Competitions and submissions

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 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 1st December – 31st January 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. Contributor fee: £75 (Approx €85) plus print and/or digital copy.

More Information here:

January 31, 2026

New Writers Flash Fiction Competition

Welcome to the New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2026. Open to writers from around the world, it’s offering a top prize of £1,100. The deadline is Saturday 31st January 2026 and 10% of the proceed will be donated to charity, split between First Story and the Funzi & Bodo Trust.

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, August: 3.-31, September: 2.-30 (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 residency 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

The Abbey Theatre’s Box of Tricks Development Programme

Box of Tricks is an eight-week skills development programme for new playwrights, interested in expanding the idea of what plays can be and who gets to write them. This paid professional development opportunity invites 12 participating artists to get to grips with some of the tools of writing for theatre so that they can build whatever kind of play they want.

More Information here:

February 6, 2026

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 16, 2026

UCD Mary Lavin Centre Writing Place, Writing Planet Programme

We are delighted to introduce Writing Place, Writing Planet, a fully-funded 6-month environmental creative writing programme beginning March 2026 sponsored by The UCD Mary Lavin Centre for Creative Writing at the School of English, Drama and Film and iCRAG Research Ireland Centre for Applied Geosciences. Writing Place, Writing Planet invites writers and scientists to team up and explore connections between humanity, place and planet through bodies of co-created written work, guided by expert mentorship.

More Information here:

February 21, 2026

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

More Information here:

February 23. 2026

The London Library Emerging Writers Programme

The London Library Emerging Writers Programme, now open for the eighth year, is a unique opportunity which offers writers, in all genres and disciplines, one year’s free membership of The London Library and includes writing development masterclasses, networking opportunities, peer support, access to and guidance in using all the Library’s resources and publication in the cohort anthology. With its rich cultural heritage, extensive open access book collection, dedicated writing spaces and its diverse community of established writers, the benefits of Library membership are invaluable.

More Information here:

February 27, 2026

Poetry in Motion Anthology Submissions

Poetry in Motion Community invites submissions from writers aged 18 and over who are resident in Northern Ireland, including those at early or emerging stages of their practice. Submissions to the anthology are also considered for the Seamus Heaney Awards for New Writing, which recognise outstanding new work by local poetic voices.

More Information here:

February 28, 2026

Three Pillars Press Poetry Pamphlet Award

Three Pillars Press publishes poetry pamphlets from emerging poets currently living in Ireland or with Irish heritage. Each pamphlet consists of 20-25 pages of poetry. Poets will not have published a full collection before publication by Three Pillars Press. We are looking for new and innovative approaches to both theme and form. We believe that a proactive approach to diversity and inclusivity is important. As such, we strongly encourage submissions by writers from every background, and especially encourage those from underrepresented areas of society to submit their work for consideration.

More Information here:

February 28, 2026

Metachrosis Submissions

Metachrosis literary magazine is an online publication that strives to be the place where the foundations of the world around us are explored and celebrated. Created as part of the Art, Science, and Visual Thinking MFA at Dundee University, this magazine is open to all forms of writing, art, and Hybrid work, whether creative or factual. 

More Information here:

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 28, 2026

Poetry Ireland Review Submissions

Poetry Ireland Review is published three times annually. We welcome unsolicited submissions of poems, and proposals for articles and interviews, from Ireland and abroad, in Irish or English. We actively encourage submissions from people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, who are currently under-represented in the submissions we receive throughout the year.

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 2, 2026

Brick Lane Bookshop Short Story Prize

We are looking for original short fiction, between 1,000-3,500 words, from writers that have not been previously published. Entry to the competition is £10.00 per story. There are a limited amount of free spaces for writers on a low income, please email enquiries@bricklanebookshop.org to request one of these – they will be granted on a first come basis. First Prize is £1,000, 2nd Prize is £500, and 3rd Prize is £250. The twelve shortlisted stories will feature in the Brick Lane Bookshop Short Story Prize 2026 anthology. Prizes will also be awared to some of our shortlisted writers, selected by our prize partners.

More Information here:

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 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 1, 2026

Belfast Review Submissions

More information will be made available before the submissions window opens.

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 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:

May 1, 2026

Alpine Fellowship Writing & Poetry Prizes

Awarded for the best piece of writing on the theme of JOY. Prizes up to £3,00 across various genres.

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:

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:

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:

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: