Hektoen Essay Contest
US COMPETITION
Open to: 18 years or older
Theme: Hospitals of Note: focussing on the history of a particular hospital
Accepts: Essay
Size: 500-1,600 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $US 5,000, Second: $US 2,500

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

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

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

Willoughby City Library Emerging Writers' Competition
Open to: Writers aged 8 to 13 who live or go to school in the Willoughby LGA and a member of the Willoughby City Library
Theme: 'the letter'
Accepts: Short story or poem
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:  Unspecified prizes

Little Stories, Big Ideas
Open to: Australian Secondary School Students
Theme: Portal
*
Accepts: Any literary style - Year 10 - 12
Size: 100 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:First: $250, Express Media membership, Voiceworks subcription, book pack and a masterclass with Author Amelia Mellor, Runner-up: Express Media membership, Voiceworks subcription, book pack and a masterclass with Author Amelia Mellor
*
Accepts: Any literary style - Year 7 - 9
Size: 100 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize:First: $250, Express Media membership, Voiceworks subcription, book pack and a masterclass with Author Amelia Mellor, Runner-up: Express Media membership, Voiceworks subcription, book pack and a masterclass with Author Amelia Mellor

ImPress Writing Competition
Open to: South Australian Residents
Theme:  Harmony is when different people, ideas, or objects work well together, creating balance and peace.

Write a story about a time when harmony is threatened. Will it return, or be lost forever?
 *
Accepts: Short story or poem - Years 3 - 4
Size: 300 words
Entry Fee: Nil
*
Accepts: Short story or poem - Years 5 - 6
Size: 300 words
Entry Fee: Nil
*
Accepts: Short story or poem - Years 7 - 8
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
*
Accepts: Short story or poem - Years 9 - 11
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil
*
Accepts: Short story or poem - Teacher
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: Nil

Prizes include Cool Online writing course, book vouchers and book prizes

Peter Porter Poetry Prize
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 60 lines
Entry Fee:
Online entry - Subscriber: $20,
Online entry - Non-Subscriber: $30,
Online entry & Subscription packages available
Prizes: First: $6,000, Shortlisted entries x 4: $1,000

Book Pipeline Unpublished Contest
US COMPETITION
  PRE-REGISTER: 30/01/2026
  SPECIAL ENTRY: 20/03/2026
  EARLY: 20/05/2026
  REGULAR: 25/08/2026
  LATE: 22/09/2026
  EXTENDED: 15/10/2026
Open to: 18 years and over
Theme: None
Accepts: Comics & Graphic Novels, General Fiction, Literary, Mystery/Horror/Thriller, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade& & Chapter Book, Picture Books, Non-Fiction & Memoir
Size: Fiction & Memoirs: first 5,000 words and 1-3 page synopsis, Picture books: full manuscript and 1 page synopsis, Non-Fiction: At least a proposal (Memoirs as fiction). Comics & Graphic Novels: 20-28 pages, 1-3 page synopsis
Entry Fee: PRE-REGISTER: $US 35, SPECIAL ENTRY: $US 45, EARLY: $US 55, REGULAR: $US 60, LATE: $US 65, EXTENDED: $US 70
Prizes: Per Category: First: $US 2,500, development & mentoring, industry circulation , consideration from producers, additional long-time review, exclusive invitations to Symposium events

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

Kids Spooky Writing & Art Competition
Open to: Writers aged 7 to 12 living in the Blue Mountains LGA
Theme: Spooky stories
*
Accepts: Short Story - Ages 7 to 9
Size: 200 - 700 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $25 Story Garden voucher, a signed copy of "The Lost Ghsts of Lawson" by Anthony Mann, publication
*
Accepts: Short Story - Ages 10 -12
Size: 500 - 1,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prize: $25 Story garden voucher, a signed copy of "The Lost Ghsts of Lawson" by Anthony Mann, publication
*
VISUAL ARTS SECTIONS ALSO AVAILABLE

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

Eyelands Book Awards
GREEK COMPETITION
€1 FROM EACH SUBMISSION DONATED TO UNITED NATION'S REFUGEE AGENCY GREECE
EARLY BIRD: 20/09/2026
REGULAR: 20/10/2026
Open to: All
Theme: None
Award categories:
- Full Length books of fiction (novels or novellas) of any genre
- Collections of short stories
- Collections of poems
- Historical Fiction
- Memoir / Authobiography
- Children’s and YA books – Graphic Novels
- LGBTQIA+ (texts of any genre with main theme related to the community)
- Sci-Fi – Fantasy/ Magic Realism
- Crime / Thriller – Horror (Novel or novellas)
- Self-published books
- Distinction for U20 – a short story or three poems
- Short story contest for 18
- Short plays
Size: 
- Published/Unpublished books: 300,000 words;
- Text/Poetry Collection: up to 300 pages
- Play:20 minutes with up to four roles
Entry Fee:
EARLY BIRD: €30
REGULAR:  €40
Short story U 18: Nil
Writers of countries suffering from the consequences of a war: Nil
Grand prize winners from prior EBA contests: Nil
Writers from first-time-submitting countries: Nil
Prizes: Grand Prize (Published books): five-day holiday in Athens in November 2026 to attend the prize ceremony (Air tickets not included), tickets to Acropolis of Athens, 5-day public transport ticket, round-trip ticket for the ferry to the island of Aegina
Grand Prize (Unpublished books): Translation into Greek and publication from Strange Day Books,
Writers' choice: Five-day stay in Athens in November 2026 to attend the ceremony OR translation of the book into Greek,
Short Story U18: special distinction and a handmade ceramic
Short Play: Audio performance of the play
24 prize winners: Handmade ceramic designed for the EBA awards

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

FFF Competition Thirty-Six
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 100 - 300 words
Entry Fee: £4.95
Prizes: First: £200 & publication, Highly Commended: £100, Shortlisted: £80

Not Quite Write Prize
NOTE: Prompts are emailed out at midday 23/10/2026 with competition closing at midnight 25/10/2026
Open to: All
Theme: Two sets to choose from, each consisting of 3 prompts: a word prompt, an action prompt and a "kicker" prompt
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: $35 (Coaching Package: $175)
Prizes: First: $1,500, Second: $1000, Third: $500, Fourth: $350, Fifth: $250, Sixth: $200, Wildcard x 4: $100

Writory Monthly Poetry Contest
INDIAN COMPETITION
Open to: 13 plus
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: No limit
Entry Fee: $USD 5, (2 for $USD 8, 5 for $USD 15)
Prizes: First: $USD 100, Second: $USD 50, Third: $USD 20
Plus free entry into the next contest

Scribes Writers - "Short Takes"
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: $12
Prizes: First: $200, Runner-up: $100, Highly Commended & Commended: Certificates

SD Harvey Short Crime Story Award
Open to: Australian Residents
Theme: Crime
Accepts: Fiction or Non-Fiction
Size: 2,000 - 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $35
Prize: $1,000

Shore Scripts Short Film Fund - Fall Season
US COMPETITION
EARLY BIRD: 20/08/2026
REGULAR: 30/09/2026
FINAL: 30/10/2026
Open to: All
Accepts: Scripts
Size: 2 - 30 pages
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $39, REGULAR: $49, FINAL: $59
Prizes:
Production Grant First: $USD 15,000 production grant, Project & career Guidance with producer Maria Gracia Turgeon, Camera Equipment rental from Arri Rental, Festival planning strategy with Kimberley Browning, Production support and script development, Film shared with judges and industry roster, Short Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF,
Production Grant Top 5:  Feedback, Script sent to directors and relevant industry roster, Short Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF,
Production Grant Finalists: Script sent to directors and relevant industry roster, Short Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF,
Production Grant Semi-Finalists: Short Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF 
Finishing Funds First: $USD 4,000 Finishing Funds Grant, Festival planning strategy with Kimberley Browning, Post-production support and script development, Film shared with industry roster, Short Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF,
Finishing Funds Finalists: Feedback on the Rough Cut of their film, Short Scripts Film Festival Guidebook PDF,
All Submissions: Brief Feedback on what is working and potential for improvement

The Varnish Prize for Fiction
Open to: All but will select in accordance to mission to highlight emerging writers (Contest limited to 500 submissions, one story per writer)
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Fiction
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: First: $350, Second: $100, Third: $50, Shortlisted: Published online

The Writer's Studio Short Story Competition
Open to: Aged 18 and over
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $25
Prizes: First: $1,200, Second: $400, Third: $200

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

Anthology Short Story Award

IRISH COMPETITION
Closing Date: 
VERY EARLY BIRD: 31/10/2026
EARLY BIRD: 31/01/2027
REGULAR: 30/08/2027
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: VERY EARLY BIRD: €12, EARLY BIRD: €15,  REGULAR: €18
Prizes: First: €1,000, Second: €250, Third: €150

Ernestine Hill Memorial Award
Open to: Permanent residents of Australia
Theme: Australian Country
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 4,000 words
Entry Fee: $20
Prize: $1,000

Fiction Factory Flash Fiction Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to:  All aged 16 and over
Theme:  None
Accepts: Flash Fiction
Size: 1,000 words
Entry Fee: £7 (£13 for 2, £18 for 3)
Prize: First: £350, Second & Third: Free assessment

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 

Killer Shorts
US COMPETITION
FIRST WAVE DEADLINE: 05/06/2026
EARLY DEADLINE / EARLY BIRD DEADLINE: 07/08/2026
REGULAR DEADLINE: 31/10/2026
STANDARD DEADLINE / FINAL DEADLINE : 04/12/2026
EXTENDED DEADLINE: 31/12/2026
Open to: Entrant's total earnings for screenwriting must not exceed $USD 10,000 in the past 12 months (does not include prize money)
Theme: Horror
*
1-PLAY SCREENPLAY
Accepts: Screenplay
Size: 1 page
Entry Fee: STANDARD DEADLINE: $USD 10, EXTENDED DEADLINE: $USD 15
Prizes: Grand Prize: $USD 500 & Winner Laurels, The Killer Trophy, 6 Month ISA Connect Membership, plus all Top 3 prizes, Top 3: Industry Circulation, The Scream List, Final Draft 13 Software License, Creator Bundle (Stan Winston School Membership, We Make Movies Gold Membership, and Script Revolution Rockstar memberships), 100% off “Search For New Blood” contest entry, plus all Finalist prizes, Finalists x 10: Finalist Laurels & Script Directory Publication, Stage 32 Access (Free Stage 32 “Next Level” Webinar and 20% off “Search For New Blood” contest entry), Semi & Quarterfinalists: Placement Laurels (Semi or Quarterfinalist), Reduced rates for Stage 32 contests and partner webinars.
*
SHORT SCREENPLAY
Accepts: Screenplay
Size: 1 - 20 pages
Entry Fee: FIRST WAVE DEADLINE: $USD 20, EARLY DEADLINE: $USD 25, REGULAR DEADLINE: $USD 30, FINAL DEADLINE: $USD 35, EXTENDED DEADLINE: $USD 40
Prizes: First x 3: The Killer Trophy & Winner Laurels, Industry Circulation,The Scream List, Stage 32 Pro Package (60-min Career Development Call, Short Script Coverage, FREE “Search for New Blood” contest entry), The Winner’s Bundle (Final Draft 13, Shudder memberships, ISA Connect Memberships and access to Robert McKee’s Horror Webinar Series), Horror Fan Bundle (Rue Morgue Magazine Subscription and Fright Rags Gift Card) plus all Finalist prizes, Finalists x 10: Finalist Laurels & Script Directory Publication, Final Draft 13 Software License, Production Suite (Seed & Spark Consultation and We Make Movies Gold Membership), Stage 32 Access (Script Coverage, Next Level Webinar and 50% off “Search For New Blood” entry), plus all Semifinalist prizes, Semifinalists & Honourable Mentions: Semifinalist Laurels & Script Directory Publication, Stage 32 Package (Next Level Webinar and 20% off “Search For New Blood” entry), Quarterfinalists: Reduced rates for Stage 32 contests and partner services.
*
SHORT STORY (PROSE)
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 6,000 words
Entry Fee: FIRST WAVE DEADLINE: $USD 20, EARLY DEADLINE: $USD 25, REGULAR DEADLINE: $USD 30, FINAL DEADLINE: $USD 35, EXTENDED DEADLINE: $USD 40
Prizes: Grand Prize:  The Killer Trophy & Winner Laurels, One-on-one 30-minute meeting with author and screenwriter Chris Hicks (I Am Not Alone), Featured story placement on the Killer Shorts website, plus all Top 3 & Finalist prizes, Top 3: Winner Laurels, Industry Circulation, plus all Finalist prizes, Finalists x 10: Scrivener Software, Stage 32 Access (Free “Next Level” Webinar and 50% off “Search For New Blood” entry), Semifinalists: Semifinalist Laurels & Script Directory Publication, Free Stage 32 Webinar and 20% off “Search For New Blood” entry, Quarterfinalists: 20% off Stage 32 “Search For New Blood” entry.
*
FEATURE SCREENPLAY
Accepts: Screenplay
Size: 70 - 120 pages
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD DEADLINE: $USD 45, REGULAR DEADLINE: $USD 55, FINAL DEADLINE: $USD 65, EXTENDED DEADLINE: $USD 75
Prizes: Grand Prize: $USD 5,000 , The Killer Trophy & Winner Laurels, Guaranteed script review by literary manager John Zaozirny, plus all Top 3 & Finalist prizes, Top 3:  Industry Circulation, The Winner’s Bundle (Final Draft 13, Free Feature Script Entry to ScriptHop’s Gauntlet, and We Make Movies Gold Membership), $50 Deep Cuts Coffee Gift Card, plus all Finalist prizes, Finalists x 10: Finalist Laurels & Script Directory Publication, Seed & Spark Crowdfunding Consultation, plus all Semifinalist prizes, Semifinalists: The Script Directory ( Logline publication in our curated industry database), Quarterfinalists: Quarterfinalist Laurels

Martha Richardson Memorial Poetry Prize
Open to: All
Theme: Night
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: $35 ($25 for members of Ballarat Writers), $15 for each additional poem
Prize: First: $1,000, Second: $400, Third: $100

Noosa Arts Theatre National One-Act Playwriting Competition
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: One-Act Play
Size: 30 - 45 minutes, see T&Cs for staging requirements
Entry Fee: $60
Prizes: The Eleanor Nimmo Prize for Best Play (First): $10,000, Second: $3,000, Third: $1,000, Audience Choice Award: $500

Rae Alison Cerhan Australian Ballad
Open to: Permanent residents of Australia
Theme: Australiana
Accepts: Ballad
Size: 100 lines
Entry Fee: $18
Prize: First: $600, Second: $200, Third: $100

Short Stories Unlimited Poetry Competition - Future
Open to: All
Theme: Future
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 - Future
Open to: All
Theme: Future
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $200 & copy of ebook, Second: $100 & copy of ebook, Third: $50 & copy of ebook, Highly commended x 2: $20 & copy of ebook

The Aluminium Crown
Prize funds are sourced from entirely from the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme and fundraising will continue until the closing date
Open to: 18 plus
Theme: Speculative fiction. Prompt: In the year 2055, due to environmental pressures, Melbourne will be forced to think inside the box: the CBD will be enclosed in a gargantuan protective structure. This is the Central Business Cube, the CBC.
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 500-4,000 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Minimum of $300 

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: £2,000, Second: £400, Third: £300, Bedford Prize: £200, Cygnature Prize (25 years and under): £300
*
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: £8.50, three for £17 (Full time students: £6, three for £12)
Prize: First: £2,000, Second: £400, Third: £300, Bedford Prize: £200, Cygnature Prize (25 years and under): £300
 

The Best of Times Short Story Competition
Open to: All (except stories that have previously won a prize or certificate in prior Best of Times)
Theme: Humorous
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 2,500 words
Entry Fee: $12
Prizes: First: 60% of entry fees, Second: 15% of entry fees, Third place: 5% of entry fees, Highly commended and commended certificates 

The Hope Prize
SUPPORTING CAMFED (The Campaign for Female Education)
EARLY BIRD: 31/07/2026
REGULAR: 31/10/2026
Open to: Over 18
Theme: Hope, courage and resilience
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 5,000 words
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $25, REGULAR: $33 (limited fee-free places for writers experiencing hardship)
Prizes: First: $10,000, Second: $2,000, Third: $1,000

The National Poetry Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: 18 years and over
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: 40 lines
Entry Fee: £9 and £6 for each subsequent entry in the same submission (Members: One free second poem, with subsequent poems £6)
Prize: First: £5,000, Second: £3,000, Third: £2,000, Commended: £500

Simpson Prize Competition

Open to: Year 9 & 10 students
Theme: ‘How useful are artefacts and artwork as historical sources when researching the experience of Australians who served in either the First World War of Second World War?’ Discuss with reference to either World War one OR World War Two.
Accepts: Essay or Video
Size: Essay: 1,200- 1,500 words (body of essay), Video: 10 minutes with accompanying written explanation of up to 400 words
Entry Fee: Nil
Prizes: Winners and runners-up from each state and territory participate in a 3-day study program in Canberra. The eight winners travel overseas for an extensive study tour culminating in Anzac Day ceremonies in that location

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

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

CRAFT Short Fiction Prize
US COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Fiction
Size: 1,000 - 5,000 words
Entry Fee: $USD 20 
Prizes: First: $USD 2,500, Second: $USD 500, Third: $USD 300

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

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

Writory Story Contest
INDIAN COMPETITION
Open to: 13 plus
Theme: None
Accepts: Short story
Size: 100 - 3,00 words
Entry Fee: $USD 8, (2 for $USD 14, 5 for $USD 25)
Prizes: First: At least $USD 100, Second: At least $USD 50, Third: At least $USD 20

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

Discover New Art Prize for Poetry and Prose
US COMPETITION
  EARLY BIRD: 30/11/2026
  REGULAR: 31/01/2027
Open to: Writers who have not published or are not contracted to publish a single-author work or creative poetry or prose with a Big Five publisher (or their imprints)
Theme: None
*
Accepts: Poetry - book-length or collections
Size: 15 pages
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $USD 30, REGULAR: $USD 35
Prizes: First: $USD 25,000, 5 x finalists: $USD 1,000
*
Accepts: Prose - excerpts of novels, memoirs, book-length essays, collection of short stories
Size: 25 pages
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $USD 30, REGULAR: $USD 35
Prizes: First: $USD 25,000, 5 x finalists: $USD 1,000

Fiction Factory First Chapter & Synopsis Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to:  All aged 18 and over
Theme:  None
Accepts: First Chapter of a novel
Size: 5,000 words of First Chapter
Entry Fee: £18 (additional £25 for an appraisal)
Prizes: First : £500 and appraisal, Short-listed: Appraisal

Jackie's Annual Spring Competition

Open to: Adults
Theme: Writing for kids
Accepts: Writing in Rhyme and Metre
Size: 500 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First: Read by Affirm Press, Larrikin House and Scholastic & Walker Books, manuscript assessment by Larrikin House, 3 hours of editing,  Second:  Read by Affirm Press, Larrikin House and Scholastic & Walker Books, Larrikin House On Demand Workshops, 2 hours of editing, Third:  Read by Affirm Press, Larrikin House and Scholastic & Walker Books, Larrikin House On Demand Workshops, 1 hour of editing

The Bath Children's Novel Award
UK COMPETITION
Open to: International writers yet to be traditionally published
Theme: Open
Accepts: YA novels, novels for teens, children’s novels, early readers, chapter books and the text of picture books
Size: First 5,000 words plus one page synopsis
Entry Fee: £33 with some sponsored places available for writers on low income
Prizes: First: £5,000, Most promising Longlisted Novel: Edit Your Novel the Professional Way on-line course

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

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, (Add-on: $55 for optional assessment)
Prize: Up to 20 winners: Professional developmental edit, copy/line edit. publication

Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize
Open to: Aged 18 plus
*
OPEN CATEGORY
Theme: None
Accepts: Adult fiction or non-fiction
Size: 80,000 words (submit 300 word synopsis and first 30 pages with a one page plan). Must submit full manuscript within 72 hours of being notified as a finalist.
Entry Fee: $45, ($99 to include 1-2 pages of constructive feedback)
Prize: Trade publishing contract with Hawkeye (T&Cs apply) and editing package
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OWN VOICES CATEGORY
Theme: Reflect an identity or lived experience the author personally holds from a community that is underrepresented or marginalised
Accepts: Adult fiction or non-fiction
Size: 80,000 words (submit 300 word synopsis and first 30 pages with a one page plan). Must submit full manuscript within 72 hours of being notified as a finalist.
Entry Fee: $45, ($99 to include 1-2 pages of constructive feedback)
Prize: Trade publishing contract with Hawkeye (T&Cs apply) and editing package

Somerset National Poetry Prize
Open to: All current secondary school students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents attending school or receiving home schooling in Australia under 19 years of age at close of entries
Theme: None
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Accepts: Junior Secondary - Years 7 to 9
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: $15
Prize: $300 plus opportunity to attend the Somerset Storyfest and be billeted with members of the Somerset College
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Accepts: Senior Secondary - Years 10 to 12
Size: 50 lines
Entry Fee: $15
Prize: $300 plus opportunity to attend the Somerset Storyfest and be billeted with members of the Somerset College

Storyfest National Novella Writing Competition
Open to: All current secondary school students attending school or receiving home schooling in Australia under 19 years of age at close of entries
Theme: None
Accepts: Novella
Size: 8,000 - 20,000 words
Entry Fee: $20
Prizes: National winner: $300, Finalists x 3: $100 plus opportunity to attend the Somerset Storyfest and be billeted with members of the Somerset College

Newcastle Poetry Prize
Open to: Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia, aged over 18 years
Theme: None
Accepts: Poem or Suite of poems
Size: 200 lines
Entry Fee: $35.20 (Members: $30.25)
Prizes: First: $10,000, Second: $5,000, Third: $2,500, Highly Commended: $500,  Harri Jones Memorial Prize (Under 36 years): $1,500, Jan Dean Members Prize: $1,000, Kade Fenwick Prize (First Nations and trans voices): $500 

The Pearl Prize
EARLY BIRD: 30/09/2026
LATE RISER: 10/12/2026
A BIT LATER TO THE PARTY: 30/05/2027
Open to: Over 18 years old
Theme: A queer perspective from GSD or allies, “The Mystery Out There” and contain three of the following words/objects: Purse, Walking Stick, Umbrella, Poirot Moustache, Monocle, Glove
Accepts:  Creative writing
Size: 2,000 words
Entry Fee: EARLY BIRD: $25, LATER RISER: $30, A BIT LATER TO THE PARTY: $35 (Covers two entries)
Prize: First: $2000 & opportunity to pitch a novella to Osborne and Fawkner Publishing

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

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

The Moth Poetry Prize
IRISH COMPETITION
Open to: All over 16
Theme: None
Accepts: Poetry
Size: No Limit
Entry Fee: €17
Prizes: First: €6,000, Runners-up x 3: €1,000, Commended x 8: €250

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

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

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

Flash 500 Short Story Competition
UK COMPETITION
Open to: All
Theme: None
Accepts: Short Story
Size: 1,000 - 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

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

Sorrento Young Writing Prize
Open to: Year 11 & 12 students in the Mornington Peninsula Shire
Theme: None
Accepts: Fiction or non-fiction
Size: 800 -1,000 words
Entry fee: Nil
Prize: $1,000

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