This writing competitions list brings together short story, flash fiction, poetry and novel competitions I’d happily point any writer towards. Most are based in the UK, and many accept entries from anywhere in the world. Each entry shows the prize, the entry fee, what the judges want and who can enter.
The competitions are grouped by the month they usually close. Organisers move their dates a little each year, so check the competition’s own website before you enter.
I’ve spent more than twenty years in publishing, including as Editor-in-Chief at Birdtree Books, and I still enter competitions myself. Win or lose, a deadline gets my best editing out of me. Below the list, you’ll find how I choose which competitions make the cut, followed by answers to common questions about entering.
If you’d like to improve your odds, read my guide on how to win writing competitions.
BOOKMARK this huge writing competitions list and enter contests at your leisure. Regularly updated, this big list is a fantastic author resource!
Whether you’re a seasoned writer or an aspiring author eager to showcase your literary prowess, winning a writing competition is a fantastic way to get your novel, short stories or poetry noticed by a wider audience.
This curated list of the best writing competitions offers authors the perfect platform to shine. Whether you’re into crafting compelling short stories, weaving enchanting poetry, or diving into novel-length narratives, there’s something for everyone, including free poetry competitions, free short story contests and a list of UK writing competitions.
It gives a great feeling of validation that you are on the right path and your hard work is worth it, whether you win a writing contest, get shortlisted, or even an honourable mention in a respected author contest.
My advice would be to simply be to go for it! Pick a UK or worldwide writing competition that you like the sound of and enter it. Most of these creative writing competitions are generally run annually, have prestigious awards or great prizes, and most are open to international authors too.
You’re now ready to dive into the opportunities available with these writing competitions. From prestigious literary awards to niche-specific contests, these contests celebrate creativity and provide a stage for emerging and established authors alike. See each individual literary contests website for specific details.
Writing Competitions
Last checked: October 2026. Every one of these Writing Competitions was checked against its own submission guidelines this month.
January Writing Competitions
Crime Writers Association Margery Allingham Short Story Competition
Prizes: £500 and one year’s membership of the Crime Writers’ Association
Entry fee: £25
Looking for: Short stories up to 3,500 words based on Margery Allingham’s definition of a mystery: “The Mystery remains box-shaped, at once a prison and a refuge. Its four walls are, roughly, a Crime, a Mystery, an Enquiry and a Conclusion with an Element of Satisfaction in it.”
Who can enter: Anyone aged 18+, worldwide.
Website: www.thecwa.co.uk
Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize
Prizes: 1st: £1,500. Every shortlisted writer gets a one-to-one consultation with a literary agent at WME.
Entry fee: £12 (sponsored free entries available)
Looking for: The first ten pages of a novel (finished or unfinished), plus a one-paragraph pitch and a one-page synopsis. Literary and genre fiction both welcome, including word-based novels for young adults and children.
Who can enter: Unpublished, unagented women and non-binary writers aged 18+, living in the UK, Ireland or the Channel Islands.
Website: www.lucy.cam.ac.uk
Story Unlikely Annual Short Story Contest
Prizes: $5,000 prize package. The top three stories are published with illustrations, plus a $250 prize for the best reprint.
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: Fiction or creative non-fiction in any genre, up to 7,000 words.
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide (entering signs you up to their newsletter).
Website: www.storyunlikely.com
February Writing Competitions
WOW! Women on Writing Competitions (Various)
Prizes: $$$, publication, interview and Amazon Gift Certificates (Prizes and entry fees for their competitions vary, please see their website for regular competitions).
Entry fee: Varies ($10 to $25)
Looking for: Short Fiction (250-750 words) or Creative Non-Fiction (200-1,000 words)
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide (men can enter too, despite the name).
Website: www.wow-womenonwriting.com
Flash Fiction Award
Prizes: 1st: £1,000, 2nd: £300, 3rd: £100. Two commendations £30 each. 50 long-listed entrants offered publication in end of year print and digital anthology.
