Writing Competitions Calendar

The Elegant Literature Award for New Writers

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 02:08:00 000

October 1, 2026 2:08 am - October 31, 2026 11:59 am

The Elegant Literature Prize is a $3,000 cash award presented monthly by Elegant Literature, a digital magazine, to a new, unpublished writer. The award is part of the organizer’s mission to help new talent launch their writing careers by providing financial support and publication opportunities.

This contest invites you to explore Painted Prison, whatever that means to you. Fantasy, contemporary, romance, crime. All genres are welcome.

The judges will choose the winner based on creativity, character, structure and flow, quality of writing.

Who can enter? New or unpublished authors, from anywhere in the world (excluding Quebec, Canada).

Prizes:

1st place: $3,000 USD. Free enrolment in the New Novelist Accelerator.
2nd – 10th: 10c/word and publication.
11th – 35th: $20 USD and an honorable mention in the magazine.

Submissions close October 31st at 11:59 pm EST.

Find out more about the event and submit your work.

Is this event legit?YES! - Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any opportunity, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work. Check the organizer's website and carefully read the terms and conditions!

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Wenlock Olympian Society Short Story Competition

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 11:22:00 000

October 29, 2026 11:22 am - 11:22 am

The Wenlock Olympian Society Short Story Competition is an international short fiction competition hosted by the Wenlock Olympian Society as part of its annual Creative Arts programme. The competition is open to fictional stories on any theme, judged first by a reading panel and then by novelist, poet, and children’s writer Kate Innes, who selects the gold, silver, and bronze medallists.

Entrants must be 16 or older and may submit up to three stories, with discounted fees for multiple simultaneous submissions. Stories must be original, previously unpublished, and not entered elsewhere. There is no minimum word count.

Gold, silver, and bronze medallists receive cash prizes alongside their medals, and will be credited alongside their story if it’s displayed on the Wenlock Olympian Society’s website or social media. All medallists will be invited to a Wenlock Olympian Society social event, with the gold medallist invited to read their story aloud.

The Bedford Short Story and Poetry Competition

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 00:01:00 000

October 31, 2026 12:01 am - 11:59 pm

The Bedford Short Story and Poetry Competition is an established nonprofit organisation that has run annual short story and poetry competitions since 2012. Open to writers worldwide aged 17 and over, it offers prizes across multiple categories: the main international prize, a Bedford Prize for local residents, and the Cygnature Prize for writers aged 17–25.

Entries must be original, previously unpublished work written in English. Short stories must not exceed 3,000 words (title excluded) and must be typed, double-spaced in a readable 12-point font, with nothing that identifies the author. Online entry is available to all international entrants; postal entry is restricted to UK addresses only.

Shortlisted and winning entries are published in an anthology available as both an e-book and a paperback. Results are announced at an annual Presentation of Awards Event.

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Anthology Poetry Competition 2026

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 11:00:00 000

October 31, 2026 11:00 am - 11:00 am

Established to recognise and encourage excellence in the craft of poetry writing and to provide a platform for publication, the Anthology Poetry Competition is open to original and previously unpublished poems in the English language.

Entries are invited from poets of all nationalities, living anywhere in the world. There is no restriction on theme or style. Poems submitted should not exceed 40 lines. There is no limit to entries per person. Each submission will require a separate entry form and is subject to a separate entry fee.

Entries are judged anonymously by poet Dr Rachael Hegarty. The winner receives a cash prize and publication in a future issue of Anthology, along with a one-year Reedsy Learning membership. Second and third place receive cash prizes, and all shortlisted entrants receive a Reedsy Learning masterclass. All entrants receive a 10% Reedsy Learning membership discount.

Prizes

FIRST: The winner will receive a €1,000 cash prize and the chance to see their work published in a future issue of Anthology.
SECOND: €250
THIRD: €150

New Writers Novel Prize

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 11:00:00 000

October 31, 2026 11:00 am - 11:59 pm

The New Writers Novel Prize is run by NewWriters.org.uk in association with The Novel Factory, and is open to any theme or genre of novel or novella written for adults or young adults. It is judged by Katja Kaine, author and creator of The Novel Factory writing software.

Entrants submit the opening 500 words of an unpublished novel or novella, written in English, with no author name or other identifying information on the entry. Entries must not have already won a prize in another competition, though shortlisting or longlisting elsewhere is allowed.

The winner receives £1,000 plus lifetime access to The Novel Factory, with £300 and a 12-month Standard subscription for second place and £200 and a 12-month Basic subscription for third. Winning entries are published on NewWriters.org.uk and in the New Writers Anthology. All entrants receive a 30% discount on Novel Factory subscriptions.

10% of entry fee proceeds will be donated to charity, split equally between First Story and The Funzi & Bodo Trust.

The Aluminium Crown Short Story Contest

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:49:00 000

October 31, 2026 12:49 pm - 12:49 pm

The Aluminium Crown Short Story Contest is a themed writing competition run by The Aluminium Crown Contest Collective, a small independent organisation based in Melbourne, Australia. Now in its second year, the contest is built around a speculative prompt tied to a fictional future event — in 2026, a story premise involving Melbourne’s Central Business District being enclosed in a protective structure called the “Central Business Cube.” Entrants must write an original story that engages with this central conceit, though they have creative freedom in setting and approach.

Submissions close 31 October 2026, with one original entry per author (single or multi-authored) accepted, Entrants must be 18 or older, and stories must be unpublished elsewhere (including on blogs or social media). Judging is anonymous: a panel will select a longlist of 20, then a shortlist of three, before choosing a first-place winner by consensus. A separate “Judge’s Prize” story also receives publication but no cash award.

The contest is funded entirely through a container deposit scheme (recycling cans and bottles for cash in Victoria, Australia), with organisers topping up any shortfall to guarantee the AUD$300 minimum prize. Winning stories are published on the contest website, and the organisers are considering a print edition in future years if the contest grows.

The National Poetry Competition 2026

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 13:19:00 000

October 31, 2026 1:19 pm - 1:19 pm

The National Poetry Competition is organised by The Poetry Society, which has run the prize annually since 1978. Widely regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious single-poem competitions, it welcomes original, unpublished poems in English on any subject from poets at every stage of their careers. Entries are judged anonymously by a panel of distinguished poets, with the 2026 judges being Niall Campbell, Malika Booker, and Luke Kennard.

Each poem must have a title and be no longer than 40 lines (excluding the title, blank lines, and dedications). Poems must be the entrant’s own original work, must not have been previously published or made publicly available in any form before the winners are announced. There is no limit to the number of poems an entrant may submit.

Top prize: £5,000. Second prize: £3,000. Third prize: £2,000. Seven commended poets receive £500 each. The top three winning poems are also published in The Poetry Review.

Flash 500 Novel Opening & Synopsis Competition

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 18:23:00 000

October 31, 2026 6:23 pm - 6:23 pm

The Novel Opening & Synopsis Competition is run by Flash 500, the UK-based writing competition platform. It invites published, self-published, and unpublished novelists to submit the opening of an unpublished novel alongside a compelling synopsis, and is judged by the editorial team at Bookouture, the digital-first commercial fiction publisher.

Entrants submit up to 3,000 words of their novel opening — which may be one or more chapters — together with a synopsis of no more than 750 words, in a single file. If a first chapter runs longer than 3,000 words, the entry should be closed within the word limit with a note that the chapter continues.

The competition is open to writers worldwide and welcomes simultaneous submissions, provided entrants notify Flash 500 if their work is accepted elsewhere. An optional paid critique of the entry and synopsis is available for an additional £35.

First prize is £500 and second prize is £200.

Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest 2027

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 01:32:00 000

November 1, 2026 1:32 am - 1:32 am

The Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest is an annual competition run by FC2 (Fiction Collective 2), an author-run, not-for-profit publisher dedicated to artistically adventurous and non-traditional fiction. The contest seeks manuscripts that push the limits of American publishing – work considered too challenging, innovative, or unconventional for mainstream commercial publishers.

Eligible entries may take the form of a novel, one or more novellas, or a collection of short stories, with no minimum or maximum length requirement. The manuscript must be unpublished as a whole, though individual pieces that have previously appeared in magazines or anthologies may be included in a collection. The contest is open to writers of, from, or in the United States writing in English who have not previously published with FC2.

FC2 particularly encourages submissions from writers who are Black, Indigenous, people of colour, disabled, LGBTQIA+-identifying, immigrant, or otherwise underrepresented in US literary publishing, and offers fee waivers to writers for whom the entry fee would pose a significant barrier.

Manuscripts are judged anonymously; finalists are selected by the FC2 Editorial Board, with the winner chosen by a final judge. The winner receives $3,000 and publication by FC2, an imprint of the University of Alabama Press.

Submissions for the 2027 contest will be open 15 August 2026.

Reedsy Novel Sprint 2026

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 00:00:00 000

November 1, 2026 12:00 am - November 30, 2026 11:59 pm

The Reedsy Novel Sprint is a free, month-long writing challenge taking place throughout November 2026. Writers are invited to work toward drafting 50,000 words of a novel over 30 days, with a program designed to help them stay motivated and make consistent progress from the first page to the end of the month.

Participants receive access to free live workshops and writing sprints covering topics such as story structure, outlining, opening chapters, character development, navigating the middle of a novel, and finishing a first draft. The challenge also includes regular check-ins and opportunities for writers to connect with other participants, share their progress, and celebrate milestones throughout November.

Three winners will receive cash prizes of $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000 respectively, along with the opportunity to meet with a literary agent.

The Novel Sprint is hosted by Reedsy, a publishing marketplace and platform that connects authors with professional editors, designers, marketers, ghostwriters, and other publishing professionals. Reedsy also develops Reedsy Studio, a writing and planning platform designed to help authors draft, organize, and prepare their books for publication.

Participation in the Reedsy Novel Sprint is free and open to writers looking to make significant progress on a novel during November.

Ascent Novel Prize

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 18:18:00 000

November 1, 2026 6:18 pm - 6:18 pm

The Ascent Novel Prize is an international competition for unagented writers who have not yet accepted a traditional publishing deal. Open to adult novelists writing in English — including young adult fiction — it welcomes writers of all backgrounds worldwide, with additional highly commended awards reserved for entrants from under-represented areas of the publishing industry.

Entrants submit the first 3,000 words of their novel along with a one-line pitch and a one-page synopsis. All entries are judged anonymously, and the top 100 entrants are guaranteed a personalised paragraph of feedback from the judging panel. Every entrant also receives free access to a membership area featuring videos and craft training.

The prize opens for entries on 1 June and closes on 1 November. The top 100 are announced in December, the longlist in January, the shortlist on 1 February, and the winner on 1 March. Sponsored entry places are available for writers for whom the cost is a barrier, courtesy of independent bookshop Messrs Fletcher and Frost. Multiple entries are permitted, each requiring a separate fee.

Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize

Sun, 08 Nov 2026 14:36:00 000

November 8, 2026 2:36 pm - 2:36 pm

The Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize is an annual short story competition hosted by Galley Beggar Press, an independent publisher based in Norwich, UK. It is open to both published and unpublished writers from anywhere in the world, writing original fiction in English.

Entries must be no longer than 6,000 words and must not have been previously published, online or in print. Translated stories are accepted if clearly marked as such, provided both the original and the translation are unpublished. Entries are submitted online as a Word document or PDF.

The winner receives a cash prize of £3,000. Three shortlisted writers each receive £200, and their stories are printed in pocket-book format and distributed to UK libraries, charities, and literary organisations. Ten longlisted writers each receive £50 in book vouchers plus a four-book subscription to Galley Beggar Press.

Entry costs £11 per story, though a number of free entries are offered each year to low-earners on a first-come, first-served basis. The longlist is announced 22 February 2027, the shortlist 15 March 2027, and the winner 29 March 2027.

Is this competition legit?Unknown - Based on our research it is not clear if this event is legit and if it's hosted by a well established publisher. Please remember to do your own research and read the Terms & Conditions before submitting your work.

FAQ
If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it's your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.

The SmokeLong Grand Micro Contest 2026

Sun, 15 Nov 2026 15:49:00 000

November 15, 2026 3:49 pm - 3:49 pm

The SmokeLong Grand Micro Contest, known as The Mikey, is an annual competition hosted by SmokeLong Quarterly celebrating the best micro fiction and nonfiction online. The grand prize winner is automatically nominated for Best Small Fictions and any other prize the editors deem appropriate.

Entries are limited to 250 words or fewer per micro. Writers may submit up to 2 or up to 4 micros in a single document, depending on entry tier. Fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid narratives that lean poetic are all eligible, though work with line breaks is not considered. Both previously published and unpublished micros are accepted, and simultaneous submissions are allowed.

The grand prize winner receives $1000, with $500 for second place, $300 for third, and $150 for each finalist. All finalists and placers will be published in the December 2026 issue of SmokeLong.

The Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction, Poetry, and Books

Fri, 27 Nov 2026 16:00:00 000

November 27, 2026 4:00 pm - 4:00 pm

The Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction, Poetry, and Books is an international literary prize hosted by The Letter Review, a literary journal that publishes new fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The prize runs every four months across three categories: Short Fiction, Poetry, and Books. The book catgegoru covers unpublished, self-published, or indie-published book-length manuscripts.

Short Fiction entries should be up to 5,000 words, with no theme or genre restrictions. Poetry entries should be up to 70 lines, also with no style or subject restrictions. Book entries are excerpts from a book-length work. Fiction and nonfiction excerpts should be the first 5,000 words, and poetry collection excerpts the first 15 pages.

All three categories are open to writers anywhere in the world.

Each category has a $1,000 USD prize pool, shared equally among the top 3–4 winning entries, with up to 20 shortlisted per category. Short Fiction and Poetry winners are published by The Letter Review online and in a Winners Anthology. Books winners may optionally have an extract of up to 1,000 words published. Winners across all categories are considered for the Pushcart Prize and invited to take part in an interview series.

White Pine Press Poetry Prize

Mon, 30 Nov 2026 07:22:00 000

November 30, 2026 (All Day)

The White Pine Press Poetry Prize is an annual poetry book competition hosted by White Pine Press, a publisher based in Buffalo, New York. The prize is awarded to a full-length poetry manuscript. Winning titles are published as part of the White Pine Press Poetry Prize Series.

Manuscripts must be between 60 and 80 pages. All poems must be original. Individual poems may have appeared previously in magazines, anthologies, or chapbooks. Translations are not eligible. Entries are submitted by post. Manuscripts are not returned.

The winner receives $1,000 and publication of their collection by White Pine Press. Entries are screened by the press’s editorial staff. The final selection is made by a poet of national reputation, whose name is announced at the end of the competition. The final judge alternates each year between a male and a female poet.

Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest

Mon, 30 Nov 2026 00:00:00 000

November 30, 2026 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

The Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest is run by Tadpole Press, founded and judged by Amber Byers, a children’s book author. The contest has no set theme or genre restriction. Entrants may submit fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoir, or any combination, provided the piece is 100 words or fewer.

Submissions are judged on creativity, originality, and how the piece captures a new angle or delivers a twist, with a stated preference for stories that show growth rather than dwelling in suffering. Pieces should be nonviolent in nature. The contest is open to writers of all ages, genders, and nationalities. Previously published work is accepted.

The panel includes five judges beyond Amber Byers: Johanna Craven, Creative Director of Compassiviste Publishing; melody kamba, a speculative fiction and lyric essay writer; Zoë Whittall, a private writing tutor; and Mari Mendoza, a writer and creative writing coach.

The winner will receive $1,000 USD (1st place). Further placements 2nd–6th receive publishing, editing, manuscript assessment, or coaching packages from Tadpole Press or Compassiviste Publishing.7th–10th place each receive $50 USD.

Winners are announced at Tadpole Press’s “Celebration of Words” event. A needs-based scholarship is available for the entry fee up to one month before the deadline.

Cai Emmons Short Fiction Contest

Mon, 30 Nov 2026 00:00:00 000

November 30, 2026 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

The Cai Emmons Short Fiction Contest celebrates the legacy of Cai Emmons by recognizing and supporting diverse authors from Oregon and Washington, nurturing emerging writers, and promoting storytelling aligned with the themes in Cai’s work.

Submissions must reflect themes central to Cai Emmons’s work, including interconnectedness, grief and loss, family dynamics, environmental/climate concerns, magical realism, and women’s experiences and identities.

Submission Guidelines:

Writers residing in Oregon and Washington.
Original, unpublished short fiction.
1,000–3,000 words
One submission per person.
Simultaneous submissions to other contests are allowed, but you must notify us and immediately withdraw your work from the contest if it’s accepted elsewhere.

