Writing Competitions – Archive

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Writing Competitions in 2026 and 2027 – Weekly Updates
Writing Competitions – Archive

The list below is an archive of events where the deadline has aleady passed. For a list of all current (upcoming) events, please refer to our main calendar page.

February

sat28feb11:00 am11:59 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventBridge House Annual Anthology - Call for SubmissionsCategory:FictionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:5000 Top Prize:Publication in anthology and profit share of books sales

sat28feb10:00 am10:00 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventRigel Contest 2026Category:Graphic Novel, Poetry, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$5 Max Length:1,500 (short stories); 14 lines (poetry); 6 pages (graphic novels) Top Prize:$100 and publication

sat28feb6:29 pm6:29 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventAWP Award SeriesAnnual competition for new book-length worksCategory:Full Manuscript, Novel, Poetry, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max Length:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:$5,500 and publication

sat28feb7:55 pm7:55 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventA Long Winter’s Night ContestCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:50 Top Prize:Publication and a free Gotham writing class

sat28feb9:16 pm9:16 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventCanterbury Tales Writing Competition 2025-26Category:Poetry, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:500 Top Prize:£300 for winning student + £1000 for winning student's library

March

sun01mar3:54 pm3:54 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventPorter Fleming Literary CompetitionCategory:Fiction, Non-fiction, Play, PoetryUSAEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:$7,000 cash awards across categories

sun01mar4:50 pm4:50 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventKelpies Prize for Writing 2026Category:Children's Literature, Fiction, Non-fictionScotlandEntry Fee:Free Max Length:3,000 Top Prize:£500, mentoring, editorial feedback, and publication support

mon02mar2:55 am2:55 amFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventRuth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry FellowshipsCategory:PoetryUSAEntry Fee:Free Max Length:10 pages Top Prize:$27,000

mon02mar3:41 pm3:41 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventEthos Literacy 7th Annual Short Short Story ContestCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:100 Top Prize:$200 and e-publication in Ethos Literacy e-magazine

mon02mar4:20 pm4:20 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventBrick Lane Bookshop Short Story PrizeCategory:Short StoryUK & IrelandEntry Fee:£10 Max Length:3,000 Top Prize:£1,000, publication, and promotion via Brick Lane Bookshop

tue03mar5:03 pm5:03 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Chapter One Prize 2026Opening chapter of an unpublished novel‑in‑progressCategory:NovelInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:First chapter only Top Prize:$1,000

fri06mar6:38 pm6:38 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story PrizeCategory:Short StoryInternationalMax Length:750 Top Prize:$1000 and a free 10-week course with Gotham Writers

tue10mar1:24 am1:24 amPast DeadlineOnline EventEdinburgh Young Adult Novel Award 2026For Novels and Graphic NovelsCategory:NovelInternationalEntry Fee:£19 Max Length:5,000 words (novel); 6–8 graphic pages + synopsis (graphic novel) Top Prize:£1,500 and online mentoring/consultation opportunities

sun15mar2:50 am2:50 amFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventWaterman Fund Emerging Writers Essay ContestCategory:EssayInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:3000 Top Prize:$3,000 and publication

mon16mar2:25 pm2:25 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventBBC National Short Story AwardsIn Association with Cambridge UniversityCategory:Short StoryUnited KingdomEntry Fee:Free Max Length:8,000 Top Prize:£15,000, broadcast on BBC Radio 4, and anthology publication by Comma Press

fri27mar11:00 am6:00 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Julia & Martin Wilson Short Story Prize 2026Broadway Arts FestivalCategory:Multiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:£12 Max Length:2000 Top Prize:£800

tue31mar12:00 am12:00 amPast DeadlineOnline EventHarvard Crimson Global Essay Competition 2026Category:EssayInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:500 Top Prize:Cash Prizes up to $8000, Internships with "The Crimson" Team, Exclusive free spot on The Harvard Crimson Summer Journalism Course

tue31mar3:04 am3:04 amPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Rubery Book AwardCategory:Published BooksInternationalEntry Fee:£46 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:£2,000