Entry fee: £9.00 for one entry; £15.00 for two entries; £18.00 for three entries.
Looking for: Short Stories up to 300 words.
Who can enter: Anyone aged 16+, worldwide.
Website: www.bathflashfictionaward.com
Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook Annual Short Story Competition
Prizes: A place on an Arvon residential writing week.
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: Stories up to 2,000 words on a set theme (the theme changes each year, see website).
Who can enter: Anyone of any age, worldwide, as long as you don’t have a literary agent.
Website: www.writersandartists.co.uk/competitions
The Desperate Literature Prize for Short Fiction
Prizes: 1st: €2,000, a week’s residency at the Civitella Ranieri Foundation, a literary agent consultation and a manuscript assessment. Two runners-up: €1,000 each.
Entry fee: €20 for first entry, €10 for each further entry, maximum of ten entries.
Looking for: Fiction short story up to 2,000 words.
Who can enter: Anyone aged 18+, worldwide, with or without an agent.
Website: www.desperateliterature.com
Scottish Arts Trust Competitions
Prizes: Edinburgh Short Story Award 1st: £3,000 (prizes vary across their other awards).
Entry fee: £11 per short story (fees vary by award)
Looking for: Short stories on any topic up to 2,000 words, plus separate awards for flash fiction, true flash, novels, young adult novels and essays.
Who can enter: Anyone aged 16+, worldwide (some awards are for writers living in Scotland only).
Website: www.scottishartstrust.org
Exeter Writers Short Story Competition
Prizes: 1st: £700, 2nd: £350, 3rd: £250, plus £100 for a Devon writer.
Entry fee: £7
Looking for: Short stories up to 3,000 words, any genre and theme.
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide (extra prize for Devon writers).
Website: www.exeterwriters.org.uk
Flash 500 Short Story Competition
Prizes: 1st: £500, 2nd: £200, 3rd: £100
Entry fee: £7, £12 for two, £16 for three, £20 for four.
Looking for: Short stories between 1,000 and 3,000 words.
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.flash500.com
Fish Flash Fiction Prize
Prizes: 1st: €1,000, 2nd: €300 and an Online Writing Course with Fish, 3rd: €300. Top ten stories published in the Fish Anthology.
Entry fee: €16 (€11 subsequent entries).
Looking for: Short stories up to 300 words.
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.fishpublishing.com
A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”
— Richard Bach
March Writing Competitions
Neil Gunn Writing Competition
Prizes: 1st: £500, 2nd: £300 and 3rd: £200 in each category.
Entry fee: £10
Looking for: Short stories up to 2,500 words and poetry up to 40 lines, interpreting one of three quotes from Scottish writer Neil Gunn.
Who can enter: Adult sections are open to anyone, worldwide. School sections are for Highland pupils only.
Website: www.neilgunntrust.org
BBC National Short Story Award
Prizes: Award of £15,000 for the winner, £600 for four further shortlisted stories.
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: Stories with a maximum of 8,000 words. One entry per author.
Who can enter: UK nationals or residents aged 18+ with a previous creative writing publication in the UK.
Website: www.bbc.co.uk
Rhys Davies Short Story Competition
Prizes: 1st: £1,000, Runner Up: £100 (10 Prizes), plus publication
Entry fee: £8. Entrants must have been born in Wales, or live or have lived there for 2 years.
Looking for: Any style or subject up to 5,000 words.
Who can enter: Writers born in Wales, or who live or have lived there for two years.
Website: www.swansea.ac.uk
Fowey Festival Short Story Competition
Prizes: 1st: £200, 2nd: £100
Entry fee: £10
Looking for: Short stories up to 1,500 words on a specific theme.
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.foweyfestival.com
Limnisa Short Story Competition
Prizes: 1st: A one week writers’ retreat at Limnisa in Greece. 2nd and 3rd: 50% off a retreat stay. 4th and 5th: 25% off a retreat.
Entry fee: €10 for one story, €25 for three stories
Looking for: Short stories between 500 and 1,500 words on a specific theme. Open to writers aged 16 and over worldwide.
Who can enter: Writers aged 16+, worldwide.
Website: www.limnisa.com
The Henshaw Competition
Prizes: 1st: £200, 2nd: £100, 3rd: £50. Winning stories published on the Henshawpress website. Commended stories offered the opportunity of inclusion in their anthology.
Entry fee: £6. Optional critiques a further £12.
Looking for: A short story on any subject up to 2000 words.
Who can enter: Anyone aged 16+, worldwide.
Website: www.henshawpress.co.uk
Cymera
Prizes: £150, publication and a festival weekend pass (runners-up also receive festival passes)
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: Unpublished speculative short stories (science fiction, fantasy or horror) up to 2,000 words. Open to writers aged 14+ living in Scotland or Scottish by birth or inclination.
Who can enter: Writers aged 14+ living in Scotland, or Scottish by birth or inclination.
Website: www.cymerafestival.co.uk
Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize
Prizes: £10,000
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: A novel about fictional adventure writing, best published and best unpublished categories
Who can enter: Writers of any nationality, writing in English (separate categories for published and unpublished novels).
Website: www.wilbur-niso-smithfoundation.org
The Rialto Nature and Place Poetry Competition
Prizes: 1st: £1,000, 2nd: £500, 3rd: £250
Entry fee: £7 for the first poem, £4 for each further poem
Looking for: Poems up to 40 lines on any aspect of nature and place
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.therialto.co.uk
Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest
Prizes: 1st: $2,000 plus a two-year Duotrope membership, 2nd: $500, 3rd: $250, plus ten honourable mentions of $100. Winners published online.
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: One humorous poem up to 250 lines. Published and unpublished poems both accepted.
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.winningwriters.com
“The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.”
― Terry Pratchett
April Writing Competitions
Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize
Prizes: 1st: £3,000, 2nd: £1,000, 3rd: £1,000
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: Writing up to 1,250 words on a specific theme. One entry per person. Text must not have been published, self-published or accepted for publication in print or online, or have won or been placed in another competition at any time. All genres permitted.
Who can enter: Anyone aged 18+, any nationality.
Website: www.alpinefellowship.com
Edge Hill Short Story Prize
Prizes: 1st: £10,000, plus £1,000 for the best debut collection
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: Single-author short story collections published in previous year.
Who can enter: UK or Irish citizens, or three-year residents, with a story collection from a UK or Irish publisher.
Website: www.edgehill.ac.uk
Bath Short Story Award
Prizes: 1st: £1200, 2nd: £300, 3rd: £100, plus £100 for the Acorn Award (for an unpublished writer), £50 for the local prize.
Entry fee: £9
Looking for: Short stories up to 2,200 words, in any style and on any subject
Who can enter: Anyone aged 16+, worldwide (plus an award for unpublished writers).
Website: www.bathshortstoryaward.org
ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
Prizes: 1st: AU$6,000, 2nd: AU$4,000, 3rd: AU$2,500. All three published in Australian Book Review.
Entry fee: AU$20 for ABR subscribers, AU$30 for non-subscribers
Looking for: Short stories between 2,000 and 5,000 words, open to writers anywhere in the world.
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.australianbookreview.com.au
Write By The Sea
Prizes: 1st: €1000 and €500 for each category winner
Entry fee: €10 per entry or €25 for three entries
Looking for: Short stories (3,000 words), Flash (700 words) and Poems (40 lines)
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.writebythesea.ie
New Writers 100-Word Writing Competition
Prizes: 1st: £1,000, plus four runners-up prizes of £100. The top five are published online and in the New Writers Anthology.
Entry fee: £10 for one entry, £18 for two, £26 for three
Looking for: Stories or poems up to 100 words, excluding the title.
Who can enter: Writers aged 18+, worldwide.
