetry Prize by The Heartland Review PressCategoryPoetryUSAEntry Fee:$10 Max word count:No limit Top Prize:$400 Visa Gift Card

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

wed15oct10:42 pm10:42 pmCaledonia Novel Award 2026CategoryNovelInternationalEntry Fee:£28 Max word count:20 pages Top Prize:£1,500, a free place on a residential writing course, and an exclusive framed award designed by artist Lucy Roscoe

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

mon20oct2:24 pm2:24 pmEyelands Book Awards 2025CategoryFull ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee:€30 Max word count:250,000 Top Prize:Five-day stay in Athens

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

fri31oct3:00 pm11:59 pmNational Poetry CompetitionCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£8 Max word count:40 lines Top Prize:£5,000

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

sun30nov2:17 pm2:17 pmTadpole Press 100-Word Writing ContestCategoryShort FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:100 Top Prize:$1,000

sun30nov10:37 pm10:37 pmBath Children’s Novel Award 2025£5,000 International Writing PrizeCategoryNovelInternationalEntry Fee:£29.99 Max word count:5,000 words plus one page synopsis Top Prize:£5,000, manuscript feedback, online novel editing course worth £1,800

December 2025

sun21dec5:00 pm5:00 pmRuth Rendell Short Story CompetitionInterAct Stroke SupportCategoryShort StoryUnited KingdomEntry Fee:£15 Max word count:1000 Top Prize:£1,000

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

wed31dec2:47 pm2:47 pmFusilli Flash Fiction CompetitionCategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:£2.50 Max word count:200 Top Prize:£30 and publication on website

January 2026

thu01jan8:55 am8:55 amThe Exeter Novel PrizeCategoryNovelInternationalEntry Fee:£20 Max word count:10,000 Top Prize:£1000

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

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