Discover 40+ top writing competitions in 2026. Entry details, deadlines & prizes included. Submit stories, essays & poetry to win awards & get published.
Whether you are a beginner or a published author, writing competitions offer cash prizes, global recognition, and publishing opportunities. This updated 2026 guide lists 40+ international writing competitions, including poetry, short story, essay, and creative writing contests. You’ll find deadlines, entry fees, prizes, and step-by-step instructions on how to enter writing competitions successfully.
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The ultimate List of WRITING COMPETITIONS 2026:
1. Red Hen Press- Ann Petry Award ( Fiction Competition)
Deadline: Wed, Apr 1, 2026 12:30 PM
Entry fee: Free
and publication of the awarded manuscript by Red Hen Press.Guidelines: The 2026 award is judged by Lisa Teasley.
- Open to all Black writers for previously unpublished prose (including self-published works)
- The entry should be a minimum of 150 pages.
- Submit only once per reading period.
Prize: $3000 and publication of the awarded manuscript by Red Hen Press.
2. Willow Springs – poetry, fiction and non-fiction submission
Deadline: Mon, Jun 1, 2026 12:30 PM
Entry fee:$3 reading fee for all submissions.
Guidelines:
- For short prose (under 750 words), submissions can include up to three pieces.
- up to 5 poems per submission
- simultaneous submissions are accepted
- respond within six months.
- previously published (reprint) submissions are accepted
Prize: pay contributors $100 per published long-form prose piece, $40 for short prose (up to three stories, each under 750 words, can be included per submission), and $20 per published poem (up to 5 can be included per submission).
3. MAGMA POETRY COMPETITION 2026
Deadline: 31 January 2026 11.59pm GMT
Entry fee: £5 for the first poem, £4 for the second poem and £3.50 for the third and each subsequent poem.
Guest Judge: Rishi Dastidar
Guidelines:
- All poems must not have been previously published, self-published or accepted for publication
- Work must be written primarily in English
- The Judge’s Prize – poems of 11 to 50 lines
- The Editors’ Prize – poems of up to 10 lines
- Submit previously unpublished work only
- Allows simultaneous submissions
- Include a brief cover letter
Prize:
- First prize for the Judge’s and Editors’ Prize is £1000, second prize £300 and third prize £150.
- The three prize-winning poems from each category will be published in Magma and there will also be five special mentions for each of the Judge’s Prize and Editors’ Prize categories.
4. Blackbird Writing Prize (2026)
Fiction and Creative Fiction Writing Competitions 2026
Deadline: Jan 31, 2026 11:30 AM
Entry fee: $2.00
Guidelines:
- Fiction : primarily looking for short stories, but novel excerpts are acceptable if self-contained.
- Non- Fiction : primarily look for personal essays, but memoir excerpts are acceptable if self-contained. Unsolicited book reviews and criticism are not considered.
- Simultaneous submissions are welcomed and encouraged
- Previously published work is ineligible.
- Accepts book reviews of up to 500 words or fewer.
Prize: pay $200 / story.
5. Driftwood Press Competitions 2026
Fiction | In-House Short Story Contest
Deadline: Feb 1, 2026 10:30 AM
Fee: $30.00 USD
Guidelines:
- 1,000-5,000 soft word limit.
- The work must not have been previously published.
- Simultaneous submissions are accepted
Prize: The Grand Prize winner will receive $400 USD and five copies of the issue in which the story appears. Runner-ups will be offered publication, an accompanying interview, $200 USD, and one copy of the issue in which their work appears.
Poetry | In-House Poem Contest
Deadline: Sun, Feb 1, 2026 10:30 AM
Fee: $25.00 USD
Guidelines:
- Submitters may send up to five poems
- Each poem must not exceed sixty lines.
- Prose poetry, experimental poetry, and poetry with a visual element are all welcome. Collaborations are also welcome
- Do not accept translations, and any submissions should be written primarily in English. Do not accept previously published poems.
Prize: The winning poet will receive $300 USD, five copies of the anthology they appear in, and the opportunity to participate in a standout interview about their work.Up to five finalist will be selected as well. Finalists will receive $50 USD
6. Fall 2026 New Voices Award for Nonfiction
Deadline: Mon, Feb 2, 2026 10:30 AM
Entry fee: $15.00
Guidelines:
- Submissions should not exceed 5,000 words.
