All the top writing contests.

Curated opportunities for writers.

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2026 Rattle Poetry Prize

Deadline: 15 July 2026

The competition is open to poets of any nationality writing in English. You may submit up to four poems per entry.The $30 USD entry fee is a one-year subscription to Rattle magazine. The overall winner will receive a cash prize of $15,000. Ten finalists will each receive $500, and be eligible for the $5,000 Reader's Choice Award.

Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition 2026

Deadline: 31 July 2026

The competition is open to original, unpublished and unbroadcast short stories in the English language of 3,000 words or fewer. The story can be on any subject, in any style. Entry fee: €19 per story. Prizes: • 1st prize: €2,000 • 2nd prize: €800 • Four Runners-Up: €400

Winchester Poetry Prize 2026

Deadline: 31 July 2026

The competition is open to anyone aged 16 or over. Poems may be on any subject and in any form or style. Entry fees: £7 for the first poem and £5 for each subsequent poems. • 1st Prize: £1,000 • 2nd Prize: £500 • 3rd Prize: £250

2026 Wells Festival of Literature Competitions

Deadline: 30 June 2026

There are four competitions: • Open Poetry Competition (£8 per entry; prizes: £1000, £500, £250); • Short Story Competition (£8 per entry; prizes: £750, £300, £200); • Book for Children Competition (£8 per entry; prizes: £750, £300, £200); • Young Poets Competition (£3 per entry; prizes: £200, £150, £100).

The Moth Short Story Prize 2026

Deadline: 15 June 2026

The Moth Short Story Prize is an international prize, open to anyone over the age of 16. You can enter as many stories as you like. The entry fee is 17 € per story. • 1st prize: 3,000 € • 2nd prize: 1,000 € • 3rd prize: a week at The Moth Retreat in rural Ireland

Poetry London Prize 2026

Deadline: 30 June 2026

The competition is organized by Poetry London magazine. Entries must be in English. The maximum length is 80 lines. For Poetry London subscribers the entry fee is £5 per poem; for non-subscribers £10. • 1st prize: £5,000 • 2nd prize: £2,000 • 3rd prize: £1,000

2026 HG Wells Short Story Competition

Deadline: 7 July 2026

The competition is open to anyone. This year's theme is ''The Cheat''. Your story can be set anywhere, feature any characters, and be written in any style. There are two categories: • Authors 21 years of age and under with a prize of £1,000. Entry is free. • Authors aged 22 years and above with a prize of £500 (entry £10 or £5 with student id).