Competitions and submissions

March 7, 2026

Desmond O’Grady International Poetry Competition

The Desmond O’Grady International Poetry Competition was inaugurated in 2012 by the late Barney Sheehan – poetry impresario of the White House Poetry Revival, in honour of the late Limerick poet Desmond O’Grady, who died in 2014. The Limerick Writers’ Centre now runs the competition as part of April is Poetry Month in Limerick festival. The prize winner of this year’s competition will be announced during April 2026 and will be invited to give a reading of his/her work during the 2027 festival. First Prize 200.00 Euro, Runner-Up Prize 50.00 Euro.

More Information here:

March 11. 2026

Mairtín Crawford Awards for Poetry and Short Story 2026

We are delighted to announce that the submission window for the 2026 Awards is now open. The Awards are aimed at writers working towards their first full collection of poetry, short stories, or a novel. Both published and unpublished writers are invited to submit between 3-5 poems for the poetry award, and a short story of up to 2,500 words for the short story award, with the only stipulation being that they have not yet published a full collection of poetry, short stories, or a novel. The Winner of each Award will receive a £500 cash Prize. In addition, each Winner can take up time a ‘Time to Write’ package which includes a 3-night stay at a Hotel in Belfast, and 4 days of dedicated writing space in The Crescent. Two Runners Up for each Category will receive a £250 cash prize. Placed entrants will be announced at a special event during the Belfast Belfast Book Festival 2026.

More Information here:

March 13. 2026

The London Magazine Poetry Prize 2026

Established to encourage emerging literary talent, the award provides an opportunity for publication and recognition. While there is no criteria as to theme, form or style, judges are looking for resonant and accomplished work. Poems must be previously unpublished and no longer than 40 lines. Submissions are open for international entries. All three prize winners will appear in a print issue of The London Magazine. Prize winners will also receive cash prizes, and will be celebrated at a prize-giving event in the summer.

More Information here:

March 15, 2026

Profiles Journal Call for Submissions

Profiles Journal are now accepting submissions of fiction, non-fiction, and visual art for Issue 5.

More Information here:

March 16, 2026

BBC National Short Story Award

Entries are now being accepted for the 2026 BBC National Short Story Awards with Cambridge University. The Award, now in its 21st year, is worth £15,000 and will be given to one writer demonstrating exceptional skill and artistry in the short story form. The Award is for a single story of up to 8,000 words, written by an established author.

More Information here:

March 16, 2026

Fitzcarraldo Essay Prize 2026

The 2026 Fitzcarraldo Editions/Mahler & LeWitt Studios Essay Prize, an annual competition for unpublished writers, is now open. The judges will be looking for essays that explore and expand the possibilities of the essay form, with no restrictions on theme or subject matter. Initially made possible by an Arts Council Grant in 2015, the prize awards £4,000 to the best proposal for a book-length essay (minimum 25,000 words) by a writer resident in the UK & Ireland who has yet to secure a publishing deal. In addition to the £4,000 prize the winner will have the opportunity to spend up to six weeks in residency at the Mahler & LeWitt Studios in Spoleto, Italy, to work on their book. The book will then be published by Fitzcarraldo Editions.

More Information here:

March 21, 2026

David Whyte Poet in Residence Award at Burren College of Art

Burren College of Art is pleased to announce that the Poet -in-Residence Award has been renewed in 2026, made possible through a generous donation by renowned poet, David Whyte. The award offers a four-week residency for a poet of official residency in Ireland, for the dates of August 31-September 25, 2026. The recipient will have the opportunity to work alongside students and artists-in-residence, and will put on a reading to which the local community will be invited. The award also provides accommodation in campus housing, which includes a private room in shared, self-catering housing. Additionally, the awardee will receive a 5000 Euro bursary.

More Information here:

March 25, 2026

Edinburgh TV Festival Ones to Watch 2026

An innovative award scheme gives television’s future best and brightest access to inspiring sessions, creative debate, unrivaled networking opportunities, and mentorship.

More Information here:

12:00am, March 29, 2026

Gutter Magazine: Submissions Open for Issue 34

Submissions for fiction, poetry and essays are now open for Issue 34 of Gutter (out August 2026). Poetry submissions can consist of up to three poems, totalling no more than 100 lines. Please send all poems within a single text document.

Fiction and essay submissions can run to a maximum of 2500 words. Please only send one prose submission per issue.  Work should be submitted as .docx or .rtf files.

More Information here:

March 29, 2026

Printing Charity Rising Star Awards 2026

Awards up to £1500 for emerging talent to invest in personal skills development and training.

