Writing Competitions – Weekly Updates

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

Looking for writing competitions and opportunities to get published? Participating in a writing competitition is 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 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, prizes for winners and shortlisted authors. The list is updated on a weekly basis and features many categories of events:

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

Learn more about the pros and cons of writing competitions and why most organizers charge entry fees in this article: Should I pay to enter a writing competition?

Important: We do not host any of the events listed here. If you have any questions about a particular event, please reach out to the event organizer. Always do your own research before submitting your work, especially if participating in the event requires paying an entry fee.

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Featured event

fri24jan(jan 24)12:00 pmsun26(jan 26)11:59 pmVirtual EventNot Quite Write Prize for Flash FictionA flash fiction competition with a twistCategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee$20 Max word count500 Top Prize$1,500, trophy, and a publishing contract!

fri01novAll Daysat30This event is FREE to enter! Yay!Dear Death 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

Upcoming events

Current Month

November 2024

fri01novAll Daysat30This event is FREE to enter! Yay!Dear Death 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

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

fri22nov11:34 pmfri11:34 pmNeilma Sidney Short Story Prize 2024CategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee$20 Max word count3000 Top Prize$5,000 and publication

tue26nov5:34 pmtue5:34 pmNarrative Magazine Fall 2024 Story ContestCategoryMultiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee$27 Max word count15,000 Top Prize$2,500 and publication

sat30novAll DayGregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition 2024CategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee€7 Max word count40 lines Top Prize€2,000 and publication

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

sat30nov1:45 amsat11:45 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Friends Who Write Season 3CategoryMultiple categoriesInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word countNo limit Top Prize$1,500

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

sat30nov2:05 pmsat2:05 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Owlcrate Press ‘Future States of Stars’ Anthology SubmissionsCategoryShort FictionInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count8500 Top Prize10 cents per word

sat30nov2:35 pmsat2:35 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Eleventh Hour Literary’s Prose ContestCategoryMultiple categoriesUSAEntry FeeFree Max word countCheck organizer's website for details Top Prize$200 and publication

sat30nov3:12 pmsat11:59 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!DE LYON WORLD Fourth Annual Poetry Writing CompetitionCategoryPoetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count40 lines (poetry); 2500 words (short story) Top PrizePublication, free copy of the anthology, certificate of recognition

sat30nov3:34 pmsat3:34 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Safal Kiswahili African Literature PrizeFor writers anywhere in the world who write in Kiswahili (Swahili)CategoryMultiple categoriesInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word countDepends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize$5,000

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

mon02dec2:09 pmmon11:00 pmBardsy’s 2024 Anthology Contest: First ChaptersCategoryNovelInternationalEntry Fee$20 Max word count2500 Top Prize$1,000

tue10dec11:17 pmtue11:17 pmThe Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation Essay ContestCategoryEssayInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count2500 Top Prize4000

sun15dec9:00 amsun11:59 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Fabuly Writer's ChallengeCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count2000 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

sun15dec7:45 pmsun7:45 pmMarlowe and Christie Flash Fiction PrizeSubmit a 250 word story inspired by Christmas CategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee£11 Max word count250 Top Prize$325​​

mon16dec3:23 pmmon3:23 pmGlobe Soup 2024 Short Story CompetitionCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee£8 Max word count8,000 Top Prize£2,000

thu19dec7:35 pmthu7:35 pmNarratively 2024 Memoir PrizeCategorymemoirInternationalEntry Fee$20 Max word count7,000 Top Prize$3,000 and publication

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

tue31dec12:02 amtue12:02 amThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Arkbound Writing CompetitionExploring Scottish Natural Landscapes, Cultural Heritage, and Environmental PreservationCategoryPoetry,ProseUKEntry FeeFree Max word count4,500 Top PrizeCopy of book. Monetary prize TBD.

tue31dec12:00 pmtue11:59 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Elizabeth Alexander Creative Writing AwardInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count7500 Top Prize$500

January 2025

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

wed01jan6:50 pmwed6:50 pmThe Eunice Williams Nonfiction PrizeCategoryEssay,Non-fictionInternationalEntry Fee$9 - $15 Max word count5,000 Top Prize$400

mon06jan12:07 ammon12:07 amThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival 2025 Poetry CompetitionTHEME: TREASURES OF NATURECategoryPoetryInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count30 lines Top Prize£300

mon13jan4:43 pmmon4:43 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Discoveries 2025 Women’s Novel PrizeCategoryNovelUK & IrelandEntry FeeFree Max word count10,000 + synopsis Top Prize£5,000 and offer of representation from Curtis Brown Literary Agency

tue14jan4:05 pmtue4:05 pmThe 2025 Colorado Prize for PoetryCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee$28 Max word count100 pages Top Prize$2,500 honorarium and publication by the Center for Literary Publishing

wed15jan12:15 amwed12:15 amThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Dolors Alberola Poetry PrizeCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count800 verses or lines Top PrizeTranslation, publication, copies of book, royalties

wed15jan10:23 amwed12:00 amThe Bournemouth Writing Prize 2025CategoryPoetry,Short StoryUKEntry Fee£10 Max word count30 lines (Poetry); 3000 words (short story) Top Prize£500 and publication

wed15jan2:50 pmwed2:50 pmStoryBottle Co. Short Story ContestCategoryShort StoryUSAEntry Fee$15 Max word count10,000 Top Prize$1000

wed15jan5:59 pmwed5:59 pm2025 Rattle Chapbook PrizeCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee$30 Top Prize$5,000 and 500 author copies of the published chapbook

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

fri24jan(jan 24)12:00 pmsun26(jan 26)11:59 pmVirtual EventNot Quite Write Prize for Flash FictionA flash fiction competition with a twistCategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee$20 Max word count500 Top Prize$1,500, trophy, and a publishing contract!

tue28jan1:57 pmtue1:57 pmThe 2025 Calibre Essay PrizeCategoryEssayInternationalEntry Fee$30 Max word count5,000 Top Prize$5,000 and publication

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

fri31jan3:17 pmfri3:17 pmSmall Harbor Publishing Laureate PrizeCategoryFull ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee$25 Max word count80 pages Top Prize$500, publication, and 20 copies of book

fri31jan5:29 pmfri5:29 pmMagma Poetry CompetitionCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee£5 Max word count50 lines Top Prize£1,000

fri31jan11:23 pmfri11:23 pmNew Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2025CategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee£10 Max word count300 Top Prize£1,100 and publication

fri31jan11:29 pmfri11:29 pmStory Unlikely's Annual Short Story ContestCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word count4,000 Top Prize$1,500 and publication

February 2025

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

mon03feb11:11 pmmon11:11 pmMichael Waters Poetry PrizeCategoryPoetryUSAEntry Fee$30 Max word count100 pages Top Prize$6,000 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

fri28feb2:14 pmfri2:14 pmThe Margery Allingham Short Mystery CompetitionCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee£18 Max word count3,500 Top Prize£500

fri28feb2:19 pmfri2:19 pmEmerging Author Dagger Crime Novel CompetitionCategoryNovelInternationalEntry Fee£42 Max word count3,000 (novel opening) + 1,500 (synopsis) Top Prize£500

fri28feb2:58 pmfri2:58 pmEdinburgh Essay AwardOpen to writers worldwide and essays on any topicCategoryEssayInternationalEntry Fee£10 Max word count2,000 Top Prize£1,000

fri28feb3:03 pmfri3:03 pmEdinburgh Short Story Award 2025Open to unpublished writers worldwideCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee£11 Max word count2000 Top Prize £3,000

fri28feb3:09 pmfri3:09 pmEdinburgh Young Adult Fiction PrizeFor Novels and Graphic NovelsCategoryNovelInternationalEntry Fee£25 Max word count5,000 Top Prize£1,500

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

sat01mar8:35 pmsat8:35 pmWeatherglass Novella Prize 2025CategoryNovellaInternationalEntry Fee£20 Max word count40,000 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

tue01apr6:27 pmtue6:27 pmThe Rialto Nature and Place Poetry Competition 2025CategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee£7 Max word count40 lines Top Prize£1000 and publication

tue01apr6:35 pmtue6:35 pm2025 Claymore AwardFor best first 50 pages of an unpublished manuscript, play, or screenplayCategoryFull ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee$40 Max word count50 double-spaced Top PrizePublishing contract

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

May 2025

sat31may6:06 pmsat6:06 pmThe Bridport Prize 2025Award for Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction, and NovelCategoryFlash Fiction,Novel,Poetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee£11 - £24 Max word countDepends on category. Check with organizer. Top Prize£5,000

sat31may8:28 pmsat8:28 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Irene Adler Prize$1,000 Scholarship for Women WritersCategoryMultiple categoriesInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word countCheck with organizer for details Top Prize$1,000

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

July 2025

wed23jul11:05 pmwed11:05 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!National Youth Foundation 'I Matter' ContestCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry FeeFree Max word countCheck with organizer for details Top Prize$500

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