Award Categories and Prizes

Grand Prize – Cai Emmons Short Fiction Contest Winner – $700
Category Awards – To honor Cai’s commitment to diverse themes and genres, prizes of $200 ($100 for honorable mentions) will also be awarded to category winnerrs.
Category award winners and honorable mentions receive a 1-year membership ($200 value). The Grand Prize Winner receives a 5-year membership ($1,000 value)

All finalists’ stories will be published by Wordcrafters Press in an anthology (in paperback and e-book), reflecting the contest’s themes and showcasing the best short fiction from the Pacific Northwest. The anthology will be published in April 2027, and all winners will receive a copy of the anthology.

Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition

Mon, 30 Nov 2026 12:46:00 000

November 30, 2026 12:46 pm - 12:46 pm

The Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition is an annual single-poem prize hosted by the Munster Literature Centre in Cork, Ireland. First held in 2010, it is named in honour of the late Irish poet long associated with the Centre. The judged for 2026 is Shangyang Fang.

The competition is open to original, unpublished and unbroadcast poems in English, 40 lines or fewer, by writers of any nationality living anywhere in the world. Simultaneous submissions are accepted.

A fees-free entry route is available to a limited number of poets who cannot afford the fee and are based in a developing country.

The winner receives a cash prize, a featured reading at the Cork International Poetry Festival with a four-night hotel stay and full board, a feature on the Southword Poetry Podcast, and publication in Southword. Second, third, and ten runner-up prizes are also awarded, each including publication in Southword.

The Munster Literature Centre is a not-for-profit organisation, and all proceeds from the competition go back into supporting writers and writing.

Wild Atlantic Writing Awards

Mon, 30 Nov 2026 13:54:00 000

November 30, 2026 1:54 pm - 1:54 pm

The Wild Atlantic Writing Awards (WAWA) are a writing competition hosted by Ireland Writing Retreat. The competition has two categories: flash fiction and creative nonfiction. This year’s theme is the phrase “We/I knew this day would come.”

Entrants submit a story of up to 500 words. Flash fiction entries can be in any genre, including sci-fi, crime, romance, horror, humour, thriller and mystery. Creative nonfiction entries must be true stories and can take any form, including memoir, profile, literary journalism, personal essay, culture, travel or food writing.

The competition is open to writers worldwide. Entries must be in English. Both unpublished and previously published work are accepted. Multiple entries are allowed.

The winner in each category receives €500 in cash or a voucher worth €1,000 towards any Ireland Writing Retreat retreat in 2027. Winners and finalists receive award certificates. With the writer’s permission, the top ten stories in each category are published on the Ireland Writing Retreat website.

Winners will be announced in January 2027.

Anthology Travel Writing Competition 2026

Mon, 30 Nov 2026 20:53:00 000

November 30, 2026 8:53 pm - 8:53 pm

The Anthology Travel Writing Competition is run by Anthology, an Irish luxury lifestyle magazine, and is open to writers of any nationality worldwide. The competition invites original, non-fictional, previously unpublished travel articles written in English, seeking pieces that convey a strong sense of place and local culture with literary merit and originality.

Entrants must submit an article of no more than 1,000 words. Multiple entries are permitted, with each submission requiring a separate entry form and fee. There is no age limit, and AI-generated work is not eligible.

The winner receives €300 and has their article published in a future issue of Anthology magazine. Prize money is paid on publication of the winning piece. Copyright remains with the author, though Anthology reserves the right of first publication.

Bath Children’s Novel Award 2026

Mon, 30 Nov 2026 22:37:00 000

November 30, 2026 10:37 pm - 10:37 pm

The Bath Children’s Novel Award is an international prize for children’s fiction by emerging authors — defined as unagented writers who are unpublished, self-published, or independently published without an advance. The award covers a wide range of children’s writing, including YA novels, middle grade, early readers, chapter books, and picture book texts.

Entrants submit the opening of their manuscript (up to 5,000 words) along with a one-page synopsis, in English. Full manuscripts may be of any length. Submissions are judged blind, first by Junior Judges aged 7–17 who select a shortlist, then by a leading children’s literary agent who selects the winner. AI-generated or AI-edited work is not eligible.

The competition is open to writers of any age, nationality, or residency. Sponsored places are available for writers on a low income. The winner is announced in March 2027 and receives £5,000 and a Minerva Trophy. Longlisted writers receive written feedback on their initial submission, and one longlisted writer also wins a free place on an 18-week novel editing course from Cornerstones Literary Consultancy and the Professional Writing Academy, valued at £1,980.

After the End Poetry Competition

Tue, 01 Dec 2026 11:05:00 000

December 1, 2026 (All Day)

The After the End Poetry Competition is an annual poetry competition hosted by the After the End research project in partnership with the National Poetry Centre. After the End is a Wellcome-funded interdisciplinary research project that explores time, temporality and the question of endings. It looks at who decides when something has ended and how experiences of endings shape lives, communities and policies around the world.

Poems should engage with the concept of “after the end”, exploring the temporal, ethical, social or emotional dimensions of endings. Submissions may draw on personal, historical or global events, reflect on lived experience, or experiment with form and perspective. There are no restrictions on style or genre. Entrants may submit one original, previously unpublished poem of up to 40 lines, or a spoken word video performance of under three minutes.

Entries must be in English. The competition is open to poets of all experience levels, and includes a category for under-18s.

The judging panel includes academics from the University of Oxford, the University of Exeter and Njala University, along with Nick Barley, Director of the National Poetry Centre. Winners will be announced on 1 February 2027.

The winner receives £200. Second and third place receive £100 each. Selected winning poems will be featured on the After the End website and social media channels.

Prairie Fire Writing Contests

Mon, 30 Nov 2026 19:00:00 000

November 30, 2026 7:00 pm - 11:59 pm

The McNally Robinson Booksellers Poetry, Short Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction Contests are Prairie Fire Press‘s annual writing competitions, sponsored by McNally Robinson Booksellers. The contests have run since 2004 and are judged this year by Patrick Friesen (poetry), tonia laird (short fiction), and Rowan McCandless (creative non-fiction).

Entrants submit to one of three categories. A short fiction or creative non-fiction entry is a single piece of up to 5,000 words. A poetry entry is up to three poems totalling no more than 150 lines. Entries must be unpublished and not simultaneously submitted elsewhere.

Each category awards one cash prize plus an Honourable Mention, and winning pieces are published in Prairie Fire’s summer issue with payment to the author.

The $34 entry fee includes a subscription to Prairie Fire.

Birdy Poetry Prize

Tue, 01 Dec 2026 14:18:00 000

December 1, 2026 2:18 pm - 2:18 pm

The Birdy Poetry Prize is an annual poetry manuscript contest hosted by Meadowlark Press, an independent publisher based in Emporia, Kansas. The prize has run since 2019.

The contest is open to full-length poetry manuscripts. Manuscripts must be at least 55 pages, but 90 or more pages is preferred. Individual poems may have appeared previously in journals or anthologies, but not in full-length, single-author collections. Self-translated work is accepted. Poets may enter regardless of publishing history. Previous winners are not eligible, but previous finalists may enter again.

The winner receives $1,000, publication by Meadowlark Press and 50 copies of the finished book. All entries are also considered for standard Meadowlark Press publishing contracts.

AgArts Bio-Sanctuary Contest

Tue, 01 Dec 2026 15:07:00 000

December 1, 2026 3:07 pm - 3:07 pm

The Bio-Sanctuary Contest is a writing contest hosted by AgArts, a US nonprofit that promotes a healthy food system through the arts. The contest seeks writing about bio-sanctuaries, which AgArts describes as refuges that allow plants or animals to flourish. A bio-sanctuary can be as small as a balcony bird feeder or as large as a wetland. Other examples include a pocket prairie, a windbreak, a mason bee house or a dead hedge.

Entrants submit a poem or piece of nonfiction of up to 500 words. Along with the writing, entrants must submit one to three photos documenting a specific bio-sanctuary they have enhanced or created. Entries are submitted through an online form on the AgArts website.

The winner receives $1,000 and the runner-up receives $500. Winners will be published in The Blazing Star Journal and on the Emerging Voices Substack page. The judge is Thomas Fox Averill.

The Ouroboros Poetry Prize

Sun, 06 Dec 2026 12:17:00 000

December 6, 2026 (All Day)

The Ouroboros Prize is an annual themed poetry contest hosted by Palette Poetry. The 2026 theme is cycles, inspired by the ouroboros as a symbol of destruction and rebirth. Poems might explore life and death, the seasons, or the beginnings and ends of relationships. The theme is open to interpretation.

Each entry can contain up to three poems, totalling under ten pages. Poems must be unpublished, including on blogs and social media. Poets writing in English anywhere in the world can enter. Simultaneous submissions and multiple entries are accepted.

The guest judge is Richard Siken, author of Crush, winner of the Yale Series of Younger Poets prize.

Palette’s editors choose ten finalists and any honorable mentions. Richard Siken then selects the winner and runners-up for publication. First place receives $3,000. Second place receives $300 and third place receives $200. Finalists may also be considered for publication.

Entrants will be notified within twelve weeks of the closing date. Paid editorial feedback is available as an optional add-on.

The Newcastle Poetry Prize

Sun, 06 Dec 2026 14:35:00 000

December 6, 2026 2:35 pm - 2:35 pm

The Newcastle Poetry Prize is a single-poem competition hosted by Hunter Writers’ Centre. Now in its 45th year, it is one of Australia’s longest-running poetry prizes.

The prize is open to poems of any length up to 200 lines. There is no set theme. Poems must be original and must not have been previously published in print or online. Entrants may submit any number of poems, with each poem requiring its own entry and fee. Hunter Writers’ Centre members receive a discounted entry fee of A$30.25.

The first prize is A$10,000, with A$5,000 for second place, A$2,500 for third and A$500 for highly commended. Three additional prizes are also awarded: the Harri Jones Memorial Prize (A$1,500) for poets under 36, the Jan Dean Members Prize (A$1,000) for a Hunter Writers’ Centre member, and the Kade Fenwick Prize (A$500) recognising poetry from First Nations and trans voices.

Winning and shortlisted poems are published in the annual anthology. Shortlisted poets who do not win a prize receive a A$100 publication fee. Winners will be announced at the anthology launch at the Newcastle Writers Festival on 3 April 2027.

Mslexia Women’s Pamphlet Competition 2026

Mon, 07 Dec 2026 15:19:00 000

December 7, 2026 (All Day)

The Women’s Pamphlet Competition is a poetry pamphlet competition hosted by Mslexia, the UK magazine for women’s writing. The competition is open to women of any nationality, from any country. The competition is for poets who have never had a full-length collection published.

Entries should be collections of 18 to 20 poems, of 20 to 24 pages. Poems may be of any length, style or subject, with no more than 40 lines of poetry per page. Poems must be in English or an English dialect. Individual poems previously published in magazines, anthologies, blogs and other media are eligible, but poems previously published as part of a pamphlet or full collection are not. Simultaneous submissions are allowed.

The winner receives £500 and publication of their pamphlet by Bloodaxe Books under the publisher’s standard agreement. A selected poem from the winning pamphlet will also be published in Mslexia magazine.

Entrants will be notified of results in May 2027, and the winner will be announced on 1 June 2027.

Ironclad Short Story Competition Winter 26/27

Fri, 11 Dec 2026 16:00:00 000

December 11, 2026 (All Day)

The Ironclad Short Story Competition is a quarterly short story contest hosted by Ironclad Creative. The Winter 26/27 round uses the prompt word “Glimmer.” It is open to both published and unpublished writers.

Stories can be up to 6,000 words and may be in any genre of prose. Entries must be inspired by the prompt word in some way. Writers can use the word in the body of the story, but they don’t have to. The organiser is looking for exciting voices and stories that are gripping and take the reader somewhere interesting.

The first place writer receives £100 and publication. Prize-winning and shortlisted writers will be published in the Winter 26/27 anthology. A small number of free entries are available for writers in need who live in the UK. These are allocated on a first come, first served basis by emailing the organiser.

Fosseway Writers Short Story Competition

Sat, 12 Dec 2026 21:00:00 000

December 12, 2026 (All Day)

The Fosseway Writers Short Story Competition is an annual writing competition hosted by Fosseway Writers, a long-established writing group based in Newark, Nottinghamshire. The 2026 competition invites short stories on the theme of “Unfinished”. The judge is Alex Davis.

Entries must be original, previously unpublished stories of between 1,500 and 2,500 words. Multiple entries are permitted.

First prize is £50. Second prize is £30 and third prize is £20. The top three entries may be published on the Fosseway Writers website. Winners will be announced on 6 January 2027.

Wilder Series Poetry Book Prize

Tue, 15 Dec 2026 16:26:00 000

December 15, 2026 4:26 pm - 4:26 pm

The Wilder Series Poetry Book Prize is an annual full-length poetry manuscript contest from Two Sylvias Press, judged by press editors Kelli Russell Agodon and Annette Spaulding-Convy. The event is open to women over the age of 50 (born on or before December 31, 1976), including both established and emerging poets. The press uses an inclusive definition of “woman,” welcoming trans women, genderqueer women, femme, and non-binary people who are female-identified or assigned female at birth.

Entrants submit an original, unpublished full-length manuscript. Individual poems can be previously published in journals or anthologies as long as the collection as a whole is unpublished. Translations and previously self-published books are not eligible. Poets may submit more than one manuscript, each with its own fee. Simultaneous submissions are allowed. International submissions and collaborative manuscripts are welcome/

A limited number of fee waivers are available for writers facing financial hardship.

The winner receives a cash prize, publication by Two Sylvias Press, and 20 author copies. All submitted manuscripts are considered for publication. The press has run this prize since 2015 and maintains a public archive of past winners.

The New Voices Fiction Award

Tue, 15 Dec 2026 16:37:00 000

December 15, 2026 4:37 pm - 4:37 pm

The New Voices Fiction Award is a biannual short fiction contest from Jitney Books, a Miami-based independent publisher and literary blog. This is the award’s second edition, open to emerging and established writers submitting bold, original stories across any genre.

Entrants may submit fiction or creative nonfiction of 500 to 2,000 words, original and previously unpublished, in any genre. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, provided the press is notified promptly if a story is accepted elsewhere. The contest is open internationally with no age restrictions. The final judge is J.J. Colagrande.

The winner receives a cash prize, publication of the story, and a featured author interview published alongside it. Second place receives a smaller cash prize and publication. Third place receives publication only. Authors retain full copyright, with first North American (or first world) serial rights reverting back after publication.

2026/2027 Fiction, Non-Fiction & Memoir Contest

Sun, 20 Dec 2026 13:48:00 000

December 20, 2026 1:48 pm - 1:48 pm

The Fiction, Non-Fiction & Memoir Contest is an annual book manuscript contest hosted by IML Publications, a boutique hybrid publisher based in Santa Barbara, California. The contest seeks unpublished manuscripts of memoir, fiction and non-fiction. It also has a call for Indigenous writers, whose work may be considered for publication through the Global Voice Foundation.

Entrants submit the first 50 double-spaced pages of their manuscript and a one-page synopsis by email. Manuscripts must be unpublished, and self-published books are not eligible.

Finalists will be announced on 30 January 2027 and asked to submit their full manuscript of up to 100,000 words by 28 February 2027. Entries are read by Dr Michael Lechuga and Jacqueline Gay Walley.

The entry fee is $40, or $10 for Indigenous writers.

The contest offers $1,000 in prizes. Winners will be announced on 30 April 2027. The 2025 winner was Chinwe Mary Okoye for the memoir Redbone.

Louise Glück Prize for Best Poem or Prose

Fri, 25 Dec 2026 13:43:00 000

December 25, 2026 1:43 pm - 1:43 pm

The Louise Glück Prize for Best Poem or Prose is an annual writing prize hosted by Poetries in English Magazine, a semiannual digital literary journal. The 2026–27 prize is the inaugural edition. The prize is open to poetry and prose in any form or style.

Entrants may submit up to five poems or a single piece of prose of up to 10,000 words. Prose may be fiction or creative nonfiction. Previously published work is not accepted. Entries are submitted through the journal’s online submission form.

The winner receives $1,000 and publication in Poetries in English Magazine. Non-winning entries are also considered for regular publication in the journal.

The results will be announced in early 2027. The journal acquires First North American Serial Rights for published work.

The Moth Poetry Prize 2026

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 19:37:00 000

December 31, 2026 (All Day)

The Moth Poetry Prize is an international poetry competition hosted by The Moth, an Irish arts and literature magazine. It is one of the largest prizes in the world for individual unpublished poems. Each year it receives thousands of entries from new and established poets in more than 50 countries.

