Wolverhampton Literature Festival Poetry Competition 2026

The Wolverhampton Literature Festival Poetry Competition welcomes poets worldwide to submit original, unpublished poems of up to 40 lines in English. There is also an additional local prize for the best poem from a writer living in a WV postcode.

• Rules:

  • Open internationally to writers aged 16 and over

  • Poems must be original, unpublished, and written in English

  • Maximum length: 40 lines (excluding title)

  • Anonymous judging – do not include your name or identifying details on the poem document

  • Poems must not be previously published or currently submitted elsewhere

• Prizes:

  • 1st Prize: £400

  • 2nd Prize: £150

  • Three 3rd Prizes: £25 each

  • Additional Prize: £50 for best poem from a WV postcode

• Entry Fee:

  • £4 per poem

  • £10 for 3 poems

  • £3 for each additional poem (up to 5 poems per submission)

• Deadline:

  • 31 December 2025 (Midnight GMT)

• More Info

The Moth Poetry Prize 2025

The Moth Poetry Prize is one of the world's leading awards for a single unpublished poem. Open to poets aged 16+ anywhere in the world, it receives thousands of submissions each year and is judged anonymously by a single poet.

• Rules:

  • Open worldwide to poets aged 16+

  • Poems must be original, unpublished, and written in English

  • No line limit — any theme or subject

  • Anonymous judging — do not include your name on the poem document

  • One poem per page; typed and formatted clearly

  • Simultaneous submissions allowed (withdraw if accepted elsewhere)

  • Translations accepted if permissions are in place; translator + author share prize

• Prizes:

  • 1st Prize: €6,000

  • 3 Runner-up Prizes: €1,000 each

  • 8 Commended Prizes: €250 each

  • All shortlisted poems published online in The Irish Times

• Entry Fee:

  • €16 per poem (includes VAT)

• Deadline:

  • 31 December 2025

• More Info

Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival Poetry Competition 2026

The Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival Poetry Competition invites poems in English on the theme "In The Garden." Poets can compete for cash prizes, with shortlisted entries printed in a festival pamphlet and showcased during the prize-giving event on 21 February 2026.

• Rules:

  • Poems must be original, unpublished, and not entered into another competition

  • Maximum length: 30 lines per poem

  • No AI-generated work allowed

  • Anonymous judging — do not include identifying details

  • Copyright remains with the author, but shortlisted work may be reproduced for festival promotion

  • Only one prize per entrant

• Prizes:

  • 18 & Over: £300

  • 12 to 17: £100

  • 11 & Under: £50

  • All shortlisted poems printed in a pamphlet + readings at the festival

• Entry Fee:

  • £4 per poem for adults (up to five poems)

  • Free entry for poets under 18 (one poem)

• Deadline:

  • 4 January 2026 (11pm GMT)

• More Info

2026 Charles Causley International Poetry Competition

The Charles Causley International Poetry Competition invites poems on the theme "Family." Poets aged 18+ may submit unpublished work for a chance to win cash prizes, publication visibility, and a one-week residency at Cyprus Well.

• Rules:

  • Must be original, unpublished work

  • Maximum 40 lines per poem

  • Anonymous judging — do not include identifying details

  • Theme: Family (interpret broadly)

  • Typed entries only; one new sheet per poem

  • No previously published, self-published, broadcast, or competition-entered poems

  • No limit to number of entries

• Prizes:

  • First Prize: £1,000 + one-week residency at Cyprus Well

  • Second Prize: £200

  • Third Prize: £100

  • Podium winners receive Launceston Poetry Festival passes

  • Two Highly Commended poets also recognised

• Entry Fee:

  • £7.50 for first poem

  • £5 for each additional poem in the same submission

• Deadline:

  • 4 January 2026 (midnight UK time)

• More Info

King's English Society Poetry Competition 2025

The King's English Society Poetry Competition invites free submissions on the theme "The Gift." Poets may submit up to two unpublished poems for a chance to win cash prizes and publication in the Society's quarterly magazine, Quest, as well as on its website and social platforms.

