This year’s competition theme is Worlds into Words, inspired by the journeys people carry within them - across countries, across cultures, and across the landscapes of memory and identity. It also reflects the experiences of survivors of torture, whose journeys are not only physical but deeply psychological, shaped by resilience, loss, and the search for belonging.
The inaugural 2026 NAWE Flash Fiction competition welcomes 200-word entries from writers across the globe on the NAWE online conference theme of ‘Writing Worlds’, interpreted broadly and with imagination.
Established to support and celebrate emerging literary talent, the prize offers writers from around the world an opportunity for publication and recognition. They're looking for previously unpublished stories of no more than 4 000 words.
This is an international book award based in Greece. Their seeking talented writers from all over the world. Eligible submissions include: poetry, novellas, short story collections, novels, children’s and YA books, historical fiction/memoir, graphic novels. *All published books must have been published between 20 September 2016 to 20 October 2026.
Have you started, or completed, a novel with strong, credible characters and a page turning plot? Have you honed the first chapters? Can you put together a compelling synopsis? Yes? Then why not enter our Novel Opening competition? We welcome published, self-published and unpublished novelists. The only stipulation is that the entry must be unpublished.
The Bedford Short Story Competition is open to writers worldwide over the age of 17 years. Stories must be written in English and no more than 3000 words.
The Bedford Poetry Competition is open to writers worldwide over the age of 17 years. Poems must be written in English and no more than 40 lines.
Established to recognise and encourage excellence in the craft of poetry writing and to provide a platform for publication, the Anthology Poetry Competition is open to original and previously unpublished poems in the English language. Entries are invited from poets of all nationalities, living anywhere in the world. There is no restriction on theme or style. Poems submitted should not exceed 40 lines. There is no limit to entries per person. Each submission will require a separate entry form and is subject to a separate entry fee.
The Evaristo Prize for African Poetry is an annual prize of USD $1500 awarded to ten poems written by an African poet.
Ascent Novel Prize is an international competition open to all writers who have not traditionally published a book or have an agent. Every entrant receives free access to a membership area which includes videos and training on the craft of writing.
The Edinburgh Young Novel Award is open to writers worldwide, published and unpublished, without a literary agent. They welcome any topic and all story genres: literary, historic, crime, romance, queer, contemporary, humour and more. Entrants can be any age over 16 years. The work should be suitable for age 12 and above.
The Edinburgh Essay Award is open to writers worldwide, published and unpublished. For non-fiction essays on any topic up to 2000 words. They seek essays on cultural topics, travel narratives, memoirs, profiles that explore the impact of people — from community figures to international icons; discussions of environmental issues, insights into transformative or enlightening experiences, political analysis, examinations of philosophical, historical, or modern-day topics and more.
The Scottish Arts Trust's Short Story Award is open to writers worldwide, published and unpublished. Short stories can be on any topic up to 2 000 words and in all genres: literary, historic, crime, romance, realism, contemporary, humour and more. Entrants can be any age over 16 years. Stories should be suitable for an adult audience.
The story must be written in English and must be no longer than 6 000 words. They love fiction in all of its forms – experimental, ‘literary’, crime, fantasy, Sci-Fi – and the only thing that matters is quality. The competition is open to both unpublished and published writers, and from anywhere in the world. There are no age restrictions.
Op 11 Junie, sou Van Wyk Louw 120 jaar oud gewees het. Om hierdie geleentheid te vier bied Versindaba, in samewerking met die Sentrum vir Digkuns van die Louw Huis en Museum Sutherland, ’n geleentheid aan digters om in gesprek met hom en sy digkuns te tree, en/of met sy grootwordwêreld na aanleiding van 20 Roggeveldse foto’s.
The 10th Annual Poetry Competition (the “Competition”) is organised by AVBOB Mutual Assurance Society (“AVBOB”) and is open to any citizen of South Africa. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a poet by profession or a poet at heart – this is your opportunity to be seen and heard, touch thousands of lives, and even be rewarded with one of the coveted AVBOB Poetry prizes. To stand in line to win, you simply need to register your profile and submit your poem(s) online.
The Anthology Travel Writing Competition is open to original and previously unpublished travel articles in the English language by writers of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. They are looking for an engaging article that will capture the reader’s attention, conveying a strong sense of the destination and the local culture.
The Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry is awarded annually to an African poet who has not yet published a collection of poetry. The winner receives USD $1000 and book publication through the University of Nebraska Press. Submissions are open between 15 September to 1 December.
This competition is open to unpublished poems of any length, on any subject. Your £12 entry fee allows you to submit up to three poems.
Named in honour of their beloved patron, the late Ruth Rendell, The Interact stroke Support's biennial short story competition is great chance to get your creative juices flowing. Write a short story in any genre of no more than 1000 words. They are looking for positive stories that can be read in the sensitive environment of a hospital setting.
The Chesham Short Story Prize welcomes short stories in any genre, on any theme, written in English and up to 3 000 words. Open to writers anywhere in the world over, they’re looking for compelling, original work with a strong voice.
The Moth Poetry Prize is one of the biggest prizes in the world for individual unpublished poems. The prize is open to anyone over 16, and each year attracts thousands of entries from new and established poets from over 50 countries worldwide.
Founded in 2019, Killer Shorts has established itself as a premier industry launchpad. The competition connects screenwriters and prose authors directly with the executives, managers, and producers who actively greenlight and option dark genre cinema. Enter the premier writing competition for horror short scripts, feature screenplays, and short stories.
Whether you’re an experienced author or a first-time writer, they welcome original, compelling stories in any fiction genres. This is your opportunity to showcase your creativity and gain recognition. Any writer, from beginner to experienced, may enter an unpublished manuscript. Whatever level you’re at, our First Five competition is designed to showcase your talent and build your writing profile.
The Playwright’s Prize welcomes original stage plays on any theme, written in English, up to 20 000 words. Open to writers anywhere in the world. They’re looking for compelling scripts that they can imagine being produced and performed.
July 2026 will see the launch of the 10th To Hull And Back Humorous Short Story Competition, a biennial writing contest with a humorous twist that celebrates the most imaginative and amazing short stories from writers all over the world.
Die LAPA-Jeugromankompetisie lok elke twee jaar van ons land se bekendste en gewildste skrywers vanuit alle genres en ouderdomsgroepe. Met verhoogde prysgeld vir die volgende kompetisie, hoop LAPA-Uitgewers om sommer ’n hele klomp nuwe storievertellers aan te spoor om die pen op te neem en kreatief te raak.