tue31mar12:00 am11:59 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventInception | Sunspot LitCategory:Creative Nonfiction, Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Graphic Novel, Letter, Memoir, Micro Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Prose, Script, Short Fiction, Short Non-fiction, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$5 Max Length:250 (prose); 25 (poetry); first page (graphic novel and comic books) Top Prize:$100 and publication

tue31mar6:00 am6:00 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventWriteMentor Novel and Picture Book AwardCategory:Multiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:£12 Max Length:3,000 Top Prize:£500 and 45-minute one-to-one consultation with agent

tue31mar8:56 am8:56 amPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Lascaux Prize in PoetryCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:$1,000, a bronze medallion, and publication in The Lascaux Review

tue31mar1:40 pm1:40 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventMemoir in Verse AwardContest for Full-length ChapbooksCategory:Chapbook, PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$22 Max Length:Full manuscript Top Prize:$1,500 and publication

tue31mar2:10 pm2:10 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventCats Protection Short Story CompetitionCategory:Short StoryUnited KingdomEntry Fee:£10 Max Length:1,000 Top Prize:Publication in The Cat magazine and a Cult Pens prize bundle worth up to £350

tue31mar5:03 pm5:03 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventNovel BeginningsKick-start your writing career with our $50,000 grand prizeCategory:NovelInternationalEntry Fee:$20 (free to writers with paid ProWritingAid subscriptions) Max Length:The first 5,000 words of a novel in progress Top Prize:$50,000, 45-minute editorial consultation, Six months of mentorship and a conditional offer of representation

tue31mar5:32 pm5:32 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2026For the best poem written by an adult for childrenCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:€16 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:€1,000 plus a week at The Moth Retreat in Ireland

tue31mar11:59 pm6:00 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventTom Grass 'Spirit of Adventure' Literary PrizeCategory:Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Non-fiction, Short Fiction, Short Non-fiction, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:3,000 Top Prize:£1,000

April

wed01apr2:38 am2:38 amPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Orison Prizes in Poetry & FictionCategory:Fiction, PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:30,000 (fiction); 100 pages (poetry) Top Prize:$1,500 and publication

wed01apr10:18 pm10:18 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Rialto Nature and Place Poetry CompetitionCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£7 Max Length:40 lines Top Prize:£1000

thu02apr2:44 am2:44 amPast DeadlineOnline EventTerry Tempest Williams Creative Nonfiction PrizeCategory:Creative NonfictionInternationalEntry Fee:$23 Max Length:10,000 Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

wed08apr9:38 pm9:38 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventThe Pitch Mag Young Sports Journalist CompetitionOpen to writers aged 14–21Category:EssayInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:800 Top Prize:Recognition, publication

wed15apr5:32 pm5:32 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Florida Review Editor’s PrizesCategory:Poetry, ProseInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:30 pages (prose); 5 poems (poetry) Top Prize:$1,000 and publication in The Florida Review

thu16apr6:58 pm6:58 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventPURORRELATO Micro-story Contest 2026Category:Flash Fiction, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:1500 Top Prize:€750

fri17apr5:26 pm5:26 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventWriting Fellowship for New ParentsCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:440 Top Prize:$2,000 cash, publication in Dreamers Creative Writing Magazine, and a year of mentorship

sun19apr2:03 pm2:03 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventDesperate Literature Short Fiction Prize 2026Category:Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee:€20 Max Length:2000 Top Prize:€2,000, Civitella Ranieri residency, agent consultation, and manuscript assessment

thu23apr3:00 pm10:00 pmPast DeadlineFFF Competition Thirty-ThreeCategory:Flash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:£4.95 Max Length:300 words Top Prize:£200

tue28apr12:00 am11:59 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventJane Austen Literacy Foundation Short Story Writing CompetitionCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:2000 words Top Prize:Winning stories recorded as an audiobook and published worldwide

thu30apr2:26 am2:26 amPast DeadlineOnline EventWare Poets Open Poetry CompetitionCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max Length:50 lines Top Prize:£1,000 and publication

thu30apr4:02 pm4:02 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Adrienne Rich Award for PoetryCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:10 pages Top Prize:$1,500 + publication in BPJ

thu30apr5:22 pm5:22 pmPast DeadlineMarsh Hawk Press Poetry PrizesCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max Length:84 pages Top Prize:$2,000, book publication, and promotion

thu30apr6:00 pm6:00 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventWOW! Creative Nonfiction Essay ContestCategory:Creative NonfictionInternationalEntry Fee:$12 Max Length:1000 Top Prize:$500, publication, interview, and gift code good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store

thu30apr2:00 pm11:59 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventAdventure Writers CompetitonCategory:Fiction, Full Manuscript, Novel, Published Books, Unpublished BooksInternationalEntry Fee:$75 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:$1000

