February! It may be the shortest month (though we have an extra sneaky leap-day of subbing potential in 2020!) but there are still NINETY (90!) writing competitions, opportunities, and contests to enter. From flash fiction to poetry, short fiction to novels, screenplays to stage plays – we’ve got yer submission deadlines all lined up, so let’s go!
P.S. Why not join our #Submit2020 challenge and aim to beat your personal best for submissions this year?
Bloody Valentine
Deadline: 1st February 2020
Word Count: 2,000 words
Prize: $50
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: love-gone-wrong stories (Tales from the Moonlit Path publishes horror, dark, and speculative fiction)
More details and submissions info HERE
The Breakwater Fiction Contest
Deadline: 1st February 2020
Word Limit: 1,000-5,000 words
Prizes: 1st prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $10
Notes: Finalists will also be published
More details and submissions info HERE
The First Line
Deadline: 1st February 2020
Word Limit: 300-5,000 words
Payment: $25-50
Entry fee: FREE
Notes: All stories must be written with the first line provided
More details and submission info HERE
Halfway Down the Stairs
Deadline: 1st February 2020
Word Limit: Poetry: 500 words / Fiction: 5,000 words / Non-fiction: 3,000 words
Entry fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Milestones
More details and submission info HERE
Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award
Deadline: 1st February 2020
Word Limit: 8,000 words
Payment: 0.08 cents/word
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Entries should show the near future (no more than about 50-60 years out) of manned space exploration. The top three stories will receive free entry into the 2020 International Space Development Conference, a year’s membership in the National Space Society and a prize package containing various Baen Books and National Space Society merchandise.
More details and submissions info HERE
New America Prize
Deadline: 1st February 2020
Requirements: 48 pages of poetry
Prize: $1,200 + 25 copies
Entry Fee: $20
More details and submissions info HERE
Science Fiction Theatre
Deadline: 1st February 2020
Requirements: Short plays of up to 15 minutes / up to 4 characters
Prize: Up to 20 plays will be produced and performed at the Science Fiction Theatre Festival at the Pleasance Theatre 19-23 May 2020 (profit share)
Entry Fee: $15
Notes:Runners-up and other outstanding entrants will be considered for financial aid
More details and submissions info HERE
The Search for Blue
Deadline: 1st February 2020
Requirements: A 10-15 min scratch night script OR a 1-page synopsis of a scratch idea + up to 10 mins evidence of past work (script or video) + CV + a suggestion for environmental activism
Prize: Development and performance
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Entries should be artistic responses to the Earth and climate crisis to be part of The Search for Blue climate conscious festival to celebrate Earth Day, April 2020
More details and submissions info HERE
subTerrain Summer/Fall Issue
Deadline: 1st February 2020
Word Limit: Fiction: 3,000 words / Creative non-fiction: 4,000
Payment: Poetry: $50 per poem / Fiction: 10c per word (max $500)
Entry Fee: $3
Notes: Theme: Disobedience
More details and submissions info HERE
Yeats Poetry Prize
Deadline: 1st February 2020
Line Limit: 60 lines
Prize: 1st prize: $1,000 / 2nd prize: $500 / honourable mentions
Entry Fee: $15 for first entry, $12 for each additional entry
Notes: Winners and honourable mentions receive 2-year Yeats Society membership
More details and submissions info HERE
The First Pages Prize
Deadline: 2nd February 2020 (*early deadline)
Word Limit: 1,250 – the first 5 pages of a longer fiction or creative non-fiction manuscript
Prize: $1,000 + editing + agent consultation + accommodation/travel to Paris in June 9-10 for prize events
Entry Fee: $25
Notes: *Deadline extends to 16th Feb with increased entry fees
More details and submissions info HERE
The Papatango New Writing Prize
Deadline: 2nd February 2020
Requirements: Full-length plays (60 minutes/at least 40 pages or 9,000 words)
Prize: A full world premiere in London followed by a national tour + royalties + publication + a £6,500 commission to support a follow-up play
Entry Fee: FREE
More details and submission info HERE
The Waterman Fund Essay Contest
Deadline: 2nd February 2020
Word Limit: not stated
Prizes: 1st prize: $1,500 / 2nd prize: $500
Entry fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Changes in the Wild
More details and submission info HERE
Green Stories: Interactive Fiction Competition
Deadline: 3rd February 2020
Requirements: Interactive fiction of up to 30 minutes’ gameplay
Prizes: 1st prize: £500 / 2nd prize: £100 / 3rd prize: £50
Entry fee: FREE
Notes: Green Stories are looking for Interactive Fiction pieces that in some way touch upon ideas around building a sustainable society or showcase green ideas, practices or technologies.