Entries can be on any subject and of any length. Poems must be written in English and must never have been published, self-published, published online or broadcast. Collections are not accepted. English translations are eligible if the translator has permission and the author and translator agree to share any prize money. The prize is open to anyone aged 16 or over. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, and there is no limit on the number of entries. Entries can be made online or by post.

The 2026 judge is Diane Seuss, winner of the Pulitzer Prize. She reads all poems anonymously.

The first prize is €6,000. Three runner-up prizes of €1,000 and eight commended prizes of €250 are also awarded. The four shortlisted poems are published in the Irish Times online. The shortlist is announced in March, and the overall winner is announced at an online award ceremony in the spring.

The First 5K Novel Prize

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 11:14:00 000

December 31, 2026 (All Day)

The First 5K Novel Prize is a novel-writing competition hosted by Writers Online and Writing Magazine, published by Warners Group Publications. It is open to writers of unpublished novel manuscripts in any fiction genre aimed at adult or young adult readers.

Entrants submit the first 5,000 words of their manuscript along with a one-page synopsis. Entries must be original, unpublished in any form, and written in English.

Entrants must not be represented by a literary agent. Writers who have previously self-published or been traditionally published may enter, provided the submitted manuscript is unpublished. There is no limit to the number of entries.

The winner receives £5,000 and a consultation with Piers Blofeld, literary agent at Sheil Land Associates. The runner-up receives £500 and a consultation with Monica Chakraverty, editorial director at Cornerstones Literary Consultancy. Shortlisted writers receive a 12-month Writers Online Membership, and longlisted writers receive a 12-month Writers Online membership.

A longlist of around 15 entrants will be announced by 28 February 2027, a shortlist of six by 31 March, and the winners on 1 May 2027. Subscribers to Writing Magazine and Writers Online members pay a reduced fee of £24.

Writing Magazine Grand Flash Prize

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 06:31:00 000

December 31, 2026 (All Day)

The Writing Magazine Grand Flash Prize is a flash fiction competition hosted by Writing Magazine. Stories can be up to 500 words.

The competition is open to any writer. Entries must be original and unpublished. They must not be submitted for publication or to any other competition or award while under consideration. There is no limit on the number of entries. Writing Magazine subscribers can enter at a reduced rate of £16.

The winner receives £1,000 and publication in Writing Magazine or on the Writers Online website. The runner-up receives £200 and publication on the website. Judges are appointed by Writing Magazine.

Winners will be notified within two months of the closing date. Writing Magazine keeps the right to publish winning entries for twelve months after that.

The Chesham Short Story Prize

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 07:24:00 000

December 31, 2026 7:24 am - 7:24 am

The Chesham Short Story Prize is an annual international writing competition organized by the Chesham Literary Festival, an event established in 2023 to celebrate writers and poets from both the local area and beyond. This competition, alongside The Playwright’s Prize, represents a new expansion of the festival’s offerings.

The prize welcomes short stories of any genre and on any theme and encourages writers to unleash their imagination and share their unique voices with the world. Accepted categories include literary fiction, science fiction, crime, or contemporary stories.

Submissions must adhere to a maximum word count of 3,000 words and should be written in English. The event is open to writers from anywhere in the world.

The winner will be announced in March 2027 and will receive a cash prize of £100. Beyond the monetary award, the prize offers a significant opportunity for writers to gain recognition, have their voices heard, and showcase their talent.

The Playwright’s Prize

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 07:52:00 000

December 31, 2026 7:52 am - 7:52 am

The Playwright’s Prize is a new annual international competition launched by the Chesham Literary Festival, an organisation established in 2023 to celebrate and promote writers and poets both locally and globally.

The prize aims to discover and showcase compelling, original stage plays. It offers a significant opportunity for playwrights to have their voices heard and gain attention for their work. This event is part of the festival’s broader commitment to fostering literary talent, alongside its poetry and short story competitions,

The competition welcomes original stage plays on any theme, provided they are written in English and do not exceed 20,000 words. It is open to writers from anywhere in the world.

There is an entry fee of £15 per script. The winner will be announced in March 2027 and will receive a cash prize of £100. The award will be presented at an award ceremony at Chesham Town Hall in June.

The Penelope Award

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 13:16:00 000

December 31, 2026 1:16 pm - 1:16 pm

The Penelope Award is a category within The Homer Awards, a new English-language literary awards program based in Tolo, Greece. Unlike the program’s other categories, which are reader-nominated awards for already-published books, the Penelope Award is open to unpublished writers, offering a full publishing deal with Imagine Press for the best unpublished thriller manuscript. The award is judged solely by Jonas Saul, a published thriller author (60 novels) and founder of Imagine Press.

Entrants must submit a completed, never-commercially-published thriller manuscript in English with no current literary agent attached, along with a synopsis (max 500 words) and the first three chapters. Jonas Saul longlists 10 manuscripts from the synopses and opening chapters, then requests full manuscripts from the longlisted authors. Three finalists are shared with the “Thriller Book Retreat” reader community before Jonas makes the final decision. The winner is announced live at the Homer Awards gala in Tolo, Greece, on 22 October 2027.

The winning manuscript is published by Imagine Press, the publishing house founded by judge Jonas Saul. Authors retain all rights to their work. Imagine Press takes a royalty for a fixed term in exchange for publishing services, after which all rights revert to the author.

FAQ
If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it's your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.

African Diaspora Award 2027

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 13:38:00 000

December 31, 2026 1:38 pm - 1:38 pm

The African Diaspora Award is an annual writing competition hosted by Kinsman Quarterly, a literary journal published by Kinsman Avenue Publishing. The 2027 award is the fourth edition of the competition. It seeks writing on themes related to African culture or subculture. Suggested themes include cultural history, family dynamics, customs, spirituality, myths and beliefs, cultural art, community challenges and Afrofuturism.

Entrants may submit a short story of 500 to 3,000 words, a creative nonfiction piece of up to 1,500 words, or a poetry collection of three to six poems (up to seven pages). Work must be original, unpublished and written in English. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but work should be withdrawn if accepted elsewhere.

The competition is open to writers aged 18 and over. Writers of African descent are preferred, but entry is not limited to them.

The grand prize winner receives $1,000 and publication in Kinsman Quarterly and the 2027 anthology, Africa’s Diaspora: The Four Corners. The first runner-up receives $200 and the second runner-up receives $100, both with publication. The top three placements include writers from each genre, who then compete for the grand prize. The top six shortlisted finalists receive a $25 Amazon gift card and publication. All longlisted finalists are eligible for publication in the anthology and a complimentary Kindle copy.

Copyright remains with the authors. Winners and finalists are asked to wait one year after the announcement before republishing their work.

Killer Shorts Horror Short Story Competition

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 07:00:00 000

December 31, 2026 7:00 am - 12:00 am

Got a horror short story? Killer Shorts wants to read it.

Killer Shorts is a premier launchpad dedicated to discovering, championing, and launching the next wave of voices in horror fiction. Founded in 2019, the competition connects emerging authors directly with the industry professionals who actively publish, manage, and option dark fiction for the screen.

To give submissions the highest level of validation, work is evaluated by an elite jury that includes legendary author and producer Tananarive Due (The Twilight Zone, Horror Noire), literary manager John Zaozirny (Bellevue Productions), and genre icon Barbara Crampton.

Winners receive official publication on the Killer Shorts website to guarantee industry eyes on their work, a professional Scrivener software license, and an exclusive one-on-one career consultation with author and screenwriter Chris Hicks, who successfully adapted his own short prose into a major Hollywood film package.

Authors can submit their killer short stories to Killer Shorts today to launch their literary careers.

Rejection Competition

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 17:12:00 000

December 31, 2026 5:12 pm - 5:12 pm

Every year, Reneé Bibby (an American flash / short story writer) runs a competition to see who can acquire the most literary rejections in a calendar year. Inspired by Kim Liao’s Lit Hub article “Why you Should Aim for 100 Rejections a Year” the competition reframes rejections as “wins”.

The competition is for literary magazine publication rejections of poetry, essays, creative non fiction, micro fiction, flash, and short stories. Currently this does not support rejections for novels, agent representation, residencies, or writing positions.

The event is open to writers of all levels, all genres, all ages, all over the world.

The competition runs January 1st–December 31st every year.

The Lascaux Prize in Short Fiction

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 20:52:00 000

December 31, 2026 8:52 pm - 8:52 pm

The Lascaux Prize in Short Fiction is run by The Lascaux Review, an online literary journal. The contest welcomes short fiction in all genres and styles, and stories may be previously published or unpublished, with simultaneous submissions accepted.

Length should not exceed 10,000 words. All entries, win or not, are automatically considered for general publication in the journal. Judging is handled by the journal’s own editors, and writers retain full rights to their work at all times. Submissions are made online via Submittable; postal submissions are not accepted.

The winner receives $1,000 in prize money, a bronze medallion, and publication in The Lascaux Review.

The Ouroborealis Poetry Prize

Fri, 01 Jan 2027 00:00:00 000

January 1, 2027 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

The Ouroborealis Poetry Prize is run by The Columbus Review, a newly launched non-profit experimental literary magazine, for its inaugural issue. Entrants respond to the theme “Metamorphic Outliers,” which the organiser describes as a creative lens rather than a literal subject to write about.

Poems must be previously unpublished, one poem per file per entry, and should fit comfortably on a single page: a minimum of 5 lines and a maximum of 40. Multiple entries are permitted, and simultaneous submissions are accepted provided the organiser is notified promptly if the poem is accepted elsewhere.

The prize pool starts at $50 and grows with each entry fee received. The grand prize winner receives 60% of the pool and the honorable mention 20%, with both winning poems published in the magazine’s next issue.

Winners are notified February 2027. Public announcement March 1, 2027.

FAQ
If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it's your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.

Claret Press Short Story Competition 2027

Fri, 01 Jan 2027 11:22:00 000

January 1, 2027 (All Day)

The Claret Press Short Story Competition is an annual writing competition hosted by Claret Press, a London-based independent publisher of fiction about politics. The 2027 competition invites short stories that reflect today’s politics. Entries on immigration, asylum-seeking and the climate, access to healthcare. Stories on any other theme within contemporary politics are also welcome.

Stories must be under 5,000 words, original, and not previously published. All genres and styles are accepted. Entrants must be subscribed to the Claret Press newsletter, A Sip of Claret News.

First prize is £50, second prize is £30, and third prize is £20. All three winning stories are published in the A Sip of Claret News newsletter. The first-prize story is also published on the Claret Press website.

The shortlist is judged by Katie Isbester, founder of Claret Press, and Corinna Edwards-Colledge, political activist and author. Entrants can also choose to receive three to five pages of written editorial feedback on their story for an additional £35 fee.

Summit Series Contest

Fri, 01 Jan 2027 12:09:00 000

January 1, 2027 (All Day)

The Summit Series Contest is an annual book prize hosted by Central Michigan University Press. CMICH Press is a not-for-profit publisher of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Each year’s contest has a different focus. The third annual contest is dedicated to book-length fiction by writers with ties to the Midwestern Great Lakes states.

Entries can be a story collection, one or more novellas, or a novel. There is no length requirement. The manuscript must be previously unpublished. Individual pieces that have appeared in magazines or anthologies may be included. Translations and previously published or self-published collections are not eligible. Writers may enter more than one manuscript, with each one submitted separately and paying its own fee.

The winning manuscript will be published by CMICH Press as part of the Summit Series. The Summit Series Editorial Board, made up of Central Michigan University faculty, selects the finalists. Previous winners include Stephanie Carpenter’s novel Moral Treatment (2024) and Patricia Killelea’s poetry collection Solace: Poems from the Northwoods (2025).

The Stern Poetry Book Prize

Fri, 01 Jan 2027 12:25:00 000

January 1, 2027 12:25 pm - 12:25 pm

The Stern Prize is an annual poetry book award hosted by The American Poetry Review. It honours the American poet Gerald Stern. The prize is open to poets aged 50 and over. The inaugural prize went to Michael Bazzett for his collection Cloudwatcher.

Entrants submit a full-length poetry manuscript of at least 48 pages. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, as long as the poet notifies APR if the manuscript is accepted elsewhere. Poets may enter more than one manuscript, each as a separate entry.

The judging committee is made up of editors and board members of The American Poetry Review. APR follows the CLMP Code of Ethics in running the contest.

The winner receives $2,000 and a standard book contract, with royalties paid in later years. The winning book will be published by The American Poetry Review in partnership with Copper Canyon Press in April 2028. The winner will have time to revise the manuscript after acceptance.

Entrants will be notified by February 28, 2027.

Bristol Short Story Prize

Fri, 08 Jan 2027 01:00:00 000

January 8, 2027 1:00 am - 11:59 am

The Bristol Short Story Prize is an annual international short story competition hosted by the University of Bristol. It was established in 2007.

Stories can be on any theme or subject. All styles are welcome, including graphic, verse and genre fiction such as crime, science fiction, fantasy, historical, horror, romance and children’s.

Entries must be no more than 4,000 words. There is no minimum length. Stories must be written in English and must not have been previously published in print or online, including on blogs and social media. Entrants must be over 16 on the closing date.

The first prize is £1,500, with £500 for second place and £250 for third. The remaining 12 shortlisted writers each receive £50. All 15 shortlisted stories are published in the Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology Volume 19, and each shortlisted author receives a free paperback copy.

A pool of 250 free entries is available to writers for whom the fee is a barrier. Entries are judged anonymously, and winners are announced at the University of Bristol’s Writers’ Day in summer 2027.

Amazing Women’s Edition Contest

Mon, 11 Jan 2027 12:58:00 000

January 11, 2027 12:58 pm - 12:58 pm

The Amazing Women’s Edition is a youth literacy contest run by the National Youth Foundation (NYF), a US-based nonprofit focused on diverse youth literacy. This year’s theme is “Local Heroines,” inviting student participants to write and illustrate an original book celebrating women who have made a positive impact in their communities.

Entrants must be students in grades K through 8 living in the United States, working either individually or in teams of up to 22 students. Each entry is a self-made illustrated book of 20–30 pages (excluding optional cover, dedication, and back pages), submitted by post on 8½”×11″ or 9″×12″ paper along with a signed entry form (requiring both student and parent/guardian signatures). Both text and artwork must be created solely by the students, and only one book entry is allowed per person.

The prize structure isn’t stated in cash terms; rather, based on past testimonials on the organiser’s page, winning students have their book published by the National Youth Foundation and featured in the NYF Library of past winners, with past student participants describing becoming “a published artist” as the reward.

2027 Colorado Prize for Poetry

Thu, 14 Jan 2027 12:54:00 000

January 14, 2027 12:54 pm - 12:54 pm

The Colorado Prize for Poetry is an international poetry book manuscript contest hosted by the Center for Literary Publishing at Colorado State University. The prize was established in 1995 and runs annually. Theme and style are open.

Entrants submit a poetry manuscript of 48 to 100 pages. Individual poems may have been published previously, but the manuscript as a whole must be unpublished, including self-published work. Simultaneous submissions are allowed.

Entrants must be at least 18 years old. Holders of certain US visas (B1/WB, B2/WT, H-1B and F-1) cannot receive the honorarium and should not enter.

Submissions open on 1 October 2026 and can be made online through Submittable or by post. The entry fee is $25 by post or $28 online, and includes a one-year subscription to Colorado Review. Multiple manuscripts may be entered, each with its own fee. A limited number of fee waivers are available for writers experiencing financial hardship.

The winner receives a $2,500 honorarium and publication of their book by the Center for Literary Publishing, with distribution by the University Press of Colorado in autumn 2027. The honorarium is an advance against royalties.

The final judge is Juliana Spahr, winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. The winner will be announced by May 2027.

The Win-Win Writing Competition

Fri, 15 Jan 2027 12:30:00 000

January 15, 2027 (All Day)

The Win-Win Writing Competition is a charity writing contest hosted by Chawriteable. It aims to get more people writing, raise money for smaller charities, and spread a love of short stories. The 2026 competition is Chawriteable’s first. It supports Compass Collective, an arts charity for young sanctuary seekers in the UK. All ticket donations go to the charity.

The competition has two categories: flash fiction and short story. Neither category has a minimum length. It is open to published and unpublished writers aged 16 and over, anywhere in the world. Entries must be in English.

First prize in each category is £100. The winning stories will be illustrated by an artist and published on the Chawriteable website. Second prize in each category is £25. A panel of readers shortlists entries before they go to the judges.

Longleaf Press Poetry Book Prize

Fri, 15 Jan 2027 16:05:00 000

January 15, 2027 4:05 pm - 4:05 pm

The Longleaf Press Book Contest is an annual poetry manuscript competition administered by the editors of Longleaf Press. The winning manuscript is selected by judge Roger Weingarten and will be published by Longleaf Press in early 2028.

Entrants are asked to submit an original, unpublished full-length manuscript of at least 50 pages. Individual poems may have been previously published in magazines or journals, provided the collection as a whole is unpublished. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but entrants must withdraw if the work is accepted elsewhere. Multiple submissions require separate entries and separate fees.

The winner receives a cash prize, publication, 25 author copies, and a virtual reading. The organizers at Longleaf Press state that the event follows the CLMP Code of Ethics for literary contests.

The submission deadline is January 15, 2027. Winners are announced by April 30, 2027.

Exeter Novel Prize

Sun, 31 Jan 2027 11:58:00 000

January 31, 2027 (All Day)

The Exeter Novel Prize is a novel competition hosted by Word Kitchen. It is open to writers anywhere in the world who are not represented by a literary agent at the closing date. Published, self-published and unpublished authors are all eligible.

Entrants submit the opening of their novel, up to 10,000 words, together with a synopsis of up to 500 words. The opening must be continuous rather than a selection of scenes. The synopsis should outline the plot and structure of the whole novel. The novel does not need to be complete. Entries must be in English. Writers may enter more than one novel.

Literary agent Hellie Ogden, head of the book department at WME’s London office, selects the shortlist and the winner.

The winner receives £1,000, and five finalists each receive £100. Entry with an appraisal report costs £150. A small number of bursary places are available.

Next Generation Indie Book Awards

Fri, 12 Feb 2027 00:00:00 000

February 12, 2027 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

The Next Generation Indie Book Awards is currently accepting published books, unpublished manuscripts, galley copies, and advanced reader copies which have a copyright/release date of 2025, 2026, or 2027 from independent publishers and authors for the 2027 awards year.

The entry fee is $80 for the first category entered and $65 for every additional category entered for the same title. 80 categories across fiction and non-fiction are offered.

Winners in each of the 80 categories receive cash prizes, gold medals, possible representation by a leading literary agent, complimentary stickers, social media coverage and website exposure. Three Grand Prize Winners will be selected from all entries received and will be awarded cash prizes of $1,500, $750, and $500 based on their order of win. All Winners are invited to attend the Indie Book Awards gala reception.

Writers’ & Artists’ Short Story Competition 2027

Fri, 12 Feb 2027 10:53:00 000

February 12, 2027 10:53 am - 10:53 am

The Writers’ & Artists’ Short Story Competition is an annual short story contest hosted by Writers & Artists, the publisher behind the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook. Entrants submit an original, unpublished short story for adults on the theme of celebration. The competition is open to all ages, professions, and nationalities. Entrants must not have an existing publishing contract or agent representation for the submitted work.

This year’s competition is judged by Daisy Johnson, author of Fen, Everything Under, and Long Wave, and the youngest person ever shortlisted for the Booker Prize. The winning story and two runners-up will be announced on the Writers & Artists blog. Entrants must have a free account on the Writers & Artists website to submit work.

The winner receives a place on an Arvon Residential Writing Week, an annual subscription to the Writers & Artists online listings service, a W&A masterclass of their choice, and a copy of the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook 2027. Second and third place winners each receive a masterclass and an annual online listings subscription. Shortlisted writers receive a 6-month online listings subscription. The winning and shortlisted entries will also be published on the Writers & Artists site.

Next Generation Short Story Awards

Thu, 25 Feb 2027 00:00:00 000

February 25, 2027 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

The Next Generation Short Story Awards is accepting unpublished short stories and poems of less than 5,000 words for the 2027 awards year. It is open to all authors worldwide, including first-time writers, who have an original, previously unpublished short story written in English.

The entry fee is $25 for the first category and $20 for every additional category entered for the same story. 30 categories across fiction, non-fiction and poetry are offered.

Winners in each of the 30 categories receive cash prizes, gold medals, story published in an Anthology of Winners along with a complimentary copy, digital promotional stickers, social media coverage, and website exposure. Three Grand Prize Winners will be selected from all entries received and will be awarded cash prizes of $500, $300, and $200 based on their order of win, exposure in a Press Release, and an invitation to attend the Next Generation Indie Book Awards gala reception.

Never Such Innocence Poetry Competition 2026/27

Fri, 26 Feb 2027 14:04:00 000

February 26, 2027 2:04 pm - 2:04 pm

The Never Such Innocence Poetry Competition is an international poetry competition for young people hosted by Never Such Innocence, a UK registered charity. It forms part of the organisation’s annual International Competition, which also includes art and short film categories.

The 2026/27 theme is “Through My Eyes”. Entrants are invited to share their own unique perspective of war and conflict. They are asked to consider what has shaped this view, such as their experiences, nationality, heritage, gender, proximity, age and education.

Each poem must respond to the theme. Poems must be the entrant’s own original work. They may be written in any language, and can be typed or neatly handwritten. Entrants may submit one poem. The competition is aimed at young people aged 9 to 18. Entrants outside this age range may submit work but are not eligible to win.

Winners have their work published in a digital booklet. They also receive an NSI prize pack and are invited to take part in special opportunities.

Winners will be announced by 5 May 2027.

Canterbury Tales Writing Competition 2026/7

Sun, 28 Feb 2027 12:52:00 000

February 28, 2027 12:52 pm - 12:52 pm

The Canterbury Tales Writing Competition 2026/7 is organised by the Chaucer Heritage Trust and is open to school-age students, including those in schools, colleges, home education, and youth community organisations. The annual competition is inspired by the works of Geoffrey Chaucer and invites young writers to create a poem or story that reflects the theme of “Transformations”.

Entrants can write about a transformation, change that leads to surprising consequences, or a character who transforms from good to evil or evil to good. Entries should capture the spirit of The Canterbury Tales, be written in English, and may use everyday language and colloquialisms where appropriate. The competition has three age categories: Junior (5–10), Intermediate (11–14), and Senior (15–18).

Choose ONE of the following:

Write a poem or story about a transformation
Write a poem or story about change that leads to surprising consequences
Write a description of a character who transforms from evil to good or from good to evil

Top prize: £300 for the winning entrant in each age category, plus £1,000 for the winning entrant’s school library.

ISAC International Lyric Competition

Mon, 01 Mar 2027 12:36:00 000

March 1, 2027 (All Day)

The ISAC International Lyric Competition is an annual contest for original song lyrics, hosted by Ise-Shima Art Company in Japan. The organiser also runs several international music and composition competitions. The 2027 edition is the second lyric competition. It recognises lyrics that combine creativity, poetic expression, and musicality.

Lyrics of any genre and length are accepted, in any language. An English or Japanese translation is optional. Previously published lyrics and lyrics that have won awards elsewhere are eligible. There are no age or nationality restrictions.

Entries are judged mainly on effective use of language and the quality of poetic expression. The jury also considers stress, rhyme, form, line use, originality, and vocabulary.

The Grand Prize is JPY 50,000 and a certificate. Special Prize certificates are awarded to up to about 35 entrants. Results are scheduled for 5 May 2027.

The Charles Potts Poetry Award

Wed, 31 Mar 2027 12:19:00 000

March 31, 2027 12:19 pm - 12:19 pm

The Charles Potts Poetry Award is an annual book award is named after poet and publisher Charles Potts. It recognises new poets who have completed their first book of poetry.

Entrants submit a full-length manuscript of at least 85 pages. The book must be the author’s first book of poetry, although previously published books in other genres do not count against eligibility. Each author may submit one book. Entries must be in English and are submitted by email. Unsuccessful entrants may rework their book and submit it again the following year.

The winner receives $1,000 (USD) and publication of their book by Hand to Mouth Books, including digital publication through Amazon. The publisher provides the ISBN and works with the author on the cover design. Copyright remains with the author. The organisers may cancel the contest and move entries to the following year if fewer than 50 entries are received.

The 2025 winner was Ciara Totton of Spokane, Washington, for her book Bodies in Reduction.

Reader Views Literary Awards

Wed, 31 Mar 2027 23:16:00 000

March 31, 2027 11:16 pm - 11:16 pm

The Reader Views Literary Awards, founded in 2005, honour excellence in independent publishing. The programme is open to self-published authors and those published through small presses, hybrid publishers, or university presses worldwide, provided the submitted work is in English and carries a copyright date within the last five years. Books from major traditional publishing houses are not eligible.

The awards operate in two seasonal tracks: the Fiction Programme (open March–September 2026, winners announced late November 2026) and the Non-Fiction Programme (open September 2026–March 2027, winners announced late May 2027). Poetry and all children’s titles are evaluated within the Fiction track.

Every entry receives a full professional editorial review and a detailed 20-point evaluation, which authors may use for promotional purposes.

Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards are presented in each genre category, with additional Finalist designations based on scoring. Grand Prize cash awards, starting at $1,000 (Gold), $350 (Silver), and $150 (Bronze) are selected from category winners and may increase based on entry volume. A range of sponsored awards are also available, including prizes from Dabble, AutoCrit, and others, covering categories such as debut fiction, historical fiction, debut poetry, and children’s books.

2027 Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest

Thu, 01 Apr 2027 14:47:00 000

April 1, 2027 2:47 pm - 2:47 pm

The Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest is a free humor poetry competition hosted by Winning Writers. Now in its 26th year, it seeks the best humor poems from writers of all ages, judged by Jendi Reiter, vice president of Winning Writers, assisted by Lauren Singer.

Entrants submit one humor poem of up to 250 lines, written in English. Both published and unpublished work is accepted. Cartoons incorporating a humor poem, or “inspired gibberish,” are also accepted formats.

The contest awards $5,100 in total prizes. First prize is $2,000 plus a two-year Duotrope gift certificate and five years of Chill Subs’ Best plan. Second prize is $500, third prize is $250, and there are 10 honorable mentions of $100 each. The top entries are published online.

Marsh Hawk Press Poetry Prize

Fri, 30 Apr 2027 17:22:00 000

April 30, 2027 (All Day)

The Marsh Hawk Press Poetry Prize is an annual book-length poetry competition that welcomes submissions from both emerging and established poets. Submissions for the 2027 prize open on December 1, 2026.

Entrants submit a full-length poetry manuscript of 48 to 84 single-spaced pages. Individual poems may have been previously published in magazines, anthologies or chapbooks of fewer than 25 pages. The collection as a whole must be unpublished. Translations and self-published books are not eligible.

The winner receives $2,000, publication of the book and promotion. Two further awards, the Robert Creeley Memorial Award and the Rochelle Ratner Memorial Award, are chosen from the finalists and carry $250 each.

Winners are announced in early summer. Marsh Hawk Press subscribes to the CLMP Contest Code of Ethics.

The Moriarty Award

Fri, 30 Apr 2027 15:58:00 000

April 30, 2027 3:58 pm - 3:58 pm

The Moriarty Award is a new annual prize from Bell Cow Productions, a literary media company behind several author-focused podcasts. Named after Sherlock Holmes’s antagonist Professor James Moriarty, it recognizes the author of the most complex, memorable villain or antagonist in a published novel.

Unlike a manuscript submission contest, this award works by nomination: anyone can nominate a novel published in the 2026 calendar year, along with its villain, antagonist, or ensemble cast, and pay the entry fee to enter it. Nominators receive a confirmation email with a link to submit further details about the book, author, and character being nominated.

The winner receives a cash prize, a Moriarty Award medal, and guest appearances at several mystery-writing events. The winner and shortlisted nominees also get a podcast feature on Bell Cow’s Author Round-Up, a website feature, and inclusion in Bell Cow’s “Cattle-Log.”

To Hull And Back Humorous Short Story Competition

Wed, 30 Jun 2027 17:06:00 000

June 30, 2027 5:06 pm - 5:06 pm

The To Hull And Back Humorous Short Story Competition is a biennial contest run by author Christopher Fielden, now in its 10th edition. It invites writers worldwide to submit an original humorous short story in English, with no restriction on genre or theme beyond containing some element of humour. Stories may have been previously published elsewhere.

Entrants may submit up to three stories each, though only one cash prize can be won per author. Stories are read and shortlisted, then scored independently by a panel of up to ten judges.

Alongside the £1,000 top prize, £200 goes to second place, £100 to third, £70 each to three highly commended entries, and £35 each to fourteen shortlisted entries, for a total prize pot of £2,000. All winning and shortlisted stories are published in the To Hull And Back Anthology (print and Kindle), with author profiles and, for the winner, a published interview. The anthology is expected 31 October 2027, with the “ride to Hull” video following in spring 2028.

Cheshire Novel Prize

Thu, 01 Jul 2027 08:00:00 000

July 1, 2027 (All Day)

The Cheshire Novel Prize is an international novel competition founded in 2022 by writer and editor Sara Cox. It accepts novels in all genres, including memoir, fictional memoir and YA. Every entrant receives written feedback on their submission.

The competition is open to un-agented writers aged 18 and over, of any nationality and living anywhere. Writers must not have had a traditional publishing deal for a novel. Self-published writers are eligible.

Entrants submit the opening 5,000 words of a completed novel, along with a synopsis. All entries must be in English. The finished novel must be at least 60,000 words.

The winner receives £1,000 and one highly commended writer receives £500. Longlisted and shortlisted writers each get a 15-minute one-to-one with the judging agents. Longlisted writers are asked for further chapters, and shortlisted writers submit their full manuscript. Writers who reach the Top 100 receive a live 1.5-hour workshop with the founder.

Sponsored free entries are available for under-represented writers.

Anthology Short Story Competition 2027

Mon, 30 Aug 2027 09:00:00 000

August 30, 2027 (All Day)

The Anthology Short Story Competition is an annual writing competition hosted by Anthology, a lifestyle and arts magazine published by Anthology Publishing in Limerick, Ireland. It was set up to recognise and encourage creative writing and to give writers a route to publication. There is no restriction on theme or style.

Entries must be original, previously unpublished short stories written in English. Reworked versions of previously published material are not eligible. The competition is open to writers of any age and nationality, living anywhere in the world. Multiple entries are permitted, and simultaneous submissions are allowed provided the story is withdrawn if accepted elsewhere. Entries can be submitted online or by post.

The winner receives €1,000 and publication of their story in a future issue of Anthology. Second place receives €250 and third place €150. Through a partnership with Reedsy Learning, the winner also receives a one-year Reedsy Learning membership. Prize money is paid upon publication.

Entries are judged anonymously on literary merit, originality and readability. Early bird entry fees of €12 (until 31 October 2026) and €15 (1 November 2026 to 31 January 2027) are available.

Anthology Personal Memoir Competition 2027

Tue, 31 Aug 2027 10:00:00 000

August 31, 2027 (All Day)

The Anthology Personal Memoir Competition is an annual writing competition hosted by Anthology, a lifestyle and arts magazine published by Anthology Publishing in Limerick, Ireland. Writers are invited to share a unique life experience. This could be a transformative journey, a poignant moment or a life-altering event. There are no constraints on theme or writing style.

Entries must be original, non-fiction, previously unpublished personal memoirs written in English. Reworked versions of previously published material are not eligible. The competition is open to writers of any age and nationality, living anywhere in the world. Multiple entries are permitted.

The winner receives €500 and publication in a future issue of Anthology. Through a partnership with Reedsy Learning, the winner also receives a one-year Reedsy Learning membership.

Entries are judged on emotional impact, creativity and the ability to captivate the reader. An early bird entry fee of €12 is available until 31 January 2027.

Anthology Nature Writing Competition 2027

Thu, 30 Sep 2027 10:00:00 000

September 30, 2027 (All Day)

The Anthology Nature Writing Competition is an annual writing competition hosted by Anthology, a lifestyle and arts magazine published by Anthology Publishing in Limerick, Ireland. It celebrates the natural world and encourages readers to explore the outdoors. Possible subjects include wildlife in your own garden, an encounter with an animal, the serenity of a forest, environmental challenges or the healing power of nature.

Entries must be original, previously unpublished essays written in English. Reworked versions of previously published material are not eligible. The competition is open to writers of any age and nationality, living anywhere in the world. Multiple entries are permitted.

The winner receives €300 and publication in a future issue of Anthology. Through a partnership with Reedsy Learning, the winner also receives a one-year Reedsy Learning membership.

Entries are judged on emotional impact, creativity and the ability to captivate the reader. An early bird entry fee of €12 is available until 28 February 2027.