COMPETITIONS

UPDATED 01/02/2025


AWMA WRITING COMPETITION

OPEN NOW!

In conjuction with Albury Wodonga Martial Arts and Martial Arts Magazine Australia, we will be looking for writing on (you guessed it!) a martial arts theme. You don't have to be involved in martial arts to participate.

Proceeds will be donated to Yes Unlimited, an amazing organisation in Albury Wodonga that helps a lot of people in our area with services for women and children escaping domestic violence, people experiencing homelessness and for our young people.

Information
Entry Form
Terms & Conditions

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

 

 

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

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

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

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

 

FEBRUARY 2025
02/02/2025
 

Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival Microfiction Competition
Open to: Writers who live, work, study or play in Brimbank, aged 10 and over
Theme: No-one chooses for us
*
Accepts: Microfiction - Youth - aged 10 - 18
Size: 200 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $250 worth of books, Second: $150 worth of books, Third: $100 worth of books

*
Accepts: Microfiction - Youth - 19 years and over
Size: 200 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $250 worth of books, Second: $150 worth of books, Third: $100 worth of books
*
Vision impaired entrants can submit via audio recording

 

02/02/2025
 

Limnisa Short Story Competition
GREEK COMPETITION
Open to: 18 years and over
Theme: August Blue
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 500 - 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil (Follow on Facebook/Instagram & share)
Prize: Week-long writing retreat by the sea in Greece

 

02/02/2025
 

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
 

07/02/2025
NEW LISTING

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

 

12/02/2025
REGISTRATION

NEW LISTING

Artz Blitz
Open to: All
Theme: Secret theme emailed on 14 February, submission before 5pm on 15 February
*
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 2025
People’s Choice Award: $1,000


VISUAL ARTS SECTIONS ON WEBSITE
 

14/02/2025
NEW LISTING

Aniko Press Summer Flash Fiction Competition
Theme: Touch
Open to: All
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 100 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: Publication on website and social media, copy of 'rock flight' by Hasib Hourani & a copy of Aniko Magazine, Runner up: Publication on website and social media & copy of Aniko Magazine

 

14/02/2025

The 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
Prize: $500 plus publication, Finalists: Publication

 

14/02/2025
NEW LISTING

The Wakefield Weekly Monthly Writing Challenge
Open to: Authors based in Australia
Theme: No Place Like Home
Accepts: Writing
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Vouchers and publication on blog

 

16/02/2025
 

Words Out West Short Story Competition
Open to: Queensland residents
Theme: Whispers in the Wind
*
Accepts: Short Story - Youth (between 12 and 18 years old)
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $300 & Brisbane Children's Writers Festival Ticket, Second: $200 & Brisbane Children's Writers Festival Ticket, Third: $100 & Brisbane Children's Writers Festival Ticket


*
Accepts: Short Story - Adult (18 years old or over)
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500 & Festival Days Pass & Queensland Writers Centre Membership, Second: $300 & Festival Days Pass & Queensland Writers Centre Membership, Third: $150 & Festival Days Pass & Queensland Writers Centre Membership

 

21/02/2025
NEW LISTING

50 Years of Vietnamese Australian Refugees
NOTE: SUBMISSIONS MAY BE IN VIETNAMESE OR ENGLISH
Open to: All
Theme:
Category 1: "I spoke with my parents (or relatives or friends) about the experience as refugees to Australia and this is what I discovered..."
Category 2: "I spoke with a war Veteran about their experience, and this is what I discovered..."
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $200, Encouragement (optional): $50

*
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $200, Encouragement (optional): $50

*
Accepts: Literary Memoir
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $200, Encouragement (optional): $50

 

23/02/2025
NEW LISTING

FFF Competition Twenty-Six
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 100 - 300 words
Entry Fee: £3.95
Prizes: First: £150 & publication, Highly Commended: £60, Shortlisted: £50

 

23/02/2025
CORRECTED DATE

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 25: Publication, ebook (Value $5)

 

24/02/2025
CORRECTED DATE

Mulga Bill Awards
Open to: All
Theme: Fiesta!
 *
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

 

28/02/2025
NEW LISTING

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

 

28/02/2025

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

 

28/02/2025
 

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

 

28/02/2025
 

Flash 500 Short Story Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: £7, £12 for 2, £16 for 3, £20 for 4 (optional critique: £30)
Prizes: First: £500, Second: £200, Third: £100

 

28/02/2025
 

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

 