More details and submissions info HERE
Newcastle Short Story Award
Deadline: 3rd February 2020
Word Limit: 2,000 words
Prizes: 1st prize: $3,000 AUD / 2nd prize: $1,700 AUD / 3rd prize: $1,000 AUD / 5 x highly commended prizes: $200-250
Entry Fee: $16.50 AUD
Notes: Open to Australians living home or abroad
More details and submissions info HERE
Scriptapalooza Screenplay/Shorts Competition
Deadline: 6th February 2020 (first deadline*)
Requirements: Screenplays: 80-140 pages / Short scripts: 40 pages
Prizes: 1st prize: $10,000 / Genre winners; $500 / All winners and semi-finalists will also receive promotion via industry connections for a year
Entry Fee: $35-55
Notes: *Deadline extends to April with increased entry fees
More details and submissions info HERE
Spread the Word Life Writing Prize
Deadline: 3rd February 2020
Word Limit: 5,000 words of life writing (can be part of longer work)
Prizes: 1st prize: £1,500 + mentoring and development / 2x highly commended: £500 + mentoring and development
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Open to writers who have not published a full-length piece of work or have a literary agent.
More details and submissions info HERE
Fiction International
Deadline: 4th February 2020
Word Limit: Fiction, non-fiction, and indeterminate prose texts: 5,500 words
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Algorithm
More details and submissions info HERE
The London Reader
Deadline: 5th February 2020
Word Limit: Fiction: 5,000 words / Poetry: up to 3 poems
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Stories of inequality and struggle
More details and submissions info HERE
The Molotov Cocktail Flash Frenzy Contest
Deadline: 5th February 2020
Word Limit: 1,000 words
Prizes: 1st prize: $250 / 2nd prize: $125 / 3rd prize: $75
Entry Fee: $7
Notes: Theme: Frenzy – must include something that is ‘unleashed’. (The Molotov Cocktail encourages surreal and experimental works)
More details and submissions info HERE
Northern Writers’ Awards
Deadline: 6th February 2020
Word Limit: Various – check individual awards for details
Prize: Various – awards of up to £5,000 + professional development support, publication, mentoring and workshops
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: There are several categories to submit to, including: children’s novels, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, short story collections and TV scriptwriting. Check each category for individual submission requirements.
Notes: Writers must be based in the North of England. It is essential that all winning writers are available to attend the Northern Writers’ Awards ceremony in Newcastle Upon Tyne on 24 June 2020.
More details and submission info HERE
New Writing North: Test Signal
Deadline: 6th February 2020
Word Limit: 5,000 words
Payment: Authors will be paid for their contribution and offered a free consultation with an agent from C&W Literary Agency
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Test Signal is looking for high-quality short fiction and narrative non-fiction that showcases the best writing talent in the North.
More details and submission info HERE
The Elmbridge Literary Competition
Deadline: 7th February 2020
Word Limit: Fiction: 1,500 words / Poetry: 30 lines
Prizes: (In each category) 1st prize: £250 / 2nd prize: £150 / 3rd prize: £100
Entry Fee: £5
Notes: Theme: New world
More details and submissions info HERE
Slackline Stories
Deadline: 8th February 2020
Requirements: Short plays of 10-15 mins (bonus points for plays that feature female-identifying characters aged 35+)
Prizes: Six playwrights will be chosen to attend a 24 hour session of writing, developing and rehearsing before a performance on 8th March (International Women’s Day)
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Open to female playwrights
More details and submissions info HERE
ChipLitFest Short Story Competition
Deadline: 8th February 2020
Word Limit: 5,000 words
Prizes: 1st prize: £500 / 2nd prize: £100 / 3rd prize: £50
Entry Fee: Up to 2,500 words: £5 / up to 5,000 words: £8
More details and submissions info HERE
Showcase Script Teleplay Competition
Deadline: 9th February 2020 (*regular deadline)
Requirements: Teleplays of 30-70 pages
Prize: 1st prize: $1,000 / 2nd prize: $500
Entry Fee: $49
Notes: Winners and shortlisted entries will be circulated to industry professionals for 1 year. *Deadline extends to March with increased entry fees.
