DECEMBER 2024 |
06/12/2024 NEW LISTING |
AWC Furious Fiction Opens: 5pm (Sydney/Melbourne time) Closes: 55 hours later Open to: 17 years and older Theme: Story prompt provided Accepts: Flash Fiction Size: 500 words Entry Fee: Nil Prize: Not mentioned |
06/12/2024 EXTENDED |
Judith Wright Poetry Prize Open to: Emerging poets from Australia and New Zealand Theme: None Accepts: Poetry Size: 80 lines Entry Fee: $20 ($12 for subscribers) Prizes: First: $6,000 and publication, Second: $2,000 and publication, Third: $1,000 and publication |
06/12/2024 |
Somerset National Poetry Prize Open to: All current secondary school students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents attending school or receiving home schooling in Australia under 19 years of age at close of entries Theme: None * Accepts: Junior Secondary - Years 7 to 9 Size: 50 lines Entry Fee: $15 Prize: $300 plus opportunity to attend the Somerset Storyfest and be billeted with members of the Somerset College * Accepts: Senior Secondary - Years 10 to 12 Size: 50 lines Entry Fee: $15 Prize: $300 plus opportunity to attend the Somerset Storyfest and be billeted with members of the Somerset College |
06/12/2024 |
Storyfest National Novella Writing Competition Open to: All current secondary school students attending school or receiving home schooling in Australia under 19 years of age at close of entries Theme: None Accepts: Novella Size: 8,000 - 20,000 words Entry Fee: $20 Prizes: National winner: $500, Finalists x 3: $100 plus plus opportunity to attend the Somerset Storyfest and be billeted with members of the Somerset College |
13/12/2024 |
Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize Open to: Aged 18 plus Theme: None Accepts: Commercial fiction or non-fiction Size: 80,000 words (submit 300 word synopsis and first 30 pages with a one page plan) Entry Fee: $45 Prize: Author Coaching, Structural Edit and Line Edit (Value $3,500) |
13/12/2024 |
Little Pip's Children's Written Competition for Bush Poetry Open to: Australian school students Theme: Optional: Watermelon * Accepts: Bush Poetry - Primary School Students Size: 4 - 20 lines Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: Trophies for first and second. Special award for Watermelon themed poem * Accepts: Bush Poetry - Secondary School Students Size: 12 - 40 lines Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: Trophies for first and second. Special award for Watermelon themed poem |
15/12/2024 |
The Masters Review Chapbook Award for Emerging Writers US COMPETITION Open to: Emerging writers Theme: None Accepts: Fiction or Non-fiction prose Size: 25 – 45 pages Entry Fee: $US 25 Prize: $US 3,000 + publication + 50 contributor copies |
19/12/2024 |
The Bethamy Nader Short Story Prize Closing: EARLY BIRD: 19/12/2024, REGULAR: 19/01/2025 Open to: Australian writers Theme: Write through the eyes of a mythical creature * Accepts: Short Story - 11 - 17 years old Size: 400- 440 words Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $5, REGULAR: $7 Prizes: First: $75, Second: $50, Third: $25 * Accepts: Short Story - 18 years and over Size: 400- 440 words Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $10, REGULAR: $15 Prizes: First: $300, Second: $150, Third: $100 |
20/12/2024 |
Little Stories, Big Ideas Closing Date: Quarterly competitions - see website Open to: Australian Secondary School Students Theme: War * Accepts: Any literary style - Year 10 - 12 Size: 100 words Entry Fee: Nil Prize:First: VentralIP Hosting and Domain Name Package (value $140), Second: Express Media membership and latest issue of Voiceworks magazine * Accepts: Any literary style - Year 7 - 9 Size: 100 words Entry Fee: Nil Prize:First: StoryCraft Writing Mentorship |
22/12/2024 NEW LISTING |
Newcastle Short Story Award Open to: Australian citizen or resident, 18 years and over Theme: None Accepts: Short Story Size: 2,000 words Entry Fee: $16.50 ($14.85 for members) Prize: First: $3,000, Second: $1,500, Third: $500, Highly Commended: $200, Hunter Writers’ Centre Member Prize: $500 |
23/12/2024 |
FFF Competition Twenty-Five UK COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Flash Fiction Size: 100 - 300 words Entry Fee: £3.95 Prizes: First: £150 & publication, Highly Commended: £60, Shortlisted: £50 |
31/12/2024 |
Audio Arcadia's Short Story Competition UK COMPETITION Open to: Aged 18 plus Theme: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Adventure and Travel Accepts: Short Story Size: 5,000 words Entry Fee: $USD 8.45 Prize: Percentage of royalties |
31/12/2024 |
Do Wha(TS) Write CANADIAN COMPETITION CONTEST PROCEEDS DONATED TO TOURETTE CANADA Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Flash fiction or short story Size: 1,000 words Entry Fee: $3 CAD Prize: First: $200 CAD |
31/12/2024 |
Flash 500 Flash Fiction Competition Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Flash Fiction Size: 500 words Entry Fee: £5 for one story, £8 for two stories Prize:First: £300, Second: £200, Third: £100 |
31/12/2024 NEW LISTING |
Griffin Award NOTE: T&Cs on website were for 2024 competition at time of listing Open to: Citizen or permanent resident of Australia Theme: Display an authentic inventive and contemporary Australian voice Accepts: Play (unproduced and unpublished) Size: At least 60 minutes Entry Fee: Nil Prize: $17,400 and dramaturgical support to develop their play |
31/12/2024 |
Positive Words Mini-Competition Open to: All Theme: Contains the word: Twelve Accepts: Short Story or Poetry Size: 100 words or 10 lines Entry Fee: $2.40 in unused stamps Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words |
31/12/2024 NEW LISTING |
The Henshaw Short Story Competition UK COMPETITION ALL PROFITS EACH YEAR WILL GO TO BOOKS FOR A CHOSEN SCHOOL Open to: All over 16 Theme: None Accepts: Short Story Size: 2,000 words Entry Fee: £6, Optional Feedback: £14 Prizes: First: £200, Second: £100, Third: £50 16 Years and under may enter to recieve a free critique |
31/12/2024 |
The Moth Poetry Prize IRISH COMPETITION Open to: All over 16 Theme: None Accepts: Poetry Size: No Limit Entry Fee: €15 Prizes: First: €6,000, Runners-up x 3: €1,000, Commended x 8: €250 |
31/12/2024 NEW LISTING |
The Letter Review Prize US COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: None * Accepts: Short Fiction Size: 5,000 words Entry Fee: $US 20 Prize: $US 1,000 Prize pool * Accepts: Poetry Size: 70 lines Entry Fee: $US 15 Prize: $US 1,000 Prize pool * Accepts: Essays & Nonfiction Size: 5,000 words Entry Fee: $US 20 Prize: $US 1,000 Prize pool * Accepts: Unpublished Book Size: Prose: First 5,000 words, Poetry: First 15 pages, Total size: Novels: minimum 45,000 words, Novellas: 25,000 – 45,000 words, Short Story Collections: minimum 25,000 words, Nonfiction: minimum 40,000 words. Poetry: minimum 20 pages (with some flexibility) Entry Fee: $US 25 Prize: $US 1,000 Prize pool |
JANUARY 2025 |
06/01/2025 |
Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival Poetry Competition UK COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: Treasures of Nature * Accepts: Poetry - 18 years and over Size: 30 lines Entry Fee: £4 Prize: £300 * Accepts: Poetry - 12 to 17 years Size: 30 lines Entry Fee: Nil Prize: £100 * Accepts: Poetry - Up to 11 years Size: 30 lines Entry Fee: Nil Prize: £50 |
13/01/2025 |
King's Shorts Festival of Ten Minute Plays CANADIAN COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Play Size: 10 minutes, characters: 1 to 6 Entry Fee: $CAD 15 Prizes: First: $CAD 400, Second: $CAD 200, People's Choice Award |
15/01/2025 |
Hektoen Nurse Essay Contest US COMPETITION Closing Date: 15/01/2025 Theme: Medicine Open to: Nurses, Nurses’ aides and Nursing students Accepts: Essay Size: 500-1,600 words Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: First: $US 3,000, Second: $US 2,000 |
15/01/2025 |
Bournemouth Writing Prize UK COMPETITION SUPPORTING THE OUTSIDER’S PROJECT Open to: All Theme: None * Accepts: Short Story Size: 3,000 words Entry Fee: £10 Prizes: £500, hour consultation with judge, 2 tickets to Bourn Jammy event, 10-minute open mic slot, 2 tickets to any talk or workshop at the Pavilion Dance * Accepts: Poetry Size: 30 lines Entry Fee: £10 for up to three poems Prizes: £500, hour consultation with judges, 2 tickets to Bourn Jammy event, 10-minute open mic slot, 2 tickets to any talk or workshop at the Pavilion Dance |
15/01/2025 NEW LISTING |