28/02/2025
NEW LISTING

Shore Scripts Short Film Fund - Spring Season
US COMPETITION
EARLY BIRD: 28/02/2025
REGULAR: 02/04/2025
FINAL: 02/05/2025
Open to: All
*
Accepts: Short Film Fund - Scripts
Size: 2 - 30 pages
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $USD 39, REGULAR: $USD 49, FINAL: $USD 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:  Feedback, 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, 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

 

28/02/2025
 

Stories by Digital Children
Open to: Children Living in Australia aged 5 to 12
Theme: Getting the Balance Right: You decide what you share
*
Accepts: Story idea: 5 - 6 year old (writing for 3-4 year olds)
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Workshop with Kim Maslin to develop the story idea into a book with illustrations, copy of the book, a soft toy version of the main character
*
Accepts: Story idea
: 7 - 8 year old (writing for 5-6 year olds)
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Workshop with Kim Maslin to develop the story idea into a book with illustrations, copy of the book, a soft toy version of the main character

*
Accepts: Story idea
: 9 - 12 year old (writing for 7-8 year olds)
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Workshop with Kim Maslin to develop the story idea into a book with illustrations, copy of the book, a soft toy version of the main character

*
Individual, group and class entries welcome

28/02/2025
 

The Plaza Audio Story Prize
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 words/7 minutes
Entry Fee: £12 (£9 for subsequent entries)
Prizes: First: £1,000, Second: £300, Third: £100

 

28/02/2025
 

The Plaza Poetry Prize
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: £12 (£6 for subsequent entries)
Prizes: First: £4,000, Second: £300, Third: £100

 

28/02/2025
 

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

 

MARCH 2025
01/03/2025
 

Sorrento Creative Writing Prize
Open to: Australian citizens and residents aged 18 and over who have not had their work published by a commercial publisher
Theme: None
Accepts: Creative writing
Size: 2,500 - 3,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $5,000

 

02/03/2025
 

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

 

07/03/2025
 

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

 

07/03/2025
 

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

 

07/03/2025
 

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

 

13/03/2025
 

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

 

13/03/2025
NEW LISTING

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

 

14/03/2025
NEW LISTING

Shore Scripts TV Pilot Contest
US COMPETITION
EARLY BIRD: 14/03/2025
REGULAR: 11/04/2025
FINAL: 16/05/2025
Open to: Each writer, or writing team, may not have earned more than $USD 50,000 in screenwriting fees the the preceding 18 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: See website
*
Accepts: Scripts for a TV pilot- 1/2 hour
Size: 5 - 35 pages
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $USD 50, REGULAR: $USD 60, FINAL: $USD 70
Prizes: See website

 

15/03/2025
NEW LISTING

Daphne de Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense

US COMPETITION
Open to: Internationally to unpublished and published authors (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: 
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

 

16/03/2025
NEW LISTING

CRAFT Novelette Print Prize
US COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Literary fiction
Size: 7,500 - 15,000 words
Entry Fee: $US 30 (reduced price for historically marginalised or underrepresented groups - limited to 50 writers)
Prize: $US 3,000, oneline publication, print publication with forward by guest judge, royalties on optional international drop-shipping, twenty author copies and a free class at The Loft Literary Center

 

20/03/2025

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

 

21/03/2025
 

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

 

31/03/2025
 

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 Maori writers.
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 100 lines
Entry Fee: $US 20
Prize: $US 1,000 and publication
*
Accepts: Creative Prose - Fiction or Non-fiction
Size: 3,500 words
Entry Fee: $US 20
Prize: $US 1,000 and publication

*
Accepts: Indigenous Writers - Poetry
Size: 100 lines
Entry Fee: $US 20
Prize: $US 1,000 and publication
*
Accepts: Indigenous Writers - Creative Prose - Fiction or Non-fiction
Size: 3,500 words
Entry Fee: $US 20
Prize: $US 1,000 and publication
*

All entrants receive a subscription to Antipodes
 

31/03/2025

Anthology Poetry Award
IRISH COMPETITION
Closing Date: 
VERY EARLY BIRD: 31/01/2025
EARLY BIRD: 31/03/2025
REGULAR: 31/10/2025
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

 

31/03/2025

Anthology Short Story Award
IRISH COMPETITION
Closing Date: 
VERY EARLY BIRD: 31/10/2024
EARLY BIRD: 31/01/2025
REGULAR: 31/07/2025
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 & one year subscription to Anthology Magazine, Second: €250, Third: €150

 

31/03/2025

Anthology Travel Writing Competition
IRISH COMPETITION
  VERY EARLY BIRD: 31/03/2024
  EARLY BIRD: 30/06/2024
  STANDARD: 30/11/2024
Open to: All
Theme: Authentic Travel Experience
Accepts: Article
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: VERY EARLY BIRD: €10, EARLY BIRD: €12, REGULAR: €15
Prize: €500

 

31/03/2025
 

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 3: $250

 

31/03/2025
 

FAW Tasmania Nairda Lyne Award
Open to: All
Theme: Suitable for children aged 8-12 years
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes: $100 & winner's name inscribed on a plaque in the State Library Launceston Branch, Best Tasmanian Entry: Hobart Bookshop voucher

 

31/03/2025
 

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

 

31/03/2025
NEW LISTING

Minds Shine Bright Writing Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Places – the places we live, the places we love, the places we leave
*
Accepts:
 Poetry
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $10 ($5 for students and concession holders)
Prize: $500 
*
Accepts:
 Flash fiction
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $10 ($5 for students and concession holders)
Prize: $500 
*
Accepts:
 Short Story
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $10 ($5 for students and concession holders)
Prize: $500 
*
OVERALL WINNER:
$1,500
COMMENDED: Up to 3,000 words: $100, up to 5000 words: $150 - $200
YOUNG WRITERS: $50
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE: $500

 

31/03/2025
 

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

 

31/03/2025
 

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: €15
Prizes: First: €1,000 plus a week at Circle of Misse in France, Second: €500, Third: €250

 

31/03/2025
NEW LISTING

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

 

31/03/2025
 

The Plaza Flash Fiction Prize
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: £10 (£7.50 for subsequent entries)
Prizes: First: £1,000, Second: £300, Third: £100

 

31/03/2025
 

The Plaza Prose Poetry Prize
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: £10 (£7.50 for subsequent entries)
Prizes: First: £750, Second: £300, Third: £100

 

31/03/2025
 

To Hull and Back Competition
UK COMPETITION
Closing Date: 
EARLY BIRD: 31/03/2025
REGULAR: 30/06/2025
Open to: All
Theme: Humorous
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee:
   
EARLY BIRD: £10, £17 for 2, £20 for 3
    REGULAR: £12, £20 for 2, £24 for 3
PrizeFirst: £1,000, your face on the cover of the anthology,  a trip to Hull on a Harley Davidson if they wish, Second: £200, Third: £100,  3 x Highly Commended: £70, 14 x Shortlisted: £35

 

APRIL 2025
05/04/2025
NEW LISTING

Book Links Short Story Competition
Open to: Writers aged 18 and over
Theme: Suitable for children up to 15 years old
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $250 & published on website

 

07/04/2025
 

Griffith Review Emerging Voices Competition
Open to: Australian 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
Prizes: Pool of $20,000

 

13/04/2025
NEW LISTING

CYA - Adult Genre Competition
Open to: See website
Theme: Adult Genre
*
Accepts: 8 to 18 years old and unpublished in book format in adult genre
Size: First 5,000 words, pitch and 600 word synopsis
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $100, Second: $60, Third: $40
*
Accepts: Aspiring Writer (Check website for eligibility)
Size: First 5,000 words, pitch and 600 word synopsis
Entry Fee: $26.50
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: $47.50
Prizes: First: $100 and 15-minute video consultation with final judge, Submission of short listed entries to at least one publisher of adult books
 

13/04/2025
NEW LISTING

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

 

13/04/2025
NEW LISTING

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

 

18/04/2025
NEW LISTING

Fogarty Literary Award
Open to: Western Australian author aged 18 to 35
Theme: None
Accepts: Fiction, young adult fiction, narrative nonfiction, verse novel
Size: Manuscripts: 50,000 - 120,000 words, Verse Novel: minimum of 12,000 words (around 80 pages)
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  $20,000

 

21/04/2025
NEW LISTING

Casey Fresh Words Young Writers Competition
Open to: Students in Grade 5 to Year 12 who live, work or study in the City of Casey
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Creative Writing
Size: 750 words
Entry Fee: Nil

Prizes: Unspecified.
*
Accepts: Poetry/Lyrics
Size: 1 page
Entry Fee: 
Nil
Prizes: Unspecified.
*
Accepts: English as a Second Language
Size: 750 words
Entry Fee: 
Nil
Prizes: Unspecified. 
 

30/04/2025
NEW LISTING

Bronze (Silver) Swagman Award
Open to: All
Theme: Australian
Accepts: Bush Poetry
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: $30 per entry form, up to 3 poems per form
Prizes: First: $1,500 & Silver statuette of the Swagman, Runner-up: $700 & trophy, Third Prize (Jean O’Connell Memorial Award): $350 & trophy, Highly Commended: $100 & Certificate, Tim Borthwick Memorial Award: $100 & trophy

 

30/04/2025
 

Furphy Literary Award
Open to: Australian residents, 18 years and over
Theme: Australian Life in all its diversity
Accepts: Fiction or Narrative non-fiction
Size: 5.000 words
Entry Fee: Not mentioned
Prizes: First:  $15,000, Second: $3,000, Third: $2,000 LaTrobe University Shepparton Residency, Selected for publication: $250

 

30/04/2025
 

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

 

30/04/2025
 

The Plaza Short Story Prize
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Stories
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: £15 (£22.50 for 3 entries) - can apply for free entry under Bursary Scheme
Prizes: First: £4,000, Second: £300, Third: £100

 

MAY 2025
01/05/2025
 

Questions Writing Prize
Open to: Australians between 18 to 30 years old
Theme: None
Accepts: Fiction or Non-fiction
Size: 1,500 - 2,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize pool: $3,000

 

02/05/2025
NEW LISTING

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

 

11/05/2025
NEW LISTING

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
 

15/05/2025
 

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 7 certificate, Highly Commended & Commended: Certificates

 

15/05/2025
 

Eastwood/Hills Fellowship of Australian Writers 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

 

19/05/2025
NEW LISTING

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
 

31/05/2025
 

AWMA Writing Competition
PROCEEDS TO YES, UNLIMITED!
Open to: All
Theme: Martial Arts
*
Accepts: Fiction & Non-fiction - 16 years and over
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes:
First: $200 & 2-year digital subscription to Martial Arts Magazine (value $98), Second: $100 & 2-year digital subscription to Martial Arts Magazine (value $98), Third: $50 & 2-year digital subscription to Martial Arts Magazine (value $98)
*
Accepts: Fiction & Non-fiction - 10 to 15 years and over
Size: 750 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes:
First: $100 & 2-year digital subscription to Martial Arts Magazine (value $98), Second: $50 & 2-year digital subscription to Martial Arts Magazine (value $98), Third: $25 & 2-year digital subscription to Martial Arts Magazine (value $98)
*
Accepts: Fiction & Non-fiction - 9 years and under
Size: 750 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes:
First: $100 & 2-year digital subscription to Martial Arts Magazine (value $98), Second: $50 & 2-year digital subscription to Martial Arts Magazine (value $98), Third: $25 & 2-year digital subscription to Martial Arts Magazine (value $98)
*
LOCAL PRIZE:
6 x weeks free classes with Albury Wodonga Martial Arts
The winner of this award, or a person that the winner elects, must be able to attend classes in either Wodonga or Beechworth.

 

31/05/2025
 

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

 

31/05/2025
NEW LISTING

RD Walsh Memorial Writing for the Environment Prize

Open to: Australian Citizens
Theme: Hang on, humans! Don’t give up, yet!
 *
Accepts: Poetry – under 19 years
Size: 300 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $250, Pat Strong Award for a Young Writer: $100
*
Accepts: Poetry - 19 - 26 years
Size: 300 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $250

*
Accepts: Poetry – 60 and over

Size: 300 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $250

 

31/05/2025
 

The Plaza Poetry Prize (40 lines)
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: £11 (£9 for subsequent entries) - can apply for free entry under Bursary Scheme
Prizes: First: £1,000, Second: £300, Third: £100

 

31/05/2025
NEW LISTING

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

 

JUNE 2025
30/06/2025

Henry Savery National Short Story Award
Open to: Australian residents
Theme: Open
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes: First: $400, Second: $100

 

30/06/2025
 

Heroines Women's Writing Prize
Open to: Women writers
Theme: Witchcraft (Focus on lost women's history, untold stories and reimagined myths, fairy tales, folklore or legends, or speculative fiction)
Accepts: Poetry & Short Fictions
Size: Poetry: 3 pages, Fiction: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $15
Prize: $500

 

30/06/2025
 

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

 

30/06/2025
 

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

 

30/06/2025
 

The Plaza Audio Poetry Prize
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 4 minutes
Entry Fee: £12 (£9 for subsequent entries) - can apply for free entry under Bursary Scheme
Prizes: First: £1,000, Second: £300, Third: £100

 

30/06/2025
NEW LISTING

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

 

JULY 2025
31/07/2025
 

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

 

31/07/2025
 

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

 

31/07/2025
 

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

 

31/07/2025
NEW LISTING

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

 

AUGUST 2025
31/08/2025
 

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

 

SEPTEMBER 2025
30/09/2025
 

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

 

OCTOBER 2025
31/10/2025
 

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

 

31/10/2025
 

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

 

31/10/2025
 

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

 

NOVEMBER 2025
30/11/2025
 

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

 

DECEMBER 2025
31/12/2025
 

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

 

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