More details and submissions info HERE
Dear Black People
Deadline: 10th February 2020
Requirements: A 15 minute long extract from a script + a monologue up to 5 minutes long
Prizes: Production and performance at the Pleasance Theatre on Monday 11th May
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Dear Black People is looking for scripts by Black writers that celebrate identity with power, comedy and confidence.
More details and submissions info HERE
Here Comes Everyone
Deadline: 10th February 2020
Word Limit: Fiction: 2,000 words / Non-fiction: 1,500 words / Poetry: 25 lines
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Green
More details and submissions info HERE
Writers’ & Artists’ Short Story Competition
Deadline: 13th February 2020
Word Limit: 2,000
Prize: A residential Arvon writing course
Entry Fee: FREE
More details and submissions info HERE
Hippocrates Prize for Poetry and Medicine
Deadline: 14th February 2020
Line Limit: 50 lines
Prizes: 1st prize: £1,000 / 2nd prize: £500 / 3rd prize: £250
Entry Fee: £7
Notes: Poems must be on a medical subject
More details and submissions info HERE
About Place: Practices of Hope
Deadline: 15th February 2020
Word Limit: Fiction & non-fiction: up to 3 pieces of 4,000 words each / Poetry: up to 3 pieces of 50 lines each
Entry fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Practices of hope
More details and submission info HERE
Cease, Cows: National Tell a Fairy Tale Day
Deadline: 15th February 2020
Word Limit: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Entries must be a retelling of a fairy tale
More details and submission info HERE
Frosted Fire Firsts
Deadline: 15th February 2020
Requirements: Up to 10 poems of no more than 60 lines each
Prizes: 2 winners will receive publication of a 32-page poetry pamphlet and 50 copies
Entry fee: £12
Notes: Entry is open to all poets who have not had a pamphlet or collection published by an independent publisher. Winners will be invited to submit more poems to fill a 32-page manuscript.
More details and submission info HERE
National Flash Fiction Day Microfiction Competition
Deadline: 15th February 2020
Word Limit: Up to 3 flashes of up to 100 words each
Prizes: 1st prize: £100 / 2nd prize: £50 / 3rd prize: £25
Entry Fee: £2 for 1 entry / £3.75 for 2 entires / £5.25 for 3 entries
Notes: Winning and shortlisted entries will be published in the NFFD anthology
More details and submissions info HERE
Stockholm Writers Prize
Deadline: 15th February 2020
Requirements: A 1,500 word writing sample + 1,000 personal statement
Prize:A 7-day residency in Stockholm, Sweden (21-27 May) including attendance at The Stockholm Writers Festival of 2020 (May 22-24) + $1000 in travel expenses + accommodation + a 1-1 meeting with an agent + individual feedback from judges
Entry Fee: $25
Notes: Entries should be tied to social justice issues
More details and submissions info HERE
Writers Online Dialogue Only Short Story Competition
Deadline: 15th February 2020
Word Limit: 1,500-1,700 words
Prize: 1st prize: £200, Runner-up: £50
Entry Fee: £6 (£4 for subscribers)
Notes: Stories must be dialogue only
More details and submissions info HERE
Yemassee Fiction Chapbook Contest
Deadline: 15th February 2020
Requirements: Fiction: 20-40 pages (novella, short story collection, flash fiction collection, or combination) / Poetry: 20-26 pages
Prize: (in each category) $1,250 + 25 copies
Entry Fee: $18
More details and submissions info HERE
101 Fiction
Deadline: 16th February 2020
Word Limit: 100 words exactly (with a 1 word title)
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Inventions (science fiction, fantasy, horror and the surreal)
More details and submissions info HERE
Bath Flash Fiction Award
Deadline: 16th February 2020
Word Limit: 300 words
Prizes: 1st prize: £1,000 / 2nd prize: £300 / 3rd prize: £100 / 2 commended prizes: £30
Entry fee: £9 for 1 entry / £15 for 2 / £18 for 3
Notes: 50 longlisted entries will be published in the Bath Flash Fiction Award anthology
More details and submissions info HERE
Claire Keyes Poetry Prize
Deadline: 16th February 2020
Requirements: 8-10 pages of poetry
Prize: $1,000 + publication
Entry Fee: $10
More details and submissions info HERE
MUSE Magazine
Deadline: 17th February 2020
Word Limit: Articles: 800-2,000 words / Profiles, interviews & activities: 500-800 words / Fiction: 800-1,200 words
Payment: Non-fiction: up to 25 cents per word / Fiction: 10 cents per word
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Super powers. MUSE is a non-fiction science themed magazine for children aged 9-14. Articles are commissioned following a query.
