WRITING COMPETITIONS

At The Writers Herd, we believe there's no better way to gain recognition and showcase your work than through writing competitions. In the future, we're excited to introduce submission options and even host our own competitions. For now, as we continue to grow our community, writing competitions provide excellent opportunities to get noticed.

As writers ourselves, we know how frustrating it can be to browse through endless lists of competitions online. With so many options, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. That's why we're committed to simplifying the process.

Each month, we'll hand-pick key competitions—both free and paid—highlighting those with cash prizes and publication opportunities. We'll feature a mix of niche and popular contests, so whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, you'll find something tailored to your needs.

These will feature monthly, so stay tuned!

Tips for success

  • Check Competition Rules: Always review guidelines carefully to ensure your submissions meet all requirements.
  • Study Past Winners: Reviewing previous winning entries can give you insights into what judges want.
  • Try a Mix of Competitions: Niche competitions might offer better odds, but don't shy away from popular ones for greater exposure and prizes.
  • Keep a Submission Record: Track your entries, rejections, and wins. Check guidelines before submitting the same story to multiple outlets.
  • Embrace Rejection: Use rejection as motivation. If you don't try, you'll never know!
  • Prepare Early: Avoid last-minute submissions by giving yourself ample time to revise and polish your work.

Competition highlights for JUNE 2026 

Poetry Competitions

King's English Society June 2026 Poetry Competition

A themed poetry competition inviting poets to respond to the theme "Statue(s)", with cash prizes and publication opportunities for the winning entries.

  • Rules

    • Open to all poets

    • Theme: "Statue(s)"

    • Submit up to 2 original, unpublished poems

    • Poems must not be under consideration elsewhere

    • Maximum 20 lines per poem

    • Any poetic form accepted

    • Anonymous judging process

  • Prizes

    • First Prize: £200

    • Second Prize: £100

    • Winning and runner-up poems published on the King's English Society website, social media platforms, and in the Society's quarterly magazine Quest

  • Entry Fee

    • £5 per entrant

    • Free for King's English Society subscriber-members

  • Deadline

    • 15 June 2026

  • More Info

The Black in White Poetry Competition 2026

A poetry competition exploring experiences of racism, unconscious bias, and microaggressions, encouraging writers to raise awareness and inspire meaningful change through poetry.

  • Rules

    • Open to poets of all ages

    • Theme must fit one of two categories:

      • Workplace racism

      • Childhood racism

    • Submit original poetry responding to the competition theme

    • Multiple entries permitted

    • Under-18s may enter free with parental or guardian consent

  • Prizes

    • First Prize: £250

    • Second Prize: £125

    • Third Prize: £75

    • Awarded in each category

    • Winning poems and approximately 25 highly commended entries published in a new Black in White anthology

    • Published contributors receive a complimentary copy

  • Entry Fee

    • £2 per poem

    • Free for entrants under 18

  • Deadline

    • 26 June 2026

  • More Info

Welsh Poetry Competition 2026

One of Wales' longest-running international poetry competitions, welcoming English-language poems on any theme and marking its final year with cash prizes and publication opportunities.

  • Rules

    • Open internationally

    • Poems must be written in English

    • Any theme, subject, or style accepted

    • Original, unpublished work only

    • Multiple entries permitted

    • Anonymous judging process (no identifying details on poems)

    • Entries may be submitted by email or post

  • Prizes

    • First Prize: £500

    • Second Prize: £250

    • Third Prize: £100

    • 17 runners-up receive publication

    • Specially commended entries recognised

    • Selected poems published in a future anthology

  • Entry Fee

    • £6 for 1 poem

    • £12 for 2 poems

  • Deadline

    • 28 June 2026

  • More Info

Poetry London Prize 2026

A prestigious international poetry competition seeking a single outstanding poem, with substantial cash prizes and recognition from one of the UK's leading poetry magazines.

  • Rules

    • Open internationally

    • Submit original poems written in English

    • Any theme, subject, style, or form accepted

    • One poem per entry

    • Multiple entries permitted

    • Anonymous judging process (no identifying details on poems)

  • Prizes

    • First Prize: £5,000

    • Second Prize: £2,000

    • Third Prize: £1,000

  • Entry Fee

    • £10 per poem

    • £5 per poem for subscribers

    • Limited free entries available for students and unwaged writers

  • Deadline

    • 30 June 2026

  • More Info

Wells Festival of Literature Open Poetry Competition 2026

A long-running international poetry competition welcoming poems on any subject, with generous cash prizes and publication opportunities for shortlisted poets.

  • Rules

    • Open internationally

    • Submit original, unpublished poems in English

    • No theme restrictions

    • Maximum 40 lines per poem

    • Anonymous judging process

    • Multiple entries permitted

    • Poems must not be entered elsewhere or published during the judging period

  • Prizes

    • First Prize: £1,000

    • Second Prize: £500

    • Third Prize: £250

    • Best Local Poet Prize: £100

    • All shortlisted poems published in the Festival Poetry Booklet

    • Shortlisted poets invited to read at the awards event

  • Entry Fee

    • £8 per poem

  • Deadline

    • 30 June 2026

  • More Info

2026 May Sarton New Hampshire Poetry Prize

A respected international poetry manuscript prize offering publication, cash awards, and distribution for an outstanding full-length poetry collection.

  • Rules

    • Open internationally

    • Submit an original poetry manuscript in English

    • Manuscripts should be approximately 50–80 pages

    • Blind judging process (no identifying information in manuscript)

    • Self-published books and translations are not eligible

    • Multiple entries permitted

  • Prizes

    • Winner receives $1,000

    • Publication by Bauhan Publishing

    • 50 complimentary copies of the published book

    • National distribution through Casemate IPM

  • Entry Fee

    • $30 per manuscript

  • Deadline

    • 30 June 2026

  • More Info

The International Gerard Rochford Poetry Prize 2026

A free international poetry competition inviting poets to explore the theme of "Journey", with cash prizes, publication opportunities, and unique handcrafted awards inspired by the work of Gerard Rochford.

  • Rules
    • Open internationally to writers aged 18+
    • Theme: "Journey"
    • Submit one original, unpublished poem in English
    • Maximum 40 lines
    • Poems must not be entered into any other live competition
    • Entries must be submitted under the writer's real name
    • AI-generated work is not permitted
  • Prizes
    • First Prize: £200 + handcrafted ceramic bowl by Lucy Carolan
    • Two Runner-up Prizes: £50 each + handcrafted ceramic bowl
    • Winner, runners-up, and shortlisted finalists published online
  • Entry Fee
    • Free
  • Deadline
    • 30 June 2026

Regeneration: Poetry Exploring the Environment 2026

A free international poetry competition exploring the relationship between people and nature through the theme of regeneration, from environmental recovery and rewilding to reflections on damaged landscapes and climate change.

  • Rules
    • Open internationally to poets of all ages
    • Submit one original, unpublished poem
    • Theme: Regeneration and the Environment
    • Maximum 100 lines or 750 words (whichever is lower)
    • Poems must be written in English
    • Only one entry per person
    • AI-generated or AI-assisted work is not permitted
  • Prizes
    • First Prize: £200
    • Second Prize: £100
    • Special mentions at the judges' discretion
    • All shortlisted poems published in the Regeneration anthology
    • All shortlisted poets receive a complimentary copy of the anthology
    • Shortlisted poets invited to the online launch event
  • Entry Fee
    • Free
  • Deadline
    • 28 June 2026

Short Story & Novel Competitions

The Moth Short Story Prize 2026

A respected international short story competition seeking outstanding original fiction, offering substantial cash prizes and publication opportunities through one of Ireland's leading literary magazines.

  • Rules
    • Open internationally
    • Open to writers aged 16 and over
    • Submit original, unpublished short stories written in English
    • Maximum 3,000 words per story
    • Stories may be on any subject or theme
    • Multiple entries permitted
    • Simultaneous submissions accepted
    • Stories must not have been previously published, self-published, published online, or broadcast
    • AI-generated work is prohibited
  • Prizes
    • First Prize: €3,000
    • Second Prize: €1,000
    • Third Prize: One-week stay at The Moth Retreat in rural Ireland
    • Winning story published in The Irish Times Summer Fiction Series
    • Second and third prize-winning stories published on The Irish Times Online
  • Entry Fee
    • €17 per story
  • Deadline
    • 15 June 2026

FFF Competition Thirty-Four

A flash fiction competition from Free Flash Fiction inviting writers worldwide to submit original stories of up to 300 words, with cash prizes and publication opportunities for shortlisted entries.

