Sorrento Writers Festival Creative Writing Prize
Open to: Australian citizens or residents aged 18 and over
Theme: None
Accepts: Creative Writing
Size: 2,500 - 3,000 words
Entry fee: Nil
Prize: $5,000

Mulga Bill
Open to: All
Theme: Harvest
 *
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $150
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 25 lines
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes: First: $200, Second: $50

RUSSH Literary Showcase
Open to: Australian writers identifying as women or as belonging to an under-recognised group
Theme: None
Accepts: Essays, Features, Narratives, Poetry, Screenplays
Size: Essays, Features, Narratives: 1,500 - 3,000 words,  Poetry: 800 - 1,200 words, Screenplays: 1,000 -3,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Judges' Choice: Published in an issue of RUSSH, feature and writer’s profile published on RUSSH.com,  Writers Residency, 2026 RUSSH writers fellowship that includes at least $5,000 in paid writing commissions, Readers' Choice: Published in an issue of RUSSH, feature and writer’s profile published on RUSSH.com, Mentorship with a published author and advocate, Editor's Commendation: Published in an issue of RUSSH, feature and writer’s profile published on RUSSH.com, Mentorship with a published author and advocate

The Golden Pen
Open to: Western Australian Students, years 4 to 12
Theme: Metamorphosis
*
Accepts: Senior Category - High school students year 9 - 12 : Any format eg Poetry, prose, comics
Size: 2,000 words or six A4 pages
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Overall winner: e-reader ($249) and book pack, Shortlisted x 3: 6-month book subscription to Paper Bird Book Shop ($147)
 *
Accepts: Middle Category - High school students year 7 - 8 : Any format eg Poetry, prose, comics
Size: 2,000 words or six A4 pages
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Overall winner: e-reader ($249) and book pack, Shortlisted x 3: 6-month book subscription to Paper Bird Book Shop ($147)
*
Accepts: Junior Category - Primary school students year 4 - 6 : Any format eg Poetry, prose, comics
Size: 2,000 words or six A4 pages
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Overall winner: e-reader ($249) and book pack, Shortlisted x 3: 6-month book subscription to Paper Bird Book Shop ($147)
*
Classroom entries of 5 or more submissions: First: workshop with a Scribblers creative 

200 Years 200 Words Writing Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Reflecting on Albany's past, present and future
*
Accepts: Creative Writing - Adult (18+)
Size: 200 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not specified
*
Accepts: Creative Writing - Youth (Under 18)
Size: 200 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not specified

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

Ada Cambridge Prizes

Ada Cambridge Biographical Prose Prize
Open to: 18 years and over and who live in the state of Victoria
Theme: Biographical
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 - 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $15
Prize: $500

Ada Cambridge Poetry Prize
Open to: 18 years and over and who live in the state of Victoria
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 30 lines
Entry Fee: $15 (up to two poems)
Prize: $500

Young Adas Short Story Prize
Open to: Aged between 14 - 18 years and who live or work in the western suburbs of Melbourne
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $250

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

Peter Carey Short Story Award
Open to: Australian residents 18 years and over
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,000 - 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $15
Prizes: First: $2,000, Runner-up: $1,000, Best Local Entry: $500

Book Links Short Story Competition
Open to: Australians aged 18 and over who are aspiring or emerging writers in the early stages of their career
Theme: Suitable for children up to 15 years old
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $250 & published on website

City of Fremantle Hungerford Award
Open to: Western Australian who has not previously published a full-length manuscript in book form
Theme: None
Accepts: Novel, verse novel, young adult fiction or a work of narrative non-fiction
Size: 50,000 - 100,000 words
Entry Fee: $35
Prize: $15,000

Miniatures
Open to: Writers based in New Zealand and Australia and 16 years and over
Theme: "Off the Record" and have relevance to the broader Australian or New Zealand LGBTQIA+ Community
Accepts: Miniature story
Size: 50 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Not mentioned

Geelong Short Play Competition
Open to: Writers who live in the City of Greater Geelong, including residents of the Bellarine Peninsula, the Surf Coast Shire, Colac and Golden Plains. Also to members of Geelong Writers
Theme: None
Accepts: Play
Size: 15 minutes, one scene, no more than 5 characters with a minimal set
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: 6 plays performed

Book Pipeline Unpublished Contest
US COMPETITION
  PRE-REGISTER: 30/01/2026
  SPECIAL ENTRY: 20/03/2026
  EARLY: 20/05/2026
  REGULAR: 25/08/2026
  LATE: 22/09/2026
  EXTENDED: 15/10/2026
Open to: 18 years and over
Theme: None
Accepts: Comics & Graphic Novels, General Fiction, Literary, Mystery/Horror/Thriller, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade& & Chapter Book, Picture Books, Non-Fiction & Memoir
Size: Fiction & Memoirs: 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). Comics & Graphic Novels: 20-28 pages, 1-3 page synopsis
Entry Fee: PRE-REGISTER: $US 35, SPECIAL ENTRY: $US 45, EARLY: $US 55, REGULAR: $US 60, LATE: $US 65, EXTENDED: $US 70
Prizes: Per Category: First: $US 2,500, development & mentoring, industry circulation , consideration from producers, additional long-time review, exclusive invitations to Symposium events

Shore Scripts TV Pilot Contest
US COMPETITION
EARLY BIRD: 20/03/2026
REGULAR: 15/05/2026
FINAL: 29/06/2026
Open to: Each writer, or writing team, may not have earned more than $USD 50,000 in screenwriting fees the  preceding 12 months
*
Accepts: Scripts for a TV pilot- 1 hour
Size: 40 - 65 pages
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $USD 55, REGULAR: $USD 65, FINAL: $USD 75
Prizes: 3 x winners: place in TV writers Mentorship program and 1:1 support from a Writer Development manager, 10 x Finalists: online mixer, networking opportunities and 1:1 support from a Writer Development manager
*
Accepts: Scripts for a TV pilot- 1/2 hour
Size: 20 - 35 pages
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $USD 50, REGULAR: $USD 60, FINAL: $USD 70
Prizes: : 3 x winners: place in TV writers Mentorship program and 1:1 support from a Writer Development manager, 10 x Finalists: online mixer, networking opportunities and 1:1 support from a Writer Development manager

SCWC Poetry Award
Open to: Living in Australia over the age of 18
Theme: states
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

The Max Afford Playwrights' Award
Open to: Aged between 18 and 40 at closing date, resident of Australia during the four years prior, based in Australia and able to undertake a development with APT before the end of 2026
Theme: None
Accepts: Play (Unperformed, not previously produced or had a public reading)
Size: 1 hour duration
Entry Fee: $15 ($10 for SCWC members)
Prizes: First: $15,000 plus a fund for creative development (Maximum $17,500 for expenses)

RAS AB Paterson Bush Poetry Award
Open to: School aged Australian poets
Theme: Exploring the beauty, mystique, enchantment and unique characteristics of the Australian Bush
*
Accepts: Bush poetry - Primary (K - 6)
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
*
Accepts: Bush poetry - Secondary (7 - 12)
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
*
Prize: "Banjo Paterson: A Life in Pictures and Words from the Banjo Paterson Family Archive" by Alistair Campbell, a copyrighted reproduction of Banjo Paterson's original notes for 'Waltzing Matilda' and a family pass to the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show

The Letter Review Prize
US COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Short Fiction
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $US 25, additional entries: $US 15
Prize: $US 1,000 Prize pool
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 70 lines
Entry Fee: $US 20, additional entries: $US 15
Prize: $US 1,000 Prize pool
*
Accepts: Unpublished Book
Size: Prose: First 5,000 words (First 15 pages for poetry)
Entry Fee: $US 30, additional entries: $US 20
Prize: $US 1,000 Prize pool

Woollahra Anzac Day Writing Competition
Open to: Primary and Secondary students attending school or living in the Woollahra Municipality
Theme: About a family member who served or Anzac Day means to you
*
Accepts: Creative writing - High School students
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $200 voucher
*
Accepts: Creative writing - Primary School students
Size: 250 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $100 voucher

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 for up to 3 poems
Prizes: First: $1,500. Second : $500, Third: $300, Fourth: $100, 3 x Highly commended: $100, 6 x Commended: Book Prize

AAALS Creative Writing Competition
Open to: Residents and citizens of Australia and New Zealand, aged over 18. Indigenous categories are open to Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori writers.
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 100 lines
Entry Fee: $US 20 (Nil for members)
Prize: $US 1,000 and publication
*
Accepts: Creative Prose - Fiction or Non-fiction
Size: 3,500 words
Entry Fee: $US 20 (Nil for members)
Prize: $US 1,000 and publication
*
Accepts: Indigenous Writers - Poetry
Size: 100 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $US 1,000 and publication
*
Accepts: Indigenous Writers - Creative Prose - Fiction or Non-fiction
Size: 3,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $US 1,000 and publication
*
All entrants receive a subscription to the journal Antipodes

Anthology Travel Writing Competition
IRISH COMPETITION
  EARLY BIRD: 31/03/2026
  STANDARD: 30/11/2026
Open to: All
Theme: Authentic Travel Experience
Accepts: Article
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: €12, REGULAR: €15
Prize: €300

Calanthe Collective Prize for Unpublished Poetry
Open to: All
Theme: None
*
UNDER 18, RESTRICTED TO HIGH SCHOOL AGED PEOPLE
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $400, Highly Commended x 2: $100
*
OPEN, POETS WHO ARE YET TO HAVE A BOOK OR CHAPBOOK PUBLISHED
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: $10
Prize: First: $1,000, Highly Commended x 2: $250

Daphne de Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense

US COMPETITION
Open to: Internationally to unpublished and published authors over 18 (see T&Cs)
Themes: 
Short romantic mystery/suspense,
Historical romantic mystery/suspense – predates end of World War II
Mainstream mystery/suspense,
Paranormal (PTTF) romantic mystery/suspense,
Long romantic mystery /suspense,
Novella mystery/suspense – not included on unpublished T&Cs
Accepts: novellas and novels
Size: 
First 5,000 words submitted with a synopsis of 675 words.
Final manuscript size:
Short romantic mystery/suspense: 40,000 – 65,000 words
Historical romantic mystery/suspense: at least 65,000 words
Mainstream mystery/suspense: at least 65,000 words
Paranormal (PTTF) romantic mystery/suspense: at least 65,000 words
Long romantic mystery /suspense: at least 65,000 words
Novella mystery/suspense: 25,000 – 40,000 words
Entry Fee:  $15 USD members/$30 USD non-members  
Prizes:  All finalists: Certificate, Digital Medallion, Voucher for one COFFIN online class, All category winners: Engraved bookmark (or equivalent), Additional voucher for a COFFIN online class, Overall winner: Plaque (or equivalent), Third voucher for a COFFIN online class

Ethel Webb Bundell Literary Award for Poetry
DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THIS COMPETITION HAS BEEN CANCELLED

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

Flash 500 Flash Fiction Competition
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: £5 for one story, £8 for 2, £11 for 3, £14 for 4
Prize:First: £300, Second: £200, Third: £100

SNAFU: Level Up
ANTHOLOGY CALL OUT
Open to: All
Theme: Horror based in litRPG-style story
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,500 - 9,500 words
Submission Fee: Nil
Payment: 5c / word

The Caterpillar Poetry Prize
IRISH COMPETITION
Open to: Over 16
Theme: Poetry written by an adult for children (aged 7-11)
Accepts: Poetry
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: €16
Prizes: First: €1,000 plus a week at The Moth retreat in Ireland, Second: €500, Third: €250

The Henshaw Short Story Competition
UK COMPETITION
PROCEEDS ARE USED TO PURCHASE BOOKS OR OTHER ESSENTIALS FOR A SELECTED 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
*
Note that writers aged 16 and under may submit to receive a free critique

The Masters Review Prize for New Narratives
US COMPETITION
Open to: Emerging writers
Theme: Writing that experiments with form, voice and point of view
Accepts: Creative writing
Size: 6,000 words
Entry Fee: $US 20 (Nil for up to 50 writers from historically marginalize or underrepresented groups)
Prizes: First: $US 3,000 and 2-year subscription to Duotrope, Second: $US 300, Third: $US 200

The Tom Grass Spirit of Adventure Literary Prize
UK COMPETITION
  EARLY: 28/02/2026
  FINAL: 31/03/2026
Open to: Emerging writers aged 25 and over
Theme: Spirit of adventure
 Accepts: Fiction or Non-fiction
Size: 1,500 - 3,000 words
Entry Fee: EARLY: Nil, FINAL: £15
Prizes: First: £1,000 and meeting with literary agent, Runner-up x 2: £500 and meeting with literary agent

Shore Scripts Short Film Fund - Spring Season
US COMPETITION
EARLY BIRD: 27/02/2026
REGULAR: 02/04/2026
FINAL: 04/05/2026
Open to: All
*
Accepts: Short Film Fund - Scripts
Size: 2 - 30 pages (can go up to 45 pages for $US 1 per additional page)
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $US 39, REGULAR: $US 49, FINAL: $US 59
Prizes:
First: $USD 15,000 production grant, Mentorship with Maria Gracia Turgeon, Camera Equipment rental from Arri Rental, a film festival strategy package with Kimberley Browning, Production support and script development, Film shared with judges and industry roster, Shore Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF,
Top 5:  Feedback, Script sent to directors and relevant industry roster, Shore Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF,
Finalists:  Script sent to directors and relevant industry roster, Shore Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF
Semi-Finalists:  Shore Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF
All Entries: Short Feedback
*
Accepts: Short Film Fund – Finishing Funds
Size: 40 minutes
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $USD 39, REGULAR: $USD 49, FINAL: $USD 59
Prizes:
First: $USD 4,000 finishing funds grant, Mentorship with Maria Gracia Turgeon, a film festival strategy package with Kimberley Browning, Production support and script development, Film shared with judges and industry roster, Shore Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF, Finalists:  Feedback, Shore Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF 

Allen & Unwin Crime Fiction Prize
Open to: Australian citizens or permanent residents
Theme: Crime or Thriller
Accepts: Manuscript
Size: 70,000 - 100,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil 
Prize:First: Publishing contract with advance against royalties of $25,000

Little Black Dress Spooky and Horror Story Competition
Open to: Australian residents
Theme: Glitch
*
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

CRAFT Award for Excellence
US COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Fiction
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $USD 20
Prizes: $1,000, reMarkable Paper Pro tablet & set up and a CRAFT plaque
*
Accepts: Creative Non-Fiction
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $USD 20
Prizes: $1,000, reMarkable Paper Pro tablet & set up and a CRAFT plaque
*
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $USD 20 (2 pieces in same submission)
Prizes: $1,000, reMarkable Paper Pro tablet & set up and a CRAFT plaque
*
Accepts: Flash Creative Non-Fiction
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $USD 20 (2 pieces in same submission)
Prizes: $1,000, reMarkable Paper Pro tablet & set up and a CRAFT plaque
*
2 x Editor's choice: $USD 500

CYA - Adult genre Competition
Open to: See website
Theme: Adult Genre
*
Accepts: Aspiring Writer (Check website for eligibility)
Size: First 5,000 words, pitch and 600 word synopsis
Entry Fee: $27.50
Prizes: First: $100 and 15-minute video consultation with final judge, Second: $75, Third: $50, Submission of short listed entries to at least one publisher of adult books
*
Accepts: Published Writer (More than two books published within this section’s genre)
Size: First 12,500 words, pitch and 600 word synopsis
Entry Fee: $49.50
Prizes: First: $100 and 15-minute video consultation with final judge, Submission of short listed entries to at least one publisher of adult books

CYA - Aspiring Authors (Unpublished) Competition
Open to: Check website
Theme: For the children’s and young adults’ market
*
Accepts: Picture book - text only for pre-school children
Size: 500 words & pitch
Entry Fee: $27.50
Prizes: First: $100 and 15-minute consultation with final judge, Second: $75, Third: $50, Submission of short listed entries to at least one publisher
*
Accepts: Picture book - text only for primary school children
Size: 500 words & pitch
Entry Fee: $27.50
Prizes: First: $100 and 15-minute consultation with final judge, Second: $75, Third: $50, Submission of short listed entries to at least one publisher
*
Accepts: Picture book - Non-Fiction - text only for primary school children
Size: 500 words & pitch
Entry Fee: $27.50
Prizes: First: $100 and 15-minute consultation with final judge, Second: $75, Third: $50, Submission of short listed entries to at least one publisher
*
Accepts: Chapter book – A - text only for young primary aged children
Size: First 1,000 words, pitch & 600 word synopsis
Entry Fee: $27.50
Prizes: First: $100 and 15-minute consultation with final judge, Second: $75, Third: $50, Submission of short listed entries to at least one publisher
*
Accepts: Chapter book – B - text only of older aged children (Middle Grade)
Size: First 1,000 words, pitch & 600 word synopsis
Entry Fee: $27.50
Prizes: First: $100 and 15-minute consultation with final judge, Second: $75, Third: $50, Submission of short listed entries to at least one publisher
*
Accepts: Fiction for Young Adults
Size: First 5,000 words, pitch & 600 word synopsis
Entry Fee: $27.50
Prizes: First: $100 and 15-minute consultation with final judge, Second: $75, Third: $50, Submission of short listed entries to at least one publisher

CYA - Hatchlings
Open to: 8 - 18 years old and not been published in book format within the CYA genres.
Theme: Children’s and young adults’ markets
*
Accepts: Picture book - text only for pre-school or primary aged children
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100, Second: $60, Third: $40
*
Accepts: Chapter Book and Young adult novels
(a) Text only for younger primary aged children
(b) Text only for older aged children (Middle Grade)
(c) Fiction writing for young adults
Size: 
(a) & (b) First 1,000 words, pitch & 600 word synopsis
(c) First 5,000 words, pitch and 600 word synopsis
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100, Second: $60, Third: $40

Griffith Review Emerging Voices Competition
Open to: Australian citizens and residents, emerging authors (unpublished or only one book published)
Theme: None
Accepts: Fiction and Creative non-fiction
Size: 3,500 – 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $25, Griffith Review subscribers = $15 (entry fee includes complimentary digital subscription for six months)
Prizes: Pool of $20,000

The Southerly Poetry Prize
Open to: Australian citizens and residents (permanent or temporary status)
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 100 lines
Entry Fee: $20 ($10 for subscribers) (May apply for fee to be waived if unable to afford)
Prize: $2,000

Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction
NOTE: Prompts are emailed out at midday 24/04/2026 with competition closing at midnight 26/04/2026
Open to: All
Theme: Choose Team Amanda or Team Ed. Each team has 3 prompts: a word prompt, an action prompt and a "kicker" prompt
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: $35 (Coaching Package: $175, Daredevil Experience: $250)
Prizes: First: $1,500 & trophy, Second: $1,000, Third: $500, Fourth: $350, Fifth: $250, Sixth: $200, Wildcard x 2: $100

The Grieve Project
Open to: Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia, 18 years and over
Theme: Experiences of grief and loss
*
Accepts: Prose
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: $25.85 ($22 for members)
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 38 lines
Entry Fee: $25.85 ($22 for members)
*
Accepts: Still image/artwork
Size: One image
Entry Fee: $25.85 ($22 for members)
*
Accepts: Video
Size: 5 minutes
Entry Fee: $25.85 ($22 for members)
*
Accepts: Audio
Size: 5 minutes
Entry Fee: $25.85 ($22 for members)
*
PRIZES: See website

Living Stories Western Sydney Writing Prize
Open to: Residents of Western Sydney and Wingecarribee Shire (LGA listed on website)
Theme: Is it true ...?
*
Accepts: Fiction, Narrative non-fiction, Essay or Poem - 10 - 12 years old
Size: Poetry: 25 lines, Other: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes:  First: $300, Highly Commended: $200
*
Accepts: Fiction, Narrative non-fiction, Essay or Poem - 13 - 15 years old
Size: Poetry: 25 lines, Other: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes:  First: $300, Highly Commended: $200
*
Accepts: Fiction, Narrative non-fiction, Essay or Poem - 16 -1 8 years old
Size: Poetry: 25 lines, Other: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes:  First: $300, Highly Commended: $200
*
Accepts: Fiction, Narrative non-fiction, Essay or Poem - 18+
Size: Poetry: 25 lines, Other: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes:  First: $750, Highly Commended: $250
*
LGA Winners: Adult: $100, Junior: $75
LGA Highly Commendeds: Adult: $75, Juniour: $50

Moorabool Young Writers Awards
Open to: Young writers who live, study, work or regularly participate in community activities in the Moorabool Shire
Theme: Once Upon a time: Fairy Tales & Fables
*
Accepts: Emergent Writers (Prep - 2) – Complete the picture prompt (on website from February)
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes:  4 x book pack prizes (selected at random)
*
Accepts: Middle Primary (Grades 3 & 4) - Short Story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100, Runner-up: $50, Third: $30, Highly Commended and Honourable Mention
*
Accepts: Upper Primary (Grades 5 & 6) - Short Story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100, Runner-up: $50, Third: $30, Highly Commended and Honourable Mention
*
Accepts: Secondary (Years 7 to 12) - Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $200, Runner-up: $100, Third: $50, Highly Commended and Honourable Mention
*
Up to 15 stories selected for visual interpretation by Ballan Art Space members

Byron Bay International Film Festival Screenplay Contest
Closing Date:
   EARLY BIRD: 06/02/2026
   REGULAR: 30/04/2026
   LATE: 26/06/2026
   SPECIAL EXTENDED: 31/08/2026
Open to: All except screenwriters who have earned more than $US 30,000 gross from screenwriting in the calendar year leading up to the Festival
Theme: None
Accepts: Screenplay
Size: 80 to 120 pages
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $US 35, REGULAR: $US 45, LATE: $US 55, SPECIAL EXTENDED: $US 75
Prizes: First: $AUD 1,000

Daisy Utemorrah Award
Open to: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons living in Australia
Theme: None (but consider the description of the award on the website)
Accepts: Junior or Young Adult Fiction
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $15,000 and a publishing contract with Magabala Books

Furphy Literary Award
Open to: Australian residents or citizens, 18 years and over
Theme: Australian Life in all its diversity
Accepts: Fiction or Narrative non-fiction
Size: 5.000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First:  $15,000 & LaTrobe University Shepparton Residency, Second: $3,000, Third: $2,000, Selected for publication: $250

Mattie Furphy Short Story Competition
Open to: Residents of Australia, over 18
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee:  $27 ($22 for members)
Prizes: Not mentioned

Poetica Christi Press Annual Poetry Competition
Open to: Residing in Australia and aged 16 years and over
Theme: A Momentary Darkness
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $300, Second: $100

The Best of Times Short Story Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Humorous
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: 60% of total entry fees, Second: 15% of total entry fees, Third: 5% of total entry fees, Highly Commended and Commended: Certificate

The Chief of Army Essay Competition
Open to: Serving ADF personnel (SERCAT 3-7) and Australian public servants employed by the Department of Defence
Theme: "How can we rewire the Army to continually adapt to the changing character of war?"
Accepts: Essay
Size: 5,000 words 
Entry Fee: Nil 
Prizes: The Chavel Prize: $3,000, domestic travel to Canberra to brief the Chief of Army's Senior Advisory Committee on the topic of the essay and publication, Runner up: $500, domestic travel to Canberra to brief the Chief of Army's Senior Advisory Committee on the topic of the essay and publication, Commended: considered for publication

30/04/2026
 

Vallum Chapbook Award
CANADIAN COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry Chapbook 
Size: 15 - 30 pages
Entry Fee: $US 30
Prize: $CAD 300, publication and 25 copies of chapbook

Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival Short Story Competition
Open to: Students from Years 3 to 12 from the Mackay, Whitsunday or Isaac regions
Theme: Open
*
Accepts: Years 3 & 4: Short Story
Size: 300 - 400 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not specified
*
Accepts: Years 5 & 6: Short Story
Size: 300 - 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not specified
*
Accepts: Years 7 & 8: Short Story
Size: 400 - 600 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not specified
*
Accepts: Years 9 & 10: Short Story
Size: 600 - 800 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not specified
*
Accepts: Years 11 & 12: Short Story
Size: 800 - 1,200 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Not specified

Kyogle Writers Festival Poetry Competition
PROCEEDS DONATED TO THE INDIGENOUS LITERACY FOUNDATION
Open to: All
Theme: Under the Surface
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 35 lines
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes: First: $250, Second: $100, Third: $50, Commended x 5: $20

Grenfell Henry Lawson Poetry and Short Story Prize
Open to: Writers living in Australia
Theme: Legends and Larrikins
*
Accepts: Poetry - Open - 18 years or over on 31 March
Size: 48 lines
Entry Fee: $35
Prize: First: $1,000, Second: $500
*
Accepts: Poetry - High School Student
Size: 48 lines
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: First: $250, Second: $100
*
Accepts: Poetry - Primary School Student
Size: 48 lines
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: First: $100, Second: $50
*
Accepts: Short Story - Open - 18 years or over on 31 March
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $35
Prize: First: $1,000, Second: $500
*
Accepts: Short Story - High School Student
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: First: $250, Second: $100
*
Accepts: Short Story - Primary School Student
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: First: $100, Second: $50

Liquid Amber Poetry Prize
Open to: All
Theme: Poetry on Fire
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: $25 ($15 if unwaged)
Prizes: First: $1,250, Second: $650, Best poem by an emerging poet: Mentoring Pack with Rose Lucas

The Margaret Hazzard Short Story Award
Open to: Australian women writers and SWWV members worldwide
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $15 or 3 for $30 (For members: $10 or 3 for $20)
Prizes: First: $350, Second: $200, Third: $100

Artz Blitz
Open to: All
Theme: Secret theme revealed 08/05/2026 at 4pm
*
Accepts: Short Story - Adult
Size: 400 – 600 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $1,000, Highly Commended x 2: $250
*
Accepts: Short Story - Youth (13 - 17)
Size: 200 – 400 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $250, Highly Commended x 2: $100
*
Accepts: Short Story - Junior (12 and under)
Size: 100 – 300 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $150, Highly Commended x 2: $50
*
Accepts: Poetry - Adult
Size: 14 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $1,000, Highly Commended x 2: $250
*
Accepts: Poetry - Youth (13 - 17)
Size: 14 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $250, Highly Commended x 2: $100
*
Accepts: Poetry - Junior (12 and under)
Size: 14 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $150, Highly Commended x 2: $50
*
Writer Development Prize: Mentorship with Writers Victoria in 2026
People’s Choice Award: $250

VISUAL ARTS SECTIONS ON WEBSITE

Boroondara Literary Awards
Open to: Victorian Residents, Young Writers: Live, Work or study in the City of Boroondara
Theme: Open
*
Accepts: Open Short Story
Size: 1,500 - 3,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $1,500, Second: $1,000, Third: $500, Keith Carroll Award: $500, Highly Commended x 3: $50 Voucher
*
Accepts: Young Writers  - Junior -Years 5 - 6 - Poetry
Size: 100 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $300, Second: $200, Third: $100, Highly Commended x 3: $30 Voucher
*
Accepts: Young Writers  - Junior -Years 5 - 6 -  - Prose
Size: 300 - 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $300, Second: $200, Third: $100, Highly Commended x 3: $30 Voucher
*
Accepts: Young Writers  - Middle -Years 7 - 9 - Poetry
Size: 200 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $450, Second: $300, Third: $150, Highly Commended x 3: $30 Voucher
*
Accepts: Young Writers  - Middle -Years 7 - 9 -  - Prose
Size: 500 - 900 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $450, Second: $300, Third: $150, Highly Commended x 3: $30 Voucher
 *
Accepts: Young Writers - Senior -Years 10 - 12 - Poetry (also open to young people not in secondary school, aged 15 to 18 years as of 1 January)
Size: 200 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $600, Second: $400, Third: $200, Highly Commended x 3: $30 Voucher
*
Accepts: Young Writers  - Senior -Years 10 - 12 -  - Prose (also open to young people not in secondary school, aged 15 to 18 years as of 1 January)
Size: 900 - 1,300 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $600, Second: $400, Third: $200, Highly Commended x 3: $30 Voucher

Laura Literary Awards
Open to: All
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Section 1 - Open - Short Story
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prize: $200
*
Accepts: Section 2 - Young Adult (13 - 18) - Short Story
Size: 1,200 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $50
*
Accepts: Section 3a - Upper Primary 11 - 12) - Short Story
Size: 800 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $25
*
Accepts: Section 3b - Junior (9 - 10) - Short Story
Size: 800 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $25
*
Accepts: Section 4 - Junior Primary (5 - 8) - Short Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $15
*
Accepts: Section 5 - Open - Poetry
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: $10
Prize: $200
*
Accepts: Section 6 - Open - Bush Poetry
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: $10
Prize: $200
*
Accepts: Section 7 - Young Adult (13 - 18) - Poetry
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $50
*
Accepts: Section 8 - Junior (9 - 12) - Poetry
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $25
*
Accepts: Section 10 - Junior Primary (5 - 8) - Poetry
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $15

Men Like Me Poetry Competition
Open to: All
Theme: The diverse experiences of men
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: $20
Prizes: First: $300, Second: $150, Third: $100, Prize winners and Honourable mentions: Publication

Boree Log Poetry Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Australian Bush
Accepts: Bush poetry
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: $8 or $30 for 4
Prizes: First: $100 plus trophy & certificate, Highly Commended & Commended: Certificates

Eastwood/Hills FAW Literary Competition
Open to: All
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Category 1 : Flash Fiction
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: $8, $30 for 4
Prizes: First: $150, Second: $50
*
Accepts: Category 2 : Phillipa Holland Award for Poetry
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: $8, $30 for 4
Prizes: First: $150, Second: $50
*
Accepts: Category 3 : Alan Russell Award for Memoir
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $8, $30 for 4
Prizes: First: $150, Second: $50
*
Accepts: Category 4 : Short Story
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $8, $30 for 4
Prizes: First: $150, Second: $50

F(r)iction Spring Contest
US COMPETITION
Open to: All
*
Theme: None
Accepts: Creative Non-Fiction
Size: 6,500 words
Entry Fee: $US 15
Prizes: First: $US 500 & publication, 5 x finalists: consideration for publication
*
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: consideration for publication
*
Theme: None
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $US 10 or 3 for $US 12
Prizes: First: $US 300 & publication, 5 x finalists: consideration for publication
*
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: three pages
Entry Fee: $US 10 or 3 for $US 12
Prizes: First: $US 300 & publication, 5 x finalists: consideration for publication

What Matters? Writing Competition
Open to: Writers undertaking Primary or Secondary education in Australia (or an Australian International School) in Yr 5 to Yr 12
Theme: What Matters?
*
Accepts: Prose/Poetry/Fiction/Non-fiction - Yr 5 & 6
Size: 600 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $350, Writing workshop (either face-to-face or online), Book pack from Allen & Unwin, Runner-up: $200,Writing workshop (either face-to-face or online), Book pack from Allen & Unwin
*
Accepts: Prose/Poetry/Fiction/Non-fiction - Yr 7 & 8
Size: 600 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $350, Writing workshop (either face-to-face or online), Book pack from Allen & Unwin, Runner-up: $200,Writing workshop (either face-to-face or online), Book pack from Allen & Unwin
*
Accepts: Prose/Poetry/Fiction/Non-fiction - Yr 9 & 10
Size: 600 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $350, Tailored program with ReachOut.com with opportunity to be paid $200 for a feature article, Book pack from Allen & Unwin, Runner-up: $200, Book pack from Allen & Unwin
*
Accepts: Prose/Poetry/Fiction/Non-fiction - Yr 11 & 12
Size: 600 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $350, 1 year Membership to Writing NSW, Writing workshop, Book pack from Allen & Unwin, Runner-up: $200, Book pack from Allen & Unwin
*
Overall Winner: $1,500, trophy, Book pack for their school library
Allen & Unwin Prize (Yr 5 to 8): $1,000
Graham Feudenberg Award: Flight to Canberra to spend day shadowing the Political speechwriters and journalists in the Press Gallery
Artistic Merit Award: Access to Varuna's self-paced on-line writing courses plus $100 book pack from Megalong books
Host an Author x 3: Randomly drawn school from the shortlisted entries offered opportunity for 1 hour virtual author visit
Challenging Racism Project Award: $700, $300 Book bundle, certificate, invitation to meet with the Challenging Racism Project Team
Southerly Barribugu Prize: $50 publishing fee, 1hr mentoring session and a book treasure trove of the most recent Southerly issues & other works of Australian Literature

Little Stories, Big Ideas
Open to: Australian Secondary-school aged students
Theme: Shimmer
*
Accepts: Creative Writing - Yrs 7 - 9
Size: 100 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Winner & Runner-up: $250, Writing Masterclass, Voiceworks bundle, YA Book pack
*
Accepts: Creative Writing - Yrs 10 - 12
Size: 100 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Winner & Runner-up: $250, Writing Masterclass, Voiceworks bundle, YA Book pack

South Perth Young Writers Award

Open to: School aged children (years 1 to 10) residing or attending school in the City of South Perth
Theme: None
*
Accepts: A. Lower Primary: Year 1 - 2 - Prose
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $150
*
Accepts: B. Middle Primary: Year 3 - 4 - Prose
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $150
*
Accepts: C. Upper Primary: Year 5 - 6 - Prose
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $150
*
Accepts: D. Lower Secondary: Year 7 - 8 - Prose
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $150
*
Accepts: F. Upper Secondary: Year 9 - 10 - Prose
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $150
*
Shortlisted entrants invited to attend a one-on-one workshop with a published local author, who will provide tailored feedback on their stories

Shore Scripts Feature Screenplay Contest
US COMPETITION
EARLY BIRD: 29/05/2026
REGULAR: 14/07/2026
FINAL: 28/08/2026
Open to: All
Accepts: Scripts
Size: 80 - 120 pages
Entry Fee: (Please check prior to entry): EARLY BIRD: $USD 60, REGULAR: $USD 70, FINAL: $USD 80
Prizes: First: $USD 5,000, Mentorship with A-List Filmmaker, Work with Writer Development Manager, Script circulated with industry roster, Industry mentorship, Guaranteed Meetings,
Second: $USD 1,000, Work with Writer Development Manager, Script circulated with industry roster, Industry mentorship, Guaranteed Meetings,
10 finalists: Work with Writer Development Manager, Script circulated with industry roster, Industry mentorship,
5 Genre Winners:  Guaranteed Genres meeting, Work with Writer Development Manager, Script circulated with industry roster
TOP Comedy, Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi & Thriller Script: Genre Industry meetings 
Every submission: Short feedback, Booklet on how to get your screenplay produced

Showdown Add-on: entry to be considered for the Paid Option Agreement with Showdown Productions

Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Prize

US COMPETITION
Open to:  All
Theme:  None (but consider interests of the readership)
Accepts: Short Story
Size: Up to 3,000 words preferred but up to 4,000 words considered
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $USD 150

Mosman Youth Awards in Literature
Open to: Primary and Secondary School students
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Story - Senior - Years 10,11,12
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $350, Second: $150
*
Accepts: Story - Junior - Years 7,8,9
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $200, Second: $100
*
Accepts: Story - Primary - Years K-6
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100, Second: $75
*
Accepts: Poetry - Senior - Years 10,11,12
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $250, Second: $150
*
Accepts: Poetry - Junior - Years 7,8,9
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $150, Second: $100

RD Walsh Memorial Writing for the Environment Prize

Open to: Australian Citizens
Theme: It’s your conversation! About any topic that relates in some way to one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
 *
Accepts: One-Act Play – under 19 years
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $250, Pat Strong Award for a Young Writer: $100
*
Accepts: One-Act Play - 19 - 26 years
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $250
*
Accepts: One-Act Play – Over 50
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $250

Michael Terence Publishing Short Story Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short story – fiction or non-fiction
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: £9
Prizes: First: £1,000,  Publication in MTP Anthology and Anthology Title based on the winning entry's title, Second: £500, Publication in the MTP Anthology, Third: £250, Publication in the MTP Anthology, Runners-up x 5: £50, Publication in the MTP Anthology

Make Your Own Storybook Competition
Open to: Western Australian Students, PP to Year 8
Theme: None
Accepts: Picture Books and Story Books (See website)
Size: 5,000 words, Page size: A5 to A4
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Three prizes awarded in each category:
- Years PP to 2 - Picture Book
- Years 3 to 4 - Picture Book
- Years 5 to 6 - Picture Book
- Years 7 to 8 - Picture Book
- Years 3 to 4 - Story Book
- Years 5 to 6 - Story Book
- Years 7 to 8 - Story Book
Students may work with a partner, maximum of two students per book

MeetCute Storyteller Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: Writers aged 18 and over
Theme: Romance
Accepts: First Chapter of Novel
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: £500 and an offer of agency representation from kate Nash Literary Agency Ltd

IEU QLD & NT Literary Competition
Note: Limitation on entries per school: 10 in each student section, 5 in Open section
Open to: Students in years 5 -12 and teachers from all schools across Queensland and from non-Government schools across the Northern Territory.
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Years 11-12
1. Poem, 2, Short Story,  3. Non-fiction Prose
Size: Poem: No limit, Short Story: 600-1,500 words, Non-fiction prose: 600 - 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $300, Second: $200, Third: $100
*
Accepts: Years 9-10
1. Poem, 2, Short Story
Size: Poem: No limit, Short Story: 500-1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $150, Second: $100, Third: $75
*
Accepts: Years 7-8
1. Poem, 2, Short Story
Size: Poem: No limit, Short Story: 500-1,200 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $150, Second: $100, Third: $75
*
Accepts: Years 5 - 6
1. Poem, 2, Short Story
Size: Poem: No limit, Short Story: 400-800 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $150, Second: $100, Third: $75
*
Accepts: Open: Staff: Short Story
Size: 800-2,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $300, Second: $200, Third: $100

AAWP Writing Prizes
* 
AAWP / Westerly Magazine Life Writing Prize
Open to: All
Theme: Life writing
Accepts: Any form associated with Life Writing
Size: 3,500 words
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: $500, one year subscription to Westerly & Conference fees to attend the annual AAWP conference
*
AAWP - UWRF Global Writing Communities Translators' Prize
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry and Prose
Size: Poetry: 30 lines, Prose: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: Ticket to UWRF, accommodation during the festival , one year membership to AAWP and fully subsidised fees to attend the annual conference
*
Sudden Writing Prize
Open to: Emerging writers under 25 years of age
Theme: None
Accepts: Creative works
Size: Prose: 400 words, Poetry: 40 lines, Prose Poems: 200 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: $500, publication on Express Media website, Voiceworks subscription, one year membership to AAWP and fully subsidised fees to attend the annual conference
*
AAWP / UWRF Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers
Open to: Emerging writers
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: Ticket to UWRF, accommodation during the festival, one year membership to AAWP,  and fully subsidised fees to attend the annual conference, consideration for publication by Meniscus
*
AAWP / UWRF Poetry Prize for Emerging Writers
Open to: Emerging writers
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines for lineated poetry, 400 words for prose poetry and hybrid forms
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: Ticket to UWRF, accommodation during the festival, one year membership to AAWP,  and fully subsidised fees to attend the annual conference, consideration for publication by Meniscus
*
AAWP and Recent Work Press Novella Prize
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Prose or verse
Size: : 50 lines for poetry or 5,000 words for prose, Synopsis: 500 words (full manuscript expected to be 40,000 – 50,000 words)
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: $500 and fully subsidised fees to attend the annual conference, consideration for publication by Recent Work Press
*
 ‘Chapter One’ The AAWP Publication Pathway for Emerging Writers
Open to: Emerging writers (see website for definition)
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry collection, literary novel, short story collection or a hybrid work
Size: First chapter: 50 lines for poetry or 5,000 words for prose, Synopsis: 500 words
Total work: Prose: at least 40,000 words, Poetry: at least 40 pages
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: $500, letter of recommendation to Western Australia Publishing, Conference fees to attend the annual AAWP conference

Anthology Poetry Award
IRISH COMPETITION
Closing Date: 
VERY EARLY BIRD: 31/01/2026
EARLY BIRD: 31/06/2026
REGULAR: 31/10/2026
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: VERY EARLY BIRD: €12, EARLY BIRD: €15, REGULAR: €18
Prizes: First: €1,000, Second: €250, Third: €150

Anthology Short Story Award
IRISH COMPETITION
Closing Date: 
VERY EARLY BIRD: 31/10/2025
EARLY BIRD: 31/01/2026
REGULAR: 31/07/2026
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, Second: €250, Third: €150

Byouk Feb - June Competition
Open to: All
Theme: None (Diverse voices are encouraged)
Accepts: Novels
Size: First few pages plus a few favourite pages totalling 10 pages
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: Publication and marketing (physically and digitally worldwide)

Dorothea Mackeller Poetry Awards

Open to: School Students (K – Yr 12) enrolled in Australian education facilities, group poems and class poems allowed
Theme: Optional theme: The Traveller
 

Entry Fee:  
    Individual (where home-schooled or school not taking part): $20 for up to 3 poems,
    School Entry up to 30 entries: $30, 
    School Entry over 30 entries: $60, 
    School Entry over 100 entries: $80

*
Accepts: Lower Primary (Years K - 3) Poetry
Size: 80 lines (2,000 characters)
Prize: First: $300, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $150 & prize pack
*
Accepts: Upper Primary (Years 4 - 6) Poetry

Size: 80 lines (2,000 characters)
Prize: First:  $400, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $200 & prize pack

*
Accepts: Assisted Learning Primary Poetry

Size: 80 lines (2,000 characters)
Prize: First: $400, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $200 & prize pack
*
Accepts: Junior Secondary (Years 7 - 9) Poetry

Size: 80 lines (2,000 characters)
Prize: First:   $500, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $300 & prize pack

*
Accepts: Senior Secondary (Years 10 - 12) Poetry

Size: 80 lines (2,000 characters)
Prize: First:  $500, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $300 & prize pack

*
Accepts: Assisted Learning Secondary Poetry

Size: 80 lines (2,000 characters)
Prize: First:  $500, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $300 & prize pack

*
DAVID MAHER AWARD (Primary only): $300, trophy & prize pack
KURRUMBEDE AWARD (Entries from a school within 100km of Gunnedah):
PRIMARY SCHOOL AWARD: $250, trophy & prize pack
SECONDARY SCHOOL AWARD: $250, trophy & prize pack
SCHOOLS’ AWARD:
PRIMARY SCHOOL: $1,000, trophy & prize pack
SECONDARY SCHOOL: $1,000, trophy & prize pack

Fiction Factory Short Story Prize
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: £35)
Prize: £500

Scribes Writers "Poetic License"
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Free Verse
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: $12
Prizes: First: $200, Second: $100, Third: $50, Highly Commended & Commended: Certificate

Short Stories Unlimited Poetry Competition
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: No limit (but use common sense)
Entry Fee: $5 (Mailing list members: $5 for 3)
Prizes: First: $100 & copy of ebook, Second: $50 & copy of ebook, Third: $25 & copy of ebook, Highly commended x 2: $10 & copy of ebook

Short Stories Unlimited Short Story Competition
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $10 (Mailing list members: additional entries $5)
Prizes: First: $200 & copy of anthology, Second: $100 & copy of anthology, Third: $50 & copy of anthology, Highly commended x 2: $20 & copy of anthology

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

The Mayday Hills Ghost Story Competition
To be performed on stage by entrant at Bijou Theatre Hall, Beechworth, on 31/10/2026
Open to: Australian or New Zealand citizen or resident
Theme: Horror that involves paranormal/ghost/spirit
Accepts: Short Story
Size: No more than 15 minutes performance
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100 & Trophy, Second: $50, Third: $25

The Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize
UK COMPETITION
Open to: Writers who have not published a book-length work of fiction, life-writing or poetry (excluding self-published works or poetry chapbooks)
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Poetry (up to 3 poems = a single entry)
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: £12, £16 for 2, £6 for a subsidised entry
Prize: First: £1,000 & publication
*
Accepts: Fiction
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: £12, £16 for 2, £6 for a subsidised entry
Prize: First: £1,000 & publication
*
Accepts: Life Writing
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: £12, £16 for 2, £6 for a subsidised entry
Prize: First: £1,000 & publication

Wells Festival of Literature Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: Open
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: £8
Prizes: First: £1,000, Second: £500, Third: £250, Local Prize: £100
*
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 - 2,000 words
Entry Fee: £8
Prizes: First: £750, Second: £300, Third: £200, Local Prize: £100
*
Accepts: A Book for Children (age 7 and up)
Size: First three chapters or 30 pages, whichever is shortest, plus a synopsis of up to 2 pages (Shortlisted entrants may be asked for complete manuscript)
Entry Fee: £8
Prizes: First: £750, Second: £300, Third: £200, Local Prize: £100
*
Accepts: Young Poets (16 - 22 years old)
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: £3
Prizes: First: £200 & membership to The Poetry Society, Second: £150, Third: £100

WEN Credible Economist Writing Competition
Open to: High school students, university students, early career economists 
Theme: Economic issue that matters to Australia future (six broad themes on the website to help get ideas)
Accepts: Article
Size: 800 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $250, Second: $150, Third: $100, Top three and 3 x Honourable mentions: 1 year WEN membership

Write Around the Murray Short Story Competition
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $15
Prize: First: $1,000, Second: $200 book voucher, Third: $100 book voucher

Canberra Youth Theatre's Emerging Playwright Competition
Open to: Emerging writer, Australian citizen or permanent resident, aged under 35 and over 16
Theme: Suitable to be performed by at least 8 actors aged between 7 and 25
Accepts: Play
Size: Minimum 1 hour, minimum 8 characters as an ensemble
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $17,700 for development of the script, Two finalists: $1,500 

AGHS Short Story Competition Orange

Open to: Year 6 students living in Orange, Millthorpe and Molong & surrounding areas
Theme: A real or imaginary garden of a grandfriend with whom you have a relationship through gardening. Grandfriend: Grandparent, great aunt, great uncle, older neighbour, older family friend
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $200, plant & plaque for winner's school for the writer and AGHS membership for the grandfriend, 3 x Runner Ups: $75 nursery voucher for the writer and AGHS membership for the grandfriend

E.M. Fletcher Writing Prize
Open to: Residents of Australia or New Zealand, over 18 years of age
Theme: Family history/genealogy theme
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,500 - 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $35 ($20 for members)
Prize: First: $1,000, Runner Up: $500, Rosemary McKenzie Member Prize: $100 

Hilarie Lindsay Young Writers Poetry Competition
Open to: Australian School Children
Theme: Open
*
Accepts: Section 1 - Poetry - Yrs 11 & 12
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: First: $125
*
Accepts: Section 2 - Poetry - Yrs 9 & 10
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: First: $100
*
Accepts: Section 3 - Poetry - Yrs 7 & 8
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: First: $90
*
Accepts: Section 4 - Poetry - Yrs 5 & 6
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: First: $70
*
Accepts: Section 5 - Poetry – Yrs 3 & 4
Size: 30 lines
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: First: $50
*
Accepts: Section 6 - Poetry - Yrs 1 & 2
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: First: $30

Insight's Creative Writing Competition
Open to: Enrolled in years 7 - 12 in Australian Secondary Education
Theme: Optional theme: Ignite
*
Accepts: Creative writing - Year 7
Size: 1,400 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $200, Second: $125, Third: $50
*
Accepts: Creative writing - Year 8
Size: 1,400 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $200, Second: $125, Third: $50
*
Accepts: Creative writing - Year 9
Size: 1,400 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $250, Second: $175, Third: $100
*
Accepts: Creative writing - Year 10
Size: 1,400 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $250, Second: $175, Third: $100
*
Accepts: Creative writing - Year 11
Size: 1,400 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $300, Second: $225, Third: $150
*
Accepts: Creative writing - Year 12
Size: 1,400 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $300, Second: $225, Third: $150
*
Iris Breuer Writing Award: $200
The Rising Star Award
The Change-Maker Award
The Staff Selection

The Wild Muse Nature Writing Prize
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: Nature's Wisdom and Healing
Accepts: Stories, poems and essays
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: £10
Prizes: First: £750, Second: £300, Third: £150

#periodpride Competition
PRIZE IS PAID TO THE NOMINATED COMMUNITY GROUP OR SCHOOL

Open to: All (but with a focus on young voices)
Theme: Social issues surrounding menstruation, focus on young people
Accepts: Written 
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes paid to nominated community group or school: First: $5,000, Second: $2,000, Third: $1,000, Category winner: $1,000 

NOTE: Other categories include Video/Short Film, Performed Song, Art Work and Major Art Installation

Anthology Flash Fiction Competition
IRISH COMPETITION
  EARLY BIRD: 28/02/2026
  STANDARD: 30/09/2026
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 250 words
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: €10, REGULAR: €12
Prize: €300

30/09/2026

Anthology Nature Writing Prize
IRISH COMPETITION
Closing Date: 
EARLY BIRD: 31/01/2026
REGULAR: 30/09/2026
Open to: All
Theme: Nature Writing
Accepts: Essay
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee:  EARLY BIRD: €12, REGULAR: €15
Prizes: First: €300

The Larrikin House Prize
Open to: Australian Authors
Theme: Own Voices
Accepts: Picture books, Middle Grade, YA and Adult fiction
Size: Picture books: 500 words, All other manuscripts: first 1,000 words
Entry Fee:  $25
Prizes: 12 months mentorship, zoom chat about the industry, consideration for publication

Jean Stone Poetry Award
Open to: Australian Residents
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: $15
Prize: $500