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.
The Basics of Creative Writing Course
Competitions and Events
Killer Shorts Screenplay Competition
Deadline: 15 December 2023
More details here
Heroines Anthology – Volume 5: Call For Submissions
Deadline: 18 December 2023
More details here
Prole Laureate poetry competition
Deadline: 20 December 2023
More details here
The Henshaw Press Short Story Competition
31 December 2023
More details here
London Society| “Love Letters to London”
1 December 2023
More details here
Prolitzer Prize for Prose
Deadline: 21 January 2024
More details here
New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2024
Deadline: 31 January 2024
More details here
Story Unlikely’s Annual Short Story Contest
Deadline: 31 January 2024
More details here
2024 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Deadline: 14 February 2024
More details here
The Rhys Davies Short Story Competition 2024
15 February 2024
More details here
The 19th Elmbridge Literary Competition 2024
23 February 2024
More details here
Next Generation Short Story Awards
Deadline: 28 February 2024
More details here
Edinburgh Short Story Award
Deadline: 28 February 2024
More details here
Next Generation Short Story Awards
Deadline: 28 February 2024
More details here
The Short Story Writing for Magazines Course
Regular Annual Writing Competitions
The Plaza Prizes run many writing competitions throughout the year. The purpose is to discover, publish and promote talended new writers. You can see their upcoming competitions 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 Genres include Short Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry and Unpublished Books.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.
The Plaza Prizes run many writing competitions throughout the year. The purpose is to discover, publish and promote talended new writers. You can see their upcoming competitions 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>
Monthly Writing Competitions
The Write a Novel Course
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.