  • Rules
    • Open internationally
    • Open to writers aged 16 and over
    • Submit original, previously unpublished flash fiction
    • Stories must be written in English
    • Word count: 100–300 words (excluding title)
    • Any theme, style, or form of flash fiction accepted
    • Multiple entries permitted
    • AI-generated work is prohibited
  • Prizes
    • Winner: £200 and publication
    • Two Highly Commended entries: £100 and publication
    • Three Shortlisted entries: £80 and publication
    • Winning author invited to judge the next competition
  • Entry Fee
    • £4.95 per entry via PayPal or Stripe
    • £3.50 per entry via bank transfer
  • Deadline
    • 23 June 2026 (10:00 p.m. UK Time)

Wells Festival of Literature Short Story Competition 2026

Part of the renowned Wells Festival of Literature, this international short story competition invites writers to submit original fiction for the chance to win cash prizes and gain recognition from an established literary festival.

  • Rules
    • Open internationally
    • Entries must be written in English
    • Submit original, unpublished short stories
    • Stories may be on any subject or theme
    • Word count: 1,000–2,000 words
    • Multiple entries permitted
    • Entries must be submitted anonymously
    • Simultaneous submissions are not permitted
    • Entries must not have been previously published or entered into another competition
  • Prizes
    • First Prize: £750
    • Second Prize: £300
    • Third Prize: £200
    • Special Prize: £100 for the best local author
  • Entry Fee
    • £8 per entry
  • Deadline
    • 30 June 2026

Weatherglass Novella Prize 2027

Run by independent publisher Weatherglass Books, this international novella prize seeks outstanding literary fiction, offering publication and an advance for winning manuscripts. 

  • Rules
    • Open internationally
    • Submit original novellas written in English
    • Manuscripts must be between 20,000 and 40,000 words
    • No set theme or subject restrictions
    • Maximum three submissions per entrant
    • Entries are judged anonymously
    • Previously unpublished work only
  • Prizes
    • £500 advance
    • Publication by Weatherglass Books
    • Winning novella(s) published within 12 months of the announcement
    • Shortlisted manuscripts considered by acclaimed author Ali Smith
  • Entry Fee
    • £20 per manuscript
  • Deadline
    • 30 June 2026

Cranked Anvil Playwriting Competition

An international playwriting competition seeking original radio and audio drama scripts, offering writers the opportunity to have their work professionally produced, broadcast on UK radio, and shared with audiences worldwide.

  • Rules
    • Open internationally
    • Open to writers aged 16 and over
    • Entries must be written in English
    • Submit original radio or audio drama scripts
    • Theatre and film scripts adaptable for audio are also accepted
    • Scripts should run for approximately 10–20 minutes
    • Any genre, theme, or setting accepted
    • Up to three plays may be submitted per quarter
    • Multiple submissions must be entered separately
  • Prizes
    • First Prize: £50 cash prize
    • Second Prize: £35 cash prize
    • Professional audio recording of winning scripts
    • Broadcast on Radio Northumberland and online worldwide
    • Recordings made available on demand through the Cranked Anvil website
    • Guaranteed inclusion in a future digital playscript anthology
    • Special Mentions also receive professional production, broadcast, and anthology inclusion
  • Entry Fee
    • £12 for one play
    • £22 for two plays
    • £30 for three plays
  • Deadline
    • 30 June 2026

The Indie Gold Awards Recognition Contest

An international awards programme celebrating outstanding independent mystery, thriller, and suspense writing, offering cash prizes, industry recognition, and promotional opportunities for emerging and established indie authors.

  • Rules
    • Open internationally
    • Open to independently published and emerging authors
    • Entries must be original works written in English
    • Open to short stories, novellas, and novels
    • Eligible genres include mystery, thriller, and suspense
    • Short story submissions must be 500–6,000 words
    • Novel and novella entries must be submitted as an opening chapter of up to 6,000 words
    • Multiple entries permitted
  • Prizes
    • Grand Prize: $500
    • Ten Gold Finalists
    • Ten Silver Finalists
    • Ten Bronze Finalists
    • Official award badges and certificates
    • Featured promotion on the Indie Gold Awards website and social media channels
    • Inclusion in the annual winners' showcase anthology (optional for Grand Prize winner)
  • Entry Fee
    • $25 per submission
    • $20 Early Bird rate
  • Deadline
    • 30 June 2026

We were unable to find any free-entry short story or novel competitions that met our criteria for inclusion this month.