- submit one piece per submission, and one piece per submission period.
- All submissions must be previously unpublished.
Prize: The winner will receive $1,500 and publication in the journal (in print and online).
7. Nimrod International Journal
The Nimrod Literary Awards: The Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry
Deadline: Feb 1, 2026 11:30 AM
Entry fee: $25.00
Guidelines:
- 3-8 pages of poetry (one long poem or several short poems)
- No previously published works or works accepted for publication elsewhere.
- Simultaneous submissions are accepted.
- The Nimrod Literary Awards are open internationally. Multiple submissions are acceptable.
Prize:
- First Prize: $2,000 and publication
- Second Prize: $1,000 and publication
8. Black Warrior Review- Poetry, Fiction & Non Fiction competitions
Deadline: Mon, Mar 2, 2026 11:30 AM
Entry fee: $5.00
Guidelines:
- Accepts stories of up to 6,000 words
- Non fiction Submissions limited to 4000 words.
- For hybrid submission, accepts submissions of up to 10 pages
- Previously unpublished poems are only allowed.
Prize: publication
9. The Chestnut Review
Poetry, Prose & Flash Competitions 2025
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Entry fee: $5
Guidelines:
- simultaneous submissions are accepted
- No previously published work
- NO ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS
- They do not accept submissions of AI generated work.
- Language must be English
- All nationalities are welcome to participate
- All those who submit work must be at least 18 years of age
- For poetry submit up to 6 poems
- Flash, 1000 words submission
- Between 1000 and 5000 words are accepted for prose
Prize: publication & US $120 per piece
10. ANMLY Writing Competitions
POETRY, FICTION and NON FICTION Writing Competitions
Deadline: Mon, Feb 2, 2026 10:30 AM
Entry fee: $3.00
Guidelines: Simultaneous submissions are accepted.
- Fiction & NonFiction Submissions: Attach 1 story of no more than 5000 words.
- Flash & Micros Submissions: up to 3 pieces per submission. Each work should be 1000 words or less (or around that number)
- Prose: Up to 5000 words
- Poetry: 1-6 poems, or up to 10 pages.
Prize:$5000 plus publication in the Spring 2026 issue
11. Northwest Review Competitions
Poetry Writing Competition
Deadline: Mon, Feb 16, 2026 1:30 PM
Entry fee: $3.00
Guidelines:
- send one to four poems at a time (and no more than 10 pages).
- Simultaneous submissions are accepted.
- Work must be previously unpublished.
Prize: Authors receive $25 per poem and up to $75 per short story/essay.
Fiction Writing Competition
Deadline : Mon, Feb 16, 2026 1:30 PM
Fee: $3.00
Guidelines :
- Short fiction should range between 1,000 and 9,000 words.
- Send only one story per entry.
- Work must be previously unpublished.
- Also accept flash fiction and flash nonfiction of up to 1,000 words
Payment : $1000 each, plus publication in print and online.
Non fiction Submission
Deadline : Mon, Feb 16, 2026 1:30 PM
Entry fee:$3.00
Guidelines:
- Creative nonfiction should range between 1,000 and 9,000 words.
- Simultaneous submissions are accepted.
- Also accept flash fiction and flash nonfiction of up to 1,000 words
- For fiction and Non fiction, they consider
- Microfiction
- Short fiction
- Short stories.
Payment :$1,000 prize and publication
12. Westland Books
Deadline: 1st March, 2026
Entry fee: free
Guidelines:
- The competition is open to Indian nationalities
- Entries must be in English.
- Short fiction and novellete of 2000 – 8000 words.
- Entries must not have been previously published or self-published, in print or online, or have won a prize in another competition.
Prize: Rs. 12500 for short stories; Rs. 25000 for novellete
13. Cleaver Magazine 2026 Contests
Deadline: open
Entry fee: $5.00
Guidelines:
- Submit up to 5 poems
- Submit one story up to 4000 words
- Submit micro-fiction (up to 700 words).
- Submit creative nonfiction) up to 3000 words.
- Submit micro nonfiction or short essays (up to 700 words).
- Multiple submissions are welcome and encouraged
Prize: publication
14. The NARRATIVE| POEM OF THE WEEK
Deadline: open
Entry fee: $19/entry
Guidelines:
- May contain up to five poems.
