Nine Dots Prize

Submission deadline: 27 January 2025

 

Is data failing us? If that question stirs your imagination, then this international writing prize is for you! These guys want 3 000 words, an outline of how you would expand your response into a short book, and a statement justifying your ability to complete the book in the time given. The prize includes $100 000 and a book deal with Cambridge University Press. So if your writing promotes innovative thinking to tackle contemporary societal issues, get your thinking cap on and submit before the end of Jan 2025.

Short.Sharp.Stories

Submission deadline: 31 January 2025

 

‘Short.Sharp.Stories’ invites writers to Light The Dark, with their imaginative short stories around the theme of ‘Power’: the power of speech, the power of creation, Amandla - POWER! - signifies a mighty lion's roar. Whatever the spark is, a candle flame or casting a vote, please send in your original short story of 3000 tot 5000 words, with a strong narrative drive.

Bristol Short Story Prize

Submission deadline: 31 January

 

Don’t miss out on your chance to win £1 000 and publication in the Bristol Short Story Prize anthology! They accept entries of up to 4 000 words from any genre and from published and unpublished authors alike.

New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2025

Submission deadline: 31 January 2025

 

Welcome to the New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2025. Open to writers from around the world, they're offering an increased top prize of £1 100. The deadline is Friday 31st January 2025 and £1 from each entry will be donated to First Story.

Story Unlikely’s Short Story Contest

Submission deadline: 31 January 2025

 

There are no restrictions on genre: fantasy, sci-fi, memoir, fiction/nonfiction, etc. are welcome. AS long as it's written and told with quality and care. The story itself cannot exceed 4 000 words. There are no restrictions on age or location of participants, and no need to ask us for permission to participate in the contest.

UCT Summer School 2025: HAMLET? I SAW IT ON RADIO…

Lecture Day: 1 February 2024

 

This lecture focuses on the pleasures and pitfalls of adapting theatrical and literary works for radio; the advantages of radio drama over theatre – and its limitations.

SAfm Playwriting Competition

Submission deadline: 3 February 2025

 

This is an invitation to writers to explore the medium of sound, “the theatre of the mind” by creating a 60 minutes radio play in English for SAfm. This Competition is open to any South African citizens of all ages and races.

Die Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees: Nagtegaal-teksprys

Sluitingsdatum: 7 Februarie 2025

 

Die gesogte Nagtegaal-teksprys herleef ná 15 jaar in samewerking met die Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees en daar is groot pryse op die spel. Die drie wenners ontvang onderskeidelik R100 000, R50 000 en R25 000 wat dit die grootste kompetisie van sy soort in die land maak. Die algehele wenner ontvang naas prysgeld, ook mentorskap en ondersteuning met die finale afronding van die teks. Die Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees behou die reg voor om die stuk op te voer as deel van die 2025- of 2026-fees.

Next Generation Indie Book Awards

Submission deadline: 14 February 2025

 

The 2025 Next Generation Indie Book Awards is open to all indie book authors and publishers including independent publishers (small, medium or otherwise), university presses, self-published authors, e-book authors, seasoned authors and even first time authors in the U.S., Canada or internationally who have a book, a manuscript, or a galley proof written in English and published in 2023, 2024 or 2025 or with a 2023, 2024 or 2025 copyright date.

Next Generation Short Story Awards

Submission deadline: 27 February 2025

 

Next Generation Short Story Awards is a not-for-profit international awards program for authors of short stories worldwide. Entries must be written in English.

Edinburgh Short Story Award

Submission deadline: 28 February 2025

 

For writers worldwide and stories on any topic written in English up to 2 000 words. They also welcome stories in all genres: literary, historic, crime, romance, gritty realism, contemporary, humour and more.

The Memoir Prize For Books

Submission deadline: 28 February 2025

 

Now in its 5th year, the Annual Memoir Prize awards Memoir and Creative Nonfiction book-length works of exceptional merit in the categories of traditional, self-published, and previously unpublished prose.

Edinburgh Essay Award 2025

Submission deadline: 28 February 2025

 

The Edinburgh Essay Award is a non-fiction prize for features, memoirs, travelogues, philosophical reflections or insightful analyses of historic or contemporary issues.

Edinburgh Young Adult Novel Award 2025

Submission deadline: 28 February 2025

 

This is a competition for writers and illustrators (worldwide) of young adult fiction - for novels and graphic novels. Entries should be original, absorbing and appropriate for 12 years and older. Entrants can be any age above 16 years.

Flash500: Short Stories Competition

Submission deadline: 28 February 2025

 

This is an open-themed competition and they accept all genres, including those written by or for children. Adult material is also acceptable providing the content fits the story and is not gratuitous. They're looking for stories ranging between 1 000 and 3 000 words, with strong characters, a well-crafted plot and realistic dialogue (where used). Entries must be in English and must not have been published or accepted for publication elsewhere. The competition is international and welcomes non-UK entrants.

Mslexia Memoir School

Course dates: 31 March to 4 April 2025

 

Mslexia Memoir School is an online course for writers embarking on a memoir, or rethinking a memoir-in-progress. Four leading tutors will each focus on a single aspect of the memoir writing craft, creating a varied week of high-quality workshops.

Woordfeeskortverhaalkompetisie 2025

Sluitingsdatum: 1 April 2025

 

Skryf nou in vir die 10de Stellenbosch Woordfeeskortverhaalkompetisie en wen dalk R30 000 met die komplimente van EasyEquities.Inskrywings sluit om 17:00 op 1 April 2025 (en nee, dis nie ’n Gekkedag-grappie nie).

The 2025 South African Literary Awards (SALA)

Submission deadline: 30 April 2025

 

The wRite associates, in partnership with the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), invite South African writers to submit qualifying works for the 20th South African Literary Awards.

Monthly Mentorship, an online writing program

Application deadline: 31 July 2025

 

Monthly Mentorship is a supportive, immersive online writing program and literary community. Whether you’re working on a novel, a memoir, or a short story collection, this online program will take you through a deeply engaging curriculum and put you in regular contact with dedicated faculty who are committed to helping you become a better writer.

NB-Uitgewers Jeugboekkompetisie 2026

Sluitingsdatum: 20 Oktober 2025

 

NB-Uitgewers se drukname Human & Rousseau en Tafelberg kondig met trots aan dat inskrywings nou oop is vir die Jeugboekkompetisie in 2025! Skryf ’n jeugboek of kinderboek en staan ’n kans om R50 000 te wen!

LAPA-Jeugromankompetisie 2025

Sluitingsdatum: 30 November 2025

 

LAPA nooi graag alle skrywers en voornemende skrywers uit om al daai wonderlike stories wat die wêreld vol lê, op te raap, neer te skryf en met hulle en hul lesers te deel.