May

thu30apr7:00 pm11:59 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventRhina Espaillat Poetry AwardCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$7 (Free to Plough subscribers) Max Length:50 lines Top Prize:$2000

fri01may12:46 am12:46 amPast DeadlineOnline EventTom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay ContestCategory:Essay, FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:6,000 Top Prize:$3,500 and publication

fri01may4:00 pm4:00 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Alpine Fellowship Poetry PrizeAwarded for the best poetic response on the theme of 'JOY'Category:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max Length:500 words Top Prize:£3,000

fri01may4:56 pm4:56 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventWaterston Desert Writing PrizeCategory:Non-fictionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:10 pages Top Prize:$3,000

fri01may5:15 pm5:15 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Malahat Review’s Far Horizons Award for PoetryCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:60 lines Top Prize:$1,250 and publication

fri01may9:31 pm9:31 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe John McGivering Writing PrizePreserving and promoting the work and legacy of Rudyard KiplingCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£8 Max Length:2500 Top Prize:£350

fri01may11:12 pm11:12 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventReaders' Favorite Annual Book Award ContestCategory:Multiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:$99 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:Share of $125,000+ in giveaway prizes, awarded to over 270 authors

sat02may5:46 pm5:46 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventThe Mo Siewcharran Prize 2026Category:NovelInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:10,000 words + up to 700-word synopsis Top Prize:£2,500, editorial mentorship, agent introduction, acquisition consideration, and a book hamper

mon04may12:00 am11:59 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventBardsy 2026 Spring First Chapter Anthology ContestCategory:Multiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max Length:2,500 words Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

fri08may10:04 pm10:04 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventInternational Jay Yes Short Story ContestCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:4000 Top Prize:Publishing contract with Zero Degree Publishing

sun10may2:13 am2:13 amPast DeadlineOnline EventThe SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash FictionCategory:Flash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:1,000 Top Prize:$2,500 and publication

fri15may2:07 am2:07 amFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineDear Aliens - A Writing Contest for HumansCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:1000 Top Prize:$2,000

fri15may2:00 pm2:00 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineWhen Things Fall Apart - Travel Writing CompetitionNon-Fiction Short Travel Story CompetitionCategory:Creative Nonfiction, Essay, Memoir, Non-fiction, Short Non-fictionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:2500 words Top Prize:$500

fri15may2:51 pm2:51 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Montreal International Poetry PrizeCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:40 lines Top Prize:$20,000

sat16may8:00 am7:00 amPast DeadlineOnline EventF(r)iction Spring 2026 Writing ContestsCategory:Creative Nonfiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:$300 (poetry, flash fiction) to $1,000 (short story)

sat16may7:48 pm7:48 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventStanley Kunitz Memorial PrizeCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:Three pages Top Prize:$1,000 and copy of the magazine for all entrants

sun17may12:01 am12:00 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventInkspot’s Flash Fiction Short Story Competition£500 for 500 Flash Fiction Writing CompetitionCategory:Flash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max Length:500 Top Prize:£500 and publication

mon18may10:00 am10:00 amFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventCLIMATE FICTION CONTEST - Glimpses of TransformationCreative Approaches for Crossings the Frontiers of ResilienceCategory:Fiction, Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:3,500 words Top Prize:Publicaton and showcase at the UNFCCC June Climate Meetings

mon18may3:22 pm3:22 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story PrizeCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max Length:5,000 Top Prize:AU$6,000 and publication

mon25may12:40 pm12:40 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventLondon Independent Story Prize (LISP)Category:Flash Fiction, Poetry, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£15 Max Length:300 (flash fiction); 3000 (short story); 40 lines (poetry) Top Prize:£100 and publication

mon25may4:00 pm4:00 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventInciting Incident Writing ContestCategory:Multiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:$37 Max Length:15 pages Top Prize:$300