More details and submissions info HERE
The Straid Collection Awards
Deadline: 17th February 2020
Word Limit: Full-length poetry collections
Payment: Templar Poetry standard publishing agreement
Entry Fee: $25
More details and submissions info HERE
The London Library Emerging Writers Programme
Deadline: 19th February 2020
Requirements: A writing sample of 1,200 words + application
Prizes: One year’s free membership of The London Library + writing development masterclasses, literary networking opportunities, peer support and guidance in use of the Library’s resources.
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: The Emerging Writers Programme can accommodate up to 40 writers
More details and submissions info HERE
Granta: Open Call
Deadline: 19th-20th February 2020
Word Limit: No set length, but most submissions are 3,000-6,000 words
Payment: Varies
Entry Fee: £3 (100 free entries available for low-income writers)
Notes: Fiction/Non-fiction deadline: 19th Feb / Poetry deadline: 20th Feb
More details and submissions info HERE
William Van Dyke Short Story Prize
Deadline: 19th February 2020
Word Limit: 5,500 words
Prizes: 1st prize: $1,500 / Runner-up: $300
Entry Fee: $20
Notes: Entry includes a PDF copy of the prize issue
More details and submissions info HERE
The Page International Screenwriting Awards
Deadline: 20th February 2020 (*regular deadline)
Requirements: Full-Length Features: 80-120 pages / Short Film Scripts: 30 pages / TV Drama Pilots: 50-70 pages / TV Comedy Pilots: 25-45 pages
Prize: Grand prize: $25,000 + a full fellowship to the Nostos Screenwriting Retreat in Tuscany / Gold prize: $1,000 / Silver prize: $500 / Bronze prize: $250
Entry Fee: $55
Notes: *Deadline extends to April with increased fees. Winners will also receive promo packages and gift card prizes.
More details and submissions info HERE
Script Pipeline First Look Project
Deadline: 20th February 2020
Requirements: Feature screenplays (action/scifi, comedy, drama, horror/thriller): no page restriction / TV pilots: 30 minute (25-35 pages) and 60 minute (55-70 pages) original pilots in any genre
Prizes: $2,500 in each genre/category ($15,000 divided between 6 winners)
Entry Fee: $35
Notes: Winning screenwriters will also receive industry exposure and professional development
More details and submissions info HERE
The BeZine
Deadline: 20th February 2020
Word Limit: not stated
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Waging the peace
More details and submissions info HERE
Willow Run Poetry Book Award
Deadline: 20th February 2020
Requirements: 75-100 pages of poetry
Prize: €1,000
Entry Fee: €20
More details and submissions info HERE
Minding Nature
Deadline: 21st February 2020
Word Limit: Essays: 5,000 words / Poetry: not stated / Reflections: 1,500 words
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Ecological citizenship
More details and submissions info HERE
A3 Review (RECURRING)
Deadline: 22nd February 2020
Word Limit: 150 words (not incl title)
Prize: 1st prize: £250, 2nd prize: £150, 3rd prize: £75
Entry Fee: $5/£3
Notes: Theme: Teenagers. Two winning entries from each month will appear in The A3 Review (published every 6 months). From this shortlist of winners, 3 will be chosen to win cash prizes.
More details and submissions info HERE
CFWA 2020 Writer in Residence Scheme
Deadline: 31st February 2020
Requirements: A personal statement + 2,000 word fiction sample/200 line poetry sample + writing CV + references
Prize: A £5,000 honorarium and a 10 day on-site residency at Preston Park Recovery Centre, to include candidate-led workshops, a reflective blog post, a piece of creative writing, and a showcase event
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: This is an opportunity for an established writer from an underprivileged background with experience working with vulnerable/marginalised people.
