Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities
The latest writing competitions and submissions windows for writers.
Deadline: 14 November 2024
The Interpreter’s House
The Interpreter’s House publishes new poetry and short fiction. The editorial team welcome dare and rigour, work that destabilises cultural or stylistic classification and boundaries. They are looking for writing that surprises; writing that makes them sit up straight and think. Before submitting, do take some time to read their existing issues.
The Interpreter’s House publishes new issues twice a year. These come out in April and October. All issues are published online and are free to read.
More Information here:
theinterpretershouse.orgDeadline: 14 November 2024
Puca Literary Journal
Púca Magazine is interested in all forms of writing – particularly – marginalised and emerging voices. Púca is concentrated on combining different experiences and perspectives. They see each issue as a collaboration between the editors and the contributors. It is your pieces which inform the shape, scope and substance of each issue. They are looking for short stories; poetry; flash fiction and creative non-fiction all based around the theme of metamorphosis.
All contributors will receive a contributor’s copy.
As of Issue V they will offer a publication fee of €10
More Information here:
pucalit.comDeadline: 15 Nov 2024
VERVE Poetry Festival Competition
This year’s theme, “Poets and Poetry,” celebrates the essence of the poetic craft and the voices behind the verses. Whether your style is traditional or experimental, they welcome your unique perspective on the world of poets and their poetry. Judge: Hannah Lowe
Entry Fee: First poem £5 then £3 per poem
Prize: £500, publication opportunity and a free ticket to a professional workshop.
More Information here:
www.vervepoetryfestival.comDeadline: 15 November, 2024
LitMag’s Emily Dickinson Award for Poetry
First Prize: $1,500 + publication in LitMag + agency review by Amy Bishop-Wycisk of Trellis Literary Management, Emily Wescott of CAA, Hailey Hedemann of William Morris Endeavor, Kelsey Day of Aragi, PJ Mark of Janklow & Nesbit, and Rayhane Sanders of Massie & McQuilken.
Finalists: Three finalists will receive $100 each. All finalists will be considered for possible agency review and publication.
More Information here:
litmag.submittable.comDeadline: 15 November, 2024
Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition 2024
Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition is now open to writers across the globe. Submissions do not need to follow any particular theme or genre, but must be written in English with a maximum word count of 3000 words.
Prizes:1st prize: £1000, plus a free creative writing course of the winner’s choice and publication on our site. 2 runners-up: £200 each.
Helen Moorhouse is this year’s judge.
More Information here:
creativewritingink.co.ukDeadline: 15 November 2024
Tolka Journal
TOLKA publish all forms of non-fiction: personal essay, memoir, reportage, travel writing, auto-fiction, and the writing that falls in between.
A flat payment of €500, which is paid prior to publication. Contributors also receive a copy of the issue in which their work is featured, and are invited to read at the launch.
More Information here:
www.tolkajournal.orgDeadline: 17 November 2024
Fly on the Wall Press manuscript submissions
Fly on the Wall Press specialises in political fiction, poetry and cross-genre anthologies on pressing issues, from exceptional international authors. Submissions will be open between Friday 1st November 2024 – Sunday 17th of November 2024.
Short Story Collections and Poetry collections only in this mini window. In order to submit, you must have bought a FOTW book from their online store in 2024.
More Information here:
www.flyonthewallpress.co.ukDeadline: 21 November 2024
Way Beyond – residency program in Finland 2025
Way Beyond is a transdisciplinary program that brings together open-minded, curiosity-driven individuals interested in expanding our understanding of reality, perception, and how we experience it.
The program offers the support and space to contemplate, process, and develop your ideas and perspectives. It’s an opportunity to imagine new possibilities, envision future horizons, and explore better ways of being, purpose, and understanding. Share your perspectives and be inspired by fellow deep thinkers and explorers of the unknown, all eager to transcend the boundaries of mind, matter, and the mundane.
Periods: 1 month (29 day periods) April / May 2025 at Arteles Creative Center, Hämeenkyrö, Finland
More Information here:
www.arteles.orgDeadline: 21 November 2024
Sans, PRESS, Out Three, Issue 9
Sans. PRESS are an independent literary publisher based in Limerick, Ireland, and their main focus is producing themed anthologies with short fiction by new and emerging writers.
They are looking for short story submissions for their new collection, Out There! They are looking for stories of all genres that respond to their title and/or cover art(see website).
Writers receive a flat rate of €200 for accepted submissions.
More Information here:
www.sanspress.comDeadline: 27 Nov 2024
The Stinging Fly, Summer 2025 Issue
The Stinging Fly publish new, previously unpublished work by Irish and international writers. They 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 Featured Poets and Comhchealg sections, occasional author interviews and novel extracts. They also welcome submissions of poetry and prose in translation.
Their next submission opening will be between Wednesday November 13th and Wednesday November 27th 2024 (for the Summer 2025 issue).
Payment Fiction and nonfiction: €45 per magazine page, but with a minimum/maximum payment of €325/€1200. Flash Fiction/shorter essays (1 – 2 pages): €150. Poetry: €45 per magazine page, but with a minimum payment of €70 per poem. Featured Poet: €425. Cover artwork image: €425. Contributors also receive a copy of the issue in which their work is featured and can order further copies at a discounted rate.
More Information here:
stingingfly.orgDeadline: 30 November 2024
Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition
The competition is open to original, unpublished and unbroadcast poems in the English language of 40 lines or fewer. The poem 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. 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. The Line limit is 40.
Entry fee: €7 per poem or €30 for a batch of five.
1st Prize is €2,000, featured reading at the Cork International Poetry Festival (with four-night hotel stay and full board), featured on the Southword Poetry Podcast and publication in Southword. 2nd Prize is €500, publication in Southword. 3rd prize is €250 and publication in Southword and ten Runners-Up receive €50 and publication in Southword
More Information here:
munsterlit.ieDeadline: 30 November 2024
Fish Short Story Prize
The Short Story Prize 2024 is open and the winners will be published in the Fish Anthology 2025. The Fish Short Story Prize was started in 1994, and has become an established event on the literary calendar. Previous judges, Roddy Doyle and Colum McCann are honorary patrons. (Past honorary patrons were Frank McCourt and Dermot Healy). The judge for this year is novelist and short story writer, Sean Lusk. Sean will select 10 short stories to be published in the Fish Anthology 2025.
Entry Fees: €22 / €14 subsequent entries. (Optional Critique €58)
First prize is €3,000 (€1,000 of which is for travel expenses to the launch of the Anthology) plus a week long fiction writing workshop during the West Cork Literary Festival. Second prize is €300. Third prize is €300. Seven Honourable Mentions receive €200 each. The ten published authors will each receive five copies of the Anthology and will be invited to read at the launch during the West Cork Literary Festival in July.
More Information here:
www.fishpublishing.comDeadline: 30 November 2024
Broken Sleep Books
Broken Sleep Books are a working-class, small, innovative press, who publish a range of poetry and prose, from a range of writers. Our primary focus is in increasing access to the arts, in ensuring more people are able to engage with creativity regardless of their socioeconomic status. We particularly wish to dismantle the gentrification of creative arts, and we encourage more working-class, LGBTQ+, and POC writers to submit. Politically we are left wing, and have no interest in misogynists, racist, sexists, the alt-right, or dickheads in general.
They are open for submissions between 1st October – 30th November for poetry pamphlets (up to 40 pages)
More Information here:
www.brokensleepbooks.comDeadline: 30 November 2024
Lilliput Press
The Lilliput Press is one of Ireland’s smallest and most prestigious publishing houses. We publish a wide variety of Irish interest books and are proud to represent authors such as James Joyce, John Moriarty, J.P. Donleavy and many others. They are looking for the best in literary fiction, non-fiction, Irish History, biography and memior.
More Information here:
www.lilliputpress.ieDeadline: (no current closing date)
Tramp Press
Tramp Press was launched by Lisa Coen and Sarah Davis-Goff in 2014 to find, nurture and publish exceptional literary talent. Tramp is based in Ireland and publishes internationally. Our authors include Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Mona Eltahawy, Sara Baume, Mike McCormack, Sophie White, and Jade Sharma.
Tramp Press opened for submissions on the 1 November 2024.
More Information here:
tramppress.comDeadline: 4 December 2025
Ennis Book Club Festival 2025 Short Story Competition
The Ennis Book Club Festival second annual Short Story Competition is now open, following a hugely successful inaugural competition in 2024. This year’s competition will be judged by writer Cathy Sweeney, author of short story collection Modern Times (2020) and debut novel Breakdown, which was published in January 2024.
Prize money: €750 and the honour of reading their story at a festival event, “The Art of the Short Story,” on March 7th. The second prize is €400, with additional prizes for runners-up.
More Information here:
ennisbookclubfestival.comDeadline: 20 December 2024
The Griffin Poetry Prize
The Griffin Poetry Prize is awarded annually for the best collection of poetry written in, or translated into, English. A longlist of 10 books is announced annually in March, and a shortlist of 5 books is announced annually in April. The winner is announced at the Griffin Poetry Prize readings held in Canada annually in June.
The Griffin Poetry Prize is pleased to announce that Nick Laird (Northern Ireland), Anne Michaels (Canada), and Tomasz Różycki (Poland) are the judges for the 2025 Griffin Poetry Prize. Entries must come from publishers only. Inquiries about entries must also come from publishers only. Publishers are welcome to enter an unlimited number of titles.
Prize Money: C$130,000 and the other shortlisted poets each receive C$10,000.
More Information here:
griffinpoetryprize.comDeadline: 5 January 2025
New Isles Press: Psychopomp Sìopomp Beayntee Issue 4 Anthology
Submissions for the fourth issue, themed “Psychopomp,” open on December 1st and close on January 5th. This edition promises a fantastic lineup of special featured authors and a refreshed look and format for 2025. They are looking for short stories and poetry.
New Isles Press are an independent Irish publisher, entirely funded by their patrons and readers., committed to providing a platform for writers work without external influence. Their submissions are exclusively open to writers residing in Ireland and the UK, with a dedicated focus on works in the shared national languages: Irish, Scots Gaelic, Ulster Scots, Welsh, Kernewek, and Manx.
Issue 4 will feature Kate O’Shea, Wendy Erskine, Dr. Arthur Broomfield and Jordanne Kennaugh.
More Information here:
www.yellowhousepublishing.comDeadline: 15 January 2024
The Bournemouth Writing Prize
The Bournemouth Writing Prize is an annual international short story and poetry competition. Winners of this writing contest receive personal feedback from industry professionals and there is a cash prize for each category. Run by the staff and students of the MA in Creative Writing and Publishing at Bournemouth University the competition is entering its ninth year. April 2025 will see the winners and anthology edited and published by the Dorset-based indie publisher Dithering Chaps.
The Prizes; Short Story £500 cash prize, plus an hour-long consultation with our short story judge, Greene and Heaton agent, Laura Williams. Poetry; £500 cash prize, plus an hour-long consultation and feedback session with our poetry judges, indie publisher Dithering Chaps.
For both categories: the winners will each have 2 free tickets and an Open Mic slot of up to 10 minutes at the Bourn Jammy event on Saturday 26th April at the Pavilion Dance. Each of the overall winners will receive 2 free tickets to any talk or workshop taking place at the Pavilion Dance over the course of the three-day festival. Each winner selected for the anthology will receive a free, printed copy of the resulting anthology. Prizes are non-transferable and no alternative (cash or otherwise) will be given.
More Information here:
thebournemouthjournal.comDeadline: 25 January 2024
The Nine Dots Prize
The Nine Dots Prize is a writing prize which seeks to reward original thinking in response to contemporary societal issues. It is judged anonymously and seeks submissions from both established writers and emerging talent. Entrants must respond with 3,000 words. The winner receives $100,000, editorial support and their book published by Cambridge University Press, plus the opportunity to spend a term at the Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH) at Cambridge University. This competition is free to apply.
