Write Around the Murray Short Story Competition
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prize: First: $1,000, Second: $200 book voucher, Third: $100 book voucher

Randolph Stow Young Writers Award
Open to: Students in years 3 - 12 studying in the Midwest and Gascoyne Regions, Western Australia
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Lower Primary - Year 3 & 4 - Prose
Size: 1,200 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  Not specified
*
Accepts: Lower Primary - Year 3 & 4 - Poetry
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  Not specified
*
Accepts: Upper Primary - Year 5 & 6 - Prose
Size: 1,200 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  Not specified
*
Accepts: Upper Primary - Year 5 & 6 - Poetry
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  Not specified
*
Accepts: Lower Secondary - Year 7 & 8 - Prose
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  Not specified
*
Accepts: Lower Secondary - Year 7 & 8 - Poetry
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  Not specified
*
Accepts: Middle Secondary - Year 9 & 10 - Prose
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  Not specified
*
Accepts: Middle Secondary - Year 9 & 10 - Poetry
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  Not specified
*
Accepts: Upper Secondary - Year 11 & 12 - Prose
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  Not specified
*
Accepts: Upper Secondary - Year 11 & 12 - Poetry
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  Not specified

The Eden School Prize
Open to: Years 8 to 10 students attending a South Australian government school
Theme: "How can volunteering and ‘being of service’ 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

Canberra Youth Theatre's Emerging Playwright Commission
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: $17,400 for development of the script, Two finalists: $1,500 

Ledbury Poetry Festival Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All aged 18 years and over
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: £6
Prize: First: £1,000 & a week’s poetry course, Second: £500, Third: £250

Melton City Libraries Short Story Competition
Open to: People who live, work or study in the City of Melton or hold a current Melton City Libraries membership
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Short Story - Junior A - Prep to Year 3
Size: 1,500 words or 5 minutes to experience
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $300, Second: $200, Third: $100
*
Accepts: Short Story - Junior B - Year 4 to 6
Size: 1,500 words or 5 minutes to experience
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $300, Second: $200, Third: $100
*
Accepts: Short Story - Teen - Year 7 to 12
Size: 1,500 words or 5 minutes to experience
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $300, Second: $200, Third: $100
*
Accepts: Short Story - Adult
Size: 3,000 words or 5 minutes to experience
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $750, Second: $500, Third: $250

The Richell Prize for Emerging Writers
Open to: Unpublished Australian citizens, permanent residents or on long-term visas for study or work – must be able to undertake the 12 month residency in Australia
Theme: Adult Fiction and Adult narrative non-fiction
Accepts: Fiction and narrative non-fiction
Size: First three chapters (Max 20,000 words), 1 page synopsis, chapter breakdown (no more than 2 pages), author’s statement (750 words)
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $10,000 and Hachette Australia’s 12 month mentorship program

Cosmopolitan Cheeky Chapters
Open to: Australian residents aged 18
Theme: Erotic:  "strangers after midnight"
Accepts: Fiction
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Publication in Cosmopolitan Australia

My Brother Jack Awards
Open to: People who live, work or study in the City of Glen Eira
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Short Story - Open
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $800, Second: $600, Third: $400
*
Accepts: Short Story – Senior Secondary (Years 10 – 12)
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $500 gift voucher
*
Accepts: Short Story – Junior Secondary (Years 7 – 9)
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $400 gift voucher
*
Accepts: Short Story – Senior Primary (Years 4 – 6)
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $300 gift voucher
*
Accepts: Short Story – Junior Primary (Foundation – Year 3)
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $200 gift voucher
*
Accepts: Poetry - Open
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $800, Second: $600, Third: $400
*
Accepts: Poetry – Senior Secondary (Years 10 – 12)
Size: 30 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $500 gift voucher
*
Accepts: Poetry – Junior Secondary (Years 7 – 9)
Size: 10 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $400 gift voucher
*
Accepts: Poetry – Senior Primary (Years 4 – 6)
Size: 10 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $300 gift voucher
*
Accepts: Poetry – Junior Primary (Foundation – Year 3)
 Size: 10 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $200 gift voucher

E.M. Fletcher Writing Prize
Open to: Residents of Australia, over 18 years of age
Theme: Family history/genealogy theme
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,500 - 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $30 ($20 for members)
Prize: First: $1,000, Runner Up: $500, Rosemary McKenzie Member Prize: $100 

The Hongxue Prize for Literature
Open to:  University students and young professionals aged 18 to 30
Theme: Missing
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $250, trophy, signed copy of a judge's work, two tickets to WA Museum's 'Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor", curated book from the Bendigo Chinese Museum's Collection, Second: $150, signed copy of a judge's work, two tickets to WA Museum's 'Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor", curated book from the Bendigo Chinese Museum's Collection, Third: $100, signed copy of a judge's work, two tickets to WA Museum's 'Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor", curated book from the Bendigo Chinese Museum's Collection

Conflux & CSFG Short Story Competition
Open to:  Australian residents and current members of Conflux and CSFG
Theme: Brave New Worlds
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 4,000 words
Entry Fee: $5 (Members: Nil, 16 and under: Nil)
Prizes: First: $200 & Conflux 2025 membership, Second: $50 & discounted Conflux membership, Third: $25 and discounted Conflux membership

Shore Scripts Feature Screenplay Contest
US COMPETITION
EARLY BIRD: 26/06/2025
REGULAR: 24/07/2025
FINAL: 28/08/2025
Open to: All
Accepts: Scripts
Size: 80 - 120 pages
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $USD 55, REGULAR: $USD 65, FINAL: $USD 75 (Plus $USD 15 to include Showdown Add-on)
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 

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

Barry Young River of Stories
Open to: Students must reside within a 150k radius of Albury/Wodonga
Theme: Adventure
*
Accepts: Short Story - Students: Years 3 - 4
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $50 & $300 for school library, Runner-up: $25 book voucher
*
Accepts: Short Story - Students: Years 5 - 6
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $50 & $300 for school library, Runner-up: $25 book voucher
*
Accepts: Short Story - Students: Years 7 - 8
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100 & $300 for school library, Runner-up: $50 book voucher
*
Accepts: Short Story - Students: Years 9 - 10
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100 & $300 for school library, Runner-up: $50 book voucher
*
Accepts: Short Story - Students: Years 11 - 12
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100 & $300 for school library, Runner-up: $50 book voucher
*
Accepts: Poetry - Students: Years 3 - 4
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $50 & $300 for school library, Runner-up: $25 book voucher
*
Accepts: Poetry - Students: Years 5 - 6
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $50 & $300 for school library, Runner-up: $25 book voucher
*
Accepts: Poetry - Students: Years 7 - 8
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100 & $300 for school library, Runner-up: $50 book voucher
*
Accepts: Poetry - Students: Years 9 - 10
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100 & $300 for school library, Runner-up: $50 book voucher
*
Accepts: Poetry - Students: Years 11 - 12
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100 & $300 for school library, Runner-up: $50 book voucher
*
BEST PRIMARY SCHOOL ENTRANT - Poetry: $250 
BEST PRIMARY SCHOOL ENTRANT – Short Story: $250 
BEST HIGH SCHOOL ENTRANT - Poetry: $250 
BEST HIGH SCHOOL ENTRANT – Short Story: $250 

Not Quite Write Prize
NOTE: Prompts are emailed out at midday 25/07/2025 with competition closing at midnight 27/07/2025
Open to: All
Theme: 3 prompts will be emailed consisting of a word prompt, an action prompt and an anti-prompt
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: $35 (Critique Package: $125, Daredevil Package: $250)
Prizes: First: $1,500 & trophy, Second: $1,000, Third: $500, Fourth: $350, Fifth: $250, Sixth: $200, Wildcard x 2: $100

Farrells Bookshop Kids' Story Writing Competition

Open to: Residents of Mornington Peninsula
Theme: Include: "As I opened the letter, a ticket fell out ..."
*
Accepts: Short Story / Picture Story / Poetry - Lower Primary - Prep to Year 2
Size: 1,000 words (2 pages)
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Farrells book vouchers

*
Accepts: Short Story / Picture Story / Poetry - Middle Primary - Years 3 to 4
Size: 1,000 words (2 pages)
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Farrells book vouchers

*
Accepts: Short Story / Picture Story / Poetry - Upper Primary - Years 5 to 6
Size: 1,000 words (2 pages)
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Farrells book vouchers

*
Accepts: Short Story / Picture Story / Poetry - Lower Secondary - Years 7 to 9
Size: 1,500 words (3 pages)
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Farrells book vouchers
*
Accepts: Short Story / Picture Story / Poetry - Upper Secondary - Years 10 to 12
Size: 1,500 words (3 pages)
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Farrells book vouchers

Young Tasmanian Writers' Prize
Open to: Tasmanian students enrolled in Year 7 to 12 at schools that are current members of TATE or who are home schooled
*
Accepts: Year 10 - 12: Short Fiction
Theme: Choose one of the following themes: Connect, Interconnect, Disconnect, Reconnect
Size: 800 - 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $8
Prizes: First: $300 & publication, Runner up x 2: $30 Fullers Bookshop voucher. Jane Franklin Prose Award: $200
*
Accepts: Year 7 - 9: Short Fiction
Theme: Choose one of the following to play a key role in your story: City, Suburb, Town, Country
Size: 700 - 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $8
Prizes: First: $200, Runner up x 2: $30 Fullers Bookshop voucher, Jane Franklin Prose Award: $100

Monash WordFest Short Story Writing Competition
Open to: Reside, work or study in the City of Monash, or be a member of the Monash Public Library Service
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Category A: 12 - 14 years: Short Story
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $300, Second: $150, Third: $100
*
Accepts: Category B: 15 - 17 years: Short Story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $500, Second: $250, Third: $150
*
Accepts: Category C: Adult: Short Story
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $700, Second: $350, Third: $250

Anthology Short Story Award
IRISH COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: €18
Prizes: First: €1,000 & one year subscription to Anthology Magazine, Second: €250, Third: €150

Fiction Factory Poetry Competition
UK COMPETITON
Open to:  All
Theme:  None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: £5,  £9 for 2, £12 for 3 (£20 for optional assessment)
Prizes: First : £100 and feedback on 5 poems, hour Zoom call with a judge, Short-listed x 5: Supportive critique

Port Writers Open Writing Competition
Open to: Australian residents, over 18 years old
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Short Fiction
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $10 
Prize: First: $200, Second: $50
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 32 lines
Entry Fee: $10
Prize: First: $200, Second: $50
*
Hastings Prize for Local Writers: $50

Positive Words Mini Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Under
Accepts: Short Story or Poetry
Size: 100 words or 10 lines
Entry Fee: $3 in unused stamps
Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words

Rose Frankcombe Short Story Award
Open to:  Australian Writers
Theme:  Challenge
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $15, $20 for 2
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $250, Third: $100, Highly Commended: Certificate

Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition
IRISH COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: €19
Prizes: First: €2,000, featured reading at the Cork International Short Story Festival (with 4-night hotel stay and full board), publication, Second: €500, publication, Runners-up x 4: €400, publication

Short Stories Unlimited Poetry Competition - Fresh Water
Open to: All
Theme: Fresh Water
Accepts: Poetry
Size: No limit (but use common sense)
Entry Fee: $5
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 - Fresh Water
Open to: All
Theme: Fresh Water
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

Stories of Life

Open to: All
Theme: Autobiographical or biographical, about an aspect of Christian faith
*
Accepts: Short Story - Open
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: $10, Nil for under 18
Prize: First: $300, $100 Omega Writers voucher & one-year Omega Writers membership, Second: $200 & one-year Omega Writers membership, Third: $100 & $50 Omega discount coupon, Youth Award: $100

*
Accepts: Short Story - Open
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $10, Nil for under 18
Prize: First: $300, $100 Omega Writers voucher & one-year Omega Writers membership, Second: $200 & one-year Omega Writers membership, Third: $100 & $50 Omega discount coupon, Youth Award: $100

The Keith MacNider Poetry Prize
Open to: Poets over 18 years of age who live in Australia or New Zealand
Theme: Our Place in the Natural World
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 30 lines
Entry Fee: $10, or $20 for 3
Prizes: First: $800, Second: $400, Third: $250

The Plaza Fantasy / Sci-Fi Prize
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: £30 (£20 for subsequent entries) - can apply for free entry under Bursary Scheme
Prizes: First: £3000 and tutorial with Michael Sullivan in a luxury villa in France, Second: £300, Third: £100

The Silver Gull Play Award
Open to: Residents of NSW or ACT, over the age of 18 as of 1 Jan 2025
Theme: Plays with a purpose
Accepts: Play
Size: at least 60 minutes
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $5,000, Shortlisted writers: $2,000 shared

Turtle Publishing NextGen YA Competition
Open to: Aged 13 and above
Theme: Young Adult fiction
Accepts: Short Story / Prequel to exisitng manuscript / First chapter of an upcoming novel
Size: 1,500 - 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $45, One free entry for under 18s ($55 for optional assessment)
Prize: Up to 20 winners: Professional developmental edit, copy/line edit. publication

What's Your Story?
*
SHORT STORY
Open to:  Victorian Residents over the age of 18 years
Theme: None
Accepts: Short story
Size:  1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $500
*
POETRY
Open to:  Victorian Residents over the age of 18 years
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size:  40 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $500
*
CREATIVE STORY WRITING - 5 -8
Open to:  Students aged 5 to 8 who live or go to school in Stonnington
Theme: None
Accepts: Short story
Size:  300 - 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $100 book voucher
*
CREATIVE STORY WRITING - 9 -12
Open to:  Students aged 9 to 12 who live or go to school in Stonnington
Theme: None
Accepts: Short story
Size:  500 - 750 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $200 book voucher
*
CREATIVE STORY WRITING - 13 -17
Open to:  Students aged 13 to 17 who live or go to school in Stonnington
Theme: None
Accepts: Short story
Size:  750 - 900 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $300 book voucher

Horses & Heroes Art Competition
100% OF ENTRY FEES DONATED TO SAMFORD RDA

Open to: Australian residents
Theme: Horses and Heroes
Accepts: Short Story / Poetry / Creative non-fiction
Size: 800 words
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: First: 1 year subscription to Performance Horse Magazine, APH Hat and Merchandise Pack, 1 Hour Mentoring Session plus other prizes from sponsors, Runner-up x 2:  Featured in Print and online, APH hat plus other prizes from sponsors, All Entrants: Digital copy of Sep/Oct 'Industry & Artistry' Issue, showcased in online gallery

OTHER CATEGORIES:
Photography
Visual Arts
Colouring In (Free entry, not eligible for formal prizes)
 

Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Writing Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Lost and Found
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $18.50
Prize: First: Ticket to Children and Young Adult Conference (value $410), $200, Anthology cover based on winning story, Second & Third: year membership to Queensland Writers Centre ($79)

Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize
Open to: Tasmanian Year 9 Students
Theme: Respond to one of these questions:
1. Evaluate Tasmania's contribution to the Great War (1914-18) on both the home and battle front. Consider incorporating the stories of local soldiers and/or home front activities in your analysis
2. Every April, Australian and New Zealanders pause to remember the Anzacs landing at Gallipoli. Is there another event from the Gallipoli Campaign that is equally deserving of commemoration? Explain your choice with reference to primary source evidence.

Accepts: Essay or Digital/Video/Audio Presentation
Size: Essay: 1,500 words, Presentation: 10 minutes
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize x 6: 10 day Study Tour incorporating sites in Belgium and France in April 2026, Visit the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Attend educational meetings leading up to the tour

CRAFT First Chapters Contest
US COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: First chapter/s of unpublished novels/novellas, completed or in progress
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $USD 20 (Nil for up to 50 writers from historically marginalized groups)
Prizes: First: $USD 2,000, critique of first 100K words & agent query workshop, Second: $USD 500 & agent query workshop, Third: $USD 300 & agent query workshop

Peter Blazey Fellowship
Open to: Australian residents with a publishing record
Theme: None
Accepts: Biography, Autobiography and Life Writing
Size: Curriculum vitae of two pages, synopsis of one page and 5,000 word extract of a work in progress
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Up to $20,000 

Book Pipeline Unpublished Contest
US COMPETITION
  PRE-REGISTER: 15/01/2025
  SPECIAL ENTRY: 20/03/2025
  EARLY: 22/05/2025
  REGULAR: 20/08/2025
  LATE: 05/09/2025
Open to: 18 years and over
Theme: None
Accepts: Literary, Mystery/Horror/Thriller, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, General Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Picture Books, Non-Fiction & Memoir, Comics & Graphic Novels
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 25, SPECIAL ENTRY: $US 35, EARLY: $US 45, REGULAR: $US 55, LATE: $US 60
Prizes: Per Category: First: $US 2,500, direct circulation , consideration from producers, additional long-time review & access to exclusive writers events, Runner-up: Direct circulation , consideration from producers, additional long-time review & access to exclusive writers events

Lane Cove Literary Awards
Open to: Over 16 years, Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia and must be living in Australia at time of entry
Theme: Open
*
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $15.50
Prize: $2,000
*
Accepts: Travel Story
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $15.50
Prize: $1,500
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 50 lines and no more than 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $15.50
Prize: $1,500

OTHER PRIZES
THE BURNS BAY BOOKERY RESIDENTS PRIZE: $500
SYNERGY YOUTH PRIZE (16 – 24 years): $500
WAIG WOMEN WRITERS PRIZE: $500
WISE SAGE PRIZE (65+ years): $500

Not Quite Write Prize for Flesh Fiction

Open to: 18 years and over
Theme: Making the unsexy irresistible
Accepts: Erotic Flash Fiction in six categories: Erotic Comedy, Erotic Romance, Fantasy & Supernatural, Literary Erotica, Kink & Taboo, Other Erotic Subgenres
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Overall Winner: $500, 2026 Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction annual pass, 12 month subscription to Adult Match Maker (Australian entrants only), 12 month membership to Romance Writers of Australia (Australian Entrants only) OR Romance Writers of America will waive membership admin fee and provide a digital tool kit, Category winners: $100, 2026 Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction annual pass, 12 month membership to Romance Writers of Australia (Australian Entrants only) OR Romance Writers of America will waive membership admin fee and provide a digital tool kit, ALL ENTRANTS: $5 discounted from Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction Entry ticket, ALL AUSTRALIAN ENTRANTS: 10% discount off a 12 month membership to Romance Writers of Australia

Green Stories: Epiphanies!
UK COMPETITION
Open to: 18 and over
Theme: When a moment of epiphany causes one or more characters to change for the greener. Categories: Transport, Home & Garden, Food, Nature, Consumption/Waste, Activism and Other
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Purchase of a book from The Green Stories Project via Habitats Press
Prize: First: £500, Runners-up x 7: £100

Speech Pathology Australia: Student Ethics Essay Competition
Open to:  Students enrolled in an undergraduate or post graduate speech pathology degree program in Australia in the 2025 year
Theme: How might speech pathologists use ethical principles to address risks associated with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) so that their professional practice supports safe, high quality, person-centred care?
Accepts: Essay
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Publication in the Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology

The Pearl Prize
Open to: Writers from Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan, over 18 years old
Theme: Turning the names inside out, LGBTQIA+ focus
Accepts:  Prose and/or poetry
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $15
Prize: First: $500 & copy of anthology, Highly Commended: $300 & copy of anthology

Anthology Nature Writing Prize
IRISH COMPETITION
Closing Date: 
VERY EARLY BIRD: 30/11/2024
EARLY BIRD: 28/02/2025
REGULAR: 31/08/2025
Open to: All
Theme: Nature Writing
Accepts: Essay
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: VERY EARLY BIRD: €10, EARLY BIRD: €12, REGULAR: €15
Prizes: First: €500

Anthology Personal Memoir Competition
IRISH COMPETITION
Closing Date: 
EARLY BIRD: 28/02/2025
REGULAR: 31/08/2025
Open to: All
Theme: Personal unique life experience
Accepts: Memoir
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: €12, REGULAR: €15
Prizes: First: €500

Cabonne Open Writing Competition

Open to: 16 years and over and live in a rural or remote area
Theme: Coming Home
Accepts: Open format
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $300

FAW Tasmania Beatrice Clarke Award
Open to: Poets aged 14 and under
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes: First: $100, Second: $50, Encouragement Prize x 2: $25

FAW Tasmania Poetry Prize
Open to: Residents of Australia
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes: First: $150, Runner-up: $50

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.

Hilarie Lindsay Young Writers Short Story Competition
Open to: Australian School Children
Theme: Open
*
Accepts: Section 1 - Short Story - Yrs 10, 11 & 12
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: First: $150
*
Accepts: Section 2 - Short Story - Yrs 7, 8 & 9
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: First: $125
*
Accepts: Section 3 - Short Story - Yrs 5 & 6
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: First: $100
*
Accepts: Section 4 - Short Story - Yrs 4 and under
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: First: $50

Inner West Council's Library Young Creative Awards - Writer Award
Open to: Aged 12 to 24 and live, work or study in the Inner West, Sydney
Theme: Inspired by or referencing an item from the Inner West Library and History collection
*
Accepts: Short story/poetry/fan fiction/script/journalistic piece/prose - ages 12 to 15
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $500, Runner-up: $250
*
Accepts: Short story/poetry/fan fiction/script/journalistic piece/prose - ages 16 to 18
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $500, Runner-up: $250
*
Accepts: Short story/poetry/fan fiction/script/journalistic piece/prose - ages 19 to 24
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $500, Runner-up: $250
*
Librarian's choice: $100
People's choice: $250

NOTE: Artist and Filmmaker sections also available

Marjorie Barnard Short Story Award
Open to: Permanent residents of Australia
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $15
Prize: $500

Outstanding Short Story Competition
Open to: Writers based in Australia and New Zealand, 16 years and older
Theme: “Are we there yet?” and have relevance to the LGBTQIA+ community
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 750 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $1,000, other prize details TBA

Positive Words Mini Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Laughter
Accepts: Short Story or Poetry
Size: 100 words or 10 lines
Entry Fee: $3 in unused stamps
Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words

Rhiza Edge Short Story Competition
Open to: Australian and New Zealand writers

Theme 1: Migration and Diaspora
Accepts: Fiction and Non-fiction narratives
 

Theme 2: Breakthroughs in history
Accepts: Short Story

Size: 1,000 - 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $16.50 ($11 concession). School entry is $44 and covers all student entries.
Prizes: 2 copies of the book plus either a. 4 further copies or b. half price manuscript appraisal

The Betty Olle Poetry Award
Open to: All
Theme: Australian
*
Accepts: Open - Australian Bush Verse
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: $15 (2 poems)
Prize: First: Trophy & $500, Runner-Up: Certificate & $200, Highly Commended: Certificate
*
Accepts: Junior (12 years and under) - Australian Bush Verse
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: Trophy & $100, Runner-Up: Certificate & $50, Highly Commended: Certificate

The Plaza Short Memoir Prize
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Memoir
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: £15 (£12 for subsequent entries) - can apply for free entry under Bursary Scheme
Prizes: First: £1,000, Second: £300, Third: £100

The Scarlet Stiletto Award
Open to: Women (inclusive of cisgender, transgender or intersex) citizens/residents of Australia
Theme: Crime & Mysteries with main character being female (cisgender, transgender or intersex)
 Accepts: Short Story
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $20 for Sisters in Crime Members, $25 for non-members
Prizes:
Swinburne University Award (First): $2,000 plus trophy,  
Simon & Schuster Award (Second): $1,000,
The Sun Bookshop/Fremantle Press Award (Third): $750,
Melbourne Athenaeum Library ‘Body in the Library' Award: $1,250; runner up $750,
HQ Fiction Award for Best Thriller: $1,200,
Bolton Clarke Award for Best Art and Crime Story: $1,000,
Echo Publishing Award  for Best Young Writer ( under 19): $1,000,
Every Cloud Productions Phryne Award for Best Mystery with History Story: $1,000,
Kerry Greenwood Award for Best Malice Domestic Story: $1,000,
Clan Destine Press Award for Best Cross-Genre Story: $750,
Cate Kennedy Award for Best Story Inspired by a Forensic Clue: $500
ScriptWorks Award for a Great Film Idea: $500,
Writers Victoria Award for the Story with the Most Satisfying Retribution: Choice of online course (Value $300)

Heywire Competition
Open to: Australian Residents aged 16-22 and not living in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth or Sydney
Theme: True story about you and/or your community
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. Includes flight and accommodation.

Roly Sussex Short Story Competition
Open to: Australian Citizens or Residents
Theme:  None
*
Accepts: Short Story - Open
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $35
Prizes: First: $7,500 plus up to $500 for to travel from outside South-East Queensland to attend awards ceremony, Second: $1,500
*
Accepts: Short Story - Secondary School
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $25
Prizes: First: $1,000 plus up to $500 for to travel from outside South-East Queensland to attend awards ceremony, Second: $500

The Masters Review Summer Short Story Award for New Writers
US COMPETITION
Open to: Emerging writers
Theme: None
Accepts: Fiction or Nonfiction
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 & agency review, Second: $US 300 & agency review, Third: $US 200 & agency review

Fisher's Ghost Writing Prize
Open to: Live, work or studies in the Campbelltown Local Government area
Theme: “Down the Road”
 *
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

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 - Infants (Years 1 - 2)
Size: 250 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $30, Second: $15
*
Accepts: Poetry – Infants (Years 1 - 2)
Size: 15 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $30, Second: $15
*
Accepts: Short Story - Junior Primary (Years 3 - 4)
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $40, Second: $20
*
Accepts: Poetry - Junior Primary (Years 3 - 4)
Size: 15 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $40, Second: $20
*
Accepts: Short Story - Primary (Years 5 - 6)
Size: 750 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $50, Second: $20
*
Accepts: Poetry - Primary (Years 5 - 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: 50 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: 50 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100, Second: $30

The Bethany Nader Short Story Prize
Closing: EARLY BIRD: 19/04/2025, REGULAR: 19/09/2025
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

The Mayday Hills Ghost Story Competition
To be performed on stage by entrant at Bijou Theatre Hall, Beechworth, on 25/10/2025
Open to: Australian or New Zealand citizen or resident
Theme: Horror that involves a ghost/spirit
Accepts: Short Story
Size: No more than 15 minutes performance
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100 & Trophy, Second: $50, Third: $25

Poem Forest
A native tree will be planted on Dharawal and Wodi Wodi Country for every entry received
Open to: Australian student or young person (aged 18 and under) or an accredited teacher
Theme: Understory
*
Accepts: Lower primary ( F - Year 3) -  Poetry
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100 Dymocks book voucher, handcrafted poetry journal, ‘Wild Things’ poster, 2026 Mycelium Mushroom calendar, certificate, Highly Commended: book prize
*
Accepts: Upper primary ( Years 4 - 6) -  Poetry
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100 Dymocks book voucher, handcrafted poetry journal, ‘Wild Things’ poster, 2026 Mycelium Mushroom calendar, certificate, Highly Commended: book prize
*
Accepts: Primary First Nations ( F – Year 6) -  Poetry
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100 Dymocks book voucher, handcrafted poetry journal, ‘Wild Things’ poster, 2026 Mycelium Mushroom calendar, certificate, Highly Commended: book prize
*
Accepts: Primary CaLD ( F - Year 6) -  Poetry
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100 Dymocks book voucher, handcrafted poetry journal, ‘Wild Things’ poster, 2026 Mycelium Mushroom calendar, certificate, Highly Commended: book prize
*
Accepts: Lower secondary (Years 7 - 9) -  Poetry
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100 Dymocks book voucher, handcrafted poetry journal, ‘Wild Things’ poster, 2026 Mycelium Mushroom calendar, certificate, Highly Commended: book prize
*
Accepts: Upper secondary (Years 10 - 12) -  Poetry
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100 Dymocks book voucher, handcrafted poetry journal, ‘Wild Things’ poster, 2026 Mycelium Mushroom calendar, certificate, Highly Commended: book prize
*
Accepts: Secondary First Nations ( Years 7 - 12) -  Poetry
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100 Dymocks book voucher, handcrafted poetry journal, ‘Wild Things’ poster, 2026 Mycelium Mushroom calendar, certificate, Highly Commended: book prize
*
Accepts: Secondary CaLD ( Years 7 - 12) -  Poetry
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100 Dymocks book voucher, handcrafted poetry journal, ‘Wild Things’ poster, 2026 Mycelium Mushroom calendar, certificate, Highly Commended: book prize
*
Accepts: Accredited Teacher (All ages) -  Poetry
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $100 Dymocks book voucher, handcrafted poetry journal, ‘Wild Things’ poster, 2026 Mycelium Mushroom calendar, certificate, Highly Commended: book prize
*
Wollongong Community Greening Local Prize ( F – Year 12): $100 Dymocks book voucher, handcrafted poetry journal, ‘Wild Things’ poster, 2026 Mycelium Mushroom calendar, certificate,  $50 Wollongong Botanic Garden’s Greenplan Nursery voucher, School prize: Excursion for up to 30 students, 30 plants, All entrants: a seedling

Anthology Flash Fiction Competition
IRISH COMPETITION
  EARLY BIRD: 28/02/2025
  STANDARD: 30/09/2025
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 250 words
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: €10, REGULAR: €12
Prize: €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, Advice from a publisher, 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

Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: £12
Prizes: First: £1,000, a free creative writing course of the winner's choice and publication, Runners-up x 2: £200

Positive Words Mini Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Magpie
Accepts: Short Story or Poetry
Size: 100 words or 10 lines
Entry Fee: $3 in unused stamps
Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words

Secrets International Literary Prize
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: Respond to the theme song
*
Accepts: Lyrics or Performed Song
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: £10, £5 for members, optional feedback: £10
Prize: First:  £100, Second: £50, Third: £25
*
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 & fellowship of the RSA, Second:  £100, BI  £50
*
Accepts: Script
Size: 10 pages
Entry Fee: £10, £5 for members, optional feedback: £10
Prize: First:  £100, Second: £50, Third: £25