Website: www.newwriters.org.uk
May Writing Competitions
Creative Future Writers’ Award
Prizes: £25,000 of cash and development prizes shared between fifteen winners, plus anthology publication and a reading at the London Literature Festival
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: Poetry (50 lines), Fiction (2,000 words) or Creative Non-Fiction (2,000 words) from underrepresented UK writers aged 18+ who haven’t yet published a book
Who can enter: Underrepresented UK writers aged 18+ who haven’t published a book.
Website: www.creativefuture.org.uk
Bristol Short Story Prize
Prizes: 1st: £1,500, 2nd: £500, 3rd: £250. Each of the remaining 12 shortlisted writers receives £50. Shortlisted stories published in the anthology.
Entry fee: £14 (250 free entries for low-income writers)
Looking for: Stories up to 4,000 words on any theme or subject and in any style, including graphic, verse or genre-based.
Who can enter: Anyone aged 16+, worldwide.
Website: bssp.blogs.bristol.ac.uk
Frome Festival Short Story Competition
Prizes: 1st: £400, 2nd: £200, 3rd: £100, plus additional prizes for local entries.
Entry fee: £8. Multiple entries permitted.
Looking for: Short stories from 1,000 to 2,200 words on any theme.
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide (extra prizes for local writers).
Website: www.fromeshortstorycompetition.co.uk
Bridport Prize
Prizes: Novels: 1st: £1,000, 2nd: £500, 3 Shortlisted authors receive £100. Poems: 1st: £5,000, 2nd: £1,000, 3rd: £500, 10 x £100 for highly commended. Short Stories: 1st: £5,000, 2nd: £1,000, 3rd: £500. Flash Fiction: 1st: £1,000, 2nd: £500, 3rd: £250.
Entry fee: Various.
Looking for: Short stories up to 4,000 words. Novels, Poetry and Flash Fiction.
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide (the novel award is for writers without a literary agent).
Website: www.bridportprize.org.uk
Blue Pencil Agency First Novel Award
Prizes: 1st: £1,500 and agent introduction, Runner-up: £500 and agent introduction
Entry fee: £25 per entry
Looking for: Unrepresented and unpublished authors for a novel in any adult fiction genre. Submit opening chapter(s) up to 5,000 words, plus a 300-word synopsis and a covering letter.
Who can enter: Unpublished novelists without a literary agent.
Website: www.bluepencilagency.com
Brick Lane Bookshop Short Story Prize
Prizes: 1st: £1,000, 2nd: £500, 3rd: £250. Twelve shortlisted stories published in an anthology.
Entry fee: £10 (free entries available for low-income writers)
Looking for: Short stories between 1,000 and 3,500 words from previously unpublished writers in the UK and Ireland.
Who can enter: Previously unpublished writers living in the UK or Ireland.
Website: www.bricklanebookshop.org
June Writing Competitions
Bath Novel Award
Prizes: 1st: £5,000
Entry fee: £29.99
Looking for: First 5,000 words of a manuscript of at least 50,000 words.
Who can enter: Unpublished or self-published novelists aged 16+, worldwide.
Website: www.bathnovelaward.co.uk
Aurora Prize for Writing
Prizes: 1st: £500 in each category, plus feedback from a literary agent or editor and a year’s Society of Authors membership. 2nd: £150.
Entry fee: £9 for first entry, £7 for each additional entry
Looking for: Short fiction (up to 2,000 words) and poetry (up to 60 lines)
Who can enter: Writers aged 18+.
Website: www.writingeastmidlands.co.uk
Mslexia Magazine Competitions
Prizes: Varies by competition
Entry fee: Check website for details
Looking for: Fiction and Poetry (Women Only entrants)
Who can enter: Women writers only.
Website: www.mslexia.co.uk
The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition
Prizes: Two prizes, each a worldwide publishing contract with Chicken House and a £10,000 advance: the main Times/Chicken House Prize, and the Broken Binding Prize for YA science fiction, fantasy and speculative fiction.
