COMPETITIONS

UPDATED 03/09/2023

The following information has been extracted from other websites and no assurance can be given as its correctness.

Give your hard work the best chance to win, make sure that you follow the entry requirements!

If the entry conditions don't specify it, then generally you can submit the same entry to different competitions at the same time - but if your entry places in one then you should inform the organisers of the other competitions. It is then up to them whether your entry is disqualified or not.

Allow for time to post and double-check closing dates, particularly if the organiser is in another time zone.

 

AWC Furious Fiction

Opens: 5pm (Sydney/Melbourne time) Monthly
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

Flash 500 Flash Fiction Competition

Closing Date: Quarterly competitions - see website
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


Little Stories, Big Ideas
Closing Date: Quarterly competitions - see website
Open to: Australian Secondary School Students
Theme: See website
*
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, Third: $50 voucher from Readings Bookstore

*
Accepts: Any literary style - Year 7 - 9
Size: 100 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:First: $50 voucher from Readings Bookstore, Second: StoryCraft Writing Mentorship

 

THROUGH THE YEAR

SEPTEMBER 2023
01/09/2023
 

Heywire Competition
Open to: Australian Residents aged 16-22 and not living in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth or Sydney
Theme: True story about an aspect of your life outside the major cities
Accepts: Audio, Video, Photos or Text
Size: Video & Audio: 2 - 4 minutes, Photos: 10 images, Text: around 400 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize (awarded to 33 to 40 people): Opportunity for story to be produced for ABC and a trip to the Heywire Regional Youth Summit in Canberra (details on website). Networking and communications training, invitation to the Heywire Gala Dinner

 

01/09/2023
 

Outstanding Short Story Competition
Open to: Writers based in Australia and New Zealand and/or citizens thereof, 16 years and older
Theme: Queer as … (Have relevance to the broader Australian LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual or gender diverse community)
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 750 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: To be announced

 

04/09/2023
 

Fisher's Ghost Writing Prize
Open to: Live, work or attends school/TAFE/University in the Campbelltown Local Government area
Theme: One Step into Tomorrow
*
Accepts: Adult
Size: Short stories/narrative non-fiction/memoirs: 500 words, Poetry: 25 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $300, Highly Commended: $100
*
Accepts: Years 4 - 6
Size: Short stories/narrative non-fiction/memoirs: 500 words, Poetry: 25 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100, Highly Commended: $50

*
Accepts: Years 7 - 9
Size: Short stories/narrative non-fiction/memoirs: 500 words, Poetry: 25 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100, Highly Commended: $50


*
Accepts: Years 10 -12
Size: Short stories/narrative non-fiction/memoirs: 500 words, Poetry: 25 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100, Highly Commended: $50

 

05/09/2023

Book Pipeline Unpublished Contest
US COMPETITION
  EARLY BIRD: 25/05/2023
  REGULAR: 20/08/2023
  LATE: 05/09/2023
Open to: 18 years and over
Theme: None
Accepts: Eight catergories: Literary, Mystery/Thriller, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance/Women's Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Picture Books, Non-Fiction
Size: Fiction: first 5,000 words and 1-3 page synopsis, Picture books: full manuscript and 1 page synopsis, Non-Fiction: At least a proposal (Memoirs as fiction),
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $US 45, REGULAR: $US 55, LATE: $US 60

Prizes: Per Category: First: $US 2,500, review of other works, development assistance, consideration from producers, invitations to annual writer and industry events, Runner-up: Review of other works, development assistance, consideration from producers, invitations to annual writer and industry events
 

06/09/2023
 

KSP Short Fiction Competition
Open to: Australian residents
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Short Fiction - Open
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $300, plus one weeks' residency at KSP Writers' Centre & certificate, Second: $150 & certificate, Commended: Certificate
*
Accepts: Short Fiction - Youth (up to 17 years of age)
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100 & certificate, Second: $50 & certificate, Commended: Certificate, Mundaring National Young Writers Encouragement Award for under 14s: $25

 

07/09/2023
EXTENDED

Fool for Poetry International Chapbook Competition
IRISH COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry collection
Size: 16 - 24 pages
Entry Fee: €25
Prizes: First: €1000, publication and 25 copies, Second:  €500, publication and 25 copies
In addition, the winning poets will also be offered a reading and three nights' accommodation at the Cork International Poetry Festival.