March 31, 2026

Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2026

The Caterpillar Poetry Prize is for unpublished poems written by adults for children aged 7–11. Entrants are welcome from anywhere in the world.

More Information here:

March 31, 2026

Witty Wicklow Writers Magazine Submissions

Submissions for the first issue of the Witty Wicklow Writers Magazine, inviting established and emerging writers writing in English.

More Information here:

March 31, 2026

International Rubery Prize

The International Rubery Prize is a prestigious international book award seeking the best books by indie writers, self published authors and books published by independent presses.

Closing date is 31 March 2026. Entries received after this deadline will automatically be considered for the 2027 awards.

Entries must be either self-published or published by an independent press. Both authors and publishers are welcome to submit books.

More Information here:

March 31, 2026

Fish Publishing Poetry Prize 2026

Fish Publishing has announced their Poetry Prize 2026! 60 line limit, judged by Billy Collins. Results will be announced May 15, 2026. Entry Fees: €16 / €11 subsequent entries. (Optional Critique €45)

Prizes: Top 10 poems will be published in the FISH ANTHOLOGY 2026, 1st prize: €1,000, 2nd: Fish Writing Course + €300, 3rd: €300.

More Information here:

March 31, 2026

Wild Atlantic Writing Awards

‘Power,’ the theme for our new competition. Power itself comes in many shapes and forms. Some for good, some for evil, some in-between. Why don’t you now put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboards) and knock out a story on the theme of ‘power’ that will knock our socks off. Stories should be no more than 500 words and the word ‘power’ cannot be used in your story title or in the story itself. Winners in each category will receive 500 euro in cash, or 1,000 euro off any of our writing retreats in 2025 or 2026.

More Information here:

March 31, 2026

Honest Ulsterman: Submissions Open

Submissions are now open for Honest Ulsterman literary magazine. Some important info below:

All submissions should be sent to: hueditor@theverbal.co

Please state: title of submission and genre as the Subject Line of your email

Submit your work as an attachment in a Word file (doc.x) (do NOT include your name on this page!)

All submissions must be in Times New Roman 12 and double-spaced (prose)

Include your name and a short biography in the third person (50 words) as well as a photo (jpeg) of yourself in the body of your email

More Information here:

March 31, 2026

International Rubery Prize 2026

The International Rubery Prize is a prestigious international book award seeking the best books by indie writers, self published authors and books published by independent presses. It is also judged by reputable judges. Creative writing is a key part of life for those who enjoy writing and reading yet it is increasingly difficult to become traditionally published. We consider a wide genre representation. Winners come from across fiction, non-fiction, short stories, poetry, and children’s writing and more.

More Information here:

April 1, 2026

The Belfast Review: Call for Submissions

Submissions are now open for Issue 6 of the Belfast Review literary magazine. The magazine accepts prose, poetry/songs, images and scripts. Word limits: Prose – 6,000 words. Poetry/Songs – 3 pages. Images – 5 max. Scripts – 20 pages.

More Information here:

April 2, 2026

June Fest National Short Story Competition

The competition invites writers aged 18+ from across Ireland to submit original, unpublished work in English. Open to all writers who are residents on the island of Ireland at the time of submission, the competition aims to celebrate the art of storytelling.

First Prize: One week’s fully-catered week in residence at  Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Annaghmakerrig for the winning writer only (worth €490) – this does not include any travel costs. Second Prize: A workshop of your choice at the Kildare Writing Centre. All ten shortlisted writers will be asked to attend the June Fest Literary event in the Riverbank Arts Centre on Sunday June 7th, 2026.

More Information here:

April 1, 2026

Rialto Nature and Place Competition

Poems are invited that deal with any aspect of nature and place – these terms will be given a wide interpretation by the judge Mona Arshi. PRIZES: 1st Prize £1000, 2nd Prize £500, 3rd Prize £250.

More Information here:

April 4, 2026

The Berlin Literary Review: Submissions Open

The submission window for the Berlin Literary Review is now open to short stories, flash fiction, poetry, and essays. More information on submission guidelines is at the link.

More Information here:

April 5, 2026

Fish Publishing Haiku Prize 2026

Fish Publishing has announced their Haiku Prize 2026! 20 word limit, judged by Mary-Jane Holmes. Results will be announced April 25, 2026. Entry Fees: €5

Prizes: The 10 winning Haiku will be published in the Fish Anthology 2026. The 10 winners will each be awarded £100.