CRAFT Memoir Except & Essay Contest US COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Creative nonfiction and essays Size: 1,001 - 6,000 words Entry Fee: $US 20 (some free entries available) Prizes: 3 x First: $US 1,000, publication, six titles of Graywolf's The Art Of series, 2 x Editors' Choice: $US 200 and publication |
15/01/2025 |
Dolors Alberola Poetry Prize Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Poetry collection Size: 500 - 800 lines Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: First: Translation to another European language, Publication of the collection (bilingual), 50 copies, royalties, Finalists: Publication (Spanish edition), 10 copies, royalties |
16/01/2025 |
The Sheila Malady Short Story Competition Open to: All Theme: "The Dark Side" Accepts: Short Story Size: 2,000 words Entry Fee: $10 for adults, $5 for young writers (under 18) Prizes: First: $300, 2 tickets to the Community Play performance, a handcrafted timber quill, “Winning Short Story Competitions” by L.E. Daniels and C. Sawyer & 60 minutes coaching/mentoring session with Carolyn Martinez via Zoom, Local prize: Collins Bookstore voucher, 2 tickets to the Community Play performance & “Winning Short Story Competitions” by L.E. Daniels and C. Sawyer, Young writer under 18: Collins Bookstore voucher |
19/01/2025 |
Melbourne Poets Union International Poetry Competition Open to: All Accepts: Poetry Size: 50 lines Entry Fee: $15 for first entry, $10 thereafter, Overseas entrants: $US 20 Prizes: First (Leon Shann Award): $1,700. Second : $700, Third: $500, Fourth (Wendy Fleming Urban Realist Award): $100, Highly commended & commended: Certificates |
20/01/2025 |
Local Word Poetry Prize Open to: Living in Australia, over 16 years old Theme: None Accepts: Poetry Size: 75 lines Entry Fee: Nil Prize: First: $2,000 & one-hour mentoring session, Second: $250 |
24/01/2025 REGISTRATION |
Not Quite Write Prize NOTE: Prompts are emailed out at midday 24/01/2025 with competition closing at midnight 26/01/2025 Open to: All Theme: 3 prompts will be emailed consisting of a word prompt, an action prompt and an anti-prompt Accepts: Flash Fiction Size: 500 words Entry Fee: $28 until 30/11/2025, $35 thereafter ($100 for 2025 annual pass) Prizes: First: $1,500, Second: $1000, Third: $500, Fourth: $350, Fifth: $250, Sixth: $200, Wildcard x 2: $50 |
28/01/2025 NEW LISTING |
Calibre Essay Prize Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Non-fiction essay Size: 2,000 - 5,000 words Entry Fee: $30 (or $20 for ABR subscribers) Prizes: First: $5,000, Runner-up: $3,000, Second Runner-Up: $2,000 |
30/01/2025 NEW LISTING |
The Louie Award Open to: Australians who are members of the Australian Crime Writers Association Theme: The Photograph Accepts: Short Story Size: 500 words Entry Fee: $5 for members. Currently $30 for lifetime membership Prizes: First: $500, Highly Commended x 2: $125 |
31/01/2025 |
Anthology Short Story Award IRISH COMPETITION Closing Date: VERY EARLY BIRD: 31/10/2024 EARLY BIRD: 31/01/2025 REGULAR: 31/07/2025 Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Short Story Size: 1,500 words Entry Fee: VERY EARLY BIRD: €12, EARLY BIRD: €15, REGULAR: €18 Prizes: First: €1,000 & one year subscription to Anthology Magazine, Second: €250, Third: €150 |
31/01/2025 |
Bristol Short Story Prize UK COMPETITION Open to: All over 16 years old Theme: None Accepts: Short Story Size: 4,000 words Entry Fee: £12 (limited numbers of free entries available on application if the fee is a barrier to entry) Prize: First: £1,000, Second: £500, Third: £250, Short-listed x 12: £100 |
31/01/2025 |
Fiction Factory First Chapter & Synopsis Competition UK COMPETITION Open to: All aged 18 and over Theme: None Accepts: First Chapter of a novel Size: 5,000 words of First Chapter Entry Fee: £18 (additional £20 for an appraisal) Prizes: First : £500 and appraisal, Short-listed: Appraisal |
31/01/2025 |
Gippsland Writers Network Summer Writing Competition Open to: Citizens and residents of Australia Theme: Storm Accepts: Short Story Size: 500 words Entry Fee: $10 ($5 for GWN members) Prizes: First: $200, Second: $150 Writers Victoria online course, Third: $50 book voucher, Gippsland Writer Prize: two-year Writers Victoria Regional membership |
FEBRUARY 2025 |
02/02/2025 NEW LISTING |
Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival Microfiction Competition Open to: Writers who live, work, study or play in Brimbank, aged 10 and over Theme: No-one chooses for us * Accepts: Microfiction - Youth - aged 10 - 18 Size: 200 words Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: First: $250 worth of books, Second: $150 worth of books, Third: $100 worth of books * Accepts: Microfiction - Youth - 19 years and over Size: 200 words Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: First: $250 worth of books, Second: $150 worth of books, Third: $100 worth of books * Vision impaired entrants can submit via audio recording |
02/02/2025 NEW LISTING |
The Masters Review Winter Short Story Award for New Writers US COMPETITION Open to: Emerging writers Theme: None Accepts: Short Story Size: 6,000 words Entry Fee: $US 20 Prizes: First: $US 3,000, online publication and agency review, Second: $US 300, online publication and agency review, Third: $US 200, online publication and agency review |
14/02/2025 |
The Tasmanian Writers' Prize Open to: Citizens of Australia and New Zealand or Australian permanent residents Theme: Island or Island-resonant Accepts: Short Story Size: 3,000 words Entry Fee: $20 Prize: $500 plus publication, Finalists: Publication |
28/02/2025 |
Anthology Nature Writing Prize IRISH COMPETITION Closing Date: VERY EARLY BIRD: 30/11/2024 EARLY BIRD: 28/02/2025 REGULAR: 31/08/2025 Open to: All Theme: Nature Writing Accepts: Essay Size: 1,500 words Entry Fee: VERY EARLY BIRD: €10, EARLY BIRD: €12, REGULAR: €15 Prizes: First: €500 |
28/02/2025 |
Flash 500 Short Story Competition UK COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Short Story Size: 3,000 words Entry Fee: £7, £12 for 2, £16 for 3, £20 for 4 (optional critique: £30) Prizes: First: £500, Second: £200, Third: £100 |
28/02/2025 NEW LISTING |
Stories by Digital Children Open to: Children Living in Australia aged 5 to 12 Theme: Getting the Balance Right: You decide what you share * Accepts: Story idea: 5 - 6 year old (writing for 3-4 year olds) Size: Not mentioned Entry Fee: Nil Prize: Workshop with Kim Maslin to develop the story idea into a book with illustrations, copy of the book, a soft toy version of the main character * Accepts: Story idea: 7 - 8 year old (writing for 5-6 year olds) Size: Not mentioned Entry Fee: Nil Prize: Workshop with Kim Maslin to develop the story idea into a book with illustrations, copy of the book, a soft toy version of the main character * Accepts: Story idea: 9 - 12 year old (writing for 7-8 year olds) Size: Not mentioned Entry Fee: Nil Prize: Workshop with Kim Maslin to develop the story idea into a book with illustrations, copy of the book, a soft toy version of the main character * Individual, group and class entries welcome |
28/02/2025 |
The Plaza Audio Story Prize UK COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Short Story Size: 1,000 words/7 minutes Entry Fee: £12 (£9 for subsequent entries) Prizes: First: £1,000, Second: £300, Third: £100 |
28/02/2025 |
The Plaza Poetry Prize UK COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Poetry Size: 60 lines Entry Fee: £12 (£6 for subsequent entries) Prizes: First: £4,000, Second: £300, Third: £100 |
28/02/2025 |
Victorian Bush Poetry Championships - Written Open to: All Theme: None * Accepts: Silver Brumby Poetry Award - Serious Size: 120 lines Entry Fee: $10 (plus $10 for critique) Prizes: First: $150 & trophy, Second: $70, Third: $30 * Accepts: Corryong Larrikin Award - Humorous Size: 120 lines Entry Fee: $10 (plus $10 for critique) Prizes: First: $150 & trophy, Second: $70, Third: $30 * VBPMA Overall Written Champion: $1,000 VBPMA Novice Written Champion: $50 |
MARCH 2025 |
01/03/2025 |
Sorrento Creative Writing Prize Open to: Australian citizens and residents aged 18 and over who have not had their work published by a commercial publisher Theme: None Accepts: Creative writing Size: 2,500 - 3,000 words Entry Fee: Nil Prize: $5,000 |
02/03/2025 NEW LISTING |
SCWC Poetry Award Open to: Living in Australia over the age of 18 Theme: Shapeshifter Accepts: Poetry Size: 50 lines Entry Fee: $15 ($10 for SCWC members) Prizes: First: $1,000, Second: $100, Ron Pretty SCWC Member award: $100, Wollongong Art Gallery Special Award: $100 voucher |
07/03/2025 NEW LISTING |
Jennifer Burbidge Short Story Award Open to: Australian Writers Theme: Disability in an Australian Setting Accepts: Fiction or Nonfiction Size: 3,000 words Entry Fee: $15 Prize: $500 |
13/03/2025 NEW LISTING |
Little Black Dress Spooky and Horror Story Competition Open to: Australian residents Theme: The Call * Accepts: Youth (12 and under) – Spooky Short Story Size: 500 words Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: WA First: $25 & certificate & copy of anthology, WA Second: Certificate & copy of anthology, Interstate award: $25 & certificate & copy of anthology, Shire of Mundaring resident encouragement award: $25 & certificate & copy of anthology * Accepts: Teens (13 to 17 years old) – Spooky Short Story Size: 1,000 words Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: WA First: $50 & certificate & copy of anthology, WA Second: Certificate & copy of anthology, Interstate award: $50 & certificate & copy of anthology, Shire of Mundaring resident encouragement award: $25 & certificate & copy of anthology * Accepts: Adult – Horror Short Story Size: 2,500 words Entry Fee: $15 Prizes: First: $100 & certificate & copy of anthology, Second: $50 & certificate & copy of anthology |
31/03/2025 |
Anthology Travel Writing Competition IRISH COMPETITION VERY EARLY BIRD: 31/03/2024 EARLY BIRD: 30/06/2024 STANDARD: 30/11/2024 Open to: All Theme: Authentic Travel Experience Accepts: Article Size: 1,000 words Entry Fee: VERY EARLY BIRD: €10, EARLY BIRD: €12, REGULAR: €15 Prize: €500 |
31/03/2025 |
FAW Tasmania Nairda Lyne Award Open to: All Theme: Suitable for children aged 8-12 years Accepts: Short Story Size: 1,000 words Entry Fee: $5 Prizes: $100 & winner's name inscribed on a plaque in the State Library Launceston Branch, Best Tasmanian Entry: Hobart Bookshop voucher |
31/03/2025 |
The Plaza Flash Fiction Prize UK COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Flash Fiction Size: 1,000 words Entry Fee: £10 (£7.50 for subsequent entries) Prizes: First: £1,000, Second: £300, Third: £100 |
31/03/2025 |
The Plaza Prose Poetry Prize UK COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Poetry Size: 60 lines Entry Fee: £10 (£7.50 for subsequent entries) Prizes: First: £750, Second: £300, Third: £100 |
31/03/2025 |
To Hull and Back Competition UK COMPETITION Closing Date: EARLY BIRD: 31/03/2025 REGULAR: 30/06/2025 Open to: All Theme: Humorous Accepts: Short Story Size: 2,500 words Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: £10, £17 for 2, £20 for 3 REGULAR: £12, £20 for 2, £24 for 3 Prize: First: £1,000, your face on the cover of the anthology, a trip to Hull on a Harley Davidson if they wish, Second: £200, Third: £100, 3 x Highly Commended: £70, 14 x Shortlisted: £35 |
APRIL 2025 |
30/04/2025 NEW LISTING |
The Plaza Short Story Prize UK COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Short Stories Size: 5,000 words Entry Fee: £15 (£22.50 for 3 entries) - can apply for free entry under Bursary Scheme Prizes: First: £4,000, Second: £300, Third: £100 |
MAY 2025 |
31/05/2025 NEW LISTING |
The Plaza Poetry Prize (40 lines) UK COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Poetry Size: 40 lines Entry Fee: £11 (£9 for subsequent entries) - can apply for free entry under Bursary Scheme Prizes: First: £1,000, Second: £300, Third: £100 |
JUNE 2025 |
30/06/2025 |
Henry Savery National Short Story Award Open to: Australian residents Theme: Open Accepts: Short Story Size: 2,500 words Entry Fee: $5 Prizes: First: $400, Second: $100 |
30/06/2025 |
Heroines Women's Writing Prize Open to: Women writers Theme: Witchcraft (Focus on lost women's history, untold stories and reimagined myths, fairy tales, folklore or legends, or speculative fiction) Accepts: Poetry & Short Fictions Size: Poetry: 3 pages, Fiction: 2,500 words Entry Fee: $15 Prize: $500 |
30/06/2025 NEW LISTING |
TCK Publishing Poetry Awards Contest US COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Poetry Size: 500 words Entry Fee: US$ 5 Prize: US$ 1,000 |
30/06/2025 NEW LISTING |
The Plaza Audio Poetry Prize UK COMPETITION Open to: All Theme: None Accepts: Poetry Size: 4 minutes Entry Fee: £12 (£9 for subsequent entries) - can apply for free entry under Bursary Scheme Prizes: First: £1,000, Second: £300, Third: £100 |