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 2025

Poetry Competitions

Black in White Poetry Competition 2025

Presented by The Transforming Words Foundation, this UK-based competition invites poems about experiences or observations of racism, unconscious bias, or microaggressions. The goal is to build understanding and drive change through the power of poetry.

  • Rules: Open to all. Submit unpublished poems on the themes of workplace racism or childhood racism. Email entries as Word attachments with payment reference and required details in the body of the email (not in the file). Under 18s enter free.

  • Prizes:
    ○ 1st Prize: £250 (per category)
    ○ 2nd Prize: £125 (per category)
    ○ 3rd Prize: £75 (per category)
    ○ ~25 Highly Commended: publication in the Black in White anthology alongside the winning poems.
    ○ All winning and commended contributors receive a complimentary copy of the anthology, launched in October during Black History Month

  • Entry Fee: £1.50 per poem

  • Deadline: 20 June 2025

  • More Info

Plaza Audio Poetry Prize 2025

An international competition for original audio poems up to 4 minutes long, recorded and read by the poet. Open to new and established voices exploring poetry in its spoken form.

  • Rules: Open worldwide. Submit original audio poems (max 4 minutes) in English, read and recorded by the poet. No names or identifying details in the file. Entries may have been previously published in print but not in any audio competition.

  • Prizes:
    ○ 1st Prize: £1,000
    ○ 2nd Prize: £300
    ○ 3rd Prize: £100
    ○ Top 10: Featured in The Plaza Audio Anthology and invited to perform at the awards ceremony in October 2025

  • Entry Fee: £12 for first entry; £9 for additional entries. Free entry bursaries available for low-income or under-represented poets

  • Deadline: 30 June 2025

  • More Info

Wells Festival of Literature Competitions 2025

A major UK-based competition with four prize categories, including poetry, short stories, and children’s fiction. All entries must be in English and unpublished at the time of entry.

  • Rules: Open internationally. Submit original, unpublished work. Poetry entries must not exceed 35 lines (40 lines for Young Poets). Entries must be anonymous. Submit as PDFs.

  • Categories:
    ○ Open Poetry: Poems on any subject (≤ 35 lines)
    ○ Young Poets: Ages 16–22, poems on any subject (≤ 35 lines)
    (Also open: Short Story & Children’s Book – see site for details)

  • Prizes:
    Open Poetry
    ○ 1st Prize: £1,000
    ○ 2nd Prize: £500
    ○ 3rd Prize: £250
    ○ Local Author Prize: £100

    Young Poets
    ○ 1st Prize: £200
    ○ 2nd Prize: £150
    ○ 3rd Prize: £100
    ○ Bonus: Poetry Society subscription

  • Entry Fee: £6 per entry

  • Deadline: 30 June 2025 (5pm UK time)

  • More Info

Poetry London Prize 2025

A major international competition run by Poetry London magazine, open to poets worldwide. Submit a single outstanding poem (unpublished and not previously awarded) in English, up to 80 lines in length.

  • Rules: Open internationally. Submit original, unpublished poems in English (max 80 lines). No entries via post unless pre-approved for accessibility reasons. Poems judged anonymously.

  • Prizes:
    ○ 1st Prize: £5,000
    ○ 2nd Prize: £2,000
    ○ 3rd Prize: £1,000
    ○ Winning poems published in Poetry London (Autumn 2025 issue)

  • Entry Fee:
    ○ £10 per poem (non-subscribers)
    ○ £5 per poem (Poetry London subscribers)
    ○ Free entry available for writers from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds

  • Deadline: 30 June 2025, 23:59 (UK time)

  • More Info

King’s English Society Poetry Competition 2025

This year’s theme is “Fair”. Open to all, this free to enter competition invites up to two unpublished poems of 20 lines or fewer. 

  • Rules: Open internationally. Submit up to two original, unpublished poems on the theme Fair. Max 20 lines per poem. Submit by email (one poem per email) or post. Poems judged anonymously.

  • Prizes:
    ○ 1st Prize: £100 + publication (website, Facebook, and Quest magazine)
    ○ 2nd Prize: £50 + publication

  • Entry Fee: Free

  • Deadline: 15 June 2025

  • More Info

 

Short Story Competitions

Free Flash Fiction Competition Twenty-Eight


Submit a flash fiction story of 100 to 300 words on any theme. Open worldwide to writers aged 16 and above. Entries must be original, unpublished, and written in English. Past long-listed entries (unpublished) may be resubmitted.

  • Rules: Submit one original, unpublished flash fiction story between 100–300 words. Include a short third-person bio and contact email. Only one submission at a time. Simultaneous and previously published works may be accepted with prior permissions.

  • Prizes:
    ○ 1st Prize: £150 + publication
    ○ 2 × Highly Commended: £70 + publication
    ○ 3 × Shortlisted: £60 + publication

  • Entry Fee: £3.95 per entry (PayPal/Stripe) or £2.55 via BACS (UK accounts only)

  • Deadline: 23 June 2025 (10:00 PM UK time)

  • More Info

The 2025 To Hull And Back Humorous Short Story Competition

Submit a humorous short story of up to 2,500 words. Open worldwide. Stories must contain some element of humour. Previously published work is eligible. All entries must be in English and submitted by email. Judged anonymously.

  • Rules: Submit a humorous short story of up to 2,500 words. No minimum word count. Any genre or style is accepted, as long as it contains humour.  No PDFs. Do not include your name or contact details in the story file. Up to 3 entries per author allowed. Stories may be simultaneously submitted or previously published.

  • Prizes:
    ○ 1st Prize: £1,000 + publication + author profile + front cover feature + copy of the anthology ridden to Hull and back
    ○ 2nd Prize: £200 + publication
    ○ 3rd Prize: £100 + publication
    ○ 3 × Highly Commended: £70 + publication
    ○ 14 × Shortlisted: £35 + publication

  • Entry Fee: £12 (1 story), £20 (2 stories), £24 (3 stories) 

  • Deadline: 30 June 2025 (11:59 PM GMT)

  • More Info

The Moth Short Story Prize 2025

An international prize for original, unpublished short stories up to 3,000 words. Open worldwide to writers aged 16 and over. Judged anonymously by award-winning author Evie Wyld. Simultaneous submissions allowed.

  • Rules: Submit an original short story (max 3,000 words). Must be unpublished and the author’s own work. No author name on the story file. Open to writers aged 16+. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Multiple entries allowed.

  • Prizes:
    ○ 1st Prize: €3,000 + publication in The Irish Times
    ○ 2nd Prize: Week-long writing retreat at Circle of Misse (France) + travel stipend + publication
    ○ 3rd Prize: €1,000 + publication

  • Entry Fee: €15 per story

  • Deadline: 30 June 2025

  • More Info

Southword Creative Non-Fiction Award 2025

An international competition for memoirs, essays, and hybrid creative non-fiction. Judged anonymously by Patrick Cotter, editor of Southword. Open to entries via email only. Simultaneous submissions accepted.

  • Rules: Submit an original creative non-fiction piece (memoir, essay, or hybrid) up to 4,000 words. No name or identifying details in the document. No PDFs or links. Submit a separate cover letter with contact and payment info. Multiple entries allowed.

  • Prizes:
    ○ 1st Prize: €1,000 + publication in Southword
    ○ Up to 8 Runners-up: €400 each + publication in Southword
    (Winning entries will be published three per issue from Issue 49, Winter 2025 onward)

  • Entry Fee: €20 per entry

  • Deadline: 30 June 2025

  • More Info

No suitable free short story competitions this month.