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

Write a Book in a Day

FUNDRAISING FOR THE KIDS' CANCER PROJECT
Teams choose a day from 01/06/2025 to 29/09/2025 to write and illustrate within a 12 hour period

Open to: Australian residents aged 10 and over, Students in years 5 – 12 and adult writing groups. Teams of 5 to 10 members

Theme: Each team given unique parameters for their chosen writing day consisting of two human characters, one non-human character, a setting, an issue and five random words to be included
*
Accepts: Primary School Division - years 5 to 6 - Short story
Size: 1,500 to 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $77 per team and minimum $240 per team in sponsorship for the book to be eligible for judging
Prizes: Awards for best book and best illustrations. Prizes for top fundraisers

*

Accepts: Middle Secondary School Division - years 7 to 9 - Short story
Size: 3,500 to 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $77 per team and minimum $240 per team in sponsorship for the book to be eligible for judging
Prizes: Awards for best book and best illustrations. Prizes for top fundraisers

*

Accepts: Upper Secondary School Division - years 10 to 12 - Short story
Size: 3,500 to 5,000 words

Entry Fee: $77 per team and minimum $240 per team in sponsorship for the book to be eligible for judging
Prizes: Awards for best book and best illustrations. Prizes for top fundraisers

*

Accepts: Open - aged 18 and over - Short story
Size: 7,000 to 10,000 words
Entry Fee: $77 per team and minimum $240 per team in sponsorship for the book to be eligible for judging
Prizes: Awards for best book and best illustrations. Prizes for top fundraisers

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

C.E.W. Bean Prize
Open to: Honours, Masters or Postgraduate students who have completed and submitted their thesis for examination to an Australian University in the 2023, 2024 or 2025 calendar year
Theme: Australian military history
Accepts: Thesis 
Size: Not mentioned
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $500, inscribed medallion, return airfares to attend Chief of Army History Conference

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

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

Yorke Regional Writers Weekend Short Story Competition
Open to: Residents of Western Australia
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Short Story - Over 17 years old
Size: 1,200 -  1,500 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $500, Second: $200 Barclay Books voucher
*
Accepts: Short Story - 17 years and under
Size: 1,200 -  1,500 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $250, Second: $50 Barclay Books voucher

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

ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short story
Size: 2,000 - 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $30, (ABR Subscribers: $20)
Prizes: First: $6,000, Second: $4,000, Third: $2,500

The Kathryn Purnell Poetry Prize
Open to: Australian women writers
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: $15 ($10 for members), $30 for 3 ($20 for members)
Prizes: First: $250, Second: $150, Third: $75

Robert Gray Prize for Poetry
Open to: 18 years and over
Theme: The subject of nature
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines (or 500 words for prose poems)
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: $5,000

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

Kyogle Writers Festival Poetry Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Life Changing
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 35 lines
Entry Fee: $5
Prizes: First: $250, Second: $100, Third: $50, Commended x 5: $20

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

The Miki Prize for Short Stories
Open to: South Australian Resident
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $1,983, Runners up: a bottle of whiskey behind the bar with your name on it

Zine West 2025
Open to: Aspiring writers aged 16 and over, who work, live or study in Western Sydney or attend a West Sydney cultural organisation
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry, Prose, Drama, Comic
Size: Poetry: 60 lines, Prose: 800 words, Drama & Comic: 3xA5 pages
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $400, Second: $300, Third: $200, Commendations: Giramondo titles, Best Poem and Best Prose: Editor's Award

June Shenfield National Poetry Awards
Open to: Emerging Australian poet
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: $20 (Members: $15)
Prize: First: $1,000, Second: $700, Third: $500

SLQ Young Writers Award
Open to: Queensland residents aged 18 to 25
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: First: $2,000 & Queensland Writers Centre membership, Runner-up x 3: $500 & Queensland Writers Centre membership

High Country Words Writing Competition
Open to: All
Theme: SCRUB
*
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $20, $10 for additional entries (Local/Student/Pensioner: $10, Arts Mansfield members and Mansfield Readers & Writers members: One free entry)
Prizes: First: $1,000, Local: $500
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 100 lines
Entry Fee: $20, $10 for additional entries (Local/Student/Pensioner: $10, Arts Mansfield members and Mansfield Readers & Writers members: One free entry)
Prizes: First: $500
*
Accepts: Bush Poetry
Size: 100 lines
Entry Fee: $20, $10 for additional entries (Local/Student/Pensioner: $10, Arts Mansfield members and Mansfield Readers & Writers members: One free entry)
Prizes: First: $500

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

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

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

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

CRAFT Short Fiction Prize
US COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Fiction
Size: 1,000 - 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $USD 20 (some free entry spots available for writers from historically marginalised groups)
Prizes: First: $USD 2,000 and a choice of a Tech Bonus, Second: $USD 500, Third: $USD 300

Finding Beauty Poetry Prize
Open to: Emerging poets who are Australian residents with a strong connection to the Canberra region, 18 years and over
Theme: Finding beauty in nature
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: $20 ($15 for MARION/FNAWN members)
Prizes: First: $5,000, Second: $2,000, Shortlisted: $750

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

Publishable
Open to: Emerging Australian writers
Theme: None (But see T&Cs for excluded genres)
Accepts: Manuscripts
Size: First 50 pages (Overall work for adult fiction and non-fiction: 55,000 - 110,000 words. Other genres and formats: contact QWC), Synopsis: 400 words
Entry Fee: $65 (Members: $55)
Prize: Shortlist x 10: 5 hours mentorship, pitch opportunity, one-year membership with Queensland Writers Centre, Longlist x 25: Consultation on manuscript development, workshop/s and/or seminar/s, All applicants: Online development workshop

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

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

Mattie Furphy Short Story Competition
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee:  $25 ($15 for members)
Prizes: First: $1,000, Second: $300, Third: $100

The Australian Fiction Prize
Open to: Australian residents
Theme: Adult fiction (Check T&Cs for genre exclusions)
Accepts: Manuscript
Size: 75,000 - 100,000 words, pitch of one to three sentences, Synopsis of 500 words, Your biography of 200 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $20,000 plus the right to negotiate a publishing contract with advance against royalties of $15,000

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.

Fiction Factory Short Story Prize
UK COMPETITION
Open to:  All aged 16 and over
Theme:  None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: £7 (£13 for 2, £18 for 3) (Optional critique: £30)
Prize: £500

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

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

Mosman Youth Awards in Literature
Open to: Primary and Secondary School students
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Story - Senior - Years 10,11,12
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Not specified
*
Accepts: Story - Junior - Years 7,8,9
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Not specified
*
Accepts: Story - Primary - Years K-6
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Not specified
*
Accepts: Poetry - Senior - Years 10,11,12
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Not specified
*
Accepts: Poetry - Junior - Years 7,8,9
Size: 20 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Not specified

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

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

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

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

ACU Prize for Poetry
Open to: Australian residents. Any International student currently studying at an Australian University may also enter
Theme: Belonging
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: $25
Prize: First: $10,000, Second: $5,000, Third: $3,000, Highly Commended: $750

Dymocks Beyond Words Creative Writing Competition
Open to: Australian primary and secondary school students
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Short Story - Primary School students
Size: 500 - 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $2,000, Runner Up: $1,000, Shortlisted x 8: $500
*
Accepts: Short Story - Secondary School students
Size: 500 - 1,500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $3,000, Runner Up: $1,000, Shortlisted x 8: $500
*
REGIONAL AUSTRALIA WINNER: $1,000
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY WINNER: $1,000
EAL/D WINNER: $1,000
FIRST NATIONS WINNER: $1,000
LGBTQIA+ WINNER: $1,000

Periscope Literary Paired Fiction Award
UK COMPETITION
Open to: Pair of writers in collaboration, both 18 years and over
Theme: When the Smoke Clears
Accepts: Fiction
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: £16 for up to 2 entries per pair
Prizes: £400

Seniors Card Short Story Competition
Open to: NSW Seniors Card holders
Theme: Then and Now
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Top 100: Publication

The Big Issue Fiction Edition
Open to: Writers based in Australia
Theme: None
Accepts: Fiction
Size: 500 to 3,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: $500 for each author published

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

The Masters Review Best Emerging Writers
US COMPETITION
Open to: Emerging writers
Theme: Open
Accepts: Fiction and creative non-fiction
Size: 8,000 words
Entry Fee: $US 20
Prize x 10: $US 700

Michael Terence Publishing Short Story Competition
UK COMPETITION
Closing Date: EARLYBIRD: 10/03/2025, REGULAR: 10/06/2025
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short story – fiction or non-fiction
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: EARLYBIRD: £6, REGULAR: £9
Prizes: First: £1,000,  Publication in MTP Anthology and Anthology Title based on the winning entry's title, Second: £500, Publication in the MTP Anthology, Third: £250, Publication in the MTP Anthology, Runners-up x 5: £50, Publication in the MTP Anthology

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

Ros Spencer Poetry Prize
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: $10, $20 for 2, $25 for 3, $30 for 4
Prize: First: $1,001, Second: $499, Highly Commended x 2, Commended x 2

Apollo Bay Wordfest Short Story Competition

Open to: Residents of Victoria
Theme: Real and Imagined
*
Accepts: Short Story - Adult/Open
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: $500

*
Accepts: Short Story - Secondary school students (under 19)
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $100 book voucher
*
Accepts: Short Story - Primary school students
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $50 book voucher

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

Friends of Paynesville Library Short Story Competition
Open to: Over 18 years of age
Theme: Open
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: Not specified 

AAWP Writing Prizes
* 
AAWP / UWRF Poetry Prize for Emerging Writers
Open to: Emerging writers
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines for lineated poetry, 400 words for prose poetry and hybrid forms
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: Ticket to UWRF, accommodation during the festival, one year membership to AAWP,  and fully subsidised fees to attend the annual conference, consideration for publication by Meniscus
*
Sudden Writing Prize
Open to: Emerging writers under 25 years of age
Theme: None
Accepts: Creative works
Size: Prose: 400 words, Poetry: 40 lines, Prose Poems: 200 words
Entry Fee: $5
Prize: $500, publication on Express Media website, Voiceworks subscription, one year membership to AAWP
*
AAWP / Westerly Magazine Life Writing Prize
Open to: All
Theme: Life writing
Accepts: Any form associated with Life Writing
Size: 3,500 words
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: $500, one year subscription to Westerly & Conference fees to attend the annual AAWP conference
*
AAWP and SW Novella Prize
Open to: Members of AAWP
Theme: None
Accepts: Prose or verse
Size: : 50 lines for poetry or 5,000 words for prose, Synopsis: 500 words
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: $500 and fully subsidised fees to attend the annual conference
*
‘Chapter One’ The AAWP Publication Pathway for Emerging Writers
Open to: Emerging writers (see website for definition) AND also a member of AAWP
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry collection, literary novel, short story collection or a hybrid work
Size: First chapter: 50 lines for poetry or 5,000 words for prose, Synopsis: 500 words
Total work: Prose: at least 40,000 words, Poetry: at least 40 pages
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: $500, letter of recommendation to Western Australia Publishing , Conference fees to attend the annual AAWP conference
*
AAWP - UWRF Translators' Prize
Open to: Not mentioned
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry and Prose
Size: Poetry: 30 lines, Prose: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: Ticket to UWRF, accommodation during the festival , one year membership to AAWP and fully subsidised fees to attend the annual conference
*
AAWP / UWRF Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers
Open to: Emerging writers
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: Ticket to UWRF, accommodation during the festival, one year membership to AAWP,  and fully subsidised fees to attend the annual conference, consideration for publication by Meniscus

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

Armadale Young Writers' Awards
Open to: Students in Years 3 to 12 and reside or attend school in the City of Armadale
Theme: Open
*
Accepts: Prose - Years 3 & 4
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes:  First: $200, Second: $150, Third: $100
*
Accepts: Prose - Years 5 & 6
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes:  First: $200, Second: $150, Third: $100
*
Accepts: Prose - Years 7 & 8
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes:  First: $200, Second: $150, Third: $100
*
Accepts: Prose - Years 9 & 10
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes:  First: $200, Second: $150, Third: $100
*
Accepts: Prose - Years 11 & 12
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes:  First: $200, Second: $150, Third: $100
*
BEST OVERALL: $50 gift card

Bundyi Writing Prize
Open to: Emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writer
Theme: Open
Accepts: Adult Fiction
Size: Total files submitted: 10MB
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes:  $10,000, manuscript development with a First nations editor, potential publishing contract

Dorothea Mackeller Poetry Awards

Open to: School Students (K – Yr 12) enrolled in Australian education facilities
Theme: Optional theme: All the Beautiful Things
*
Accepts: Lower Primary (Years K - 3) Poetry
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee:  
    Individual (where home-schooled or school not taking part): $20 for up to 3 poems,
    School Entry up to 30 entries: $30, 
    School Entry over 30 entries: $60, 
    School Entry over 100 entries: $80

Prize: First: $300, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $150 & prize pack
*
Accepts: Upper Primary (Years 4 - 6. Year 7 in SA) Poetry

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

Prize: First: $400, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $200 & prize pack

*
Accepts: Assisted Learning Primary Poetry

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

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

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

Prize: First:  $500, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $300 & prize pack

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

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

Prize: First:  $500, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $300 & prize pack

*
Accepts: Assisted Learning Secondary Poetry

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

Prize: First:  $500, trophy & prize pack, Runner-up: $300 & prize pack

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

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

Geography Writing Competition
Open to: All
Theme: Set in Queensland on the significance of the environment in human life
Accepts: Fiction
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $300, Second: $150. Third: 1 year membership to the Queensland Writers Centre

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

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

Little Stories, Big Ideas
Open to: Australian Secondary-school aged students
Theme: Friction
*
Accepts: Creative Writing - Years 7 to 9
Size: 100 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Writing Masterclass, STARTER+ wen hosting package and domain name, 1 year Express Media Membership & Voiceworks subscription
*
Accepts: Creative Writing - Years 10 to 12
Size: 100 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: Writing Masterclass, STARTER+ wen hosting package and domain name, 1 year Express Media Membership & Voiceworks subscription

Mornington Peninsula Mayor's Short Story Writing Awards
Open to: Residents of the Mornington Peninsula Shire
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Short Story - 8 to 12 years old
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $500 and book store voucher
*
Accepts: Short Story - 13 to 17 years old
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $500 and book store voucher
*
Accepts: Short Story - 18 years and over
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $1,000, book store voucher and two-week Police Point Artist Residency

Poetry London Prize
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 80 lines
Entry Fee: £10 (£5 for subscribers) (Limited free entries for writers on low incomes)
Prize: First: £5,000, Second: £2,000, Third: £1,000

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

Scribes Writers "Poetic License"
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Traditional Verse
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $200, Second: $100, Third: $50, Highly Commended & Commended: Certificate

Southword Creative Non-Fiction Award

IRISH COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Essay / Memoir
Size: 4,000 words
Entry Fee: €20
Prize: First: €1,000 & publication in Southword, Second: €400& publication in Southword

TCK Publishing Poetry Awards Contest
US COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: US$ 5
Prize: US$ 1,000

The 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

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 Moth International Short Story Prize
IRISH COMPETITION
Open to: Over 16
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 3,000 words
Entry Fee: €15
Prize: First: €3,000, Second: a week-long writing retreat at Circle of Misse in France (plus travel stipend), Third: €1,000

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

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

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

Wasafiri Essay Prize
UK COMPETITION
Open to: PhD candidates and early career researchers
Theme: On a subject within the field of international contemporary literature published since 1965
Accepts: Essay
Size: 6,000 - 9,000 words (including citations but excluding works-cited list)
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: £250, mentoring conversation with an academic on the editorial board, annual print and digital subscription to Wasafiri, publication

Wells Festival of Literature Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: Open
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 35 lines
Entry Fee: £6
Prizes: First: £1,000, Second: £500, Third: £250, Local Prize: £100
*
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 - 2,000 words
Entry Fee: £6
Prizes: First: £750, Second: £300, Third: £200, Local Prize: £100
*
Accepts: A Book for Children (age 7 and up)
Size: First two chapters or 20 pages, whichever is shortest, plus a synopsis of up to 2 pages (Shortlisted entrants may be asked for complete manuscript)
Entry Fee: £6
Prizes: First: £750, Second: £300, Third: £200, Local Prize: £100
*
Accepts: Young Poets (16 - 22 years old)
Size: 35 lines
Entry Fee: £3
Prizes: First: £200 & membership to The Poetry Society, Second: £150, Third: £100

Wyndham Writing Awards
Open to: Residents of Victoria 18+
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1500-3000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $1,000, Local Encouragement Award: $800
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $500, Local Encouragement Award: $400
*
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 100-600 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $500, Local Encouragement Award: $400

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

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

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 

Barry Young River of Stories
Open to: Students must reside within a 150k radius of Albury/Wodonga
Theme: Magic
*
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 

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Flash 500 Novel Opening Chapter & Synopsis Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Opening Chapter of a Novel with Synopsis
Size: Opening chapter up to 3,000 plus one page synopsis (750 words)
Entry Fee: £10, £18 for 2, £26 for 3 (£35 for optional critique)
Prizes: First: £500, Second: £200

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

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

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