- Your submission should give a strong sense of your style and range.
- Accept submissions of all poetic forms and genres but do not accept translations.
Prize: Authors are paid $100 (reprints) to $200 for a poem published as a Poem of the Week, and all the Poems of the Week written by new and emerging writers are eligible for our annual $4,000 Narrative Prize.
15. Breakwater Review – submissions
General Nonfiction submission
Deadline : April 15, 2026
Entry Fee :$3.00
Guidelines :
- submit one story of no longer than 5,000 words or up to two shorter stories of 2,500 words or less.
- Writers of all backgrounds are welcome to submit.
- Simultaneous submissions are accepted.
Payment: publication
16. Vallum Awards
Vallum Chapbook Award
Deadline: Fri, May 1, 2026 9:30 AM
Entry fee: $25 for Canadian entrants, $30 for US and international entrants.
Guidelines:
- Chapbook submission of 15-30 pages
- Chapbooks may be on any theme or subject, but must be original and not previously published
- welcome simultaneous submissions
- You may include a cover letter
- Include a cover letter with all pertinent information.
Prize: $300 prize, 25 copies of the chapbook, and promotion through social media and our website.
17. The Moth Writing Competition 2026
The Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2026
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Entry fee: €16
Guidelines: The Judge: Robert Schechter
- Open to anyone above 16 years of age
- They seek for this contest: poetry of all lengths.
- Submit previously unpublished work only.
- They allow simultaneous submissions.
- They allow multiple submissions.
Prize:
- First prize €1000 and a week at The Moth Retreat in ireland
- Second- €500
- Third – € 250
18. Frontier Poetry Competition
2026 Hurt & Healing Prize
Deadline: Mon, Mar 9, 2026 12:30 PM
Entry fee: $20.00
Guidelines: Guest judge Gbenga Adesina
- Submissions are open to all poets, regardless of publication history.
- Accepts simultaneous submissions
- Send up to three poems per submission, for a total of no more than five pages
- Submissions must be previously unpublished works.
- Submissions are open internationally
Prize:
- The first-place winner will receive $3000 and publication.
- The second- and third-place winners will receive $300 and $200, respectively, along with publication.
- All finalists will be considered for paid publication in New Voices.–
- Runner-up Prizes:– €1000 (two prizes available).
19. Joyland Magazine 2026
Joyland Magazine Free Submissions
Deadline: year round.
Entry fee: free
Guidelines:
- All submissions must be in English.
- welcome works in translation.
- Consider fiction submissions (short stories and stand-alone novel excerpts) of up to 12,000 words.
Prize: $200
Joyland Magazine Paid Submissions
Deadline: year round
Entry fee :$5.00
Guidelines:
- Submissions must be in English.
- We welcome works in translation.
- Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
- Consider fiction submissions (short stories and stand-alone novel excerpts) of up to 12,000 words.
Payment: $200
20. The Bridport Prize
Deadline: Mon, Jun 1, 2026 4:30 AM
Entry fee: £26.00 (novel); £13.00 (poetry); £15.00 (short story); £12.00 (fiction)
Guidelines:
- 8,000 words max, (5,000 minimum) taken from the opening chapter/s and a 300 word overview which should form the first page/s of your entry.
- Long listed entrants will be asked to submit 15,000 words for the next stage of the judging process.
- Shortlisted entrants will be asked to submit 30,000 words for the final stage of the judging process.
- Flash fiction: 250 words max
- Poetry : 42 lines max. No minimum.
Prize:
- 1st Prize £1,500 plus package
- Runner up £750 plus package
- Dorset Award £100
- Publication
21. 2026 Hurt & Healing Prize
Deadline: Mon, Mar 9, 2026 12:30 PM
Entry fee: $20
Guidelines: Judge: Gbenga Adesina
- Submissions are open to new and emerging writers
- Send up to three poems per submission, for a total of no more than five pages.
- submit unpublished poems only.
- Submissions are open internationally, to any poet writing in English.
Prize:
- The first place winner will receive $3,000 and publication.
- Second- and third-place winners will receive $300 and $200 respectively, as well as publication.
22. Blackbird Submission
Book Reviews, Craft Essays, and Interviews
Deadline: open
Entry fee: $2.00
Guidelines:
- Accepts book reviews of up to 500 words or fewer.
- Only accept reviews of first or second books.
- Completed craft essays and interviews of up to 2,000 words.
Prize: Publication
23. Sundress Publications Prose Manuscripts
Deadline: February 28, 2026
Entry fee: $15
Guidelines:
- manuscripts of 125-165 double-spaced pages of prose, send a 20-35 page sample of the manuscript
- welcome authors from marginalized and underrepresented communities.
- Manuscripts translated from another language will not be accepted.
- Simultaneous submissions are fine
Prize: publication
24. The Master’s Review
Winter Short Story Award for New Writers
Deadline: Mon, Feb 2, 2026 1:30 PM
Entry fee: $20
Guidelines: Judged by Jim Shepard
- Submissions of fiction or nonfiction must be under 6,000 words.
- Submitted work must be previously unpublished.
- No translations
- This contest is for emerging writers only
- AI-generated submissions will be automatically disqualified.
- Simultaneous and multiple submissions are allowed
Prize:
- The first-place winner receives $3,000, online publication, and agency review.
- The second- and third-place finalists receive cash prizes ($300/$200), online publication, and agency review.
25. Fugue Prose & Poetry 2026
Deadline: Thu, Apr 2, 2026 12:30 PM
Entry fee: $20.00
Guidelines: Prose judge: Emily Mitchell & Poetry judge: Kimberly Johnson.
- Multiple submissions are considered.
- submissions not exceed 7000 words
- 1-3 poems per submission
Prize: $1,000 and publication in Fugue’s 2027
26. The Ex-Puritan Writing Competitions
Poetry
Deadline: Thu, Apr 2, 2026 9:30 AM
Entry fee: $3.00
Guidelines:
- include a succinct description of no more than 250 words in the Cover Letter field.
- Submissions should not exceed 5000 words.
Prize: $50 PER POEM, OR $100 PER POET IF MULTIPLE POEMS ACCEPTED
Essays
Deadline: Thu, Apr 2, 2026 9:30 AM
Entry Fee: $3.00
Guidelines : no more than 250 words in the Cover Letter. Submissions should not exceed 5000 words.
Payment: $200 PER ESSAY
27. The Literary Journal
Deadline: 31 August, 2026
Entry fee: $15.00
Guidelines: The theme for Superlative’s 2026 annual writing competition is GROWTH.
- Encourage transgressive and experimental work.
- Do accept simultaneous submissions
- allows one poem submission up to 3 pages.
Prize: £50 contributor prize.
28. Airlie Prize For Poetry Writing
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Entry fee: $25
Guidelines: Manuscripts should be 48 to 90 pages of original poetry in English. Should not have been previously published in a book-length collection of the author’s own work. This contest is limited to single-author submissions. Translations are not eligible. They accept simultaneous submissions.
Prize: $1,000 cash award upon publication of the book.
29. Tupelo Press Competitions
Tupelo Press Fiction
Deadline: year-round
Entry fee: $45.00
Guidelines:
- novels and short story collections
- Manuscripts are not read anonymously.
- No more than one or two works accepted per year.
Prize: publication
Tupelo Press Nonfiction
Deadline: year-round
Entry Fee: $45
Guidelines :
- submit only completed manuscripts for our consideration.
- Previously unpublished works accepted
Payment: publication
30. Gulf Coast Writing Competitions
Translations, Fiction, Poetry, Non- Fiction, Lyrics
Deadline: Mon, Mar 2, 2026 11:30 AM
Entry fee: $3.00
Guidelines:
- Poems for Online Exclusive consideration (up to 5 per submission)
- Less likely to publish pieces longer than 3,000 words.
- Submissions of more than 7,000 words.
- Poems (up to 5 per submission)
Prize:
31. The Georgia Review Writing Competitions
2025-2026 Poetry Submissions
Deadline: Mon, May 18, 2026 9:30 AM
Entry fee: $3.00
Guidelines: publishes multiple pages of poetry by each poet we feature. consideration, submit 6–10 pages of poetry or one long poem. Expect translators to acquire translation rights before submitting.
