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 October 2025

Poetry Competitions

The Peter Porter Poetry Prize 2026

The Peter Porter Poetry Prize is one of Australia's most prestigious and lucrative poetry awards, run by the Australian Book Review in memory of the poet Peter Porter (1929–2010). Now in its 22nd year, it welcomes entries worldwide from poets writing in English, on any subject and in any style.

  • Rules:

    • Open internationally; no age limit.

    • Submit one unpublished poem, up to 60 lines.

    • Poems must be in English and not previously published.

    • Multiple entries allowed (entered separately).

    • Submissions online only via ABR entry portal.

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize: AU$6,000

    • 4 × Shortlisted: AU$1,000 each

    • Shortlisted poems published in ABR (print & digital).

  • Entry Fee: AU$30 per poem (AU$20 for current ABR subscribers). Complimentary 4-month digital ABR subscription with first entry.

  • Deadline: 13 October 2025 (midnight AEST)

  • More Info

Booksie 2025 Poetry Contest

Booksie is looking to crown its 2025 Poet Laureate, inviting poets worldwide to submit original work. Poems may be serious or whimsical, factual or fictional, but should leave a lasting impression.

  • Rules:

    • Open internationally to all poets (English language only).

    • Original poems of any type, length, or subject accepted.

    • Unlimited submissions allowed (fee per entry).

    • You must be a Booksie member to enter (free to join).

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize (Gold Laureate): $1,000 cash award + Gold Winner badge + sitewide promotion.

    • 2 × Runners-up (Silver Laureates): $100 each + Silver Winner badge + promotion across Booksie.

  • Entry Fee:

    • $6.95 per entry ($3.50 for Premium Members).

    • All profits donated to the literacy charity Reading is Fundamental.

  • Deadline: October 17, 2025

  • More Info

Waltham Forest Poetry Competition 2025

The annual Waltham Forest Poetry Competition is now open for entries. This year's theme is "Weather" (or "Whether"). Poets can submit up to six poems of 40 lines each. The competition offers over £1,000 in total prizes, with separate awards for Adults, Young Poets, and Local Poets living, working, or studying in the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

  • Rules:

    • Open internationally to poets of all ages (Adult and Young Poet categories).

    • Submit up to 6 unpublished poems, maximum 40 lines each (not including title).

    • Poems must be in English and on the theme of Weather or Whether.

    • Type FUNNY at the top of any poem to enter it for the Funniest Poem Prize (no extra fee).

    • Entries must be anonymous

  • Prizes:

    • Adult Prizes: £400 / £200 / £100

    • Local Prizes (Adults): £50 / £30 / £20

    • Young Poet Prizes: £50 / £30 / £20

    • Local Young Poet Prizes: £50 / £30 / £20

    • Funniest Poem Prize: £100

    • Winning and commended poems published on the competition website and celebrated at the Awards Ceremony (9 December 2025, Trades Hall, Walthamstow).

  • Entry Fee:

    • Adults: £3 for the first poem, £1 for each additional poem (up to 6 total).

    • Young Poets: Free entry.

  • Deadline: 20 October 2025

  • More Info

Conflict or Collaboration – Frosted Fire Sixth International Single Poem Competition

The Frosted Fire Sixth International Single Poem Competition is now open for submissions. Poets worldwide are invited to submit previously unpublished text and/or audio poems of up to 50 lines on the theme of Conflict or Collaboration.

  • Rules:

    • Submit unpublished poems (text and/or audio) up to 50 lines, including title and stanza breaks.

    • Poems must be written in English. Translations are not eligible unless self-translated.

    • You may enter multiple poems (up to 5 per batch). Each poem must be a separate file with its title as the filename.

    • Audio-only entrants may book a free online recording session via the competition website.

    • All entries are judged anonymously. Simultaneous submissions allowed but must be withdrawn if published elsewhere.

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize (Text): £300

    • 1st Prize (Audio): £300

    • 4 × Runner-up Prizes: £25 each

    • All winning and longlisted poems published online as text and audio.

  • Entry Fee:

    • £5 per poem or £21 for 5 poems (paid via online form using PayPal or card).

    • Entry fees are non-refundable once received.

  • Deadline: 31 October 2025 (11:59 pm BST)

  • More Info

The Bedford Writing Competition is a prestigious international poetry & short story contest run by a nonprofit. Now in its 11th year, it welcomes writers aged 17+ worldwide and offers over £5,600 in total prizes, with winning and shortlisted work published in the annual Bedford Anthology.

  • Rules:

    • Poetry: maximum 40 lines (title not included).

    • Short Story: maximum 3,000 words (double-spaced).

    • Entries must be original, unpublished, and not AI-generated.

    • Anonymous judging — do not include your name on the manuscript.

    • Multiple entries allowed; simultaneous submissions permitted (withdraw if published elsewhere).

  • Prizes:

    • Poetry (Main): £2,000 / £300 / £200

    • Cygnature Poetry (ages 17–25): £200 (University of Bedfordshire)

    • Bedford Poetry (local residents): £100

    • Short Story (Main): £2,000 / £300 / £200

    • Winning & shortlisted works published in the Bedford Anthology (print & eBook).

  • Entry Fee:

    • £8.50 per poem (or £17 for three on one form)

    • Students: £6 per poem (or £12 for three on one form)

  • Deadline: 31 October 2025 (midnight BST)

  • More Info

National Poetry Competition 2025

The National Poetry Competition is one of the world's most prestigious prizes for an unpublished poem of up to 40 lines, open to poets aged 18 and over worldwide. Run by The Poetry Society since 1978, it offers significant cash prizes and international recognition for emerging and established writers alike.

  • Rules:

    • Poems must be unpublished and original

    • Maximum length: 40 lines (excluding title).

    • Entries can be on any subject and must be written in English.

    • Judged anonymously — do not include your name on the poem.

    • There is no limit on the number of entries per person.

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize: £5,000

    • 2nd Prize: £3,000

    • 3rd Prize: £2,000

    • Commended Prizes: £500 each

    • All winners invited to an awards event in Spring 2026.

  • Entry Fee:

    • £8 for the first poem

    • £6 for each additional poem (in the same submission)

    • Poetry Society members receive one free second poem, with further entries at £6 each.

  • Deadline: 31 October 2025 (midnight GMT)

  • More Info

Anthology Poetry Competition 2025

The Anthology Poetry Competition celebrates creativity, originality, and excellence in poetry. Open to poets of all nationalities, it welcomes unpublished poems in English on any theme or style, offering winners both recognition and publication opportunities.

  • Rules:

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

    • Maximum length: 40 lines.

    • No restriction on theme or style.

    • Simultaneous submissions allowed but must be withdrawn if accepted elsewhere.

    • Do not include your name on the document or file name (anonymous judging).

  • Prizes:

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

    • 2nd Prize: €250

    • 3rd Prize: €150

  • Entry Fee: €18 per poem

  • Deadline: 31 October 2025

  • More Info

TogetherintheUK 'Then & Now' Writing Competition 2025

The 'Then & Now' Writing Competition, hosted by TogetherintheUK, invites first and second-generation migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, international students, and international workers who have lived or currently live in the UK to share their migration stories. The competition welcomes poems, short stories, essays, or song lyrics that explore heritage, identity, and life between cultures.

  • Rules:

    • Entries must be original, unpublished, and written in English (with optional words from another language if translated).

    • Accepts poems, essays, short stories, or song lyrics.

    • Maximum length: 1,500 words.

    • Multiple entries allowed.

    • Must reflect the theme "Then & Now."

    • Open categories for Under 18s and Over 18s.

    • Entries promoting prejudice, hate, or violence will not be accepted.

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize: £250 in each age category

    • 2nd Prize: A writing masterclass in each age category

    • 3rd Prize: A gift voucher for a bookstore or cinema in each age category

    • Winning entries showcased on the TogetherintheUK website and may appear in an anthology

  • Deadline: 31 October 2025

  • More Info

Short Story Competitions

Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition 2025

The Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition welcomes original stories on any theme, subject, or genre. Open internationally to writers aged 16 and over, it celebrates imaginative storytelling and strong writing craft.

  • Rules:

    • Entries must be original, unpublished, and written in English.

    • Maximum length: 3,000 words (no minimum).

    • All entries are judged anonymously — do not include personal details anywhere in the document or file name.

    • Multiple submissions accepted (each requires a separate entry form and fee).

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize: £1,000 + online Creative Writing Ink course + publication on their website

    • 2nd & 3rd Prizes: £200 each

  • Entry Fee: £12 per story

  • Deadline: 15 October 2025 (4pm GMT)

  • More Info

 

The Bedford Competition 2025

(Also listed under Poetry Paid Competitions)

An international competition for both poetry and short stories, open to writers aged 17+ worldwide. Offers over £5,600 in total prizes, with winning and shortlisted entries published in the annual Bedford Anthology.

  • Short Story: up to 3,000 words (double-spaced)
  • Prizes: £2,000 / £300 / £200
  • Entry Fee: £8.50 per story
  • Deadline: 31 October 2025
  • More Info

The Hope Prize 2025

The Hope Prize is an international short story competition open to writers worldwide aged 18 and over. It celebrates powerful, original stories that explore hope, courage, and resilience, and welcomes both fiction and narrative nonfiction. Winning and shortlisted entries will be published in a Simon & Schuster anthology, with royalties donated to CAMFED, a global charity supporting girls' education across Africa.

  • Rules:

    • Accepts fiction and narrative nonfiction (no poetry or essays).

    • Maximum length: 5,000 words.

    • Stories must be unpublished and written in English.

    • Multiple entries allowed (each with a separate entry fee).

    • Judged blindly — no names in the document.

  • Prizes:

    • 1st Prize: $10,000 AUD

    • 2nd Prize: $2,000 AUD

    • 3rd Prize: $1,000 AUD

    • Winning and shortlisted stories published in a Simon & Schuster anthology.

  • Entry Fee: $30 AUD

  • Deadline: 31 October 2025

  • More Info

Fee-free entry available through "The Voices We Need" program for writers experiencing financial hardship.

No general free short story competitions this month, unless you qualify for the TogetherintheUK "Then & Now" Writing Competition (for migrants, refugees, and international residents in the UK).

See details under Free Poetry Competitions.