 

10/09/2023
NEW LISTING

Aniko Press Winter Flash Fiction Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Swollen
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 100 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: Publication on website and social media, copy of "The Details" by Ia Genburg, plus copy Aniko Press Magazine, Second: Publication on website, plus copy Aniko Press Magazine

 

15/09/2023
 
Dickinson Memorial Literary Competition

NOTE: SUBMISSIONS IN HARD-COPY BRAILLE, A WORD DOCUMENT, SIMBRAILLE or a DUXBURY-readable file
Open to: Australian Residents who are legally blind, or have low or no vision, People's Choice: Open
Theme: Kindness
*
Accepts: Adult (Over 18) - Short Story
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $350, Second: $150
*
Accepts: Adult (Over 18) - Poem/Song Lyrics/Limerick
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $350, Second: $150

*
Accepts: Adult (Over 18) - Article/Opinion
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $350, Second: $150

*
Accepts: Senior Student (13 - 17 years) - Short Story/Poem/Song Lyrics/Limerick/Blog
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $350, Second: $150

*
Accepts: Junior Student (12 years and under) - Short Story/Poem/Song Lyrics/Limerick/Blog
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes: First: $350, Second: $150

*
Accepts: People's Choice - Short Story
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $350, Second: $150

 

21/09/2023
 

Green Stories Project
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: Microbes to the Rescue!
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 - 3,000 words plus 200 words on how the theme was addressed
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: £500

 

15/09/2023
NEW LISTING

Pens Against Poverty
Open to: Australian students in grades 3-10 (needs a teacher or parent to submit/endorse the entry)
Theme: Voices for Change
Accepts: Short Story or Poem
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Winners and Highly commended selected from multiple grade levels, prizes not specified

 

22/09/2023
 

Poem Forest
Local entrants eligible for a free seedling.
A native tree will be planted on Dharawal Country for every entry received
Open to: Australian student or young person (aged 18 and under) or an accredited teacher
Theme: Nature
*
Accepts: Lower primary ( F - Year 3) -  Poetry
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $500, book packs ($100), ‘Wild Things’ poster, Poetry journal, certificate, Highly Commended: book prize
*
Accepts: Upper primary ( Years 4 - 6) -  Poetry
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $500, book packs ($100), ‘Wild Things’ poster, Poetry journal, certificate, Highly Commended: book prize


*
Accepts: Lower secondary (Years 7 - 9) -  Poetry

Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee:
Nil
Prize: First: $500, book packs ($100), ‘Wild Things’ poster, Poetry journal, certificate, Highly Commended: book prize

*
Accepts: Upper secondary (Years 10 - 12) -  Poetry

Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $500, book packs ($100), ‘Wild Things’ poster, Poetry journal, certificate, Highly Commended: book prize

*
Accepts: Threatened species (F - Year 12) -  Poetry

Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $500, book packs ($100), ‘Wild Things’ poster, Poetry journal, certificate, Highly Commended: book prize

*
Accepts: Accredited Teacher (All ages) -  Poetry

Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $500, book packs ($100), ‘Wild Things’ poster, Poetry journal, certificate, Highly Commended: book prize

*
Wollongong Community Greening Local Prize ( F – Year 12): $500, book packs ($100), ‘Wild Things’ poster, Poetry journal, certificate, $50 Wollongong Botanic Garden’s Greenplan Nursery voucher, School prize: Excursion for up to 30 students, 30 plants
Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan Local Prize ( F - Year 12): $500, book packs ($100), ‘Wild Things’ poster, Poetry journal, certificate , Family tour 

 

26/09/2023
 

Growlife Medical Essay Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Celebrating Strong Family Bonds
Accepts: Essay
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500 voucher to Brisbane restaurant of your choice, Second: $100 voucher to Brisbane restaurant of your choice, Third: $50 voucher to Brisbane restaurant of your choice, Best entry by a School-aged entrant: $100 book voucher, Runner-up School-aged entrant x 2: $20 book voucher

 