More Information here:
ninedotsprize.orgDeadline: 31 January 2025
The 2025 Bristol Short Story Prize
The 2025 Bristol Short Story Prize is open to all published and unpublished writers. There is no geographical restriction on entry–the 2025 Bristol Short Story Prize is open to everyone, whether they are based in the UK or outside the UK. The maximum length of submissions is 4,000 words (not including the title); there is no minimum length. Stories can be on any theme or subject and are welcome in any style including graphic, verse or genre-based (e.g. Crime, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Horror, Romance, Children’s, etc.).
1st prize is £1,000, 2nd prize is £500, 3rd prize is £250. 12 further prizes of £50 will be presented to the remaining shortlisted writers. All shortlisted writers will receive a free copy of the anthology. Prizes will be sent to any writer on the shortlist who is unable to attend the awards ceremony.
Entry fee is £12 per story. There are 250 free online entries available to those for whom the entry fee is a barrier to submission – for instance, those on low income or without paid employment.
More Information here:
bssp.blogs.bristol.ac.ukDeadline: 31 January 2025
New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2025
The New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2025 welcomes entries of up to 300 words on any theme and from anywhere in the world. The head judge is Shreya Sen-Handley, an award-winning author, columnist, playwright and illustrator.
The winner will receive £1,100, with £300 for second place and £200 for third. The three winning entries will be published on the New Writers site and in a future New Writers Anthology. Entry fee is£10 with £1 from each entry donated to First Story, a creative writing charity for young people.
More Information here:
newwriters.org.ukDeadline: 31 January 2024
The 4th Dolors Alberola International Poetry Prize
The 4th Dolors Alberola International Poetry Prize aims to promote poetry reading from around the world. Poets may enter the competition with an unpublished collection of poems (500-800 lines). Poems may be on any subject and in any form or style. Entry is FREE, but limited to one collection per entrant. The jury of honor will include Dolors Alberola, a renowned Spanish poet.
Winner: Translation into another European language. Publication of the collection (bilingual edition) plus 50 copies of the book with royalties on the publisher’s edition and subsidiary rights.
Finalists: Publication of the collection (Spanish edition) and 10 copies of the book with royalties on the publisher’s edition and subsidiary rights.
More Information here:
edalya.comDeadline; 10 February 2025
Unapologetic magazine
Unapologetic magazine is a multidisciplinary, literary, cultural, and artistic response to the social issues and creative opportunities in contemporary Ireland. They centralise academics, creatives and activists from marginalized communities. Founded in 2020, they have just released the call for contributors for our fourth issue.
The theme is “What is a Home.” They are looking for poetry, prose and visual arts. See full submissions guidelines on their website.
More Information here:
www.unapologeticmag.netDeadline: 1 April 2025
Nature and Place Poetry competition 2025
The RSPB and The Rialto are additionally working with BirdLife International, the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and the University of Leeds Poetry Centre. There’s a fantastic range of prizes on offer and prizewinners will be invited to read their poems at an event with Helen Mort at CCI in summer 2025. As well as offering poets the chance to win considerable cash prizes and publication of their poems, the competition supports conservation and poetry.
The entry fee is £7 for the first poem and £4 for each subsequent poem. Full details can be found on The Rialto website with link below. Prizes – 1st PRIZE £1000, 2nd PRIZE £500, 3rd PRIZE £250
More Information here:
www.therialto.co.ukDeadline: 1 April 2025
Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest
This is a contest for humor poems, not serious poems. Serious poems will not be judged. The poem you submit should be in English. No fee to enter. Judge: Jendi Reiter, assisted by Lauren Singer. One poem only, please. Length limit: 250 lines maximum. No restriction on age of author. Both unpublished and previously published work accepted. Authors from all countries eligible except Syria, Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Russia, and Belarus (due to US government restrictions). First Prize: $2,000 plus a two-year gift certificate from our co-sponsor, Duotrope (a $100 value). Second Prize: $500. Third Prize: $250. Honorable Mentions: 10 awards of $100 each. Top 13 entries published online
More Information here:
winningwriters.comDeadline: 31 July 2025
Anthology Short Story Competition
The Anthology Short Story Competition is now open for submissions of 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 of €12.
First prize of €1,000 and the winning story published in Anthology magazine. Second prize: €250 and third prize: €150
More Information here:
anthology-magazine.comOpens Spring 2025
Royal Society of Literature Scriptorium Awards
The RSL is set to launch a new prize for writers founded and generously supported by its President Bernardine Evaristo. The RSL Scriptorium Awards will provide free writing residencies in a cottage in Ramsgate owned by Evaristo.
The residencies, which can be for up to a month at a time, will offer uninterrupted time for professionally active writers to focus on their projects. They could be finishing a manuscript against a deadline or starting a new commission and they will have exclusive use of the house for the duration of their retreat so they can focus solely on the task of writing.
Winning writers will not be permitted to bring guests, and the property has been designed to be as free from distractions as possible.
More details coming in 2025. Opens Spring 2o25
More Information here:
rsliterature.orgDeadline; 1 October 2025
Irish Writer Retreat: Yeats Experience
Located amidst the serene beauty of Yeats’ beloved Sligo, this exclusive retreat offers a perfect blend of creativity, history, and relaxation. Whether you’re a Yeats’ expert or simply curious and seeking inspiration, this experience will guide you through the landscapes that fuelled Yeats’ greatest works.
Each day of the retreat will include specially crafted workshops and activities, offering a unique opportunity to connect with nature, explore Yeats’ legacy, and channel your own creative spirit. Mornings will begin with an invigorating movement session by the lake, inspired by Yeats’ deep connection to the natural world. In the afternoons, you will join a guided coach tour through Yeats’ County, visiting iconic sites such as Innisfree, Glencar Waterfall, and Drumcliffe, where Yeats is laid to rest.
See website for full details and prices
More Information here:
eventwiseni.comDeadline: Ongoing
Guernica / a magazine of art & 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 publish 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 for reportage/journalism.
More Information here:
www.guernicamag.comDeadline: 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. We 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.
We publish no short stories, children’s prose/poetry and very little non-poetry related work (academic, biography etc.) at the current time. We are not considering fiction in English or in translation at this time.
More Information here:
www.pnreview.co.ukDeadline: Ongoing
Poetry Ireland Review
Poetry Ireland Review is published three times annually. Poetry Ireland welcome unsolicited submissions of poems, and proposals for articles and reviews, from Ireland and abroad, in Irish or English.
Cuireann Éigse Éireann fáilte roimh iarratais i nGaeilge. Is féidir iad a sheoladh go díreach chuig pir@poetryireland.ie i gceangaltán Word.
More Information here:
www.poetryireland.ieDeadline: 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:
poetrysociety.org.ukDeadline: Ongoing
The Orphic Review
The Orphic Review (Orphic Press) formerly known as Crow of Minerva was created as a blog featuring monthly interviews with women artists. It was created in 2019 by the artist Roisin Ní Neachtain with the aim of supporting and promoting emerging women artists working in any medium. It closed temporarily in March 2023 and reopened January 2024. It is currently running as a poetry journal and micropress.
More Information here:
orphicpress.comDeadline: Ongoing
The Dublin Review
The Dublin Review welcomes submissions of fiction and non-fiction previously unpublished in the English language. We do not accept poetry submissions. We especially encourage submissions from members of groups traditionally underrepresented in literary magazines and other cultural forums.
More Information here:
thedublinreview.comOngoing
The 12th Ó Bhéal Five Words International Poetry Competition
Every Tuesday at 12pm (Irish time) from 9th April 2024 – 28th January 2025, five words are be posted on their competition page. Entrants have one week to compose and submit one or more poems which include all five words given for that week. The winners & shortlist are announced around the first week of March 2025.
More Information here:
www.obheal.ieDeadline: Ongoing
Spellweaver
Spellweaver is a new Cork based online and print journal dedicated to supporting new and emerging writers, particularly in the Fantasy genre. We accept stories and poetry, anything with a hint of the unreal. Submissions are open year-round. Contributors will be paid.