More Information here:

April 7, 2026

Scripts: Ireland’s Playwriting Festival

SCRIPTS: Ireland’s Playwriting Festival, in partnership with Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, seeks new works for stage!

Scripts invites playwrights to craft stories that ignite, provoke and linger. The theme for 2026 is: desire. The deadline is Tuesday, April 7 at 12pm.

More Information here:

April 7, 2026

ILFD Date with An Agent

To be considered for a one-on-one meeting with an agent at Date With An Agent, you must submit online. Click the button below to view criteria, terms & conditions , and submit your work. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday 7th of April, midnight. There is a cost of €30 per entry. Should you be selected to meet an agent, they will receive a copy of your submission to review in advance of your meeting. All applicants will receive one year’s free membership to Writing.ie, Europe’s biggest writing resources website, worth €35.00! Details will be sent to applicants upon submission.

More Information here:

April 8, 2026

Brotherton Poetry Prize

The Brotherton Poetry Prize 2026 celebrates and promotes poetry and supports new poets. The Prize is open to anyone in the world over the age of 18 who hasn’t yet published a full collection of poems. Previous winners are Dane Holt (Prize I), Lauren Pope (Prize II), and Dillon Jaxx (Prize III). The winner receives £1,000 and the opportunity to develop their creative practice with Poetry@Leeds. Four runners-up each receive £200. The poems of the five shortlisted poets are published as an anthology by Carcanet Press. The Prize is generously supported by the Charles Brotherton Trust.

More Information here:

April 15, 2026

BOMB Poetry Prize 2026

BOMB Magazine’s 2026 Poetry Contest is open for submissions, and we’re honored to have 2025 National Book Award Finalist Richard Siken joining us as this year’s guest judge. Siken will select one winner to receive a $1,000 prize and publication in BOMB’s fall 2026 issue. The winner and ten finalists will be announced in July.

More Information here:

April 19, 2026

Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize

The aim of the Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize is both to celebrate the best of new short fiction under 2000 words and to give winners the most visibility possible for their writing. That’s why we’ve teamed up with sixteen different literary and artistic institutions to not only offer cash prizes and writing retreats but also to ensure that all our shortlisters have the opportunity to be published in multiple print and online journals, have their work put in front of literary agents, and present their stories at an event.

More Information here:

April 22, 2026

St John’s College Harper-Wood Award 2026-2027

Poets and authors at the start of their careers have the chance to spend a paid year overseas with the launch of this year’s Harper-Wood Creative Writing and Travel Award for English Poetry and Literature. Applications close 22 April at 4pm.

More Information here:

April 23, 2026

Free Flash Fiction Competition

Free Flash Fiction are back with their 33rd competition. Submit a flash fiction piece of between 100 and 300 words, on any theme.

1 Winner will receive £200.00 and publication

2 Highly Commended will receive £100.00 and publication

3 Shortlisted will receive £80.00 and publication.

More Information here:

April 30, 2026

Ware Poets Open Poetry Competition 2026

The 28th annual Ware Poets Open Poetry Competition is now open, to be judged by Keith Jarrett. Since the competition first launched in 1998 it has been judged by many acclaimed poets and attracts submissions from across the United Kingdom and internationally. First prize: £1,000.

More Information here:

May 1, 2026

Molly Keane Creative Writing Award

The Arts Office, Waterford City & County Council by kind permission of the Keane family is now inviting entries for a previously unpublished short story for this years’ award. The closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 1st May 2026 at 2pm. There is a cash prize of €500 and there is no entry fee.

More Information here:

May 1, 2026

Alpine Fellowship Writing & Poetry Prizes

Awarded for the best piece of writing on the theme of JOY. Prizes up to £3,000 across various genres.

More Information here:

May 2, 2026

The Mo Siewcharran Prize 2026

The Mo Siewcharran Prize 2026 is now open for submissions from romance and psychological thriller writers. Hosted by Bookouture, the prize gives commercial fiction writers the opportunity to win £2,500 and a possible publishing contract.

More Information here:

May 3, 2026

Goldsmith Festival Poetry Competition

Poems of no more than 70 lines are invited to be judged for the Goldsmith Festival Poetry Competition 2026. First Prize €600, Second Prize €250, Third Prize €150.

More Information here:

May 15, 2026

New Theatre Writing Development Week

Following the success of our New Writing event in 2025, our now annual New Writing Development Week will take place in 2026. We are seeking new play writing voices for inclusion in a series of performed readings. These will take place on The New Theatre stage. These new play readings will be read live by professional actors to a live audience. Post reading audience engagement will be encouraged.

More Information here:

May 20, 2026

Stinging Fly Submissions

We are next open for submissions of fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry from the 6th to the 20th of May 2026. This will be for our Winter 2026-27 issue. We publish new, previously unpublished work by Irish and international writers. We have a particular interest in promoting new writers, and in promoting the short story form. Each issue of The Stinging Fly includes a mix of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, alongside our Featured Poets and Comhchealg sections, occasional author interviews and novel extracts. We also welcome submissions of poetry and prose in translation.

More Information here:

May 31, 2026

The Bridport Prizes

We are committed to discovering new writers in poetry, short story, flash fiction, the novel and memoir. Our alumni reads like a Who’s Who of the literary world: Kate Atkinson MBE, Gail Honeyman and Kit de Waal. Judges have included Roger McGough, Monica Ali and Zoe Heller. Our patron is Kit de Waal. We are a route to being published so send us your words and it could be your name up here next year.

More Information here:

May 31, 2026

The Bath Novel Award

The Bath Novel Award 2026 is a £5,000 international prize for adult and YA novels of every genre. The prize is open to unagented writers, who are unpublished, self-published or independently published without advance. Submissions are invited from 1st December 2025 to 31st May 2026 and we welcome writers of every age, gender, nationality and residency.

More Information here:

June 10, 2026

Words by the Sea Open Mic

This Open Mic event will take place at Walters Pub, Dun Laoghaire, on the second Wednesday of the month until 10 June 2026. Sign up from 6.45 and start at 7pm. Readers will have a maximum of 5 minutes each which could be a few short poems or your own songs, spoken word or one longer piece or flash fiction, about 800 words of prose.

More Information here:

June 15, 2026

Anne Brown Essay Prize

The Anne Brown Prize awards £1500 for the best literary essay by a writer in or from Scotland. The Prize was established in honour of Anne Brown’s contribution within Wigtown Book Festival as well as her astonishing career in radio and broadcasting, and her cultivation of new talent in journalism.

More Information here:

June 30, 2026

Southword Creative Non-Fiction Award

We are looking for compelling writing, as memoir or as innovative essays or as an admixture of both. Simon Van Booy, Sandra Beasley, Thomas Lynch, Kim Addonizio & Yoko Tawada have all published creative non-fiction in Southword, why not join that illustrious company? Entrants may submit more than one entry. Once entered, no alterations can be made to the submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted but please notify us immediately should your work be accepted elsewhere. Multiple submissions are allowed and entries must be previously unpublished. First prize: €1000.

More Information here:

July 1, 2026

Magma Open Poetry Pamphlet Competition 2026

MAGMA invites you to enter their fifth pamphlet competition, now open for entries. They are delighted to have Marjorie Lotfi as judge.

PRIZE: publication of the winning pamphlet + launch reading.

Poets on the shortlist of 10 will each get a paragraph of feedback from the judge. The winner and 3 others will have a poem published in Magma. All shortlisted poets will have a poem published on our website.

Marjorie Lotfi will read 50 entries selected by Magma board members.

Marjorie Lotfi is the author of The Wrong Person to Ask (Bloodaxe Books, 2023), which won the 2024 Forward Prize for Best First Collection and a James Berry Award. It was also shortlisted for the Saltire Prize for Best Book of Poetry and was a Poetry Book Society Special Commendation. Marjorie’s poetry has been published widely, including on London’s Poems on the Underground.

More Information here:

July 31, 2026

Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition

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, by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. Translated work is not in the scope of this competition. Entrants may submit more than one entry. Once entered, no alterations can be made to the submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted but please notify us immediately should your work be accepted elsewhere. First prize: €2,000, Featured reading at the Cork International Short Story Festival (with four-night hotel stay and full board), Publication in Southword

More Information here:

August 31, 2026

Munster Literature Centre Fool for Poetry International Chapbook Competition

The competition is open to new, emerging and established poets from any country. At least one of these winners will be the highest scoring manuscript entered by a poet with no solo collection (full-length or chapbook) previously published. The other winner may have previously published poetry books. Up to 25 other entrants will be publicly listed as “highly commended”. 1st Prize: €1000, Chapbook publication and 25 complimentary copies, Featured reading at the Cork International Poetry Festival (with three-night hotel stay and full board)

More Information here:

August 31, 2026

Aesthetica Creative Writing Award

The Award was launched after the publication of Aesthetica Magazine, as a way to support the next generation of literary talent. These were first published in the Creative Works Annual, a collection celebrating innovative poetry and short fiction from both established and emerging practitioners. Originally, it was an anthology of new writing and new artwork. However, as the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award and the Art Prize started to reach more audiences, the decision was made in 2013 to separate them into two Awards with their own prizes and publications.

