Competitions, submissions and other opportunities
The latest writing competitions and submissions windows for writers.
2nd December 2025 – 12 January 2026
Emma O’Kane Bursary
The Emma O’Kane Bursary is an award for independent artists who want to think beyond the boundaries of their art form and practice and to explore dance or a physical language in their work. It honors the exceptional ethos and artistic practice of artist Emma O’Kane who died in 2021.
The Emma O’Kane Bursary is open to artists of all types and talents at any stage of their career.
More Information here:
www.emmaokanebursary.ie1st December – 31st January
Sci-Fi Ireland: Issue #1
Sci-Fi Ireland will be seeking submissions from 1stDecember – 31stJanuary for it’s upcoming issue publishing May 2026. Stories should be between 2000-6000 words. Stories should be Science-Fiction or Sci-Fi crossover, including but not limited to Science-Fantasy, Science-Horror and Sci-Fi blended with folklore, myth and legend.
Sci-Fi Ireland encourages submissions in Gaeilge however, stories should be submitted with an English translation and will be published bilingually.
Accepted forms: Short fiction.
Contributor fee: £75 (Approx €85) plus print and/or digital copy.
Entry fee: None
More Information here:
www.sci-fi-ireland.comDeadline: 15 December 2025
Mini Plays Review: December 2025 Issue
The Mini Plays Review is seeking submissions of original one-minute plays (max. one page) for inclusion in its December 2025 issue. Submissions should revolve around the theme of ‘unfinished business’ and should be previously unpublished (this includes blogs/social media but does not include performance). Submissions can be emailed to miniplaysmag@gmail.com.
Accepted forms: Short plays.
Contributor fee: None.
Entry fee: None.
More Information here:
sites.google.comDeadline: 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The Dublin Review welcomes submissions of fiction and non-fiction previously unpublished in the English language.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:
thedublinreview.comDeadline: 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:
www.guernicamag.comDeadline: 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:
thelondonmagazine.orgDeadline: 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.
Generally, the editors do not publish short stories, children’s prose/poetry and/or non-poetry related work (academic, biography etc.).
More Information here:
www.pnreview.co.ukDeadline: 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.