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 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 at The Moth Retreat in Ireland, Second: €500, Third: €250

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

ImPress Writing Competition
Open to: South Australian Residents
Theme: Upon opening a mysterious book in your school library, you are suddenly pulled into its pages. Wil you rewrite history, battle mythical creatures, reshape a story's ending, or risk being trapped inside forever?
*
Accepts: Short story or poem - Years 3 - 4
Size: 300 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  Kids Writing Cool online writing course
*
Accepts: Short story or poem - Years 5 - 6
Size: 300 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  Kids Writing Cool online writing course
*
Accepts: Short story or poem - Years 7 - 8
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  Teens Writers Club membership for one term
*
Accepts: Short story or poem - Years 9 - 11
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  Teens Writers Club membership for one term
*
Accepts: Short story or poem - Teacher
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  Not mentioned

Additional prizes include book vouchers and book prizes

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

Silver Quill Written Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Australian
*
Accepts: Open Serious
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: $10
Prize: Cash prizes
*
Accepts: Open Humorous
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: $10
Prize: Cash prizes
*
Accepts: Novice
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: $10
Prize: Cash prizes
*
Accepts: Junior (under 18 years)
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Cash prizes

Banjo's Boot - ABPA National Bush Poetry Championship - Written Section
Open to: All
Theme: Australian
*
Accepts: Bush poetry - Junior (16 years and under)
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes:  First: Trophy and cash, Second: Cash, Third: Cash
*
Accepts: Bush poetry - Novice Adult
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: $15
Prizes:  First: Trophy and cash, Second: Cash, Third: Cash
*
Accepts: Bush poetry - Open Adult
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: $20 ($15 for members)
Prizes:  First: Trophy and cash, Second: Cash, Third: Cash

Anthology Poetry Award
IRISH COMPETITION
Closing Date: 
EARLY BIRD: 30/06/2025
REGULAR: 31/10/2025
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: €15, REGULAR: €18
Prizes: First: €1,000, Second: €250, Third: €150

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:

Patrick White Writing Competition
Open to: Students of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent (Kindergarten to Year 12) studying in NSW
Theme: None
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: Glad
Accepts: Short Story or Poetry
Size: 100 words or 10 lines
Entry Fee: $3 in unused stamps
Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words

Short Stories Unlimited Poetry Competition - Salt Water
Open to: All
Theme: Salt Water
Accepts: Poetry
Size: No limit (but use common sense)
Entry Fee: $5
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 - Salt Water
Open to: All
Theme: Salt Water
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

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 Hope Prize
ALL ROYALITIES FROM THE ANTHOLOGY TO BE DONATED TO CAMFED (The Campaign for Female Education)
 EARLY BIRD: 30/06/2025
REGULAR: 31/10/2025
Open to: Over 18
Theme: Hope, courage and resilience as experienced or imagined by you
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $20, REGULAR: $30 (limited fee-free places for writers experiencing hardship)
Prizes: First: $10,000

The National Poetry Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: 18 years and over
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: £8 and £6 for each subsequent entry in the same submission (Members: One free second poem, with subsequent poems £6)
Prize: First: £5,000, Second: £3,000, Third: £2,000, Commended: £500

Simpson Prize Competition
Open to: Year 9 & 10 students
Theme: ‘Evaluate the usefulness of diary entries, letters, and photographs for providing evidence about the contrasting experiences and perspectives of Australians who served in either the First World War or the Second World War: Discuss 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

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: $75

Anthology Travel Writing Competition
IRISH COMPETITION
  VERY EARLY BIRD: 28/02/2025
  EARLY BIRD: 30/04/2025
  STANDARD: 30/11/2025
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: Delight
Accepts: Short Story or Poetry
Size: 100 words or 10 lines
Entry Fee: $3 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

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 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: Adult fiction or non-fiction
Size: 80,000 words (submit 300 word synopsis and first 30 pages with a one page plan). Must submit full manuscript within 72 hours of being notified as a finalist.
Entry Fee: $45, ($99 to include 1-2 pages of constructive feedback)
Prize: Author Coaching, Structural Edit and Line Edit (Value $3,500)

Positive Words Mini Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Contains the word: Suddenly
Accepts: Short Story or Poetry
Size: 100 words or 10 lines
Entry Fee: $3 in unused stamps
Prize: Six months subscription to Positive Words