Competitions, submissions and other opportunities

December 2, 2025 – January, 12, 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:

January 15, 2026

Ragaire Journal Issue Five: Submissions Open

Ragaire, a Galway based Literary Magazine is seeking new writing until 15th January for Issue 5, publishing in May 2026. Editors do not have access to any author identifying information during the reading and selection of work.

Ragaire publishes:

SHORT STORIES of at least 1000 and no more than 3,000 words in length.

CREATIVE NON-FICTION of at least 1000 and no more than 3,000 words in length.

POETRY: Up to three poems, each poem no more than 40 lines.

Accepted Forms: Short fiction, nonfiction, poetry, cover art

Contributor Fee: Poetry: €80 (plus print copy) and fiction/nonfiction: €150 (plus print copy).

Entry Fee: None

More Information here:

January 19, 2026

Artlinks Bursary Award 2026

The ArtLinks partners in Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford local authorities are pleased to announce that the Professional and Emerging ArtLinks Bursary Awards 2026 are now open for submissions.

These Awards are designed to support artists to develop their practice by providing artists with the time and resources to think, research, reflect and critically engage with their art.

More Information here:

January 26, 2026, 5pm

Birr Writers’ Residency Award

Birr Writers’ Residency offers professional writers’ accommodation and workspaces for five nights, at Brendan House in the centre of Birr, County Offaly. This Georgian Heritage Town in the midlands of Ireland has a remarkable history and is embedded in a community with a thriving arts culture.

The purpose of the residency is to provide an opportunity for artists to focus on a writing project (current or new) in a tranquil environment which supports and values high professional artistic development. It is open to professional writers of any genre, e.g. literary fiction, poetry, playwrights, journalism or travel writing.

More Information here:

January 31, 2026, 5pm

Cúirt New Writing Prize

There are four categories to the Cúirt New Writing Prize: poetry, short fiction, essay and Irish Language poetry and short fiction. 

This year the festival are delighted to announce Eimear McBride as the short fiction judge, Susannah Dickey as the poetry judge, Molly Hennigan as the essay judge, and Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh as the Irish language poetry and short fiction judge.

The winner in each category will be awarded a €500 cash prize and the opportunity to read at the 41st annual Cúirt International Festival of Literature which will take place in Galway between the 21st and the 26th of April 2026.

This year marks the inaugural Essay Prize.

More Information here:

January 31, 2026

Fish Publishing Short Memoir Prize

Fish Publishing has announced the Short Memoir Prize 2026! 4,000 word limit, judged by Elspeth Beard. Results will be announced April 1, 2026.

Entry Fees: €22 / €15 subsequent entries. (Optional Critique €60)

Prizes:

The best 10 memoirs will be published in the FISH ANTHOLOGY 2026.

1st: €1,000.

2nd: Writing Course (online) + €300.

3rd: Writing Course (online) + €300.

More Information here:

January 31, 2026

Carlow Little Theatre International One-Act Playwriting Competition

In addition to the final three shortlisted scripts, there will be a separate category and a monetary prize for the ‘Best Irish Play’.

The competition is open to all writers over 18 years old, both members and non-members, local and international. The play submitted must be in English and be an original work of the entrant that has not yet been published, nor performed on stage previously, nor received any awards previously.

More Information here:

January 31, 2026

Fiction Factory First Chapter & Synopsis Competition

Have you completed the first draft of your novel? Are you ready to pass it on to a fresh pair of eyes, to see if you are on the right track? Is your all-important first chapter ready for submission to an agent?

The winning entry will be read by literary agent Joanna Swainson of the Hardman & Swainson Agency. Joanna is looking for originality and distinctive voices.

First Prize: £500 + an appraisal.

All short-listed entrants will receive a free appraisal.

Entry Fee: £18.

Winning entries will be published on the Fiction Factory website, subject to the author’s permission.

More Information here:

January 1 2026 – January 31 2026

Sunspot Literary Journal Geminga Contest

Authors and artists can submit to Sunspot Lit’s Geminga contest, which honors the power of micro works in all genres/categories. Opens January 1, closes January 31. Entry fee: $5. Prize: $100 cash and publication.

