Writing Competitions
and Events
If you are looking to take your writing to the next level, then entering a writing competition often provides that extra impetus to refine your work.
This is by no means a full list of competitions. Some writing competitions require an entry fee. Others don’t. This seems to be the norm these days and there are credible competitions that require an entry fee. Always check that you are comfortable with sending money to the organizers if this is the case.
Please contact the competition organizers directly if you have any queries. NZ Writers’ College cannot be held responsible for the conduct of any third party competitions or events.
Competitions and Events
Bristol Short Story Prize 2026
Deadline: 31 January 2026
More details here
Fiction Factory First Chapter of a Novel + Synopsis
Deadline: 31 January 2026
More details here
Ironclad Short Story Competition – Spring 2026
Deadline: 31 January 2026
More details here
Fiction Factory | First Chapter of a Novel + Synopsis Competition
Deadline: 31 January 2026
More details here
New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2026
Deadline: 31 January 2026
More details here
2026 Chautauqua Janus Prize
Deadline: 31 January 2026
More details here
WOW! Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest
Deadline: 31 January 2026
More details here
Claret Press Short Story Competition 2026
Deadline: 1 February 2026
More details here
The Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Deadline: 12 February 2026
More details here
3-Minute Arts Short Story Competition
Deadline: 15 February 2026
More details here
The Rhys Davies Short Story Competition 2026
Deadline: 16 February 2026
More details here
FFF Competition Thirty-Two
Deadline: 23 February 2026
More details here
The Next Generation Short Story Awards
Deadline: 26 February 2026
More details here
WOW! Winter 2026 Flash Fiction Contest
Deadline: 28 February 2026
More details here
Brick Lane Bookshop Short Story Prize
Deadline: 2 March 2026
More details here
Deepings Literary Festival 2026 Short Story Competition
Deadline: 6 March 2026
More details here
Broadway Arts Festival Short story Competition
Deadline: 27 March 2026
More details here
The Rubery Book Award
Deadline: 31 March 2026
More details here
Regular Annual Writing Competitions
Park Publications Scribble Short Story Competitions for 2026
Deadline: Ongoing
More details
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
The Letter Review runs regular competitions throughout the year. Genres include Short Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry and Unpublished Books. Details here.
The annual Sunday Star Times Short Story Awards in New Zealand. Deadline is December each year. See Stuff.co.nz for more details.
The Sargeson Prize in New Zealand closes 30 June. More details here.
The takahē Short Story Competition closes 31 August. More details here.
Anthology run many competitions throughout the year. Check their competitions 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>
Monthly Writing Competitions
Weekly Writing Competitions
The Telegraph Travel Writing Competition
The Long and Short of it – Unity Books Short Story Competition
For a bit of lighthearted fun, Reedsy runs weekly short story competitions in response to a writing prompt. Winners get $50 and publication on the Reedsy blog. See the details here.