This list shows writing events with opportunities to win prizes and get published and deadlines in May, 2025. For a list of all current (upcoming) events, please refer to our main calendar page

Note: 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.
Current Month

May 2025

thu01mayAll Daysat31 Wishes & Warnings Short Story ContestThe Elegant Literature Award for New WritersCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Free (for Elegant Literature members) Max word count:2000 Top Prize:$3,000, 10 cents per word, publication, and free enrollment in the New Novelist Accelerator program

fri02may8:22 pm8:22 pmF(r)iction Writing Contest - Spring 2025CategoryMultiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:$10 Max word count:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:$1,000 and publication

sun04may11:01 pm11:01 pmMisfit Poems PrizeCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:five pages Top Prize:$2,000 and publication

mon05may1:51 am1:51 amABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize 2025CategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Max word count:5,000 Top Prize:$6,000 and publication

mon05may7:06 pm7:06 pmWriter’s Digest Annual Writing CompetitionCategoryFull Manuscript,PoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max word count:4,000 (short fiction); 40 lines (poetry) Top Prize:$5,000 and publication

wed07may11:44 pm11:44 pmWigtown International Poetry PrizeCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max word count:40 lines Top Prize:£1500 and publication

sat10may8:13 pm8:13 pmIronclad Creative Short Story CompetitionCategoryShort StoryUnited KingdomEntry Fee:£9 Max word count:6,000 Top Prize:£100

thu15may3:46 pm3:46 pmLenore Marshall Poetry PrizeCategoryPoetryUSAEntry Fee:$75 Max word count:No limit Top Prize:$25,000

thu15may8:13 pm8:13 pmPloughshares Emerging Writer’s ContestCategoryPoetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:$30 Max word count:6000 (short story); 3-5 pages (poetry) Top Prize:Publication in the Winter 2025-26 issue of Ploughshares

fri16may11:30 pm11:30 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!A Nightclub for the Newly DepartedDually Noted Group Writing ProjectCategoryMultiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:No limit Top Prize:Publication

mon19may2:56 pm2:56 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!Creative Future Writers’ Award 2025CategoryFiction,Non-fiction,PoetryUnited KingdomEntry Fee:Free Max word count:50 lines (Poetry); 2,000 (fiction and non-fiction) Top Prize:£20,000 of prizes in training, mentoring, assessment and coaching

mon26may7:49 pm7:49 pmIronbridge Festival Poetry CompetitionCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:£4 Max word count:35 lines Top Prize:£300

sat31may12:00 am11:59 pmCranked Anvil Press Quarterly Flash Fiction PrizeCategoryFlash FictionInternationalEntry Fee:£5 Max word count:500 Top Prize:£100

sat31may4:10 am4:10 amGoldfinch Books Novel AwardCategoryNovelInternationalEntry Fee:£10 Max word count:Full manuscript Top Prize:£500 cash prize plus an invitation to join the Goldfinch writer community

sat31may9:22 am9:22 am2025 RockPaperPoem Poetry PrizeCategoryPoetryInternationalEntry Fee:$10 Max word count:Two pages per poem Top Prize:$300 and publication

sat31may10:20 am10:20 amThe Never Too Late 60+ AwardThe Bridport Writing CompetitionCategoryFlash Fiction,Novel,Poetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Max word count:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:£5,000

sat31may3:15 pm3:15 pmPeggy Chapman-Andrews First Novel AwardCategoryNovelUK & IrelandEntry Fee:£24 Max word count:8,000 taken from the opening chapter Top Prize:£1,500, manuscript appraisal, publication

sat31may3:26 pm3:26 pmThe Yeovil Literary Prize 2025CategoryMultiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:£10 - £18.50 Max word count:Depends on category (check organizer's website) Top Prize:£1350

sat31may6:06 pm6:06 pmThe Bridport Prize 2025Award for Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction, and NovelCategoryFlash Fiction,Novel,Poetry,Short StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£11 - £24 Max word count:Depends on category. Check with organizer. Top Prize:£5,000

sat31may7:59 pm7:59 pmBlue Pencil Agency First Novel Award 2025Open to unrepresented writersCategoryNovelInternationalEntry Fee:£25 Max word count:20,000 Top Prize:£1,000 + agent Introduction

sat31may8:04 pm8:04 pmThe Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant WritingCategoryFull ManuscriptInternationalEntry Fee:$20 Top Prize:$10,000, admission to writing residency program, and publication by Restless Books

sat31may8:28 pm8:28 pmThis event is FREE to enter! Yay!The Irene Adler Prize$1,000 Scholarship for Women WritersCategoryMultiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:Free Max word count:Check with organizer for details Top Prize:$1,000

sat31may11:06 pm11:06 pmMinds Shine Bright Places Writing CompetitionCategoryMultiple categoriesInternationalEntry Fee:$15 Max word count:5000 Top Prize:$1500 and publication

sat31may11:06 pm11:06 pmThe BeaconFlash Story CompetitionCategoryShort StoryInternationalEntry Fee:£3 Max word count:500 Top Prize:£75 plus up to 5,000 words critique

sat31may6:55 pm6:55 pmBuckham Fine Arts Project of Flint Michigan - Horror AnthologyAn Open Call for Horror Themed LiteratureCategoryFiction,Poetry,Short StoryUSAEntry Fee:$10 Max word count:4,000 (short story); 50 lines (poetry) Top Prize:$25

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