Entry fee: $5

Prize: $100 cash, publication for the winner, publication offered to runners-up and finalists.

Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period.

Enter as many times as you like through Submittable, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected.

More Information here:

January 31, 2026

Seashores Haiku Journal Issue 15: Call for Submissions

Content will be confirmed by mid-March (as well as the haiku selection with names of contributors and the first line of any haiku selected). Contributors are welcome to submit up to a maximum of 8 haiku/senryu.

More Information here:

January 1-31, 2026

Southword: Journal of New International Writing – Poetry Submissions Open

Southword pays contributors €50 per poem and €300 per short story and welcomes submissions of up to four poems or one short story (of up to 5000 words) per submission period. If your work has been published in Southword before, you please don’t submit again for at least one year after publication. The poetry editor is Patrick Cotter. The fiction editor is Billy O’Callaghan. Subscriber competitions are judged by James O’Leary.

More Information here:

December 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Sci-Fi Ireland: Issue #1

Sci-Fi Ireland will be seeking submissions from 1^stDecember – 31^stJanuary 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:

Febuary 5, 2026

Back to Basics Residency Programme

Back to Basics is a multidisciplinary residency program that allows artists to clear their minds, get back to focus, and (re)discover the very basis of their being. Take a break from your phone, reconnect with your creativity, be part of nature and learn to stay present again.

Available residency dates:

July: 3.-31.7.

August: 3.-31.8.

September: 2.-30.9.

(Each monthly program period is 29 days)

Fees:

There is no application fee. Applicants who otherwise would be unable to join the program can apply for financial support. The number of financially supported residencies is limited.

Regular fee: 1950 € / monthly period

Financially supported fee: 1350 € / monthly period

Contributor’s fee (to support the creative center, optional): 2610 € / monthly period

All fees include the registration fee (120 € / person, non-refundable, to be paid only if/when becoming selected).

All the residents have accommodation in a private bedroom.

More Information here:

February 6, 2026, 12:00am

Strokestown International Poetry Competition Call for Entries

The Strokestown International Poetry Competition 2026 is now open for submissions!

Founded in 1999, this prestigious competition has celebrated the talents of many remarkable poets, including former winners such as Vona Groarke, Paddy Bushe, Maureen Boyle, and Jane Robinson. Last year, the talented Olga Dermott-Bond took home the award, adding her name to the impressive lineage of distinguished poets.

With an exciting prize fund of €2000, this year’s competition will shortlist five outstanding poets, each of whom will have the opportunity to read their poem at the Strokestown International Poetry Festival 2026, taking place from May 1-3. The winning poet will be announced on Sunday, May 3, and will be awarded a cheque for €1,000.

€10 Entry Fee.

More Information here:

February 21, 2026

The N&H Journal January/February Issue: Call for Submissions

February 28, 2026

Fish Publishing Flash Fiction Prize

Fish Publishing has announced the Flash Fiction Prize 2026! 300 word limit, judged by Tania Hershman. Results will be announced April 18, 2026.

Entry Fees: €16 / €11 subsequent entries. (Optional Critique €45)

Prizes:

Top ten stories will be published in the FISH ANTHOLOGY 2026.

1st: €1,000

2nd: Online Writing Course + €300

3rd: €300

More Information here:

February 1-28, 2026

Southword: Journal of New International Writing – Fiction Submissions Open

Southword pays contributors €50 per poem and €300 per short story and welcomes submissions of up to four poems or one short story (of up to 5000 words) per submission period. If your work has been published in Southword before, you please don’t submit again for at least one year after publication. The poetry editor is Patrick Cotter. The fiction editor is Billy O’Callaghan. Subscriber competitions are judged by James O’Leary.

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:

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:

January 14 2026 – 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:

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.

Generally, the editors do not publish short stories, children’s prose/poetry and/or non-poetry related work (academic, biography etc.).

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: