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

CRAFT Flash Prose Prize
US COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Fiction
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $USD 20 (entry can include two flash prose pieces)
Prizes: First x 3: $USD 1,000, a bundle of the Rose Metal Press Field Guides, publication, 3 x Editors choice: $USD 200, publication

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

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

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

The Masters Review Novel Excerpt Contest
US COMPETITION
Open to: Emerging writers
Theme: None
Accepts: Excerpt from unpublished novel
Size: 6,000 words
Entry Fee: $US 20 (limited free entries for writers from historically marginalized or underrepresented groups)
Prizes: First: $US 3,000 and consultation with an agent Second: $US 300 and agent feedback, Third: $US 200 and agent feedback

The Varnish Prize for Fiction
Open to: All (Contest limited to 300 submissions, one story per writer)
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Fiction
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $350, Second: $100, Third: $50, Shortlisted: Published online

Stories of Strength Short Story Competition
Open to: Young people aged 5 to 18 living in Australia who have immigrated or sought asylum from war-torn countries where Australian forces have been involved (list available on website)
Theme: Hope in New Places
*
Accepts: Short Story (fiction or non-fiction) - Primary School (Aged 5 to 12)
Size: 500 - 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $500
*
Accepts: Short Story (fiction or non-fiction) - Secondary School (Aged 13 to 18)
Size: 500 - 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $500

Catchment - Poetry of Place
Open to: Australian Residents
Theme: Linked to location
Accepts: Poetry & Tanka
Size: Poetry: 30 lines, Tanka: 5 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Publication in online journal

The Wakefield Weekly Monthly Writing Challenge
Open to: Authors based in Australia
Theme: ‘on the wrong side’
Accepts: Writing
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Vouchers and publication on blog

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: €300

Fiction Factory Flash Fiction Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to:  All aged 16 and over
Theme:  None
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: £7 (£13 for 2, £18 for 3)
Prize: First: £350, Second & Third: Free assessment

GriffithReview 92 - Lost and Found Anthology
Open to:  All
Theme:  Lost and Found
Accepts: Fiction and Non-fiction
Size: 4,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Publication

International Dark Poets Prize: Edition IV
UK COMPETITION
Open to:  All
Theme:  Explore the beauty within darkness
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 250 words
Entry Fee: £6 (£10 for 3, £14 for53)
Prize: First: £1,000, certificate, Official Dark Poets Club T-shirt

Jackie's Annual Spring Competition
Open to: Adults
Theme: Writing for kids
Accepts: Writing in Rhyme and Metre
Size: No limit (but most picture books are around 500 words)
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: Rhyming MS edit (value $225), Metre Matters Course (value $95), Copy of "Australian Children's Publishers Accepting Unsolicited MS" (Value $10), Read by publisher at Walker Books & Scholastic, Manuscript assessment from Larrikin House (value $200),  Second:  Rhyming MS edit (value $150), Copy of "Rhyme Like the Experts" (Value $10), Copy of "Australian Children's Publishers Accepting Unsolicited MS (value $10), Read by publisher at Walker Books, Scholastic & Larrikin House, Access to 2 x Larrikin House's On Demand workshops (value $70), Third:  Rhyming MS edit (value $75), Copy of "Rhyme Like the Experts" (Value $10), Copy of "Australian Children's Publishers Accepting Unsolicited MS (value $10), Read by publisher at Walker Books

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

Robyn Mathison Poetry Prize
Open to: Australian residents
Theme: Challenge
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: $15, $20 for 2
Prize: First: $250, Second: $100, Highly Commended & Commended: Certificates

The Bath Children's Novel Award
UK COMPETITION
Open to: International writers yet to be traditionally published
Theme: Open
Accepts: YA novels, novels for teens, children’s novels, early readers, chapter books and the text of picture books
Size: First 5,000 words plus one page synopsis (see website for length of full manuscript)
Entry Fee: £29.99 with some sponsored places available for writers on low income
Prizes: First: £5,000, Most promising Longlisted Novel: Edit Your Novel the Professional Way on-line course

The Dorothy Hewett Award
Open to:  Australian citizens or residents aged 18 or over
Theme:  None
Accepts: Fiction, Narrative Non-fiction, Poetry Collection
Size: Prose: at least 40,000 words, Poetry collection: More than 90 pages
Entry Fee: $30
Prize: $10,000 and publishing contract with UWA Publishing

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

Judith Wright Poetry Prize
Open to: Emerging poets from Australia and New Zealand
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: $20 ($12 for subscribers)
Prizes: First: $6,000 and publication, Second: $2,000 and publication, Third: $1,000 and publication

Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize
Open to: All
Theme: Travel
Accepts: Short Fiction
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $20 ($12 for subscribers)
Prizes: First: $5,000 and publication, 2 x Runner-ups: $750 and publication

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

Newcastle Poetry Prize
Open to: Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia, aged over 18 years
Theme: None
Accepts: Poem or Suite of poems
Size: 200 lines
Entry Fee: $35.20 (Members: $30.25)
Prizes: First: $15,000, Second: $3,000, Third: $1,500, Harri Jones Memorial Prize (Under 36 years): $1,500, Jan Dean Members Prize: $1,000, Kade Fenwick Prize (First Nations and trans voices): $500 

Patrick White Playwrights Award
Open to: Australian citizen or legally recognised permanent resident, currently residing in Australia and over the age of 18
Theme: None
Accepts: Full length play
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  $7,500

Onkaparinga Wordfest Competition
Open to: South Australian residents aged 12 and over
Theme: 'Community, place and belonging' and must connect to people or places within the City of Onkaparinga council area
*
Accepts: Flash Fiction - 18 years and above
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $100
*
Accepts: Youth Prize - Flash fiction or poetry - aged 12 to 17
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $100
*
Accepts: Poetry - 18 years and above
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $100

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)

Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival Microfiction Competition
Open to: Writer who lives, works, studies or plays in Brimbank or are listeners of Vision Australia Radio
Theme: Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow
*
Accepts: Microfiction – Youth - 10 - 13 years old
Size: 200 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $250 worth of books, Second: $150 worth of books, Third: $100 worth of books
*
Accepts: Microfiction – Young Adult - 14 - 18 years old
Size: 200 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $250 worth of books, Second: $150 worth of books, Third: $100 worth of books
*
Accepts: Microfiction – Adult - 19 and over
Size: 200 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $250 worth of books, Second: $150 worth of books, Third: $100 worth of books

NOTE: Vision impaired entrants may submit entry as an audio recording

Anthology Personal Memoir Competition
IRISH COMPETITION
Closing Date: 
EARLY BIRD: 31/12/2025
REGULAR: 31/08/2026
Open to: All
Theme: Personal unique life experience
Accepts: Memoir
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: €12, REGULAR: €15
Prizes: First: €500

Do Wha(TS) Write
CANADIAN COMPETITION
FUNDRAISING FOR TOURETTE CANADA
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Flash fiction or short story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $5 CAD
Prize: First: $200 CAD

First Nations Romance Anthology
Open to: First Nations writers
Theme: Romance with a happy-ever-after or happy-for-now ending (not erotic)
Accepts: Short Fiction
Size: 1,000 - 5,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Publication

Flash 500 Flash Fiction Competition
UK 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

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

Rhiza Edge Short Story Competition
Open to: Australian and New Zealand writers
Theme 2: Fantasy that are hopeful and encouraging for teen readers
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: 1 copy of the book plus either a. 5 further copies or b. $100 discount on manuscript appraisal

The Henshaw Short Story Competition
UK COMPETITION
ALL PROFITS EACH YEAR WILL GO TO BOOKS FOR A CHOSEN SCHOOL
Open to: All over 16
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: £6, Optional Feedback: £14
Prizes: First: £200, Second: £100, Third: £50
16 Years and under may enter to receive a free critique

The Moth Poetry Prize
IRISH COMPETITION
Open to: All over 16
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: No Limit
Entry Fee: €16
Prizes: First: €6,000, Runners-up x 3: €1,000, Commended x 8: €250

Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival Poetry Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: In The Garden
*
Accepts: Poetry - 18 years and over
Size: 30 lines
Entry Fee: £4
Prize: £300
*
Accepts: Poetry - 12 to 17 years
Size: 30 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: £100
*
Accepts: Poetry - Up to 11 years
Size: 30 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: £50

King's Shorts Festival of Ten Minute Plays
CANADIAN COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Play
Size: 10 minutes, characters: 1 to 6
Entry Fee: $CAD 20
Prizes: First: $CAD 400, Second: $CAD 200, People's Choice Award

Dolors Alberola Poetry Prize
SPANISH COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry collection
Size: 500 - 800 verses or lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: Translation to another European language, Publication of the collection (bilingual), 50 copies, royalties, Finalists: Publication (Spanish edition), 10 copies, royalties

Just Write - For Kids
Open to: Children who are members of the South Australian Public Library network
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Short Story - 9 to 10 years old
Size: 300 - 750 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: Value up to $200, Second prize: Value up to $100
*
Accepts: Short Story - 11 to 13 years old
Size: 500 - 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: Value up to $200, Second prize: Value up to $100

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

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

The ASA/HQ Commercial Fiction Prize
Open to: Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident aged 18 years and over, co-written works are eligible
Theme: Commercial Fiction (see website for exclusions)
Accepts: Manuscript
Size: 70,000 - 140,000 words, synopsis: 500 words, biography: 300 words
Entry Fee: ASA Members: First entry Nil and $30 for each thereafter, Non-Members: $70
Prizes: First: Publishing contract and $10,000 advance against royalties, Runner-up: $500 and year's membership with ASA

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

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

Fiction Factory First Chapter & Synopsis Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to:  All aged 18 and over
Theme:  None
Accepts: First Chapter of a novel
Size: 5,000 words of First Chapter
Entry Fee: £18 (additional £20 for an appraisal)
Prizes: First : £500 and appraisal, Short-listed: Appraisal

Rhiza Teen Author Prize
Open to: Aspiring writers who are Australian citizens or residents aged 13 to 19
Theme: None
Accepts: Manuscript
Size: 
Picture Books: 500 words
Junior Fiction: 20,000 words
Middle Fiction: 10,000 - 40,000 words
Young Adult Fiction: 40,000 to 75,000 words
Entry Fee: $25
Prizes: Up to 2 winners: Mentorship to develop manuscript for publication. If a publishing contract is offered, advances against manuscript, Short Listed: Appraisal Service

Stringybark Open Short Story Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Have a link to Australia, suitable for audience aged 16 and above
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: $15, $28 for 2, $39 for 3
Prizes: First: $500, publication, ebook, paperback, choice of any two Stringybark anthologies (Value $565), Second: $300, publication, ebook, paperback, choice of any two Stringybark anthologies (Value $365), Third: $150, publication, ebook, paperback, choice of any two Stringybark anthologies (Value $220), Fourth: $50, publication, ebook, paperback, choice of any two Stringybark anthologies (Value $120), Highly Commended x 30: Publication, ebook (Value $5)

The Masters Review Winter Short Story Award for New Writers
US COMPETITION
Open to: Emerging writers
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 6,000 words
Entry Fee: $US 20
Prizes: First: $US 3,000, online publication and agency review, Second: $US 300, online publication and agency review, Third: $US 200, online publication and agency review

Calibre Essay Prize
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Non-fiction essay
Size: 2,000 - 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $30 (or $20 for ABR subscribers)
Prizes: First: $5,000, Runner-up: $3,000, Second Runner-Up: $2,000

Tasmanian Writers' Prize
Open to: Citizens of Australia and New Zealand or Australian permanent residents
Theme: Island or Island-resonant
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $20 (TBC)
Prize: $500 plus publication, Finalists: Publication

The Sheila Malady Short Story Competition
Open to: All
Theme: "Much Ado About Nothing"
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $10 for adults, $5 for young writers (under 18)
Prizes: First: $300, 2 tickets to the Community Play, a handcrafted timber quill, Local prize: Collins Bookstore voucher, 2 tickets to the Community Play, Young writer under 18: Collins Bookstore voucher

26/02/2026
 

Next Generation Short Story Awards
US/CANADIAN COMPETITION
Open to: All
Themes/Categories:
African American
Animals/Pets
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour)
Children's/Juvenile
Fairy Tales
Family/Parenting
Fantasy
General Fiction (2,000 to 3,500 words)
General Fiction (3,500 to 5,000 words)
General Fiction ( Under 2,000 words)
General Non-fiction
Health/Wellness/Lifestyle
Historical
Horror/Scary stories/Paranormal
Humour
Inspirational
LGBTQ+
Mystery
Poetry
Relationships
Romance
Science Fiction
Social Change
Spiritual/Religious
Survival/Overcoming Adversity
Suspense/Thriller
Travel
Wild card (for stories that don't fit any other category)
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $USD 25, $USD 20 for each additional category entered for the same story
Prizes: Category winners: $USD 75 & gold medal, Overall First: $USD 500 & trophy, Overall second: $USD 300, Overall Third: $USD 200

Victorian Bush Poetry Championships - Written
Open to: All
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Silver Brumby Poetry Award - Serious
Size: 120 lines
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $150 & trophy, Second: $70, Third: $30
*
Accepts: Corryong Larrikin Award - Humorous
Size: 120 lines
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $150 & trophy, Second: $70, Third: $30
*
VBPMA Overall Written Champion: $1,000
VBPMA Novice Written Champion: $50

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

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

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 

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

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