More Information here:

August 31, 2026

Anthology Personal Memoir Competition 2026

The Anthology Personal Memoir Competition is open to original and previously unpublished memoirs in the English language by writers of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. In the spirit of authenticity, there are no constraints on themes or writing styles. Memoirs submitted must not exceed a maximum of 1,500 words. Writers can submit as many entries as they wish. Each submission will require a separate entry form and is subject to a separate entry fee.

More Information here:

July 31, 2026

Anthology Short Story Competition 2026

Established to recognise and encourage creative writing and provide a platform for publication, the Anthology Short Story Competition is open to original and previously unpublished short stories in the English language by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. There is no restriction on theme or style. Stories submitted must not exceed the maximum of 1,500 words. Writers can submit as many entries as they wish. Each submission will require a separate entry form and is subject to a separate entry fee.

More Information here:

September 30, 2026

Southword Editor’s Poetry Award

Each entrant for their €24 entry fee will receive a complimentary postage-free, one-year subscription to Southword. Poems will be read and judged anonymously. Poems must be previously unpublished. The winning poet will have their three poems published in Southword. If you are already a subscriber, your subscription will be extended. Once a subscriber, there is the opportunity to enter, for free, other competitions which are for subscribers only. Prize: €1000.

More Information here:

November 1, 2026

The Scribble Annual Short Story Competition

2026 Theme: ‘A SLICE OF LUCK’. Maximum length: 3000 words. Prizes: £100.00; £50.00; £25.00. Entry fee: £5.00. Free unlimited entries for annual subscribers. The winning entry will be published in the winter 2026 edition of Scribble, published during December.

More Information here:

Ongoing

The Scribble Quarterly Short Story Competitions

Short stories on any subject. Max. 3000 words. Entry fee £5.00. Prizes of £75.00, £25.00, and £15.00 for the best three stories in each issue of Scribble, as chosen by the readers. Email entries to submissions@btinternet.com.

More Information here:

Deadline: Ongoing

The Dublin Review

The Dublin Review welcomes submissions of fiction and non-fiction previously unpublished in the English language. They do not accept poetry submissions. They especially encourage submissions from members of groups traditionally underrepresented in literary magazines and other cultural forums.

More Information here:

Deadline: Ongoing

Guernica: A Magazine of Global Arts & Politics

Founded online in 2004, Guernica is an award-winning 501(c)3 non-profit magazine focused on the intersection of arts and politics. A home for incisive ideas and necessary questions, Guernica publishes memoir, reporting, interviews, commentary, poetry, fiction, and multimedia journalism exploring identity, conflict, culture, justice, science, and beyond. They offer honoraria of $50 for poetry, $100 for original essays, and $150 for original fiction and reportage/journalism.

More Information here:

Deadline: Ongoing

The London Magazine

The London Magazine (est. 1732) is now accepting pitches for essays, reviews and interviews on an ongoing basis. This from the editors: ‘We’re looking for clear, engaging writing that connects literature to wider culture or brings fresh perspectives to books, art and ideas. Please read our submission guidelines before sending pitches to pitches@thelondonmagazine.org.’

More Information here:

Deadline: Ongoing

PN Review

PN Review considers submissions in hard copy form only (unless you are an individual subscriber to the magazine, in which case electronic submissions, word files rather than PDFs, will be considered). Writers wishing to send work should familiarise themselves with PN Review. Submissions should generally not exceed fifteen double-spaced pages of work (prose) or four poems/five pages (verse in English or translation). Copies of the original texts should accompany translations where possible. The editors discourage simultaneous submissions. Writers wishing to propose projects should send a synopsis and covering letter, with sample pages, having first ascertained from the website that the kind of proposal is suitable for PN Review.

More Information here:

Deadline: Ongoing

The Poetry Review

The Poetry Review, founded in 1912, is the magazine of the Poetry Society, UK, and has a long-standing policy of publishing the very best work by new, up and coming poets, and established poets. All submissions are read by the editor and considered on an equal basis. Unfortunately, due to the volume of submissions we receive, we cannot offer any individual criticism. Our aim is to accept or reject work within three months – but please read, and follow, the submission guidelines below, in order to facilitate our response.

More Information here: