Competitions and Submissions

Deadline: Sat 25 Oct 2025
Location: London

The biannual Scratch A4 writing competition celebrating 1000-word stories and culminating in the Scratch A4 event in Soho on Saturday 6 December 2025 is now open for submissions. Read more...

Deadline: Thu 30 Oct 2025
Location: London

Spread the Word’s free 10-month development programme supports London-based writers from underrepresented communities to develop their work, connect with agents and move towards publication. Read more...

Deadline: Fri 31 Oct 2025
Location: International

Entries on any theme or subject written in English are invited from writers worldwide.  Read more...

Deadline: Fri 31 Oct 2025
Location: UK

The Writers Workshop is a growing organisation on a mission to promote the joy and power of creative writing across our region through in-person events and further afield via online events. Read more...

Deadline: Fri 31 Oct 2025
Location: International

Short stories (max 6000 words) that respond in any way to the prompt: 'Switch' are invited from published and unpublished writers worldwide. Read more...

Deadline: Fri 31 Oct 2025
Location: North East of England

Applications are now open for Live Theatre’s North East Playwriting Award, open to playwrights of all levels, new to established, over the age of 16 who are from, living or working in the North East of England. Read more...

Deadline: Fri 31 Oct 2025
Location: International

The competition, run by The Poetry Society since 1978, is one of the world’s most prestigious prizes for a single unpublished poem. This year's judging panel includes Denise Saul, Ian Duhig and Susannah Dickey. Open to all poets worldwide aged 18+.  Read more...

Deadline: Fri 31 Oct 2025
Location: Scotland

Submissions are invited for New Writing Scotland 44, publishing in summer 2026. New Writing Scotland publishes works by writers resident in Scotland or Scots by birth, upbringing, or inclination, written in any of the languages of Scotland. Read more...

Deadline: Fri 31 Oct 2025
Location: International

Short Story Competition - up to 3000 words. Poetry Competition - up to 40 lines. Short Story judge: Toby Litt. Poetry Judge: Fran Lock. Open to anyone over the age of 17 years. Read more...

Deadline: Fri 31 Oct 2025
Location: UK

The Solstice Nature Prize for Young Writers 2025 is open for entries! This year, Writing East Midlands is seeking 500-word short stories, 500-word blogs or 40-line poems from young writers across the UK—all on the theme of nature, the environment and issues related to climate change.  Read more...