Summer might still be calling, but the writing world rarely stays on holiday for long. As the evenings begin to draw in, writing competitions start appearing thick and fast, each offering another opportunity to gain recognition, publication or a welcome cash prize. Whether you’re polishing a short story, refining a poem or finally submitting the manuscript that’s been quietly waiting in your documents folder, now is the perfect time to start planning. Our latest Global Writing Competitions Calendar brings together current opportunities from around the world, helping you spend less time searching and more time writing.
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.
august
The Masters Review Summer Short Story Award for New Writers
Deadline: 30 August 2026
The Masters Review Summer Short Story Award for New Writers
Genre: Fiction or narrative non-fiction, up to 6,000 words.
Eligibility: Writers worldwide who have not published a novel or memoir with a major press.
Prize: US$3,000 and online publication. Second prize US$300. Third prize US$200.
Anthology Personal Memoir Competition
Deadline: 31 August 2026
Anthology Personal Memoir Competition
Genre: Personal memoir, up to 1,500 words.
Eligibility: Writers of any nationality, living anywhere, submitting original unpublished work in English.
Prize: €500 and publication in Anthology magazine.
Aesthetica Creative Writing Award
Deadline: 31 August 2026
Aesthetica Creative Writing Award
Genre: Poetry and short fiction.
Eligibility: Emerging and established writers worldwide.
Prize: £5,000 international prize fund, publication and professional development opportunities.
september
Mslexia Women’s Fiction Competition (Novel)
Deadline: 21 September 2026
Mslexia Women’s Fiction Competition, Novel
Genre: Adult or young adult novel, first 5,000 words.
Eligibility: Women of any age and nationality, writing in English or an associated dialect.
Prize: £5,000.
Mslexia Women’s Fiction Competition (Short Story)
Deadline: 21 September 2026
Mslexia Women’s Fiction Competition, Short Story
Genre: Unpublished short fiction, up to 3,000 words.
Eligibility: Women of any age and nationality, writing in English or an associated dialect.
Prize: £3,000 and publication in Mslexia.
Mslexia Women’s Fiction Competition (Flash Fiction)
Deadline: 21 September 2026
Mslexia Women’s Fiction Competition, Flash Fiction
Genre: Unpublished flash fiction, up to 300 words.
Eligibility: Women of any age and nationality, writing in English or an associated dialect.
Prize: £1,000 and publication.
Bridport Prize Memoir Award
Deadline: 30 September 2026
Bridport Prize Memoir Award
Genre: 5,000 to 8,000 words plus a 300-word overview.
Eligibility: Writers worldwide aged 16 or over. Autobiographies are not eligible.
Prize: £1,500 winner and £750 runner-up, with mentoring and publication opportunities.
The Moth Nature Writing Prize
Deadline: 30 September 2026
The Moth Nature Writing Prize
Genre: Unpublished nature writing in prose or poetry.
Eligibility: International entries written in English.
Prize: €1,000 and a week at The Moth Retreat. Second prize €500. Third prize €250. Winning pieces appear online through The Irish Times.
Anthology Nature Writing Competition
Deadline: 30 September 2026
Anthology Nature Writing Competition
Genre: Nature writing.
Eligibility: Writers of any nationality submitting original work in English.
Prize: €300 and publication in Anthology magazine.
october
Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest
Deadline: 1 October 2026
Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest
Genre: Poetry in any style or genre.
Eligibility: Poets worldwide submitting work in English.
Prize: US$3,500 Tom Howard Prize and US$3,500 Margaret Reid Prize, with US$12,000 in total prizes.
