Competitions and Submissions

Deadline: Sun 31 May 2026
Location: International

The international writing competition is open to unrepresented and unpublished authors for a novel in any adult fiction genre. Read more...

Deadline: Sun 31 May 2026
Location: International

The Bridport Prize is committed to discovering new writers in poetry, short story, flash fiction, the novel and memoir. The 2026 competition is now open for submissions. Open to writers of any nationality writing in English aged 16 and over. Read more...

Deadline: Sun 31 May 2026
Location: International

Broken Sleep Books are a working-class, small, innovative press, who publish a range of poetry and prose, from a range of writers. They are open for submissions of poetry collections (40 pages+) until 31 May 2026. All submissions considered, regardless of location. Read more...

Deadline: Sun 31 May 2026
Location: International

Cranked Anvil have reopened their International Flash Fiction Writing Competition. Any theme/genre, maximum 500 words. An array of prizes, including cash, publication online and digital anthology, and a professional audio recording which is broadcast on UK radio and around the world online. Read more...

Deadline: Sun 31 May 2026
Location: International

The Maya Poetry Book Awards is an annual, international competition to recognise the best poetry books produced by indie writers, self-published authors, or books published by small, truly independent presses. We are proud to be a Welsh-based, international contest open to all indie poets globally. Read more...

Deadline: Sun 31 May 2026
Location: Online/London

City St George's University's prestigious Novel Studio programme is now accepting applications for 2026, with a final deadline of 31 May 2026. Read more...

Deadline: Sun 31 May 2026
Location: UK

Raise the Bar’s 2026 writing retreats are now open for applications! Aimed at poets at different levels of experience, with tutors Salena Godden, Pascale Petit, Muneera Pilgrim, Adam Kammerling, Vanessa Kisuule and many more. Read more...

Deadline: Sun 31 May 2026
Location: UK

In the UK’s National Year of Reading, Airbnb will partner with arts charity Hay Festival to launch Room to Write – a new writing award. Open to UK-based writers, the award offers eight recipients an Airbnb coupon worth £1,500, enabling them to stay in a UK location of their choosing to support focused writing. Free to enter. Read more...

Deadline: Sun 31 May 2026
Location: International

Poems (max 40 lines) written in English are invited from poets worldwide for the fortieth Frogmore Poetry Prize (founded 1987). Adjudicator: Mike Barlow. Sponsored by the Frogmore Press. Read more...

Deadline: Sun 31 May 2026
Location: International

Wet Grain magazine is open for submissions of poetry and essays until 31 May 2026. Read more...