27/09/2023
 

KSP Poetry Competition
Open to: Australian residents
Theme: Open
*
Accepts: Poetry – Open (18 years plus)
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $300, one weeks' residency at KSP Writers' Centre & certificate, Second: $150 & certificate, Commended: Certificate
*
Accepts: Poetry - Youth (10 to 17 years)
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100 & certificate, Second: $50 & certificate, Commended: Certificate, Mundaring National Young Writers Encouragement Award for under 14s: $25
*
Annette Cameron Encouragement award for an unpublished WA poet
Accepts: Poetry - (Over age of 18)
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: $10
Prize: $150

 

29/09/2023
 
New England Thunderbolt Prize

Open to: Australian Resident
Theme: Crime
*
Accepts: The New England Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Fiction
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $10, $5 for youth entries (Under 18)
Prize: $500
*
Accepts: The New England Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Non-Fiction
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $10, $5 for youth entries (Under 18)
Prize: $500
*
Accepts: The New England Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Poetry
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: $10, $5 for youth entries (Under 18)
Prize: $500


OTHER PRIZES
THE NEW ENGLAND AWARD: $250
EMERGING AUTHORS AWARD (Over 18): $250
YOUTH AWARD: $150

 

29/09/2023

Shore Scripts Short Film Fund - Fall Season
US COMPETITION
EARLY BIRD: 20/08/2023
REGULAR: 29/09/2023
FINAL: 31/10/2023
Open to: All
Accepts: Scripts
Size: 2 - 30 pages
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $40, REGULAR: $45, FINAL: $50
Prizes: First: $USD 15,000 production grant, Mentorship with Maria Gracia Turgeon, Camera Equipment rental from Arri Rental, Festival planning strategy with Tribeca programmer Kimberley Browning, Production support and script development, Film shared with judges and industry roster, membership to private Facebook community, Pass to Hollyshorts, Screenwriting book from Michael Wiese Books, Second: $USD 1,000, Mentorship with Maria Gracia Turgeon, Feedback, Script sent to directors and relevant industry roster, Script coverage by Shore Scripts, Membership to private Facebook community, Screenwriting book from Michael Wiese Books, Top 5:  Feedback, Script sent to directors and relevant industry roster, Membership to private Facebook community, Top 15: Script sent to directors and relevant industry roster, Membership to private Facebook community

 

30/09/2023
 

Bridport Prize Memoir Award
UK COMPETITION
Open to: 16 and over
Theme: None
Accepts: Memoir
Size: Initially: 5,000 - 8,000 words of total work plus 300 word overview, If Long-listed: 15,000 words, If Short-listed: 30,000 words
Entry Fee: £24
Prize: First:  £1,500, a year of mentoring, consultation with a literary agent, online seminar registration, Runner-up: £750, feedback, online seminar registration, Highly Commended x 3: £150, manuscript appraisal, invitation to an industry day, online seminar registration

 

30/09/2023
EXTENDED

Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: £9
Prizes: First: £1,000, a free creative writing course of the winner's choice and publication, Runners-up x 2: £200

 

30/09/2023
 

Hammond House Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: Fate
*
Accepts: Lyrics or Performed Song
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: £10, £5 for members, optional feedback: £10
Prize: First:  £100
*
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 - 5,000 words
Entry Fee: £10, £5 for members, optional feedback: £10
Prize: First:
  £1,000, Second:  £100, Third:  £50
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines

Entry Fee: £10, £5 for members, optional feedback: £10
Prize: First:
  £250, Second:  £50, Third:  £25
*
Accepts: Script
Size: 10 pages

Entry Fee: £10, £5 for members, optional feedback: £10
Prize: First:
  £100 
 

30/09/2023
 

Positive Words Mini-Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Adapt
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

 

30/09/2023
 

Scribes Writers - "Short Takes'
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes:
First: $200, Runner-up: $100, Highly Commended & Commended: Certificates
 

30/09/2023
 

The Henshaw Short Story Competition
UK COMPETITION
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

NOTE: Writers aged 16 and under may submit for free feedback but will not be eligible for a prize

 

30/09/2023
 

The Moth Nature Writing Prize
IRISH COMPETITION
Open to: Over 16
Theme: Nature writing
Accepts: Prose and Poetry
Size: 4,000 words
Entry Fee: €15
Prizes:  First: €1,000 and a week-long writing retreat at Circle of Misse in France, Second: €500, Third: €250

 

30/09/2023
 

Woorilla Poetry Competition
Open to: All
Theme: None
*
JUDITH RODRIGUEZ OPEN SECTION
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: First: $3,000, Runner-up: $500
*
LOUISE ROCKNE YOUTH SECTION (12 - 18 years old)
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: Nil for first 4 entries, $5 each thereafter
Prize: First: $300, Runner-up: $100
*
YOUTH CALD Sub-category (12 - 18 years old, spoken English for 5 years or less)
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: Nil for first 4 entries, $5 each thereafter
Prize: First: $300, Runner-up: $100

 

OCTOBER 2023
01/10/2023
 

Noosa Arts Theatre National One-Act Playwriting Competition
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: One-Act Play
Size: 30 - 45 minutes, see T&Cs for staging requirements
Entry Fee: $40
Prizes: The Eleanor Nimmo Prize for Best Play (First): $5,000, Second: $3,000, Third: $1,000, Nancy Cato Audience Choice Award: $500

 

01/10/2023
NEW LISTING

Southern Cross Short Story Competition
Open to: Writers over the age of 18
Theme: Tracks of Desire
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $20 ($15 for Ballarat Writers members)
Prizes: First: $1,000, Second: $400, Third: $100

 

01/10/2023

The Chilling Pen Award
Open to: All
Theme: Betrayal, in the horror genre
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $300, Third: $100

 

02/10/2023
 

Blacktown Mayoral Creative Writing Prize
Open to: Residents of Blacktown City , NSW
Theme: EXTRAordinary
*
Accepts: 8 - 11 years: Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $100 (Plus $100 for their teacher/teacher librarian)
*
Accepts: 12 - 14 years: Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $100 (Plus $100 for their teacher/teacher librarian)

*
Accepts: 15 - 17 years: Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $100 (Plus $100 for their teacher/teacher librarian)

*
Accepts: Adult (18+): Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil

Prize: $200
*
Accepts: 8 - 11 years: Poem
Size: 25 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $100 (Plus $100 for their teacher/teacher librarian)

*
Accepts: 12 - 14 years: Poem
Size: 25 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $100 (Plus $100 for their teacher/teacher librarian)

*
Accepts: 15 - 17 years: Poem
Size: 25 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $100 (Plus $100 for their teacher/teacher librarian)

*
Accepts: Adult (18+): Poem
Size: 25 lines
Entry Fee: Nil

Prize: First: $200
 

02/10/2023
 
Silver Quill Written Competition

Open to: All
Theme: Australian
*
Accepts: Open Serious
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: $10
Prize: Not mentioned
*
Accepts: Open Humorous
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: $10
Prize: Not mentioned

*
Accepts: Novice

Size: No limit
Entry Fee: $10
Prize: Not mentioned

*
Accepts: Junior (under 18 years)
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Not mentioned

*

Accepts: Local (Avon Valley)
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: $10
Prize: Not mentioned

 

02/10/2023
NEW LISTING

The Age/Dymocks Essay Prize
Open to: Australian residents aged 14 to 24 years
Theme: One of the following questions:
    1. What makes you optimistic about the future of Melbourne or Victoria?
    2. How is Victoria different from the rest of the country and how ahve those differences been established?
    3. What is the one law you would change and why?
*
Accepts: Essay: 14 - 18 years
Size: 800 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $1,000, 12 month subscription to The Age, publication, Invitation to tour The Age newsroom and meet journalists and editors, certificate, invitation to pitch up to four additional opnion pieces in the following 12 months, Runners up x 2: $500, 12 month digital subscription to The Age, certificate
*
Accepts: Essay: 19 - 24 years
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $1,000, 12 month subscription to The Age, publication, Invitation to tour The Age newsroom and meet journalists and editors, certificate, invitation to pitch up to four additional opnion pieces in the following 12 months, Runners up x 2: $500, 12 month digital subscription to The Age, certificate

 

03/10/2023
 

Nullumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing
Open to: Australian residents
*
Accepts: Alan Marshall Short Story Award
Theme: Resistance
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $25, Local Category:$10, Concession card holders and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people = Nil
Prizes: Open Section: $5,000, Local Section: $2,500, Youth (11-21): $1,000, Mayors Award: $500
*
Accepts: Memoir
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $25, Local Category:$10, Concession card holders and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people = Nil
Prizes: Open Section: $5,000, Local Section: $2,500, Youth (11-21): $1,000

 

09/10/2023
 

Peter Porter Poetry Prize
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 70 lines
Entry Fee:
Online entry - Subscriber: $20,
Online entry - Non-Subscriber: $30,
Online entry & ABR Online Subscription: $100,
Online entry & Print subscription (Australia): $120,
Online entry & Print subscription (NZ and Asia): $200,
Online entry & Print subscription (Rest of World): $220
Prizes: First: $6,000, Shortlisted entries x 4: $1,000

 

13/10/2023
NEW LISTING
Lambing Flat Regional Writing Competition

Open to: All
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Short Story - Adult Open
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes: First: $200, Second: $75, Third: $25

*
Accepts: Poetry - Adult Open
Size: 50 lines

Entry Fee: $5
Prizes: First: $200, Second: $75, Third: $25

*
Accepts: Short Story - Junior Primary (Years 1 - 3)
Size: 250 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $30, Second: $15

*
Accepts: Poetry - Junior Primary (Years 1 - 3)
Size: 15 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $30, Second: $15

*
Accepts: Short Story - Primary (Years 4 - 6)
Size: 750 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $50, Second: $20

*
Accepts: Poetry - Primary (Years 4 - 6)
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $50, Second: $20
*
Accepts: Short Story - Secondary (Years 7 - 9)
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100, Second: $30

*
Accepts: Poetry - Secondary (Years 7 - 9)
Size: 25 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100, Second: $30

*
Accepts: Short Story - Secondary (Years 10 - 12)
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100, Second: $30

*
Accepts: Poetry - Secondary (Years 10 - 12)
Size: 25 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100, Second: $30

 

13/10/2023
 

MiNDFOOD Poetry Competition
Open to: Australian and New Zealand residents
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 100 - 400 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Australian winner: $1,000, New Zealand winner: NZ$1,000

 

13/10/2023
 

MiNDFOOD Short Story Competition
Open to: Australian and New Zealand residents
Theme: None

Accepts: Short Story
Size: Approximately 2,000 words (about 100 words either side is fine)

Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Australian winner: $1,000, New Zealand winner: NZ$1,000

 

13/10/2023
 

The Eden School Prize
Open to: South Australian Year 10 students attending a Department for Education school (Note: maximum of three entries per school)
Theme: "How can artificial intelligence make the world a better and happier place?” Accepts: Essay
Size: 600 - 800 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $1,250, Second: $750, Third: $500

 

15/10/2023
NEW LISTING

GEMA's Short Story Writing Competition
UAE COMPETITION
Open to: 7 to 18 years old
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Short Story: 7 - 8 years
Size: 300 - 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $USD 10
Prizes: Gold, Silver and Bronze: Trophy, medal, certificate, GEMA's signature 1 month story writing training course and Kidzania pass

*
Accepts: Short Story: 9 - 11 years
Size: 500 - 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $USD 10
Prizes: Gold, Silver and Bronze: Trophy, medal, certificate, GEMA's signature 1 month story writing training course and Kidzania pass

*
Accepts: Short Story: 12 - 14 years
Size: 700 - 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $USD 10
Prizes: Gold, Silver and Bronze: Trophy, medal, certificate, GEMA's signature 1 month story writing training course and Kidzania pass

*
Accepts: Short Story: 15 -18 years
Size: 1,000 - 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $USD 10
Prizes: Gold, Silver and Bronze: Trophy, medal, certificate, GEMA's signature 1 month story writing training course and Kidzania pass

*
TOP 20: Published in a children's story book
TOP 50: Published online
 

16/10/2023

Shore Scripts Development Fund
US COMPETITION
REGULAR: 16/10/2023
FINAL: 15/11/2023
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Scripts in development
Size: First 10 pages of scripts and treatments up to 10 pages
Entry Fee: REGULAR: $30, FINAL: $40
Prizes: First: $USD 2,000, 1 year script development with Shore Scripts, Access to private alumni Facebook group, Screenwriting book from Michael Wiese Books, 4 months membership to Inktip Pro, 1 year Pro Raindance membership, Second: $USD 1,000, 1 year script development with Shore Scripts, Access to private alumni Facebook group, Screenwriting book from Michael Wiese Books, 4 months membership to Inktip Pro, 1 year Pro Raindance membership, Top 5: Script coverage, Access to private alumni Facebook group,6 months access to Stage 32's Writers' Room

 

21/10/2023
 

Ernestine Hill Memorial Award
Open to: Permanent residents of Australia
Theme: a Rural Setting
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 4,000 words
Entry Fee: $20

Prize: $1,000

 

21/10/2023
 
Rae Alison Cerhan Australian Ballad

Open to: Permanent residents of Australia
Theme: None
Accepts: Ballad
Size: 100 lines
Entry Fee: $18

Prize: First: $600, Second: $200, Third: $100, Highly Commended, Commended
 

25/10/2023
NEW LISTING

Sunday Story Time
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Writing for a single actor with a chair and a spotlight
Size: 1 to 20 minutes
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: Performance at the Mill Theatre, Fyshwick ACT

 

29/10/2023
 

Mansfield Readers & Writers Short Story Competition
Open to: Australian residents
Theme: Soul
Accepts: Short story
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $25
Prizes: First: $1,000, Mansfield Shire Prize: $500

 

31/10/2023

Anthology Flash Fiction Competition
IRISH COMPETITION
  EARLY BIRD: 31/05/2023
  STANDARD: 31/10/2023
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 250 words
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: €8, REGULAR: €10
Prize: €300

 

31/10/2023

Anthology Poetry Award
IRISH COMPETITION
Closing Date: 
VERY EARLY BIRD: 28/02/2023
EARLY BIRD: 30/06/2023
REGULAR: 31/10/2023
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: VERY EARLY BIRD: €10, EARLY BIRD: €12, REGULAR: €18
Prizes: First: €1,000 & one year subscription to Anthology Magazine, Second: €250, Third: €150

 

31/10/2023
CORRECTED

Dorothy Shaw Young Writers Competition
Open to: Deaf or hard of hearing students (Prep to Year 12) living in Australia
Theme: A World Where Everyone Can Sign Everywhere
*
Accepts: Short Story - Prep - year 2
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Cash prizes not specified
*
Accepts: Short Story - Year 3 - year 6
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Cash prizes not specified

*
Accepts: Short Story - Year 7 - year 9
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Cash prizes not specified

*
Accepts: Short Story - Year 10 - year 12
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Cash prizes not specified

 

31/10/2023
 

Fiction Factory Short Story Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to:  All aged 16 and over
Theme:  None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: £7 (£13 for 2, £18 for 3) (Optional critique: £30)
Prize: £500

 

31/10/2023
 

Flash 500 Novel Opening Chapter & Synopsis Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Opening Chapter of a Novel with Synopsis
Size: Opening chapter up to 3,000 plus one page synopsis (750 words)
Entry Fee: £10, £18 for 2, £26 for 3 (£35 for optional critique)
Prizes: First: £500, Second: £200

 

31/10/2023
NEW LISTING

Patrick White Young Indigenous Writers Award
Open to: Indigenous Australian students (Kindergarten to Year 12) studying in NSW
Theme: Open
Accepts: Short Story, Play, Poem. Group work accepted for Year K-3 to encourage shared learning
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Prizes from $50 up to $500 and Encouragement Awards from $20 up to $250 will be awarded to students from Kindergarten to Year 12 for Poetry and Short Story or Play.
Prizes of up to $250 will be awarded for Kindergarten to Year 3 Group work

 

31/10/2023
 

Positive Words Mini-Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Smooth
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

 

31/10/2023
 

Positive Words End-if-Year Short Story & Poetry Competition
Open to: All
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: $4.80, 4 for $16
Prizes: First: $100, Second: Twelvemonths subscription to Positive Words
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 32 lines
Entry Fee: $4.80, 4 for $16
Prizes: First: $100, Second: Twelvemonths subscription to Positive Words

 

31/10/2023
 

Robyn Mathison Poetry Prize
Open to: Australian writers
Theme: Shadows
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: $10 for up to 2 entries
Prize: First: $250, Second: $50, Highly Commended & Commended: Certificates

 

31/10/2023
 

Short Stories Unlimited Poetry Competition - Rural
Open to: All
Theme: Rural
Accepts: Poetry
Size: No limit (but use common sense)
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes: First: $50 & copy of anthology, Highly commended x 2: $25 & copy of anthology

 

31/10/2023
 

Short Stories Unlimited Short Story Competition - Rural
Open to: All
Theme: Rural
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $200 & copy of anthology, Second: $100 & copy of anthology, Third: $50 & copy of anthology, Highly commended x 2: $20 & copy of anthology

 

31/10/2023
 

The Bedford Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: 17 years and over
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: £7.50, three of £15 (Full time students: £5, three for £10)
Prize: First: £1,500, Second: £300, Third: £200, Bedford Prize, Cygnature Prize (25 years and under)
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: £7.50, three of £15 (Full time students: £5, three for £10)
Prize: First: £1,500, Second: £300, Third: £200, Bedford Prize, Cygnature Prize (25 years and under)

 

31/10/2023
NEW LISTING

The Best of Times Short Story Competition
Open to: All (except stories that have previously won a prize or certificate in prior Best of Times)
Theme: Humorous
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: 60% of entry fees, Second: 15% of entry fees, Third place: 5% of entry fees, highly commended and commended certificates 

 

NOVEMBER 2023
01/11/2023
NEW LISTING

The Commonwealth Short Story Prize
Open to: Citizen of a Commonwealth country and 18 years or over
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,000- 5,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: £5,000, Regional winners: £2,500

 

03/11/2023
 

F(r)iction Competion - Fall
US COMPETITION
Open to: All over 13
*
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,001 to 7,500 words
Entry Fee: $US 15
Prizes: First: $US 1,000 & publication, 5 x finalists: professional edit & consideration for publication
*
Theme: None
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 1,000 words per piece
Entry Fee: $US 10, $US12 for 3
Prizes: First: $US 300 & publication, 5 x finalists: professional edit & consideration for publication

*
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: Three pages per poem
Entry Fee: $US 10, $US12 for 3
Prizes: First: $US 300 & publication, 5 x finalists: professional edit & consideration for publication

 

03/11/2023
 
Simpson Prize Competition

Open to: Year 9 & 10 students
Theme: Commemoration of the Anzac tradition has widespread support in Australia despite different historical interpretations and debates about the nature and significance of the Anzac legend. To what extent does your own research support this view?
Accepts: Essay
Size: 1,200- 1,500 words (body of essay)
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not specified

 

05/11/2023
NEW LISTING

Korean Spirit & Culture Promotion Project - Essay Contest
Open to: Australian School Students
Theme: See website for essay questions and source material
*
Accepts: Group A - Essay - Years 5 to 8
Size: 2 - 3 pages
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $200, Third: $100, Honorable Mentions: $50

*
Accepts: Group B - Essay - Years 9 - 12
Size: 2 - 3 pages
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $200, Third: $100, Honorable Mentions: $50

 

12/11/2023
NEW LISTING

The Masters Review Novel Excerpt Contest
US COMPETITION
Open to: Emerging writers
Theme: None
Accepts: Excerpt from unpublished novel
Size: 6,000 words
Entry Fee: $US 20
Prizes: First: $US 3,000 and consultation with an agent Second: $US 300 and agent feedback, Third: $US 200 and agent feedback

 

17/11/2023
NEW LISTING

The Marj Wilke Short Story Award
Open to: Australian women over the age of 18 years
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $15 ($40 for 3)  (Financial members can submit 1 free entry)
Prizes: First: $350, Runner-up: $150, The Lauren Elise Daniels Encouragement Award: $50

 

30/11/2023

Anthology Travel Writing Competition
IRISH COMPETITION
  EARLY BIRD: 30/06/2023
  STANDARD: 30/11/2023
Open to: All
Theme: Authentic Travel Experience
Accepts: Article
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: €10, REGULAR: €15
Prize: €500

 

30/11/2023

Positive Words Mini-Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Fireworks
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

 

30/11/2023
 

The Bath Children's Novel Award
UK COMPETITION
Open to: International writers yet to be traditionally published
Theme: Open
Accepts: YA novels, novels for teens, children’s novels, early readers, chapter books and the text of picture book
Size: First 5,000 words plus one page synopsis (see website for length of full manuscript)
Entry Fee: £29 with some sponsored places available for writers on low income
Prizes: First: £3,000, Most promising Longlisted Novel: Edit Your Novel the Professional Way on-line course

 

30/11/2023
NEW LISTING

The Gregory O'Donoghue International Poetry Competition
IRISH COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: €7, 5 for €30
Prizes: First: €2,000, Featured reading at the Cork International Poetry Festival (with four-night hotel stay and full board), featured on podcast, publication, Second: €500, publication, Third: €250, publication, 10 x runners-up: €50, publication

 

DECEMBER 2023
01/12/2023
 

The 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 Wordsmiths’ Club

*
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 Wordsmiths’ Club

 

01/12/2023
 

The 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 Wordsmiths’ Club

 

18/12/2023
NEW LISTING

The Blake Poetry Prize
Open to: Citizens or permanent residents of Australia
Theme: Engage with the theme of religion, spirituality and/or belief
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 100 lines
Entry Fee: $30
Prize: $5,000

 

31/12/2023
 

Audio Arcadia's Short Story Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: Aged 18 plus
Theme: General and LGBTQI+
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $USD 8.45
Prize: Percentage of royalties

 

31/12/2023
 

Dolors Alberola Poetry Prize
SPANISH COMPETITION
Open to: All (in any official language)
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry collection
Size: 500 - 800 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: Translation in another European language, publication of the collection as a bilingual edition, 50 copies of the book, royalties and subsidiary rights, Finalists: Publication of the collection (Spanish edition), 10 copies of the book, royalties and subsidiary rights

 

31/12/2023
 

Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize
Open to: 18 years and over
Theme: None
Accepts: Manuscript - see website for more information
Size: 80,000 words
Entry Fee: $45
Prize: Author Coaching, Structural Edit and Line edit (Value $2500)

 

31/12/2023
 

Positive Words Mini-Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Chimney
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

 

31/12/2023
 

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

 

31/12/2023
 

VIII International Playwriting Contest
SPANISH COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None – for young audiences (not children or adults), not musicals
*
Accepts: Category A - Play
Size: 60 minutes - 2 hours
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: €2,400 for the writer, translation to another European language, publication and public reading, plus economic aid for performances within two years after publication (Value: €4,800), Short list: Consideration for publication
*
Accepts: Category B - Play
Size: 30 minutes - 1 hour
Entry Fee: Nil

Prizes: First: €1,000 for the writer, translation to another European language, publication and public reading, plus economic aid for performances within two years after publication (Value: €3,200), Short list: Consideration for publication
*
Accepts: Category C - Play
Size: 10 – 30 minutes

Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: €400 for the writer, translation to another European language, publication and public reading, plus economic aid for performances within two years after publication (Value: €2,000), Short list: Consideration for publication
 

JANUARY 2024
27/01/2024
NEW LISTING

Local Word Writing Prize
Open to: Australian residents over 16 years
Theme: None
Accepts: Prose fiction and creative nonfiction
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $2,000 & one hour mentoring session with a Deakin University writing practitioner, Commended: $250

 

FEBRUARY 2024
28/04/2024
 

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

 

MARCH 2024
31/03/2024
 

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

 

31/03/2024
NEW LISTING

Minds Shine Bright Writing Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Light and Shadow (Read T&Cs for more details)
Accepts: Poetry, Short Stories, scripts and Micro/Flash Fiction
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $400, Third: $300, Fourth: $200, 5 x Commended: $100, 10 further entries: Small gift featuring the Minds Shine Bright logo

 

JUNE 2024
30/06/2024
 

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

 

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