Prize: $4 per line for poetry, up to $800
2025-2026 Prose Submissions
Deadline: Mon, May 18, 2026 9:30 AM
Entry Fee : $3.00
Guidelines:
- submit only one essay. Rarely publish prose works 9000 words or longer. Expect translators to acquire translation rights before submitting.
- Publishes literary fiction. Submit only one story. Publish prose works 9000 words or longer.
Payment: $50 per printed page for prose
2025-2026 Book Review Submissions
Deadline: Mon, May 18, 2026 9:30 AM
Entry Fee: $3.00
Guidelines: Reviewers should cite the title, author, place of publication and publisher, year, number of pages, and price of the book or books in the review. Publishes standard reviews (typically 1,750–2,000 words), which focus on only one book, and essay-reviews (typically 4,000–6,000 words)
Payment: $50 per printed page for prose
32. English Magazine
Deadline: April 1, 2026.
Entry fee: $6
Guidelines:
- Poetry: Up to five poems per submission.
- Fiction or Creative Nonfiction: Submissions of up to 10,000 words.
- Submit book reviews of any length
- Simultaneous submissions are acceptable.
- Submit one film or clip.
- Art: portfolio of three to five images
Prize: publication
33. Blue Mesa Review
Deadline: Fri, Mar 20, 2026 11:30 AM
Entry fee: $10.00
Guidelines: Judge: Fiction :Joshua Wheeler, Poetry: Hakim Bellamy, Non Fiction: Brittany Means
- Essay of no more than 6,000 words.
- Submissions of up to 3 poems are accepted.
- Multiple entries are accepted
- Add the title and word count on the front page.
Prize:
- First Prize: $500
- Second Prize: $100
- Third Prize: $25
34. Yolk Submission
Poetry, Fiction & Non- Fiction
Deadline: Sun, Feb 1, 2026 10:30 AM
Entry fee: $3.00
Guidelines:
- Poetry: Our print publication is open to all Canadian writers. Submit a maximum of three poems; do not exceed 6 pages.
- Fiction: Do not exceed 4,000 words. Writers may submit up to two stories, but will have to submit them as separate entries.
- Non Fiction: Do not exceed 4,000 words. Writers may submit up to two individual pieces, but will have to submit them as separate entries.
Prize: $100CAD honorarium for digital publication. For print, offer $30 per page up to a maximum of $200.
35. West Trade Review Prize
Poetry
Deadline: March 15, 2026
Entry fee: $15
Guidelines: Judge: Jason Schneiderman
- Poet may submit up to three poems.
- Author is allowed multiple entries
- Only previously unpublished poems will be accepted.
- Submit up to three poems per entry
- Simultaneous submission is permitted.
- Entries must not have been previously published in print or online, been broadcast or won a prize.
Prize: $1000 and publication in the Spring 2027 print edition.
36. New Ohio Review
Deadline: April 15th, 2026
Entry fee: $22
Guidelines: Judges Poetry: George Bilgere ; Fiction: Jeff VanderMeer
- Submit up to 6 single-spaced pages of poetry per submission entry.
- Multiple stories will not be considered
- Submit one story per submission.
Prize: $1,500
37. The Fourth River
Deadline: Thu, Jan 16, 2025 10:30 AM
Entry fee: $3.00
Guidelines: send 3-5 poems. For all our submissions, themed or otherwise, we welcome especially work by writers who are part of marginalized groups: immigrant and indigenous writers; writers of color; women.
Prize: publication
38. Anodyne
Deadline: Thu, Jan 16, 2025 10:30 AM
Entry fee: €3.00
Guidelines: include a short bio. Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Submit up to three (3) poems.
Prize: publication
39. The 2026 Rejected Poetry Prize
Deadline: Mon, Feb 9, 2026 1:30 PM
Entry fee: $20
Guidelines:
1. only accepting poems that have been submitted to and rejected by literary magazines, journals, or contests that offer publication as a prize.
2. Submissions are open internationally, to any poet writing in English.
3. No more than three poems and under ten pages.
Prize: four winners will each receive $500 and 2025/2026 publication
40. Bear Review Poetry Prize
Deadline: not mentioned, most likely open through the year
Entry fee: $3.00
Guidelines: only accept unpublished work, and they acquire first rights. Simultaneous submissions are welcome. send three to five poems (each on a separate page). Include a brief cover letter and bio (200 words maximum) with your submission.
Prize: publication
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