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 july 2025

Poetry Competitions

Rattle Poetry Prize 2025

One of the most prestigious single-poem prizes in the world, the Rattle Poetry Prize offers $15,000 for one outstanding unpublished poem. Ten finalists also receive publication and are eligible for the $5,000 Readers’ Choice Award, voted for by magazine subscribers and entrants.

  • Rules: Open internationally to poets writing in English. Submit up to four unpublished poems per entry — any length, style, or subject. No identifying information on poem files. Simultaneous submissions allowed. All entries reviewed anonymously by Rattle editors.

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize: $15,000 + publication

    • 10 × Finalists: $500 each + publication

    • 1 × Readers’ Choice Award: $5,000 (from finalists)

    • Additional entries may be published

  • Entry Fee: $30 per entry (includes 1-year subscription to Rattle)

  • Deadline: 15 July 2025

  • More Info

New Writers Poetry Competition 2025

Open to poets worldwide, the New Writers Poetry Competition 2025 offers a generous £1,800 prize fund, with the top six entries published in the next New Writers Anthology and on the competition website. A portion of proceeds will be donated to UK-based charities.

  • Rules: Open internationally. Submit one original, unpublished poem of up to 42 lines (excluding title and spacing). Multiple entries allowed (up to three per submission). Limited free entries are available for low-income writers. Entries judged anonymously.

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize: £1,200

    • 2nd Prize: £300

    • 3rd Prize: £150

    • 4th–6th Prize: £50 each

    • All six winners published online and in the New Writers Anthology

  • Entry Fee: £10 for one entry / £18 for two / £26 for three (submitted together)
    Free entry available for low-income poets (first-come, first-served, by 10 July 2025)

  • Deadline: 17 July 2025 (11:59 PM UK time)

  • More Info

Winchester Poetry Prize 2025

A globally recognised competition since 2016, the Winchester Poetry Prize is open to poets aged 16+ from anywhere in the world. Poems are judged anonymously, and all longlisted entries are published in a printed anthology. The best poem by a Hampshire-based poet wins the Kathryn Bevis Prize.

  • Rules: Open internationally to poets aged 16+. Submit original, unpublished poems of up to 40 lines (excluding title). Any subject, form, or style. No identifying information on poems. Multiple entries allowed. Email or postal submissions accepted.

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize: £1,000

    • 2nd Prize: £500

    • 3rd Prize: £250

    • Kathryn Bevis Prize (Hampshire-based poet): £150 + 1 year of tuition from The Writing School Online

    • All longlisted poems published in an anthology

  • Entry Fee: £6 for the first poem / £5 for each additional poem in the same submission
    Free entries available via the “Pay It Forward” scheme or for University of Winchester students (3 entries max per student)

  • Deadline: 31 July 2025 (11:59 PM UK time)

  • More Info

Closing in October, but we’re featuring this early so you have time to prepare your strongest work.

National Poetry Competition 2025

Run by The Poetry Society since 1978, the National Poetry Competition is one of the most prestigious prizes for a single unpublished poem. Open to poets worldwide aged 18+, the competition welcomes work on any theme or in any style, up to 40 lines.

  • Rules: Open internationally to poets aged 18 or over. Submit unpublished poems of up to 40 lines (excluding title), in English. No identifying information on the poem. AI-generated work is not allowed. Multiple entries permitted.

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize: £5,000

    • 2nd Prize: £3,000

    • 3rd Prize: £2,000

    • Commended: £500 each

    • All winning and commended poems published

  • Entry Fee: £8 for the first poem / £6 for each additional poem
    Poetry Society members get one free second poem

  • Deadline: 31 October 2025 (midnight UK time)

  • More Info

Interwoven Anthology Poetry Competition 2025

Celebrating community, unity, and shared humanity, the Interwoven Anthology invites poets from around the world to submit a single unpublished poem for a chance to be featured in a global poetry collection. The theme centres on the people, places, and forces that bring us together.

  • Rules: Open worldwide to poets of any age. Submit one previously unpublished poem, up to 100 lines or 750 words. All shortlisted poets will be published in the anthology and invited to an online launch event.

