Writing Competitions
and Events
Looking for a Short Story or Poetry Competition to Enter?
If you want to take your writing to the next level, entering a writing competition is a fantastic way to challenge yourself, refine your craft and gain recognition. Many competitions offer cash prizes, publication opportunities and sometimes, valuable feedback.
This list isn’t exhaustive, as new short story and poetry competitions are launched regularly. Some require an entry fee, while others are free to enter. Entry fees are common, even in reputable writing competitions. Just be sure you’re comfortable submitting payment to the organisers.
If you have any questions about a specific short story competition, please contact the organisers directly. UK Writers’ College is not responsible for third-party competitions or events.
Annual Writing Competitions
2025 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Deadline: 13 February 2025
More details here
The Rhys Davies Short Story Competition
Deadline: 14 February 2025
More details here
The 3-Minute Writing Competition
Deadline: 15 February 2025
More details here
The Elmbridge Literary Competition
Deadline: 21 February 2025
More details here
Next Generation Short Story Awards
Deadline: 27 February 2025
More details here
FFF Competition Twenty-Six
Deadline: 23 February 2025
More details here
New2theScene Writing Competitions
Deadline: From 2 March to 7 December
More details here
WOW! Winter 2025 Flash Fiction Contest
Deadline: 28 February 2025
More details here
Pilgrimages Travel Short Story competition by Intrepid Times
Deadline: 1 March 2025
More details here
Bardsy’s 2025 Winter Anthology Contest: First Chapters
Deadline: 3 March 2025
More details here
Gutsy Great Novelist Chapter One Prize
Deadline: 3 March 2025
More details here
The Edinburgh Writing Awards
Short story Award – Deadline 28 February 2025
Young Adult Award – Deadline 28 February 2025
Essay Award – Deadline 28 February 2025
Flash Fiction Award – Deadline 31 August 2025
True Flash Award – Deadline 31 August 2025
More details here
South Warwickshire Literary Festival Writing Competition
Deadline: 28 March 2025
More details here
International Rubery Book Award
Deadline: 31 March 2025
More details here
Little Kanawha Reading Series Chapbook Contest
Deadline: 31 March 2025
More details here
Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize
Deadline: 13 April 2025
More details here
Eyelands 11th International Short Story Contest
Deadline: 20 April 2025
More details here
Barnstormers New Writing Submission (UK)
Deadline: 30 April 2025
More details here
Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest
Deadline: 30 April 2025
More details here
Oxford/42 New Writing Prize
Deadline: 30 April 2025
More details here
The Roy Chapman Beacon Flash Story Competition
Deadline: 31 May 2025
More details here
Minds Shine Bright Places Writing Competition
Deadline: 31 May 2025
More details here
To Hull And Back Humorous Short Story Competition
Deadline: 30 June 2025
More details here
Anthology Short Story Competition
Deadline: 31 July 2025
More details here
Monthly Writing Competitions
Weekly Writing Competitions
Regular Entries: Poetry, Short Story and Essay Competitions
Tortive Lit has a monthly 101 word creative writing competition. The prize is dictated by the number of people who enter. Each entry is £1.50. More information at www.tortivelit.com/flashfiction101
The Future Scholar Foundation run monthly short story competitions.
Deadline: 28th of each month
More details here
Andromeda Magazine Monthly Short Story Competition
More details here
The Plaza Prizes run many writing competitions throughout the year. The purpose is to discover, publish and promote talented new writers. You can see their upcoming competitions here.
Northern Life Writing Competition run regular writing competitions.
More details here
Anthology run many competitions throughout the year. Check their competitions here.
The Letter Review runs regular competitions throughout the year. Genres include Short Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry and Unpublished Books. Details here.
The Writers College My Writing Journey Competition. Free to enter, open to writers around the world. Regular submissions accepted.
Details here>
Almond Press runs a writing competition event calendar that is updated on a daily basis
Inkitt maintains an excellent website documenting lots of international writing competitions
Details here>
Storyhouse | Contests for previously unpublished writers
Details here>
Cranked Anvil Prompt Competition
DEADLINES: 10am GMT on 1 April; 1 July; 1 October
Details here>
Cranked Anvil Short Story Competition
DEADLINES: QUARTERLY: January; April; July; October.
Details here>
Cranked Anvil Flash Fiction Competition
DEADLINES: QUARTERLY: February; May; August; November
Details here>
