Entering a writing competition is an act of opportunity. Each one represents a door that may lead to recognition, publication or the attention of an agent. In this post I have gathered the competitions closing between now and Christmas, spanning short fiction, poetry, nature writing and micro work. Alongside the deadlines you will find context, history and a few success stories!
Can You Submit the Same Piece to Multiple Competitions?
That depends on each competition’s rules. Some allow simultaneous submissions which means you can enter the same piece in more than one contest as long as you withdraw it immediately if it is accepted. Others require exclusive submissions. Always check the guidelines carefully. Where allowed, submitting strategically can double your exposure without doubling your effort.
Summer Short Story Award for New Writers
Deadline: 7 September 2025
Short fiction or creative nonfiction up to 6,000 words by writers without a published novel or memoir. The entry fee is $20 yet the reward can be career changing. For example, the 2023 winner secured agency representation shortly after publication. As a result, this award has become known for spotting emerging authors before agents do.
Dear London – A Letter to the City
Deadline: 19 September 2025
This contest asks for a 500-word letter to London which is performed live at Letters Live in the Royal Albert Hall. The prize is not publication but performance. Consequently, the winning piece turns into a moment of shared storytelling in one of the world’s most famous venues. The winning piece becomes a moment of shared storytelling in one of the world’s most famous venues.
Mslexia Women’s Short Story Competition
Deadline: 22 September 2025
Open to women authors for unpublished short fiction up to 3,000 words. The entry fee is £12. Mslexia has championed women’s writing since 1999 and its winners often move on to further recognition. For example, Lauren Collett’s win with Lanugo led to inclusion in Best Women’s Short Fiction 2024. In addition, other alumni have progressed to publish books and establish successful careers. Lauren Collett’s win with “Lanugo” led to inclusion in Best Women’s Short Fiction 2024 and other alumni have gone on to publish books.
The Moth Nature Writing Prize
Deadline: 30 September 2025
Entries may be prose or poetry up to 4,000 words on a nature theme. Writers pay €15 to enter. First prize is €1,000 and a week at the Moth Retreat. The competition is judged by respected nature writers such as Mark Cocker. Previous winners like Anna Selby have gone on to publish widely and lecture on ecology and literature.
Tom Howard / Margaret Reid Poetry Contest
Deadline: 1 October 2025
Poems of up to 250 lines are accepted in any style. The prize is $3,500 for the best overall poem and $3,500 for the best traditional rhyme plus ten Honourable Mentions of $500. Established in 2007 it remains one of the most generous poetry competitions open internationally.
Zoetrope: All Story Short Fiction Competition
Deadline: 1 October 2025
This contest run by Francis Ford Coppola’s Zoetrope: All Story magazine accepts stories up to 5,000 words. The winner receives $1,000 and publication. What makes it unique is the direct link between the magazine and film. Winning stories often reach Hollywood readers as well as literary ones.
Peter Porter Poetry Prize
Deadline: 13 October 2025
One of Australia’s leading poetry awards, named after the late poet Peter Porter. Poems up to 60 lines are eligible. The prize fund is AU$6,000 with AU$1,000 for shortlisted poets. It attracts a global pool of entrants and is admired for the ambition and craft of its winners.
National Poetry Competition (UK)
Deadline: 31 October 2025
A cornerstone of British poetry since 1978. Entries are limited to 40 lines. The winner receives £5,000 with £3,000 for second place and £2,000 for third. Past winners include Jo Shapcott and Ruth Padel. Even a shortlist place signals to publishers and agents that a poet’s work has serious merit.
John Steinbeck Award for Fiction (Reed Magazine)
Deadline: 1 November 2025
Reed Magazine in California runs this award for stories up to 5,000 words. The winner receives $1,000 and publication. It honours the humane and socially aware storytelling tradition of John Steinbeck. Many entrants are drawn by the prestige of his name and the chance to echo his spirit of empathy and realism.
Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize
Deadline: 8 November 2025
This independent UK press invites unpublished stories up to 6,000 words. The winner receives £2,500 and shortlist finalists receive £200. Galley Beggar has a history of nurturing writers from short fiction to full-length books. Its winners often progress to novel publication under the same press.
F(r)iction Fall Writing Contests
Deadline: 7 November 2025
This independent journal runs three categories: short story ($15 fee), poetry ($10) and flash fiction ($10). The prizes are $1,000 for short story and $300 each for poetry and flash. Known for bold design and eclectic style, F(r)iction offers a vibrant platform for writers who want to take risks.
SmokeLong Grand Micro Contest
Deadline: 15 November 2025
SmokeLong specialises in flash fiction and this contest asks for micros of up to 250 words. Writers may submit two pieces for $14 or four for $22. The grand prize is $1,000. SmokeLong is highly respected in flash fiction circles so a win or shortlist credit here is prestigious.
Gotham Writers Workshop Crossroads Contest
Deadline: 30 November 2025
This contest invites entries of under 50 words on the theme of crossroads. It is free to enter. The winner receives publication on the Gotham site and a free workshop place. Its quirky brevity and zero cost make it a playful but worthwhile addition to a submission calendar.
Philadelphia Stories Fiction Contest
Deadline: 1 December 2025
Stories up to 8,000 words are accepted. The winner receives $1,000 and publication in Philadelphia Stories. The contest is notable for its commitment to underrepresented voices and regional storytelling with national reach.
Press 53 Award for Short Fiction
Deadline: 31 December 2025
This contest is unusual because it awards a full short story collection rather than a single piece. Entry is $30. The winner receives $1,000, publication of the collection and 53 author copies. It is a rare route to book publication for short story writers.
Unleash Press 2025 Book Prize
Deadline: 31 December 2025
Entries may be novels, novellas, short story collections or poetry collections. The fee is $35. The winner receives $1,000 and a standard publishing contract with Unleash Press. It is designed to bring fresh manuscripts into print quickly.
Danahy Fiction Prize (Tampa Review)
Deadline: 31 December 2025
This annual prize is awarded by the literary journal Tampa Review. Stories of any length are accepted. The entry fee is $20 which includes a year’s subscription. The winner receives $1,000 and publication. It combines validation with readership making it attractive to emerging authors.
Turning Deadlines into Opportunities
Competitions like Mslexia, The Moth and the National Poetry Competition carry prestige and can lead directly to publishing deals. Others such as F(r)iction and SmokeLong reward experimentation and brevity. Some offer quirky opportunities like Gotham’s 50-word challenge. Together these deadlines give you a structure for the rest of the year and provide multiple chances to polish and present your work.
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