mon25may11:00 pm5:00 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventM.F.K. Fisher Emerging Writers ContestCategory:Essay, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$50 (free for youth and children) Max Length:750 (adults); 300-500 (youth and children( Top Prize:$250 and publication

wed27may11:57 pm11:57 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Reedsy Literary PrizeA stage for exceptional short fictionCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:5,000 Top Prize:$1,500, publication in Reedsy’s literary magazine Prompted, snf personalised feedback from the guest judge

sun31may2:46 am2:46 amPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Whispering Wisdom Poetry CompetitionCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max Length:40 lines Top Prize:£250

sun31may12:01 am11:59 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventAsian Voices in Children's Literature Writing ContestCategory:Children's Literature, Unpublished BooksUSAEntry Fee:Free Max Length:1,000 Top Prize:$1000

sun31may12:06 pm12:06 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Yeovil Literary PrizeCategory:Children's Literature, Novel, Poetry, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Depends on category - check organizer's website Max Length:10,000 (novel); 2,000 (short story); 40 lines (poetry); 3,000 (young adult) Top Prize:£1350

sun31may1:13 pm1:13 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Bridport Prize 2026Category:Flash Fiction, Micro Fiction, Novel, Poetry, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£12 - £26 Max Length:42 lines (poetry); 5,000 (short story); 250 (flash fiction); 8,000 (novel); 8,000 (memoir) Top Prize:£1,000 - £5,000 and publication

sun31may3:00 pm12:00 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventFirst Novel Award 2026Category:Novel, NovellaInternationalEntry Fee:£25 Max Length:5,000 words, cover letter and synopsis Top Prize:£1,500 and agent introduction

sun31may3:13 pm3:13 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventNever Too Late 60+ AwardCelebrating the achievements of writers aged 60 and overCategory:Flash Fiction, Novel, Poetry, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£12 - £26 Max Length:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:£500 and publication

sun31may3:41 pm3:41 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventPoetry Book AwardsCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£40 Max Length:Full manuscript Top Prize:£800 and promotional benefits (certificates, featured reviews, website showcase)

sun31may5:00 pm11:59 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventCranked Anvil Quarterly Flash Fiction CompetitionCategory:Flash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:£5 for 1 story, £8 for 2, £10 for 3 Max Length:500 words Top Prize:£100, publication online and digital anthology, Professional audio recording made and broadcast on UK radio and online around the world

sun31may5:27 pm5:27 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventThe Jonathan and Barbara Silver Foundation Grants for Writing on SculptureCategory:Multiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:2,500 Top Prize:$20,000

sun31may6:00 pm6:00 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventWOW! Spring 2026 Flash Fiction ContestCategory:Flash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$10 Max Length:750 words Top Prize:$600, a Novel Course, a 12-Month Reedsy Learning Membership, publication, interview, Amazon Gift Certificate

sun31may9:20 pm9:20 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Bath Novel AwardCategory:NovelInternationalEntry Fee:£33 Max Length:5,000 and a one-page synopsis Top Prize:£5,000 and the Minerva trophy

sun31may10:51 pm10:51 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventFrogmore Poetry PrizeCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£4 Max Length:40 lines Top Prize:250 guineas (£262.50) + 2-year subscription to The Frogmore Papers

June

mon01jun1:39 pm1:39 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Times - Chicken House Children's Fiction CompetitionThe UK's biggest writing contest for children's booksCategory:Children's LiteratureInternationalEntry Fee:£25 Max Length:80,000 Top Prize:Worldwide publishing contract with Chicken House Books and a £10,000 advance (plus agent representation discussion)

mon01jun2:16 pm2:16 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventArizona Authors Association Literary ContestCategory:Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Unpublished BooksInternationalEntry Fee:$40 (members); $50 (non-members) Max Length:50 lines (poetry); 5,000 (short fiction/nonfiction); 25 pages (novels/novellas/plays) Top Prize:$500 and publication in the Arizona Authors Literary Magazine

mon01jun7:46 pm7:46 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year 2026Category:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max Length:60 lines Top Prize:£300, publication, and title of 'Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year'

fri05jun5:37 pm5:37 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventMeetCute Storyteller CompetitionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:Unknown - check with organizer Top Prize:£500 and an offer of literary agency representation

sun07jun10:00 am6:00 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventWrite By The Sea Writing Short Story CompetitionsCategory:Flash Fiction, Memoir, Poetry, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:€12 Max Length:2,500 words (short story); 700 words (flash fiction); 40 lines (poetry); 1,000 words (memoir/personal essay) Top Prize:€500

mon08jun9:30 am9:00 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventThe Octo Books Writing CompetitionCategory:FictionUnited KingdomEntry Fee:Free Max Length:800 words Top Prize:Publication, Competition Pencil Case, Competition Pen, Competition T-Shirt Digital Certificate, Recognition On Winner's Reveal

mon15jun9:04 am9:04 amFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventThe Paz Prize for PoetryPoetry originally written in Spanish by an American residentCategory:PoetryUSAEntry Fee:Free Max Length:No limit Top Prize:$2,000 and publication

mon15jun5:09 pm5:09 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventLenore Marshall Poetry PrizeCategory:PoetryUSAEntry Fee:$75 Max Length:Full manuscript Top Prize:$25,000, a ten-day residency at Glen Hollow, and distribution of the winning book

mon15jun7:36 pm7:36 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Moth Short Story Prize 2026Category:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:€17 Max Length:3,000 words Top Prize:€3,000 and publication

mon15jun11:31 pm11:31 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventAnne Brown Essay PrizeAwards for the best literary essay by a writer in or from ScotlandCategory:EssayInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:4,000 words Top Prize:£1,500

tue16jun6:00 pmthu16jul6:00 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventGutsy Great Novelist Page One Prize7th AnnualCategory:Fiction, Novel, Unpublished BooksInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:$1,000

tue23jun5:00 pm10:00 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventFFF Competition Thirty-FourCategory:Flash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:£4.95 Max Length:300 words Top Prize:£200

wed24jun12:33 pm12:33 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventHilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction 2026Awarding the top Canadian nonfiction of the yearCategory:Non-fictionCanadaEntry Fee:Free Max Length:Full manuscript Top Prize:$75,000

wed24jun5:53 pm5:53 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventAtwood Gibson Writers’ Trust Fiction PrizeRecognizing the best work of fiction by a Canadian authorCategory:Short StoryCanadaEntry Fee:Free Max Length:Full manuscript Top Prize:$70,000

sun28jun11:00 am11:59 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventRegeneration: Poetry Exploring the EnvironmentCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:100 lines or 750 words (whichever is lower) Top Prize:£200

tue30jun1:00 am12:00 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventWells Festival of Literature's International Creative Writing CompetitionsCategory:Children's Literature, Poetry, Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£8 Max Length:Depends on category Top Prize:£1,000

tue30jun1:57 am1:57 amPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Poetry.com Monthly ContestCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:75 lines Top Prize:$500 and publication

tue30jun10:48 am10:48 amPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Poetry London PrizeCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max Length:80 lines Top Prize:£5,000

tue30jun2:51 pm2:51 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventWeatherglass Novella PrizeCategory:NovellaInternationalEntry Fee:£20 Max Length:40,000 words Top Prize:£500 and publication

tue30jun3:34 pm3:34 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventMay Sarton New Hampshire Poetry PrizeRecognizing outstanding book-length poetry collectionsCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max Length:80 pages Top Prize:$1,000, book publication by Bauhan Publishing, 50 author copies, and distribution

tue30jun4:24 pm4:24 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventOzma Book AwardsFantasy Fiction Novel Writing ContestCategory:Full ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee:$99 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:$1000, a digital badge, a ribbon, and assorted 'goodies'

tue30jun5:00 pm11:59 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventCranked Anvil Playwriting CompetitionCategory:Audio Drama, Playwriting, ScriptwritingInternationalEntry Fee:£12 Max Length:10 - 20 minutes in length Top Prize:£50 cash prize, professional audio recording broadcast on UK radio and online around the world, available on demand from the Cranked Anvil website.

tue30jun9:00 am11:59 pmPast DeadlineThe Indie Gold Awards Recognition ContestCategory:Multiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:$25 (or $20 early bird before 4/30/26) Max Length:6000 words Top Prize:$500

tue30jun6:58 pm6:58 pmPast DeadlineThe Olga Sinclair PrizeCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£8 Max Length:2,000 words Top Prize:£300 and publication

July

wed01jul2:22 am2:22 amFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventBoardman Tasker Award for Mountain LiteratureCategory:Drama, Fiction, Non-fiction, PoetryUnited KingdomMax Length:Full manuscript Top Prize:£3,000

wed01jul12:00 pm12:00 pmCancelledPast DeadlineOnline EventChaotic Creators Magazine Poetry ContestCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£3 Max Length:42 lines Top Prize:£50 and publication

wed01jul10:18 pm10:18 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventNorth Street Book Prize 2026Category:Published BooksInternationalEntry Fee:$95 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:$10,000

wed01jul10:55 pm10:55 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventInternational Amy MacRae Award for MemoirSupporting ovarian cancer researchCategory:MemoirInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:2,000 words Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

tue07jul9:12 pm9:12 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventHG Wells Short Story CompetitionCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£10 (no entry fees for those aged 21 years) Max Length:5,000 Top Prize:£1,000 (Under 21 category) and £500 (Senior category), plus anthology publication

thu09jul(jul 9)8:00 amfri24(jul 24)11:59 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventAuthor Gold Short Story AwardWelcomes submissions from writers across all genresCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$5 Max Length:7000 words Top Prize:$50 cash prize, publication and promotion, a featured author interview, professional editorial feedback, and a one-to-one author coaching session

wed15jul12:00 am12:00 amFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventSummer of Story Street Flash Fiction Contest100 Word Writing ContestCategory:Micro FictionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:100 words Top Prize:$100

wed15jul10:00 am11:59 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventNew Writers Poetry Competition 2026Category:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max Length:42 lines Top Prize:£1,000 and publication

wed15jul12:28 pm12:28 pmPast DeadlineOnline Event2026 Rattle Poetry PrizeCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:$15,000 USD and publication in the Winter 2026 issue of Rattle

wed22jul6:11 pm6:11 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventWrite Catalyst Annual Short Story ContestCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$5 Max Length:5,000 words Top Prize:$100 and publication

wed29jul2:00 pm11:59 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction, Poetry, and BooksCategory:Full Manuscript, Poetry, Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:5000 words Top Prize:$3000

fri31jul5:00 am11:59 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventProtopian Prize Fiction ContestWrite the story of humanity's future...Category:Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:6,000 Top Prize:$5,000

fri31jul9:00 am9:00 amPast DeadlineIronclad Short Story CompetitionCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£9.75 Max Length:6000 words Top Prize:£100 and publication

fri31jul11:00 am11:59 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventPrecocious Prize for FantasyCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£9.75 Max Length:6000 words Top Prize:£100 and publication

fri31jul12:28 pm12:28 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventSeán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition 2026Category:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:€19 Max Length:3,000 words Top Prize:€2,000, a featured reading at the Cork International Short Story Festival, and publication

fri31jul12:39 pm12:39 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe Squat Pen Rests Short Story CompetitionCategory:Short FictionUnited KingdomEntry Fee:£5 Max Length:750 words Top Prize:Variable - prize depends on number of entries

fri31jul1:21 pm1:21 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventThe International Dark Poets PrizeCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£6 Max Length:250 words per poem Top Prize:Share of a £1,800 total cash prize fund, official winner certification, a Dark Poets Club T-shirt, and publication

fri31jul4:54 pm4:54 pmFREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineOnline EventGrateful American Book PrizeCategory:Full ManuscriptUSAEntry Fee:Free Max Length:No limit Top Prize:$13,000, lifetime membership to the New-York Historical Society, silver medallion

fri31jul5:00 pm11:59 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventCranked Anvil Quarterly Short Story CompetitionCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max Length:1500 words Top Prize:£100, publication online, inclusion in future digital anthology, professional audio recording made, broadcast on UK radio and around the world online

fri31jul7:41 pm7:41 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventAnthology Short Story Competition 2026Category:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:€18 Max Length:1,500 Top Prize:€1,000 and publication

fri31jul9:04 pm9:04 pmPast DeadlineOnline EventWinchester Poetry Prize 2026Category:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£7 Max Length:40 lines Top Prize:£1,000 and publication

View full caledar of events scheduled for this year