Entry fee: £20 to £25 (check the current fee)
Looking for: A complete novel of between 30,000 and 80,000 words for readers aged 7 to 18, plus a synopsis and covering letter.
Who can enter: Unpublished, unagented writers aged 18+, worldwide.
Website: www.chickenhousebooks.com
“Just write every day of your life. Read intensely. Then see what happens. Most of my friends who are put on that diet have very pleasant careers.”
— Ray Bradbury
July Writing Competitions
Anthology Magazine Short Story Competition
Prizes: 1st: €1,000, 2nd: €250, 3rd: €150
Entry fee: €18
Looking for: Short stories up to 1,500 words
Who can enter: Anyone of any age, worldwide.
Website: www.anthology-magazine.com
The To Hull And Back Humorous Short Story Competition
Prizes: 1st: £1,000, 2nd: £200, 3rd: £100, plus publication in their anthology for shortlisted writers.
Entry fee: £12
Looking for: Short stories up to 2,500 words. No limitation on style or genre, but must contain some element of humour.
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide (previously published stories are allowed).
Website: www.christopherfielden.com
London Magazine Poem Competition
Prizes: 1st: £500, 2nd: £300, 3rd: £200
Entry fee: £10
Looking for: Poetry up to 40 lines
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.thelondonmagazine.org
New Writers Poetry Competition
Prizes: 1st: £1,000, plus four runners-up prizes of £100. Winners published online and in the New Writers Anthology.
Entry fee: Check website for details
Looking for: Poems on any theme, in any style.
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.newwriters.org.uk
August Writing Competitions
Sean O’Faolain Prize
Prizes: 1st: €2,000, a featured reading at the Cork International Short Story Festival (with four nights’ hotel stay) and publication in Southword. 2nd: €500.
Entry fee: €19
Looking for: Short stories up to 3,000 words
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.munsterlit.ie
Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition
Prizes: 1st: £1,000, a free creative writing course and publication on website, Runners-up: £200
Entry Fee: £12
Looking for: Short stories up to 3,000 words on any subject, theme or genre
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.creativewritingink.co.uk
Digital Dreamers Magazine
Prizes: Publication in the magazine
Entry fee: Free
Looking for: Short Stories and Poetry (must be aged between 10 and 25)
Who can enter: Young writers aged 10 to 25.
Website: www.digitaldreamersmagazine.com
September Writing Competitions
Commonwealth Short Story Prize (Closing date varies each year)
Prizes: Overall winner: £5,000, Regional winners: £2,500 each
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: Unpublished short stories from 2,000 to 5,000 words, open to Commonwealth citizens aged 18 and over
Who can enter: Commonwealth citizens aged 18+.
Website: www.commonwealthfoundation.com
Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize
Prizes: 1st: £2,500, shortlisted: £200, longlisted: £50 book vouchers and a subscription
Entry Fee: £11
Looking for: Short stories up to 6,000 words
Who can enter: Anyone of any age, worldwide.
Website: www.galleybeggar.co.uk
The Darling Axe: The First Page Challenge
Prizes: 1st: $700, 2nd: $200, 3rd: $100 CAD
Entry fee: $5 CAD
Looking for: The first page of your novel, memoir, short story or narrative non-fiction (one page, double-spaced).
Who can enter: Writers without a literary agent, worldwide.
Website: www.darlingaxe.com
Mysterious Murders Short Story Competition
Prizes: 1st: £3,000, 2nd: £1,500, 3rd: £500
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: A “locked room” murder mystery story up to 3,000 words.
Who can enter: Writers aged 18+ of any nationality, published or unpublished.
Website: www.mysteriousmurders.com
Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest (closes 1 October)
Prizes: Tom Howard Prize: $3,500 for a poem in any style. Margaret Reid Prize: $3,500 for a poem that rhymes or uses a traditional style. Ten honourable mentions of $500.
Entry fee: $25 per submission (up to three poems)
Looking for: Poems up to 250 lines.
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.winningwriters.com
Zoetrope: All-Story Short Fiction Competition (closes 1 October)
Prizes: 1st: $1,000 and online publication, 2nd: $500, 3rd: $250
Entry fee: $30
Looking for: Short stories up to 5,000 words.
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.all-story.com
October Writing Competitions
Marlowe & Christie International Novel Prize
Prizes: 1st: £1,200
Entry fee: £24
Looking for: Opening 3,000 words of your novel
Who can enter: Novelists who haven’t been traditionally published.
Website: www.marloweandchristie.com
F(r)iction Contests
Prizes: 1st: Short Story $1,000, Flash Fiction $300, Poetry $300
Entry fee: $2.50 per submission
Looking for: Short stories between 1,001 and 7,500 words, Poetry up to 3 pages per poem, Flash Fiction up to 1,000 words. Work that pushes boundaries, questions traditions and tastes.
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.frictionlit.org
Scribble Competitions
Prizes: £75. £25, £15 for top 3 stories
Entry fee: £5 per story
Looking for: Short stories up to 3,000 words.
Who can enter: Anyone.
Website: www.parkpublications.co.uk
National Poetry Competition
Prizes: 1st: £5,000, 2nd: £3,000, 3rd: £2,000, plus commended prizes of £500
Entry fee: £9 for the first poem, £6 for each further poem (limited free entries for low-income poets)
Looking for: A single unpublished poem up to 40 lines.
Who can enter: Anyone aged 18+, worldwide.
Website: www.poetrysociety.org.uk
Caledonia Novel Award
Prizes: 1st: £2,000 and a framed award. A free place on a residential writing course goes to the best novel from the UK and Ireland, plus a Highly Commended prize of £500.
Entry fee: £28
Looking for: The first 20 pages of a novel, plus a 200-word synopsis. Any genre, for adults or young adults.
Who can enter: Unpublished and self-published novelists, worldwide.
Website: www.thecaledonianovelaward.com
The Bedford Competition
Prizes: Main prizes worth up to £2,000 for short stories and poetry, plus separate categories for younger writers.
Entry fee: £8.50
Looking for: Short stories up to 3,000 words and poems up to 40 lines.
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide (separate categories for younger writers).
Website: www.bedfordwritingcompetition.co.uk
New Writers Novel Prize
Prizes: 1st: £1,000 and lifetime access to The Novel Factory, 2nd: £300, 3rd: £200, plus Novel Factory subscriptions. Winners published online and in the New Writers Anthology.
Entry fee: £12 for one entry, £22 for two, £31 for three
Looking for: The opening 500 words of an unpublished novel or novella.
Who can enter: Writers aged 18+, worldwide.
Website: www.newwriters.org.uk
Solstice Nature Prize for Young Writers
Prizes: £100, goody bags and anthology publication for the winners
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: Stories or blogs up to 500 words, or poems up to 40 lines, about nature, the environment or climate change.
Who can enter: Young writers aged 7 to 25, in four age categories.
Website: www.writingeastmidlands.co.uk
Dinesh Allirajah Prize for Short Fiction
Prizes: 1st: £500. Every shortlisted story is published in an eBook anthology by Comma Press.
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: Short stories between 2,000 and 7,500 words on a set theme that changes each year.
Who can enter: UK residents aged 18+, published or unpublished.
Website: www.commapress.co.uk
ALCS Tom-Gallon Trust Award
Prizes: 1st: £2,000, 2nd: £1,000, plus £500 for up to four shortlisted writers
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: A published or unpublished short story up to 5,000 words.
Who can enter: Writers from the UK, Ireland or the Commonwealth who have had at least one short story published or accepted for publication.
Website: www.societyofauthors.org
The McKitterick Prize
Prizes: 1st: £4,000, 2nd: £2,000, plus £1,000 for up to four shortlisted writers
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: A first novel, published or unpublished.
Who can enter: Writers over 40 who haven’t had another novel published (children’s books don’t count).
Website: www.societyofauthors.org
November Writing Competitions
London Magazine Short Story Competition
Prizes: 1st: £750, 2nd: £450, 3rd: £300
Entry fee: £12 per story (£6 for each subsequent story)
Looking for: Short stories up to 4,000 words
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.thelondonmagazine.org
Anthology Magazine Poetry Competition
Prizes: 1st: €1,000, 2nd: €250, 3rd: €150
Entry fee: €18
Looking for: Poetry up to 40 lines
Who can enter: Anyone of any age, worldwide.
Website: www.anthology-magazine.com
December Writing Competitions
Moth Magazine Competition
Prizes: Poetry Prize 1st: €6,000 (plus three €1,000 runner-up prizes and eight €250 commended prizes). Short Story Prize 1st: €3,000
Entry fee: From €15 per entry (€16 per poem)
Looking for: Short stories up to 5,000 words and poetry (no line limit, any subject)
Who can enter: Anyone aged 16+, worldwide.
Website: www.themothmagazine.com
RSL Ondaatje Prize
Prizes: 1st: £10,000
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: A published book of fiction, non-fiction or poetry that best evokes the spirit of a place (submitted by publishers)
Who can enter: Published authors, entered by their publisher.
Website: www.rsliterature.org
V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize
Prizes: 1st: £1,000 and publication in the RSL Review
Entry fee: £8 (50 free entries for low-income UK writers)
Looking for: Unpublished short stories between 2,000 and 4,000 words. Open to writers in the UK, Republic of Ireland and Commonwealth.
Who can enter: Writers in the UK, Republic of Ireland or the Commonwealth.
Website: www.rsliterature.org
Marlowe & Christie Flash Fiction Prize
Prizes: 1st: £250
Entry fee: £11 (Early-Bird £9)
Looking for: 250 word story (check for themes)
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.marloweandchristie.com
Ongoing Writing Competitions…
Future Scholar Foundation Monthly Competition
Prizes: Amazon Gift Cards and published in the Hall of Fame
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: Short stories up to 350 words (Elementary and Middle School Students only)
Who can enter: Elementary and middle school students.
Website: www.futurescholarfoundation.org
Andromeda Magazine Monthly Competition
Prizes: Digital certificate and publication on the website
Entry fee: $6.99
Looking for: Fiction short stories up to 2,000 words
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.andromedamagazine.com
Monthly Competition: Shooter Flash
Prizes: £50 for the winning story each month, plus publication on the Shooter website
Entry fee: £5
Looking for: Flash fiction up to 1,000 words
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.shooterlitmag.com
The Letter Review Prize
Prizes: Total prize pool of $16,000 USD
Entry fee: $20 USD (Poetry $15)
Looking for: Short Fiction (up to 5000 words), Nonfiction (up to 5000 words), Poetry (up to 70 lines), Unpublished Books (including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry), and Reprints (previously published works which are not available online)
Who can enter: Anyone, worldwide.
Website: www.letterreview.com
The Not Quite Write Prize
Prizes: Total prize pool of AUD $4,000 per round (1st: AUD $1,500)
Entry fee: AUD $35
Looking for: You have 60 hours to write 500 words Flash Fiction from prompts (four rounds a year)
Who can enter: Anyone of any age, worldwide.
Website: www.notquitewritepodcast.com
Writers of the Future
Prizes: $1,000, $750 and $500 every quarter, plus a $5,000 annual grand prize
Entry fee: Free!
Looking for: Science fiction, fantasy or light horror up to 17,000 words. Four deadlines a year: 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December.
Who can enter: New writers who haven’t professionally published a novel or more than three short stories.
Website: www.writersofthefuture.com
Free Author Contests, International Competitions and Writing Prizes
The great thing about many of the writing competitions on this list is that they are free writing contests that allow you to showcase your talent without breaking the bank. So you can unleash your creativity without worrying about entry fees.
Some of these writing competitions allow you to go beyond your borders and make your mark on the global stage. International writing competitions provide a unique opportunity to showcase your talent to a diverse audience and compete with writers from around the world.
You might be dreaming of publishing your manuscript or novel? Then you should participate in manuscript and book writing competitions that not only provide exposure but may open doors to publication opportunities and literary acclaim.
You also get to embrace the digital age with online writing contests. Convenient and accessible, these literary challenges allow you to submit your work from the comfort of your writing nook. Don’t miss out on the chance to make your mark in the virtual literary landscape.
The world of writing competitions is vast and full of exciting opportunities. Choose the contests that align with your writing style, genre, and aspirations. Don’t miss the chance to have your work recognised, connect with fellow authors, and take your writing journey to new heights.
Good luck with your submissions!
Want support with writing, editing, publishing, and marketing your book, short story or poetry? Visit my Resources for Authors page for lots more useful links, tips, tricks and advice.
Pop in your email and click ‘Subscribe’ to get free stories, writing tips and author advice:
Writing Competitions FAQ
How do I know if a writing competition is legitimate?
Look for a named judge, published past winners, clear rules on prizes and a fair deal on rights. Be wary of high fees for small prizes, or rules that claim your copyright. Steer clear of anthologies where every entrant is “published” and then asked to buy copies. Writer Beware and the Alliance of Independent Authors both track dubious contests, so check them if you’re unsure.
Are entry fees normal for writing competitions?
Yes. Most reputable competitions charge a fee, which pays for the prizes and the judges. On this list, short story and poetry competitions usually charge between £5 and £15, while novel competitions charge between £20 and £30. Several offer free or reduced entries for writers on low incomes, so check the rules if the fee puts you off.
Are there free writing competitions?
Yes. Free competitions on this list include the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook Short Story Competition, the Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize, the Commonwealth Short Story Prize and the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. Free competitions draw large numbers of entries, so polish your piece as hard as you would for a paid one.
Can I enter the same story into more than one competition?
Often, yes. Many competitions accept a story that’s also entered elsewhere, as long as you withdraw it everywhere else once it wins, places or gets published. Some ban it outright. The rules will tell you which, and it pays to check, because breaking this rule can cost you a prize you’ve already won.
What does “unpublished” mean in competition rules?
Usually it means the piece hasn’t appeared anywhere in print or online, and “online” often includes your own blog and social media posts. A few competitions are more relaxed and accept work posted on a personal website. Every organiser draws this line differently, so read the definition in the rules before you enter.
Can I enter UK writing competitions if I live outside the UK?
For most of them, yes. Many UK competitions on this list accept entries from anywhere in the world, as long as you write in English. Others are limited to UK residents, writers connected with Wales or Scotland, Commonwealth citizens or young writers of a certain age. The “Who can enter” line under each competition tells you which.
Do I keep the copyright to my competition entry?
You should. Reputable competitions leave copyright with the writer and ask only for the right to publish winning and shortlisted entries, sometimes exclusively for a few months. If the rules hand the organiser ownership of every entry, I’d skip that competition.
Can I use AI to write my competition entry?
Check the rules first, and assume the answer is no. A growing number of competitions ban entries written with generative AI, and some ask you to confirm the work is entirely your own. Judges want to hear your voice, and only you can supply it. As an author, I believe you shouldn’t be using AI to write ANY of your writing.
How can I improve my chances of winning a writing competition?
Read past winners, follow every formatting rule, stay within the word count and answer the theme. Then edit harder than feels necessary. I’ve put everything I’ve learned about this into my guide on how to win writing competitions.
Writing Competitions List
Want your entry to stand out? Sharpen it first with my writing guides for authors.
Aaron Mullins is a bestselling author and internationally published psychologist with over 21 years in writing and publishing. A former Editor-in-Chief, he partnered with the Worldreader charity and taught Academic Writing at Coventry University. His book How to Write Fiction: A Creative Writing Guide for Authors has become a staple reference for writers.