Too many options when it comes to submitting your work? Here’s our top five comps and subs for May 2025.
Name: Wigtown International Poetry Prize
Deadline: 7th May 2025 at 12 noon
Wordcount: Poems must not exceed 40 lines (excluding the title)
Genre: Poetry
Description: This year’s Wigtown Poetry Prizes marks twenty years since their first launch in 2005. The winner of the Wigtown International prize is awarded £1,500, runner-up will receive £200. Check out their website for their other poetry prizes also closing on 7th May: Wigtown Scots Prize, Wigtown Scottish Gaelic Prize, Dumfries & Galloway Fresh Voice Award, and Alastair Reid Pamphlet prize.
Entry fee: £10
Website: https://www.wigtownpoetryprize.com/poetry-competition/info
Name: The Creative Future Writers’ Award
Deadline: 18th May 2025
Wordcount: Poetry: 50 lines; Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction: 2,000 words
Genre: Poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction
Description: The Creative Future Writers’ Award is an annual development programme for talented writers from underrepresented backgrounds. The theme for 2025 is ‘Wild,’ the theme is a creative prompt and not a requirement. Prizes are awarded for poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction, including cash, professional development opportunities in memberships, courses, mentoring, manuscript assessments, and coaching. All winners receive ongoing, long-term 1:1 support from Creative Future. Winning entries will also be published in an anthology alongside guest authors.
Entry fee: Free
Website: https://www.creativefuture.org.uk/for-writers/creative-future-writers-award/
Name: Bridport Prize – Flash Fiction
Deadline: 23:59 (UK time) on 31st May 2025
Wordcount: 250 words (excluding title)
Genre: Flash fiction
Description: The winner of the Bridport Flash Fiction Prize will receive £1,000, their winning story will be included in the Bridport Prize anthology and they’ll also be invited to take part in their awards celebrations. Runner-up will receive £500, third place will receive £250, and both will be included in the anthology. If flash fiction isn’t your thing, check out the other Bridport Prize categories: Poetry, Short Story, Novel Award, and Memoir Award.
Entry fee: £11
Website: https://bridportprize.org.uk/the-competition/flash-fiction/
Name: Swamp Pink
Deadline: 31st May 2025 (their general submission periods are: 1st September to 31st December, and 1st February 31st May)
Wordcount: Fiction, flash fiction, and non-fiction: up to 7,500 words; Poetry: a set of 3-6 poems
Genre: Fiction, non-fiction, and poetry
Description: Swamp pink is a semi-monthly online magazine, previously known as Crazyhorse. They are particularly interested in submissions from writers of colour and writers from marginalised and underrepresented communities. They publish fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. Their current submission period ends on 31st May.
Entry fee: $3
Website: https://swamp-pink.charleston.edu/
Name: Bath Novel Award
Deadline: 23:59 (UK time) on 31st May 2025
Wordcount: 5,000 words and a 1-page synopsis
Genre: Adult and YA Fiction
Description: The Bath Novel Award is a £5000 international prize for adult and YA novels in every genre. The prize is open to unagented writers who are unpublished, self-published, or independently published without an advance. The winner will receive £5000, longlistees will receive feedback on their 5,000-word extract and synopsis, shortlistees will receive feedback on their full manuscripts.
Entry fee: £29.99
Website: https://bathnovelaward.co.uk/the-bath-novel-award-international-writing-prize/
