Competitions and submissions

July 15, 2026 at 23:59

New Writers Poetry Competition 2026

The New Writers Poetry Competition 2026 is open to poets from anywhere in the world and offers a prize pot of £1,400, with a top prize of £1,000 and four runners-up prizes of £100 each. The top five poets will win cash prizes and their poems will be published on the website and in the next issue of the New Writers Anthology.

 Writer, poet, editor, celebrant, creative producer and teacher, JLM Morton will act as Head  Judge for this competition.

More Information here:

July 18, 2026

Lemonwood Quarterly Short Story & Playscript Submissions

The Lemonwood Quarterly seeks the best English-language short stories and plays . They do not publish poetry, flash fiction, nonfiction prose, book reviews, or interviews. They are looking for superbly written stories and play pieces between 2,000 and 10,000 words.

$500 is awarded to the best playscript and piece of short fiction.

More Information here:

July 22, 2026

Poetry Ireland Introductions/Ceadlínte Programme

Applications open from July 1st to July 22nd at midnight via Submittable.

Poetry Ireland is delighted to announce that poet Victoria Kennefick will select this year’s Introductions poets and Aifric Mac Aodha will select this year’s Céadlínte poets.

This bilingual programme offers poets in the early stages of their careers, who are writing in either the English or Irish language, an opportunity to showcase their work through workshops and performance. It also provides participants with the opportunity to have their work published through an e-book which Poetry Ireland /Éigse Éireann will produce and release.

The poets selected for Introductions / Céadlínte 2026 will participate in a variety of workshops focused on developing their form and craft, performing poetry in public.

More Information here:

July 31, 2026

Anthology Short Story Competition

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and provide a platform for publication, the Anthology Short Story Competition is open to original and previously unpublished short stories in the English language by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world.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.

FIRST: The winner of the Anthology Short Story will receive €1,000 and the winning story will be published in a future issue of Anthology.
SECOND: €250
THIRD: €150

More Information here:

July 31, 2026

The International Dark Poets Prize

The International Dark Poets Prize, the flagship competition from Dark Poets Club, is now open for entries, inviting poets from around the world to submit work that explores the beauty, complexity and emotional depth found within darkness.

Dark Poets Club welcomes poetry that is gothic, surreal, macabre, melancholic, darkly humorous, emotionally raw, beautifully unsettling or quietly haunting. The competition is open to both emerging and established poets, with previously published work accepted.

Prizes

First Place: £1,000

Second Place: £500

Third Place: £300

Shortlisted poets and poets awarded Honourable Mentions will also be considered for publication on Dark Poets Club.

Entry Fees

£6 for 1 poem

£10 for 3 poems

£14 for 5 poems

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 1st, 2026

Mainstage Prize for Playwriting

More Information here:

August 14 2026, 10am

Waterford Poetry Prize

The Arts Office, Waterford City & County Council is pleased to announce that entries are now being accepted for the Waterford Poetry Prize 2026. This competition is open to all writers currently living on the island of Ireland. This prize has emerged from the influence of the late Waterford writer Seán Dunne whose poetry continues to inspire.

The winners of the Waterford Poetry Prize 2026 will be announced at the closing event of the Waterford Writers Weekend on Sunday 25th October 2026. This year the Arts Office is pleased to welcome back the poet, essayist and librettist, Jessica Traynor as adjudicator.

There is no age limit and no entry fee for the Waterford Poetry Prize 2026. The first prize is €600. Second prize is €400 and third prize is €300. The closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 14th August 2026 at 10am.

More Information here:

August 19th, 2026

Frances Browne Literary Festival Global Call for Poetry Entries

The Frances Browne Literary Festival has officially launched its call for submissions for the 2026 Frances Browne Multilingual Poetry Competition. Now in its sixth year, this renowned international competition invites both aspiring and established poets from across the globe to submit their work before the deadline at midnight on Wednesday, 19th August 2026.

The festival itself will bring the literary arts to life later this year, running from Thursday, 8th October to Sunday, 11th October.

By offering distinct categories in Irish, Ulster-Scots, and English, alongside a dedicated Local Section, the competition stands out as a unique fixture on the international literary calendar. To date, it has generated a wealth of new contemporary poetry from all corners of the world.

More Information here:

August 25, 2026

Free Flash Fiction Competition 35

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:

August 28, 2026

Samhain Harvest Call for Poetry Submissions

Poets may submit up to three poems of no more than 40 lines per poem, with a theme to  suit Samhain, Halloween, autumn, folklore, solstice, ghostly, haunting, harvest, otherworldly, etc. Poems must be written in English and typed in Times New Roman 12pt and  as a Word doc (see note below re: sizing). National and international submissions

welcome. Entrants 18+. Please include an author biography of a maximum of 50 words, written in 3rd person.

If you are submitting more than one poem, ensure that each poem is on  a separate page, although you may submit all 3 poems in a single document.

The anthology will be published in A5 format, so you may like to pay attention to page sizing when composing your poems. Please submit as an A5-sized Word doc if possible, as this will

help ensure the poem’s layout is as you intend.

Unfortunately, Spilled Ink are not in a position to pay successful poets but those whose poems are chosen will be invited to the launch of the anthology in Longford in October, and will receive one copy of the book, by collection. (Please note, we will NOT be able to post books; you may arrange for someone to collect on your behalf.) Selected poets will also be invited to  read during the launch. Copyright will remain with individual authors.

Submission does not guarantee inclusion in the anthology. Please submit your poems, bio, and contact information to: submissions@overspilledink.com

with ‘SAMHAIN SUBMISSION’ in the subject line.

August 31, 2026

Open Call for Global Creatives from the Binding Festival

As part of the Binding festival, applications are now open for The Binding – PenPals Edition, an international online creative exchange bringing together writers, illustrators, poets, musicians and other creatives from around the world.

Selected participants will take part in two online mentor-led gatherings designed to encourage meaningful connections, creative exchange and international collaboration. It’s an opportunity to meet fellow creatives from different countries, share experiences, expand your network and discover new opportunities.

-Open to creatives at all stages of their journey

-International participation

-Selection-based programme

-Two online sessions with mentors and fellow participants

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

Witty Writers Wicklow Contest 2026

The Witty Wicklow Writers contest is open internationally and welcomes submissions in: Poetry, Short Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction / Memoir.

Prizes:

First Place

• Publication in Witty Wicklow Writers Magazine – Issue 1

• Complimentary paperback edition

• Featured interview on the Ring of Culture Podcast

Second Place

• Publication in the magazine

• Complimentary paperback edition

• Complimentary e-book edition

Third Place

• Publication in the magazine

• Complimentary paperback edition

• Complimentary e-book edition

Highly Commended (Top 10)

• Publication in the magazine

• Complimentary e-book edition

Key Details:

• Submission Deadline: 31 August 2026

• Entry Fee: €7 Early Bird / €9 Standard Entry

• Judge: Vitor Vicente

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:

21 August 2026

Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival Poetry Competition

Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival is delighted to announce its 2026 Poetry Competition is open for submissions. This year, the theme of the competition is New World.

Five shortlisted poets will be invited to read their entries at the Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival on Saturday 17th October when the overall winner will be announced.

The judge this year is Deirdre Hines. Deirdre is an award-winning poet and author of The Language of Coats (New Island) which includes her Listowel Prize-winning collection, and The Mermelf: A Fable for Our Times (Austin Macauley Publishers), runner-up in the the London Book Festival 2024. Her Japanese Poetry Workbook: Master Haiku, Tanka, Renku, Haibun & more with prompts, is an Amazon Top 50 bestseller.

The Festival Committee wish to thank Brennan’s Pharmacy and Donegal ETB for sponsoring our main prizes.

The winner will receive €150 and the runner-up €100.

Three highly commended entries will receive cash prizes.

The closing date for entries is Friday 21st August. Results will be announced by the end of September.

More Information here:

September 1, 2026

The Barbellion Prize

Any full-length work of fiction or non-fiction, excluding poetry, originally written in English or translated into English and available in published form by a writer who is chronically ill or disabled or who has dealt personally and directly with illness or disability, is eligible for submission and the judge’s consideration..

More Information here:

September 2, 2026

Exploring & Thinking: Early Childhood Arts Residency Awards 2026-27

The Dublin region Local Authorities and Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) are working in partnership to support early childhood arts practice and to increase access to quality arts experiences for children experiencing homelessness.

The partnership invites applications from artists to develop and deliver early childhood arts residencies within homeless accommodation services across the four local authority administrative areas. We invite applications from artists who propose to collaborate with other artists and/or creative practitioners.

One residency award is available in each of the following areas:

Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown County Dublin City North Dublin City South South Dublin Fingal

Maximum award per residency is €13,000

Timeframe is November 2026 to June 2027

More Information here:

September 27th, 2026

Allingham Festival 2026 Poetry and Flash Fiction and Competitions

• First Prize in both Flash Fiction and Poetry is €300.

• Winners will be invited to read their winning entries at the Awards Ceremony on Saturday November the 7th 2026 as part of the Allingham Arts Festival programme of events.

More Information here:

September 30, 2026

Eugene McCabe Short Story Competition 2026

The Eugene McCabe Short Story Award is a new literary prize for unpublished short story fiction in English. Established in 2026 by Monaghan County Libraries, the award honours the legacy of Eugene McCabe, renowned novelist, short story writer, playwright, and television screenwriter, who lived in County Monaghan.

This inaugural award is delivered in partnership with Eugene McCabe’s family, the Department of English Language and Literature at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, and The Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghamakerrig, County Monaghan. The competition will launch on 7 July, marking Eugene McCabe’s birthday.

More Information here:

September 30, 2026, 5pm.

Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition

The Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition 2026 is open for entries.

The deadline for receipt of all entries is September 30th, 2026, at 5 pm (GMT). Entries will only be accepted through Subfolio. Entries can be on any subject, theme or genre.

Entry fee: £12 per entry. You can submit multiple entries as long as each entry is paid for individually and includes a separate entry form.

Maximum word count is 3,000 words.

All entries are judged anonymously. Please do not include your name, address, phone number, email, website, social media details, etc. on the short story document or in the file name as this will result in disqualification.

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: