Competitions and Submissions

Deadline: Sun 18 Oct 2026
Location: International

Since 1732, The London Magazine has published short stories by some of the most well-regarded writers in English, from Jean Rhys and Raymond Carver to Virginia Woolf and V. S. Pritchett. Our annual Short Story Prize seeks out new voices to join this distinguished literary history. Read more...

Deadline: Mon 19 Oct 2026
Location: International

Send in up to 6 poems of 40 lines maximum per poem on the theme of MUSIC. There are Adult and Young Poet prizes, plus Waltham Forest local prizes. This year's judge is Suzanna Fitzpatrick. Open to writers worldwide. Read more...

Deadline: Tue 20 Oct 2026
Location: Greece

Entries invited for this year's Eyelands Book Awards, the only international book contest based in Greece! Fiction, non-fiction, poetry and short play categories. Read more...

Deadline: Wed 21 Oct 2026
Location: International

Short stories (max 3,000 words) on any subject, theme or genre are invited from writers worldwide. Cash prizes, publication and more. Read more...

Deadline: Wed 21 Oct 2026
Location: North East England

Inkubator is a 6-month development programme for writers, artists and creative practitioners living in the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority. Run by New Writing North, Inkubator provides the practical skills and knowledge needed to deliver creative writing workshops with young people and communities. Read more...

Deadline: Sat 24 Oct 2026
Location: UK

Scratch Books have opened submissions for the Scratch A4 short story competition (for stories of 1000 words and under). The submissions window closes on 24 October 2026. Read more...

Deadline: Mon 26 Oct 2026
Location: International

The iOTA Shot Pamphlet Awards 2026 is now open for submissions of pamphlet length manuscripts from poets writing in English anywhere in the world. Read more...

Deadline: Fri 30 Oct 2026
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana boasts a vibrant art scene and offers an array of diverse literary events. This residency provides time for uninterrupted writing and opportunities to participate in the city’s literary life.  Read more...

Deadline: Fri 30 Oct 2026
Location: UK

Launched in autumn 2023, The Happiful Poetry Prize is an annual competition celebrating the best in mental health and wellbeing writing. Free to enter. Read more...

Deadline: Sat 31 Oct 2026
Location: International

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 from writers worldwide.  Read more...