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize: £200

    • 2nd Prize: £100

    • Special Mentions (at judges’ discretion)

    • All shortlisted poems published + free copy of the book

  • Entry Fee: Free

  • Deadline: 13 July 2025 (11:59 PM UK time)

  • More Info

Short Story Competitions

Screw Turn Flash Fiction Competition 2025

The Screw Turn Flash Fiction Competition invites entries that explore the supernatural, uncanny, or magical realism in under 1,000 words. Ghost stories are welcome, but any fresh take on the paranormal is encouraged.

  • Rules: Open internationally. Submit one unpublished flash fiction story (250–1,000 words) with a supernatural or magic realism theme. Simultaneous and multiple submissions allowed (one per entry). Formatting: double-spaced Word document preferred; author name and contact info may be included.

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize: $1,000 + publication

    • 2 × Honorable Mentions: $200 each + publication

    • All winning entries published on The Ghost Story website

  • Entry Fee: $15 per submission

  • Deadline: 15 July 2025
    (Winners announced and published by 31 July 2025)

  • More Info

Gutsy Great Novelist Page One Prize 2025

Now in its 6th year, the Page One Prize celebrates the best first page of an unpublished novel. Open to writers worldwide over 18, this competition welcomes fiction in any genre for adult or YA readers and is judged anonymously by award-winning novelist Joan Dempsey.

  • Rules: Open internationally to writers aged 18+. Submit the first page of an unpublished novel (any genre, for adult or YA readers). Manuscripts must be anonymous, original, and not under contract or previously published. All levels of experience welcome.

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize: $1000 USD

    • 2nd Prize: $500 USD

    • 3rd Prize: $250 USD

    • Honorable Mentions + Finalists also published on the website
      (Finalists announced 22 August 2025)

  • Entry Fee: $20

  • Deadline: 16 July 2025 (5:00 PM ET)

  • More Info

The Next Big Story Prize 2025

Submit the first 1,500 words of a novel-in-progress for a chance to win £75,000 (UK) or $100,000 USD (US/Canada/Australia), plus a place on The Novelry’s Finished Novel Course.

  • Rules: Open to residents of the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. Must be 18 or older. Submit the first 3 pages (max 1,500 words) of a novel in English. All genres welcome for adult or YA readers. No prior experience or agent required. Multiple entries allowed. Use the appropriate entry form based on your country of residence

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize:

      • £75,000 (UK residents only)

      • $100,000 USD (US, Canada, Australia)

      • The Finished Novel Course

    • 7 Runners-Up: The Finished Novel Course (all countries)

    • Shortlisted entries: Published online and open to public vote

  • Entry Fee: £15 / $15

  • Deadline: 31 July 2025 (Midnight EST)

  • More Info

Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition 2025

An annual international short story competition run by the Munster Literature Centre (Cork, Ireland) in honour of one of Ireland’s most celebrated short story writers.

  • Rules: Open internationally. Short stories must be original, and not been previously published or broadcast. Maximum word count: 3,000. No theme or style restrictions. Multiple entries allowed (each requires separate entry and fee). Entries judged anonymously — do not include name on the manuscript. Postal and email entries accepted

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize: €2,000 + publication in Southword + featured reading at the Cork International Short Story Festival (includes four-night hotel stay and full board)

    • 2nd Prize: €500 + publication in Southword

    • Four Runners-Up: €400 + publication in Southword

  • Entry Fee: €19 per story

  • Deadline: 31 July 2025 (midnight)

  • More Info

Anthology Short Story Competition 2025

Open to original and previously unpublished short stories in English by writers of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. There is no restriction on theme or style.

  • Rules: Open internationally, to all ages. Original, unpublished short stories only. Written in English, maximum 1,500 words. No theme or style restrictions. No limit to number of entries (each requires a separate form and fee). Stories are judged anonymously — do not include name on the manuscript. Copyright remains with the author; Anthology reserves first publication and publicity rights

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize: €1,000 + publication in Anthology

    • 2nd Prize: €250

    • 3rd Prize: €150

  • Entry Fee: €18

  • Deadline: 31 July 2025

  • More Info

There were no suitable free short story competitions available this month. Check back next month for new opportunities!