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.

September

mon15sep12:00 pm11:59 pmPast DeadlineVirtual Event2025 Best in Rural Writing ContestCategory:Fiction,Non-fictionInternationalEntry Fee:$10 Max Length:7,000 Top Prize:$500

mon22sep3:50 pm3:50 pmPast DeadlineMslexia Women's Short Story Competition 2025Category:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£12 Max Length:3,000 Top Prize:£3,000 and publication

thu25sep6:59 pm6:59 pmPast Deadline2025 Book Pipeline Unpublished ContestCategory:Full ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee:$45 Max Length:Depends on category (check organizer Top Prize:$25,000, industry circulation, executive development

sat27sep11:06 pm11:06 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventPoetry Super Highway 2025 Poetry ContestCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$1 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:50% of the entry fees collected and publication

tue30sep1:00 am12:00 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineMichael Round PrizeFrom Croydon WritersCategory:FictionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:1,200 Top Prize:£100

tue30sep3:47 am3:47 amPast DeadlineTHE WRITERS' COLLEGE Short Story CompetitionProudly Supporting Emerging WritersCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free until 30 June. $15 afterwards. Max Length:2,000 Top Prize:$1000

tue30sep4:59 am11:59 pmPast DeadlineAnthology Flash Fiction Competition 2025Category:Flash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:€12 Max Length:250 Top Prize:€300

tue30sep12:00 am11:59 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineVirtual EventNightmare on Story Street100 Word Horror ContestCategory:Fiction,Flash Fiction,Micro Fiction,Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:100 Top Prize:$100

tue30sep12:00 am11:59 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventThe Ghost Story Supernatural Fiction AwardCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:10,000 Top Prize:$1,500

tue30sep5:03 am11:59 pmPast DeadlineAnthology Nature Writing Competition 2025Category:Non-fictionInternationalEntry Fee:€15 Max Length:1500 Top Prize:€300

tue30sep12:12 pm12:12 pmPast Deadline2025 Hammond House Publishing International Literary PrizeCategory:Poetry,Scriptwriting,Short Story,SongwritingInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max Length: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 pmPast DeadlineThe One Page Poetry ContestCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:Must fit on a single page Top Prize:$2,000 and publication

tue30sep2:23 pm2:23 pmPast DeadlineSouthword Editor’s Poetry AwardCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:€24 Max Length:No limit (?) - Check with organizer to confirm Top Prize:€1,000 and publication

tue30sep3:59 pm3:59 pmPast DeadlineThe Moth Nature Writing Prize 2025Category:Poetry,ProseInternationalEntry Fee:€15 Max Length:4,000 Top Prize:€1,000 and a week at The Moth Retreat in Ireland

tue30sep5:12 pm5:12 pmPast DeadlineThe Paul Cave Prize for Literature 2025Category:Flash Fiction,Novella,Poetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:£200 and publication

tue30sep6:57 pm6:57 pmPast DeadlineHenshaw Press Short Story CompetitionCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£6 Max Length:2,000 Top Prize:£200 and publication

tue30sep8:49 pm8:49 pmPast DeadlinePudding Press Detritus Writing CompetitionFor unpublished writers whose work has been previously rejectedCategory:FictionInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max Length:20 pages Top Prize:Publishing contract

tue30sep5:00 pm5:00 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventThe Letter Review Prize for NonfictionCategory:Non-fictionInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:5,000 Top Prize:$333

tue30sep5:00 pm5:00 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventThe Letter Review Prize for BooksCategory:Full ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:5,000 Top Prize:$333

tue30sep5:00 pm11:59 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventThe Letter Review Prize for Short FictionShort Story Contest & Flash Fiction ContestCategory:Flash Fiction,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:5,000 Top Prize:$333

tue30sep5:00 pm11:59 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventThe Letter Review Prize for PoetryCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:70 Lines Top Prize:$333

tue30sep11:59 pm11:59 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventCrowvus Ghost Story CompetitionCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£3 Max Length:4000 Top Prize:£100 and publication

October

wed01oct12:00 am11:59 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventThe Scribes PrizeCategory:Multiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:$5 Max Length:110 Top Prize:$250 and publication

wed01oct9:51 am9:51 amPast DeadlineVirtual EventJohn Steinbeck Award for FictionCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:5,000 Top Prize:$1,000 and publication in Reed Magazine

wed01oct3:24 pm3:24 pmPast Deadline35th Annual Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ PrizeCategory:Fiction,Non-fiction,PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:8,500 (fiction and non-fiction); 12 pages (poetry) Top Prize:$5,000

wed01oct5:07 pm5:07 pmPast DeadlineDzanc Books Short Story Collection PrizeCategory:Full Manuscript,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:40,000 Top Prize:$2,500 and publication by Dzanc Books

sun05oct2:59 pm2:59 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventWhat the Wild Carries PrizeCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:5,000 Top Prize:$2,000 and publication

mon13oct12:10 pm12:10 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventPeter Porter Poetry PrizeCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max Length:60 lines Top Prize:$6,000

wed15oct12:37 pm12:37 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventThe Raven Short Story ContestCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$35 Max Length:2500 Top Prize:$300

wed15oct4:00 pm4:00 pmPast DeadlineCreative Writing Ink Short Story Competition 2025Category:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£12 Max Length:3,000 Top Prize:£1,000, an online creative writing course, and publication

wed15oct7:00 pm7:00 pmPast DeadlineTennessee Williams Festival Fiction ContestCategory:FictionUSAEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:7,000 Top Prize:1,500 and publication in French Quarter Journal

wed15oct7:00 pm7:00 pmPast DeadlineTennessee Williams Festival Poetry ContestCategory:PoetryUSAEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:400 lines Top Prize:$1,000 and publication in French Quarter Journal

wed15oct7:11 pm7:11 pmPast DeadlineIML Publications Memoir/Fiction Book ContestCategory:Full ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee:$40 Max Length:100,000 Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

wed15oct10:42 pm10:42 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventCaledonia Novel Award 2026Category:NovelInternationalEntry Fee:£28 Max Length: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 pmPast DeadlineTennessee Williams Festival Short Fiction ContestCategory:Flash Fiction,Micro Fiction,Short FictionUSAEntry Fee:$10 Max Length:1,000 Top Prize:$500 and publication in French Quarter Journal

thu16oct7:00 pm7:00 pmPast DeadlineTennessee Williams Festival One-Act Play ContestCategory:Screenwriting,ScriptwritingUSAEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:One act or approx. 60 pages. Top Prize:$1,500 and publication in Bayou Magazine

fri17oct12:54 pm12:54 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventThe Booksie 2025 Poetry ContestCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$6.95 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:$1,000

mon20oct2:24 pm2:24 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventEyelands Book Awards 2025Category:Full ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee:€30 Max Length:250,000 Top Prize:Five-day stay in Athens

fri24oct1:00 am12:00 pmPast DeadlineThe Failing Writers Podcast Flash Fiction CompetitionCategory:Flash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:£4 Max Length:300 Top Prize:£500

fri31oct12:01 am11:59 pmPast DeadlineThe Bedford Short Story and Poetry CompetitionCategory:Poetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£8.50 Max Length:3000 (short story); 40 lines (poetry) Top Prize:£2000

fri31oct12:05 am12:05 amThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineVirtual EventTogetherintheUK ‘Then & Now’ Writing CompetitionCategory:Essay,Poetry,Short Story,SongwritingInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:1500 Top Prize:£250

fri31oct7:00 am11:58 pmPast DeadlineThe Whispering Wisdom Poetry PrizeTheme: LOVECategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max Length:15 lines Top Prize:£100 and publication

fri31oct12:01 am11:59 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventCai Emmons Short Fiction ContestCategory:Short FictionUSAEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:3,000 Top Prize:$700

fri31oct9:45 am9:45 amPast DeadlineVirtual EventBenjamin Saltman Poetry AwardCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:96 pages Top Prize:$3,000 and publication

fri31oct11:00 am11:59 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventIronclad Creative Short Story Comp: SwitchCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£9 Max Length:6,000 Top Prize:£100 and publication

fri31oct12:35 pm12:35 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineVirtual EventThe Young Walter Scott PrizeCategory:FictionUnited KingdomEntry Fee:Free Max Length:2,000 Top Prize:£500 travel grant, tickets to a UK book festivals, publication in anthology

fri31oct3:00 pm11:59 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventNational Poetry CompetitionCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£8 Max Length:40 lines Top Prize:£5,000

fri31oct1:00 pm11:59 pmPast DeadlineVirtual Event2025 Seven Hills Literary Contest and Penumbra Poetry and Haiku ContestCategory:Fiction,Novel,Poetry,ProseUSAEntry Fee:$25 (fiction); $20 (poetry); $10 (haiku) Max Length:7,500 (fiction); 100 lines (poetry) Top Prize:$300 and publication

fri31oct5:22 pm5:22 pmPast DeadlineThe Hope PrizeGet published by Simon & Schuster AustraliaCategory:Short Fiction,Short Non-fictionInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max Length:5,000 Top Prize:$10,000 and publication Simon & Schuster Australia

fri31oct9:06 pm9:06 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineVirtual EventSolstice Nature Prize for Young WritersCategory:Poetry,Short StoryUnited KingdomEntry Fee:Free Max Length:500 (short stories); 500 (blogs); 40 lines (poetry) Top Prize:£100, goody bags and anthology publication

November

sat01nov12:30 pm12:30 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventCatherine Doctorow Innovative Fiction PrizeCategory:Full ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:$3,000 and publication by FC2, an imprint of the University of Alabama Press

sat01nov4:12 pm4:12 pmPast DeadlineVirtual Event2026 Commonwealth Short Story PrizeCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:5,000 Top Prize:£2,500 and publication

sat01nov11:19 pm11:19 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventAscent Novel PrizeCategory:NovelInternationalEntry Fee:£29 (free for under-represented writers) Max Length:3,000 Top Prize:£1,000 and personalised feedback

wed05nov3:09 pm3:09 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventThe New Writers Historical Flash Fiction CompetitionCategory:Flash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:£8 Max Length:300 Top Prize:£500 and publication

fri07nov12:20 pm12:20 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventF(r)iction Fall 2025 Writing ContestsCategory:Flash Fiction,Poetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:7,500 (short story); 3 pages (poetry); 1,000 (flash fiction) Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

sat08nov2:12 pm2:12 pmPast DeadlineThe Galley Beggar Press Short Story PrizeCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£11 Max Length:6,000 Top Prize:£2,500

fri14nov6:26 pm6:26 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineVirtual EventThe Happiful Poetry PrizeCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:25 lines Top Prize:£100 and publication

sat15nov3:19 pm3:19 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventPerugia Press PrizeCategory:Full Manuscript,PoetryUSAEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:85 pages Top Prize:$2,000 and publication

sat15nov8:55 pm8:55 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventThe SmokeLong Grand Micro Contest 2025Category:Flash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$14 Max Length:250 Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

mon17nov9:57 am9:57 amPast DeadlineVirtual Event2026 First Chapters Competition - Historical Novel SocietyCategory:NovelInternationalEntry Fee:£25 Max Length:3,000 Top Prize:£1,000 and the competition trophy

sun30nov5:01 am11:59 pmPast DeadlineAnthology Travel Writing Competition 2025Category:Non-fictionInternationalEntry Fee:€15 Max Length:1000 Top Prize:€300

sat29nov10:00 pm11:59 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventSpeculative Fiction Short Stories - Intrepid Voices FundEmpowering emerging writersCategory:Fiction,Short StoryUSAMax Length:2,000 Top Prize:$1,250

sun30nov2:17 pm2:17 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventTadpole Press 100-Word Writing ContestCategory:Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:100 Top Prize:$1,000

sun30nov2:19 pm2:19 pmPast DeadlineGregory O’Donoghue International Poetry CompetitionCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:€7 per poem or €30 for a batch of five Max Length:40 lines Top Prize:€2,000 and publication

sun30nov10:00 am11:59 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineVirtual EventBoarding School Romance Writing Contest 2025Category:Fiction,NovelInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:No max word count Top Prize:$500 USD cash prize; Publishing offer with Galatea Stories; Book reviewed for possible CandyJar movie adaptation

sun30nov4:27 pm4:27 pmPast DeadlineInkspot Publishing Short Story CompetitionCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max Length:5,000 Top Prize:£1,000 and publication

sun30nov5:09 pm5:09 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventThe International Dark Poets Prize (Edition IV)Category:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£6 Max Length:250 Top Prize:£1000 and publication

sun30nov7:19 pm7:19 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventCambrian Mountains Poetry CompetitionCategory:PoetryEntry Fee:£3.50 Max Length:40 lines Top Prize:£150

sun30nov10:37 pm10:37 pmPast DeadlineBath Children’s Novel Award 2025£5,000 International Writing PrizeCategory:NovelInternationalEntry Fee:£29.99 Max Length:5,000 words plus one page synopsis Top Prize:£5,000, manuscript feedback, online novel editing course worth £1,800

December

mon01dec12:05 am12:05 amPast DeadlineVirtual EventPhiladelphia Stories Fiction ContestCategory:Short StoryUSAEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:8,000 Top Prize:$1,000, publication, and a complimentary copy of Philadelphia Stories

mon01dec3:13 pm3:13 pmPast DeadlineVirtual Event20th Annual Writer’s Digest Poetry AwardsCategory:Chapbook,PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:32 lines (poem); 25 pages (chapbook) Top Prize:$1,000, publication, author interview, and more

fri05dec12:00 am12:00 amPast DeadlineVirtual EventBardsy 2025 Fall First Chapter Anthology ContestCategory:Fiction,Micro Fiction,Multiple categories,Short Fiction,Short Story,Unpublished BooksInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:2,500 Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

fri05dec11:01 pm11:01 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventNeilma Sidney Short Story PrizeCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:3000 Top Prize:$5000 and publication

sun07dec3:13 pm3:13 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventNew2theScene Poetry CompetitionCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max Length:400 Top Prize:Publication, Interview on the New2theScene podcast, and more

sun07dec4:00 pm4:00 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventPalette Poetry 2025 Love & Eros PrizeCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:Three poems under ten pages Top Prize:$3,000 and publication

sun14dec9:37 am9:37 amThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineVirtual EventMinotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel CompetitionCategory:Full ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:No limit Top Prize:$10,000 and publishing contract

mon15dec9:10 am9:10 amThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineVirtual EventLeave Your Mark: Writing Contest for TeensCategory:Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:250 Top Prize:$400 Gotham credit, a $50 gift certificate, and publication on the Gotham Writers website

mon15dec3:48 pm3:48 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineVirtual EventThe Final Girl Review - Horror Fiction, Poetry, and Non-fictionCategory:Essay,Fiction,Non-fiction,PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:Publication

mon15dec11:48 pm11:48 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventUnleash Press WIP AwardCategory:Fiction,Non-fiction,PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$35 Max Length:25 pages double-spaced Top Prize:$500 to supplement costs to support the completion of a book-length work of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry

tue16dec3:04 pm3:04 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventGlobe Soup 2025 Open Short Story CompetitionCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£8 Max Length:8,000 Top Prize:£2,000 and publication

wed17dec5:00 pm5:00 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventThe Indie Gold AwardsAwards for Indie Mysteries, Thrillers & SuspenseCategory:Novel,Novella,Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max Length:6000 Top Prize:$500

thu18dec5:04 pm5:04 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventNoemi Press Book AwardCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max Length:Full manuscript Top Prize:$2,000 and publication by Noemi Press

fri19dec10:22 pm10:22 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineVirtual EventThe Griffin Poetry PrizeCategory:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:No limit Top Prize:$130,000

sun21dec5:00 pm5:00 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventRuth Rendell Short Story CompetitionInterAct Stroke SupportCategory:Short StoryUnited KingdomEntry Fee:£15 Max Length:1000 Top Prize:£1,000

tue23dec3:07 pm3:07 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineVirtual EventAfritondo Short Story PrizeCelebrating outstanding fiction from Black and African writersCategory:Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:5000 Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

wed31dec12:00 am12:00 amPast DeadlineKiller Shorts Horror Short Screenplay CompetitionThe premier writing contest for emerging genre writers. Category:Scriptwriting,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$25 Max Length:6000 Top Prize:Publication, career mentorship, industry circulation, Scrivener writing software, and a skull-shaped typewriter trophy

wed31dec2:24 pm2:24 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventFarnham’s First Five Pages Writing CompetitionCategory:Novel,SynopsisInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max Length:5 pages + 250 word synopsis Top Prize:£1000 and a critique

wed31dec2:47 pm2:47 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventFusilli Flash Fiction CompetitionCategory:Flash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:£2.50 Max Length:200 Top Prize:£30 and publication on website

wed31dec3:22 pm3:22 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineVirtual EventLilith Fiction ContestCategory:Multiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:$300 and publication

wed31dec3:52 pm3:52 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventWolves Lit Fest Poetry Competition 2026Category:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£4 Max Length:40 lines Top Prize:£400

wed31dec10:00 am11:59 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Past DeadlineVirtual EventInkitt Love at First Kick: Soccer Romance Writing Contest 2025Category:Fiction,Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max Length:No limit Top Prize:$300 and publication

wed31dec6:33 pm6:33 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventThe Moth Poetry Prize 2025Category:PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:€16 Max Length:No limit Top Prize:€6,000 and publication

wed31dec10:26 pm10:26 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventThe April Showers Publishing Writing CompetitionCategory:Short StoryUnited KingdomEntry Fee:£5 Max Length:7,000 Top Prize:£0.005/ word and feedback from editors

wed31dec6:00 pm11:59 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventDo Wha(TS) Write Short Fiction CompetitionA writing contest to fundraise for Tourette SyndromeCategory:Short Fiction,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$5 Max Length:1000 Top Prize:$200 and publication

wed31dec11:38 pm11:38 pmPast DeadlineVirtual EventThe Danahy Fiction PrizeCategory:Short FictionInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max Length:5,000 Top Prize:$1,000 and publication in Tampa Review

View full caledar of events scheduled for this year