All the top writing contests.

Curated opportunities for writers.

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2027 Calibre Essay Prize

Deadline: 2 February 2027

The competition is open to all essayists writing in English. Entries must be a single non-fiction essay of 2,000 and 5,000 words. Each entry must be accompanied by an entry fee of AU$30. The winner will receive AU$5,000. The runner-up will receive AU$3,000. Third place will receive AU$2,000.

2027 Rattle Chapbook Prize

Deadline: 15 January 2027

The competition is organized by the Rattle , an American poetry magazine. Each poet may submit 15 – 30 pages of poems. The $30 entry fee is a one-year subscription to Rattle magazine. The three winners will each receive $5,000 and 500 author copies of their chapbook.

The Moth Poetry Prize 2026

Deadline: 31 December 2026

The Moth Poetry Prize is one of the biggest prizes in the world for a single unpublished poem. The competition is open to anyone over 16. The entry fee is €17 per poem. • 1st prize: €6,000 • 3 runner-up prizes of €1,000 • 8 prizes of €250 for commended poems

The 2027 Colorado Prize for Poetry

Deadline: 14 January 2027

The Colorado Prize for Poetry is an international poetry book manuscript contest. Manuscripts must be at least 48 pages but no more than 100 pages. There is a $28 online entry fee, which includes a one-year subscription to Colorado Review . The winner receives a $2,500 honorarium.

Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition 2026

Deadline: 30 November 2026

The competition is open to original, unpublished poems in English of 40 lines or fewer. Entry fee: €7 per poem. • 1st Prize: €2,000 • 2nd Prize: €500 • 3rd Prize: €250

F(r)iction Fall 2026 Writing Contests

Deadline: 13 November 2026

The competition is open to anyone aged 13 and over. There are three categories: • Short Story – submission fee: $15, 1st prize: $1,000 • Poetry – submission fee: $10, 1st prize: $300 • Flash Fiction – submission fee: $10, 1st prize: $300

2027 Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest

Deadline: 1 April 2027

You may submit one humor poem written in English, up to 250 lines in length. The competition is free to enter. • 1st prize: $2,000 • 2nd prize: $750 • 3rd Prize: $350 • 10 honorable mentions, $200 each

The SmokeLong Grand Micro Contest 2026

Deadline: 15 November 2026

The competition is open to anyone over the age of 18. Writers may submit micro pieces (fiction, nonfiction, or hybrid narratives), each of 250 words or fewer. Entry fees: • up to 2 micros: $14, • up to 4 micros: $23. The grand prize winner will receive $1,000.