• Rules:

  • Poems must be original, unpublished, and written in English

  • Theme: "The Gift"

  • Maximum length: 20 lines per poem

  • Each entrant may submit up to two poems

  • Simultaneous submissions are discouraged

  • Submit by email or post 

  • Contact details must be separate from the poem for anonymous judging

• Prizes:

  • 1st Prize: £100

  • Runner-up: £50

  • Both winning poems published on the Society website, social media, and in Quest magazine

• Entry Fee:

  • Free to enter

• Deadline:

  • 15 December 2025

• More Info

Layered Landscapes: A Young Poets Network writing challenge with the National Trust

The Layered Landscapes challenge invites young poets to explore our shared histories and futures with the landscapes we inhabit. In partnership with the National Trust, Young Poets Network is seeking poems that explore connections between people, place, nature, memory, and time.

• Rules:

  • Open to writers aged 5–25, based anywhere in the world.

  • Original, unpublished work only.

  • You may submit multiple poems.

  • Poems can be sent as text in the email body, or as audio / video (max ~4MB) with a text version included.

  • Entries can be submitted via Submittable or by email.

  • Content should be appropriate for a youth audience (YPN may suggest edits or add content warnings).

• Prizes:

  • Winning poems published on Young Poets Network.

  • Prizes may include poetry ebooks, posters, and National Trust goodies.

• Entry Fee:

  • Free to enter.

• Deadline:

  • 21 December 2025 (23:59 GMT).

• More Info

Globe Soup Open Short Story Competition 2025

The Globe Soup Open Short Story Competition welcomes entries from writers worldwide. Submit original adult or YA short fiction up to 8,000 words for a chance to win major cash prizes, plus entry into a separate £1,500 bonus prize draw.

• Rules:

  • Open internationally to writers aged 18+

  • Word limit: up to 8,000 words (no minimum, but 500+ recommended)

  • Stories must be written for adults or young adults (no children's fiction)

  • Entry is via paid contest ticket — each ticket = one story entry

  • Full submission instructions are emailed after ticket purchase

  • Multiple entries allowed (buy enough tickets for the number of stories)

• Prizes:

  • 1st Prize: £2,000

  • 2nd Prize: £1,000

  • 3rd Prize: £500

  • Separate Bonus Prize Draw: £1,500 total, shared across multiple winners

  • All paid entries are automatically included in the Bonus Prize Draw

• Entry Fee:

  • Standard price: £16 per story

  • Early-bird discounts available for tickets bought in advance

  • Multi-entry discounts for 2+ or 3+ stories

  • Optional in-depth critique: £25 per story (does not include entry)

• Deadline:

  • 16 December 2025 (23:59: UK time)

• More Info

Ruth Rendell Short Story Competition 2026

The Ruth Rendell Short Story Competition invites original stories up to 1,000 words for a chance to win £1,000, publication, and a commissioned year-long writing opportunity. Shortlisted entries are performed by professional actors at InterAct's biennial literary event.

• Rules:

  • Maximum length: 1,000 words

  • Any genre allowed

  • Open internationally to writers aged 16+

  • Multiple entries permitted

  • Stories must be original, unpublished, and not entered elsewhere

  • Must be suitable to be read in a sensitive hospital environment

  • Anonymous judging (no identifying details on the story)

• Prizes:

  • 1st Prize: £1,000 + commissioned to write four further stories for InterAct Stroke Support over one year

  • Top 3 stories shortlisted and performed by professional actors

  • Winning story used in InterAct's work with stroke patients (with rights retained by the author)

• Entry Fee:

  • £15 per story

    • Online: donate via JustGiving (do not hide your name; include story title in the comment)

    • Then email your story to stories@interactstroke.org with your name and story title

    • Multiple stories allowed (each requires its own £15 fee)

• Deadline:

  • 5pm on Sunday 21 December 2025

• More Info

Note: This is a professional-level horror competition with relatively high entry fees, best suited for writers seeking industry exposure, feedback, and screenwriting career opportunities.

Killer Shorts Horror Short Screenplay Competition 2025

The Killer Shorts Horror Short Screenplay Competition invites international submissions of horror short screenplays and short stories. Now in its seventh season, it focuses on discovering new horror voices and connecting them with managers, producers, and industry professionals.

• Rules:

  • Open internationally

  • Entries must be in English

  • Accepts horror short screenplays, 1-page scripts, and short stories (prose)

  • Short story (prose) limit: up to 6,000 words

  • All work must be original

  • Multiple entries allowed (each submitted in a separate category/ticket)

• Prizes (summary):

  • Main competition (short screenplays):

    • 1st: cash prize (around $2,000) + industry circulation + software/memberships + trophy

    • 2nd & 3rd: cash prizes (around $1,000 and $500) + industry support and perks

    • Finalists / semi-finalists / quarter-finalists: laurels, software/discounts, and industry access

  • 1-Page Script category:

    • Best 1-page script: cash prize (around $500) + software, memberships, and trophy

  • Short Story (prose) category:

    • Best short story: publication on the Killer Shorts website + industry circulation + software + trophy

• Entry Fee:

  • Horror Short Screenplay: $40

  • Horror Short Screenplay + Feedback: $90

  • 1-Page Script: $15

  • 1-Page Script + Feedback: $65

  • Short Story (Prose): $40

  • Revisions: $5 per updated submission

• Deadline:

  • 31 December 2025 (11:59pm PST)

• More Info

Farnham's First Five Pages Writing Competition 2025

The Farnham First Five Pages Competition invites unpublished fiction writers to submit the first 5 pages of a novel plus a 250-word synopsis. The work can be a work-in-progress and is judged anonymously for a chance to win cash prizes and professional critique.

• Rules:

  • Open to writers aged 18+

  • Unpublished, original fiction only (self-published authors allowed, but the submitted work must not be published anywhere)

  • Submit the first 5 pages (maximum) of your novel

  • Include a separate 250-word synopsis (not counted in the 5 pages)

  • All entries judged anonymously — no identifying information in the document

• Prizes:

  • 1st Prize – The Paris Prize for Fiction: £1,000 + critique

  • 2nd Prize: £300

  • 3rd Prize: £200

  • All shortlisted works may be published on the Farnham Literary Festival website

• Entry Fee:

  • £10 per submission

  • No limit to the number of submissions per person

• Deadline: Wednesday 31 December 2025

• More Info

The Danahy Fiction Prize

The Danahy Fiction Prize awards $1,000 and publication in Tampa Review for a previously unpublished short story. Judged by the editors of Tampa Review, the prize offers both recognition and readership: every entrant receives an issue of the journal (print for U.S. addresses, digital for international entrants).

• Rules:

  • Submissions must be original, previously unpublished short fiction.

  • Preferred length: 1,000–5,000 words (stories slightly outside this range will still be considered).

  • Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but Tampa Review must be notified immediately if the manuscript is accepted elsewhere.

  • Manuscripts should be double-spaced and include a cover page with the author's name, mailing address, contact details, and total word count.

• Prizes:

  • $1,000 award

  • Publication in Tampa Review

  • All entries are considered for publication

  • All entrants receive one issue of Tampa Review (print for U.S. entrants, digital for international entrants)

• Entry Fee:

  • $20 non-refundable handling fee per manuscript (plus a small electronic payment processing fee)

• Deadline:

  • 31 December 2025

• More Info

Exeter Novel Prize 2025

The Exeter Novel Prize is an international award for independent writers, open to novels in English from anywhere in the world. Entrants submit the first 10,000 words of their novel plus a synopsis for a chance to win £1,000, gain industry attention, and receive feedback from a leading literary agent.

• Rules:

  • Open to writers 18+, worldwide who are not represented by a literary agent at the closing date.

  • Entries may be from published, self-published, or unpublished authors.

  • Submit the opening of your novel (not random scenes), up to 10,000 words, plus a synopsis of up to 500 words.

  • The novel must not have been accepted for publication by a traditional publishing house (self-published work allowed).

  • All genres accepted.

  • The attachment must be anonymous (no author name or contact details) and named with the novel title.

• Prizes:

  • 1st Prize: £1,000

  • Five finalists: £100 each.

• Entry Fee:

  • £20 standard entry

• Deadline: 1 January 2026 (11:59 p.m.)

• More Info

Marlowe & Christie Novel Prize

The Marlowe & Christie Novel Prize offers a chance to win £1,200 plus substantial industry exposure. Writers only need to submit the first 3,000 words of a novel (with no synopsis or completed manuscript required), making it an accessible entry point for for writers seeking agent exposure.

• Rules:

  • Submit the opening 3,000 words of a novel (no synopsis required).

  • Entries judged anonymously — no identifying details in the file or filename.

  • Must be written in English.

  • Additional professional feedback can be purchased separately.

• Prizes:

  • 1st Prize: £1,200.

  • Top Three: Feedback from Alec Shane (Writers House), Jenny Hewson (Lutyens & Rubinstein), and Katie Seamen (developmental editor and former commissioning editor at HQ).

  • Top Ten: Feedback from Patrick Gleeson, Bedford Square author.

• Entry Fee:

  • £24 basic entry (higher-cost optional feedback tiers available for those seeking professional critique).

• Deadline:

  • 5 January 2026

• More Info

Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize 2026

The Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize is a long-established award dedicated to supporting new women and non-binary writers. It has a strong track record for helping shortlisted authors secure agents, book deals, and publishing opportunities. Submissions only require the first 10 pages of a novel, followed by a one-paragraph pitch and a one-page synopsis.

• Rules:

  • Open to unpublished women and non-binary writers aged 18+, living full-time in the UK, Ireland or the Channel Islands.

  • Submit the opening 10 pages of your novel, plus a one-paragraph pitch and a one-page synopsis (all combined into a single PDF, maximum 12 pages total).

  • Anonymous judging — no identifying information on the document.

  • One entry per person.

• Prizes:

  • Winner: £1,500.

  • All shortlisted writers: One-to-one consultation with a WME literary agent, including editorial feedback and publishing advice.

• Entry Fee:

  • £12 standard entry.

  • Sponsored entries available for low-income applicants (proof required).

• Deadline:

  • 12 noon, 7 January 2026.

• More Info

Minotaur Books First Crime Novel Competition

The Minotaur Books and Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition is a rare, free opportunity for debut authors with a completed crime or mystery manuscript. The winner receives a traditional publishing contract with Minotaur Books and a $10,000 advance, making this a genuine career-launching prize.

• Rules:

  • Open internationally to writers aged 18+ who have never published a novel (self-published novels allowed, but the manuscript entered must be new).

  • Submit a full-length crime or mystery manuscript (minimum ~65,000 words).

  • Only one manuscript per writer.

  • Online submission only 

  • Anonymous judging and eligibility decisions are final.

• Prize:

  • Guaranteed publication contract with Minotaur Books (St. Martin's Press / Macmillan).

  • $10,000 advance against royalties.

  • Winner recognised at the Edgar Awards Banquet in New York.

• Entry Fee:

  • Free 

• Deadline:

  • 14 December 2025 (11:59 p.m. EST).

• More Info

Afritondo Short Story Prize 2026

The Afritondo Short Story Prize celebrates fiction from Black and African writers worldwide. This year's theme is "transition", and writers may submit one unpublished story between 3,000 and 5,000 words in English. Longlisted work will be published in Afritondo's global anthology.

• Rules:

  • Open to writers of African or Black heritage (including diaspora).

  • One unpublished story per writer.

  • Story must creatively respond to the theme "transition".

  • First page must include title + word count only (no author name anywhere).

  • All judging is anonymous.

  • Previously published or shortlisted work is not eligible.

  • If longlisted, the story cannot be withdrawn and will be included in the anthology.

• Prizes:

  • Winner: $1,000

  • Four finalists: $100 each

  • Longlist: anthology publication

• Entry Fee:

  • Free

• Deadline:

  • 24 December 2025

• More Info