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 up to 33 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
 

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
*
Shire of Mundaring Encouragement Award: Members to KSP Writers’ Centre
 

Roly Sussex Short Story Competition
Open to: Australian Citizens or Residents
Theme:  None
*
Accepts: Short Story - Open
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $50
Prizes: First: $7,500, Second: $1,500, Highly commended
*
Accepts: Short Story - Secondary School
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $30
Prizes: First: $1,000, Second: $500, Highly commended
 

Fisher's Ghost Writing Prize
Open to: Live, work or attends school/TAFE/University in the Campbelltown Local Government area
Theme: …connecting…
 *
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
 

Queensland Poetry Awards

ARTS QUEENSLAND THOMAS SHAPCOTT POETRY PRIZE FOR AN UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT
Open to: Queensland residents or have a significant, demonstrable connection to Queensland
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: Manuscript of 48 - 100 pages
Entry Fee: $40, $30 Concession
Prize: First: $2,250 & a publishing contract and editorial development with UQP, Runner Up: $500 & Chapbook publication, Shortlist: 1 year membership with QWC

ARTS QUEENSLAND VAL VALLIS AWARD FOR AN UNPUBLISHED POEM
Open to: Australian residents
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: $20, $15 concession
Prize: First: $1,500 & publication, Runner Up: $500 & publication,  Shortlist: 1 year membership with QWC

OODGEROO NOONUCCAL INDIGENOUS POETRY PRIZE

Open to: Residents of Australia & an Indigenous Writer
Theme: Open
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: $15, Nil Concession
Prize: First: $2,500 & publication, Runner-Up: $750 & publication, Shortlist: 1 year membership with QWC

ARTS QUEENSLAND XYZ PRIZE FOR SPOKEN WORD
Open to: Australian residents
Theme: None
Accepts: Recorded Poetry
Size: Maximum of 3 minutes per poem
Entry Fee: $20, $15 Concession
Prize: First: $1,250 and publication,  Runner-Up: $500 & publication, Shortlisted: 1 year membership with QWC

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

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

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
 

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
 

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: The natural environment
*
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 
 

The Stringybark Past Times Short Story Award
Theme: Based on real event/s that occurred in Australia or have clear relevane to Australia
Open to: Aged 16 and over
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $15 for 1, $28 for 2, $39 for 3
Prizes: First: $350 + publication + e-book + paperback + choice of any two Stringybark anthology (Value $415), Second: $250 + publication + e-book + paperback + choice of any two Stringybark anthology (Value $315), Third: $125 + publication + e-book + paperback + choice of any two Stringybark anthology (Value $190), Highly commended x 30: Publication + e-book (Value $5)
 

Anthology Flash Fiction Competition
IRISH COMPETITION
  EARLY BIRD: 31/05/2024
  STANDARD: 30/09/2024
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 250 words
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: €10, REGULAR: €12
Prize: €300
 

Anthology Nature Writing Competition
IRISH COMPETITION
Closing Date: 
VERY EARLY BIRD: 29/02/2024
EARLY BIRD: 31/05/2024
REGULAR: 30/09/2024
Open to: All
Theme: Nature Writing
Accepts: Essay
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: VERY EARLY BIRD: €10, EARLY BIRD: €12, REGULAR: €15
Prizes: €500
 

Armadale Writers' Award
Open to: Western Australian writers, aged 18 years and over
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 - 3,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $1,000, Second: $750, Third: $500, 7 x finalists: $50 book voucher
 

Blacktown Mayoral Creative Writing Prize
Open to: Residents of Blacktown City , NSW
Theme: To the point
*
Accepts: 8 - 11 years: Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $200 (Plus $100 for their teacher/teacher librarian)
*
Accepts: 12 - 14 years: Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $200 (Plus $100 for their teacher/teacher librarian)
*
Accepts: 15 - 17 years: Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $200 (Plus $100 for their teacher/teacher librarian)
*
Accepts: Adult (18+): Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $300
*
Accepts: 8 - 11 years: Poem
Size: 25 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $200 (Plus $100 for their teacher/teacher librarian)
*
Accepts: 12 - 14 years: Poem
Size: 25 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $200 (Plus $100 for their teacher/teacher librarian)
*
Accepts: 15 - 17 years: Poem
Size: 25 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $200 (Plus $100 for their teacher/teacher librarian)
*
Accepts: Adult (18+): Poem
Size: 25 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $300
 

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, Opportunity to discuss with University of Exeter’s Creative Writing Department, Runner-up: £750, feedback, Opportunity to discuss with University of Exeter’s Creative Writing Department, Highly Commended x 3: £150, manuscript appraisal, invitation to an industry day, Opportunity to discuss with University of Exeter’s Creative Writing Department
 

Campbelltown Writers' Competition
Open to: South Australian writers
Theme: A link to the Campbelltown area, a Campbelltown resident or references the City of Campbelltown
*
Accepts: Fiction or Non-fiction - Junior writer (7 -14 years old)
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First:  $100 gift card, Runner-up x 2: $50 gift card
*
Accepts: Fiction or Non-fiction - Junior writer (15 - 24 years old)
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First:  $150 gift card, Runner-up x 2: $75 gift card
*
Accepts: Fiction or Non-fiction - Open writer (25 years old and over)
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First:  $200 gift card, Runner-up x 2: $100 gift card
 

Hammond House Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: Time
*
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:  £1,000, Second:  £100, Third:  £50
*
Accepts: Script
Size: 10 pages
Entry Fee: £10, £5 for members, optional feedback: £10
Prize: First:  £500 
 

Once Upon in Our Minds
INDIAN COMPETITION
Open to: Students aged 5 to 16
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Short Story - Aged 5 to 8
Size: Minimum 399 words
Entry Fee: $US 5
Prize: Publication
*
Accepts: Short Story - Aged 9 to 12
Size: Minimum 699 words
Entry Fee: $US 5
Prize: Publication
*
Accepts: Short Story - Aged 13 to 16
Size: Minimum 1999 words
Entry Fee: $US 5
Prize: Publication
 

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

S. D. Harvey Short Crime Story Award
Open to: All
Theme: Crime
Accepts: Fiction or Non-Fiction
Size: 2,000 - 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $25
Prize: $1,000
 

Shore Scripts Short Film Fund - Fall Season
US COMPETITION
EARLY BIRD: 20/08/2024
REGULAR: 30/09/2024
FINAL: 31/10/2024
Open to: All
Accepts: Scripts
Size: 2 - 30 pages
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $39, REGULAR: $49, FINAL: $59
Prizes: First: $USD 15,000 production grant, Mentorship with Maria Gracia Turgeon, Camera Equipment rental from Arri Rental, Festival planning strategy with Kimberley Browning, Production support and script development, Film shared with judges and industry roster, Pass to Hollyshorts, 30 minute consultation with Seed & Spark, Access to a Stage 32 webinar, Short Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF Second: $USD 2,500 Finishing Funds Grant, Mentorship with Maria Gracia Turgeon, Post-production & Distribution Support , 30 minute consultation with Seed & Spark, Access to a Stage 32 webinar, Short Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF, Top 5:  Feedback, Opportunity to be considered for a meeting with Gunpowder & Sky or Filmnation, Script sent to directors and relevant industry roster, Copy of ‘(Not Just) Another Book on the Craft of  Screenwriting’ by Max Timm, 6-month Isaconnect membership, Short Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF, Top 15: Script sent to directors and relevant industry roster, Short Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF, Semi-Finalists: Short Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF 
 

Southword Editor's Poetry Award
IRISH COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Three poems
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: €24 (includes complimentary 1 year subscription)
Prize: €1,000
 

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
 

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
 

The Plaza Poetry Prize (20 lines)
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: £10 (£5 for subsequent entries) - can apply for free entry under Bursary Scheme
Prizes: First: £1,000, Second: £300, Third: £100
 

University of Tasmania Prize
Open to: Residents of Tasmania, may have up to two authors (collaboration with an artist counts as two authors)
Theme: None
Accepts: Novel, Graphic novel, playscript, screenplay, work for children/young people, literary non-fiction, a collection of short stories, literary essays or poems
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $10,000
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

Peter Porter Poetry Prize
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 60 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
 

The Westwords Prize
Open to: Writers with a connection to Western Sydney and Australian citizens or residents
Theme: None
Accepts: Manuscript
Size: 60,000 - 90,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Publication
 

11/10/2024
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
 

The Pearl Prize
Open to: Over 18 years
Theme: Queerness beyond the ML and AI in (A) ARTificial space
Accepts: Prose and/or Poetry
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $15
Prize: First: $500, Highly Commended: $300
 

Martha Richardson Memorial Poetry Prize

Open to: Over 18 years
Theme: The Bush
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: $35 ($25 for members of Ballarat Writers), $15 for each additional poem
Prize: First: $1,000, Second: $400, Third: $100
 

Bruce Dawe National Poetry Prize
Open to: Australian citizens or Permanent Residents of Australia
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: $8
Prizes: First: $3,000, Highly Commended x 2: $500
 

Dorothy Shaw Young Writers Competition
Open to: Deaf or hard of hearing students (Prep to Year 12) and Australian citizens or residents
Theme: Select from two prompts:
1. Imagine you’re a deaf person playing the park, and guess what? You find a shiny gold envelope! What do you think happens next in this exciting adventure?
2.Wow! One day, you become the very first Deaf Prime Minister of Australia. What awesome things would you want to do after getting this super cool job?
*
Accepts: Short Story – Prep/Kindy
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Cash prizes not specified
*
Accepts: Short Story – Year 1 – Year 3
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Cash prizes not specified
*
*
Accepts: Short Story - Year 4 - 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
 

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
 

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
 

The Writing Prize
Open to: Australians aged forty years and under
Theme: What should be the roles and responsibilities of Australian media in reporting on and responding to the real-life impacts of climate change?
Accepts: Original writing
Size: 4,000 - 5,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $10,000
 

The Mayday Hills Ghost Story Competition
To be performed on stage by entrant at Bijou Theatre Hall, Beechworth, on 26/10/2024
Open to: Australian or New Zealand citizen or resident
Theme: Horror
Accepts: Short Story
Size: No more than 15 minutes performance
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100 & Trophy, Second: $50, Third: $25
 

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
 

Anthology Poetry Award
IRISH COMPETITION
Closing Date: 
VERY EARLY BIRD: 29/02/2024
EARLY BIRD: 30/06/2024
REGULAR: 31/10/2024
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: VERY EARLY BIRD: €10, EARLY BIRD: €15, REGULAR: €18
Prizes: First: €1,000 & one year subscription to Anthology Magazine, Second: €250, Third: €150
 

Ernestine Hill Memorial Award
Open to: Permanent residents of Australia
Theme: Australian Country
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 4,000 words
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: $1,000
 

Fiction Factory Flash Fiction Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to:  All aged 16 and over
Theme:  None
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: £6 (£11 for 2, £15 for 3)
Prize: £350
 

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
 

Patrick White Writing Competition
Open to: Indigenous Australian students (Kindergarten to Year 12) studying in NSW
Theme: “No”, “When tomorrow comes”, “Ruler of the World”
Accepts: Short Story, Play, Poem. Group work accepted for Year K-3
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
 

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

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
 

Short Stories Unlimited Poetry Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Music
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
 

The Bedford Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: 17 years and over
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: £8.50, three for £17 (Full time students: £6, three for £12)
Prize: First: £1,500, Second: £300, Third: £200, Bedford Prize: £100, Cygnature Prize (25 years and under): £200
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: £8.50, three for £17 (Full time students: £6, three for £12)
Prize: First: £1,500, Second: £300, Third: £200, Bedford Prize: £100, Cygnature Prize (25 years and under): £200
 

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 
 

The Poetry Society National Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: 18 years and over
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: £8, Subsequent poems in the same submission: £5 (Members get one free second poem in their first submission)
Prize: First: £5,000, Second: £2,000, Third: £1,000, Commended x 7: £500
 

F(r)iction Contest - 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
 

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
 

Simpson Prize Competition
Open to: Year 9 & 10 students
Theme: ‘Australia’s relationship with Great Britain explains why Australia and individual Australians went to war.’ Discuss the accuracy of this statement with reference to either World War one OR World War Two.
Accepts: Essay
Size: 1,200- 1,500 words (body of essay)
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Winners and runners-up from each state and territory participate in a 3-day study program in Canberra. The eight winners travel overseas for an extensive study tour culminating in Anzac Day ceremonies in that location
 

Odyssey House Victoria Short Story Competition
Open to: All
Theme: "Regret" & reference to alcohol and/or drugs
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1.500 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $1,000, Second: $100, Third: $50
 

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
 

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
 

Kids News Junior Journo Competition
May be done individually or as a group/class
Open to: Australian resident students in Year 3 to 9 studying in an Australian school or registered homeschool
Theme: Something factual that happened, or is about to happen, in your school or local community
*
Accepts: Primary School Years 3 - 6  News story
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $350 gift card, $100 book pack from Harper Collins
*
Accepts: Primary School Years 3 - 6  Sports story
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $350 gift card, $100 book pack from Harper Collins
*
Accepts: Secondary School Years 7 - 9  News story
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $350 gift card, $100 book pack from Harper Collins
*
Accepts: Secondary School Years 7 - 9  Sports story
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $350 gift card, $100 book pack from Harper Collins
*
Junior Journalist of the Year (Years 3 – 6): $750 gift card, $100 book pack from Harper Collins
Junior Journalist of the Year (Years 7 – 9): $1,000 gift card, $100 book pack from Harper Collins
GRAND PRIZE (1 primary school winner, 1 high school winner): guest appearance on The Morning Show and newsroom/studio tour
 

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
 

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

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 books
Size: First 5,000 words plus one page synopsis (see website for length of full manuscript)
Entry Fee: £29.99 with some sponsored places available for writers on low income
Prizes: First: £5,000, Most promising Longlisted Novel: Edit Your Novel the Professional Way on-line course
 

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
 

The Plaza Short Story Prize (2500 words)
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Stories
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: £12 (£9 for subsequent entries) - can apply for free entry under Bursary Scheme
Prizes: First: £1,000, Second: £300, Third: £100
 

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
 

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
 

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)
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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