More details and submissions info HERE
Claw & Blossom
Deadline: 24th February 2020
Word Limit: Fiction: 1,000 words / Poetry: one poem
Payment: $25
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Stripes
More details and submissions info HERE
Speculative City
Deadline: 24th February 2020
Word Limit: 5,500 words
Payment: $20-55
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Alternative history
More details and submissions info HERE
Finish Line Script Competition
Deadline: 25th February 2020 (*earlybird deadline)
Requirements: Feature film scripts (minimum 70 pages) / TV pilot scripts
Prizes: Grand prize: $1,500 + $500 travel expenses to LA to meet with mentors + script consultation and development / 1st runner up: $500 + consultation with industry professionals / 2nd runner up: $250 + consultation with industry professionals
Entry Fee: $35
Notes: *Deadline extends to June with increased entry fees
More details and submissions info HERE
3Elements Literary Review
Deadline: 28th February 2020
Word Limit: Fiction: 3,500 words / Poetry: 2 pages
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Stories must include the following 3 elements: Rorschach Test, Zigzag, Haven
More details and submissions info HERE
Acumen International Poetry Competition
Deadline: 31st February 2020
Line Limit: 50 lines
Prizes: 1st prize: £1,000 + 5 years subscription / 2nd prize: £400 + 3 years subscription / 3rd prize: £200 + 2 years subscription / Special prize (subscribers only): £100 / 6x highly commended: £25
Entry Fee: £5 for 1 poem (free for subscribers) / £10 for 5 poems
More details and submissions info HERE
Blue Mesa Review
Deadline: 28th Feburary 2020
Word Limit: Fiction: 6,000 words / Poetry: up to 3 poems
Payment: Selected works will receive a $25 contributor payment
Entry Fee: FREE
More details and submissions info HERE
Chicken Soup For The Soul
Deadline: 28th February 2020
Word Limit: Inspirational true stories and poems of up to 1,200 words
Payment: $200
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Themes: Listen to your dreams
More details and submissions info HERE
Exeter Writers Short Story Competition
Deadline: 28th February 2020
Word Limit: 3,000 words
Prizes: 1st prize: £700 / 2nd prize: £250 / 3rd prize: £100 / Devon writer’s prize: £100
Entry Fee: £7
More details and submissions info HERE
Fish Flash Fiction Prize
Deadline: 28th February 2020
Word Limit: 300 words
Prizes: 1st prize: €1,000 / 2nd prize: €300 / 3rd prize: Online writing course
Entry Fee: €14 (€8 subsequent entries)
Notes: The top ten stories will be published in the Fish Anthology 2020
More details and submissions info HERE
Myriad First Graphic Novel Competition
Deadline: 28th February 2020
Requirements: An extract (15-30 pages) from a narrative work in progress – nonfiction or fiction + 1 page synopsis
Prize: The winner will be offered the opportunity to develop their work-in-progress with Myriad’s creative and editorial team with a view to being offered a contract and publication.
Entry Fee: £10
Notes: The competition is for a graphic novel-in-progress and is open to all cartoonists, and writers and artists working as a team, who have not previously published a full-length graphic work.
More details and submissions info HERE
NOWW International Writing Contest
Deadline: 28th February 2020
Requirements: Poetry: 3-5 poems (combined length of 50-100 lines) / Fiction: 2,000-3,500 words / Creative non-fiction: 1,500-3,000 words
Prizes: 1st prize: $125 CAD / 2nd prize: $75 CAD / 3rd prize: $50 CAD
Entry Fee: $10 CAD (free for NOWW members)
More details and submissions info HERE
Snowbound Chapbook Award
Deadline: 28th February 2020
Requirements: Full-length poetry collection manuscripts of 20-36 pages
Prize: $1,000 + 25 copies + book launch + national distribution
Entry Fee: $25
More details and submissions info HERE
Spirit First Poetry Contest
Deadline: 28th February 2020
Requirements: Up to 3 poems
Prizes: 1st prize: $200 / 2nd prize: $150 / 3rd prize: $100
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Meditation or Mindfulness
More details and submissions info HERE
ASK Magazine
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Word Limit: Articles: 400-1,200 words / Humour pieces: 200-400 words / Profiles: 200-1,000 words
Payment: Non-fiction: up to 25 cents per word / Fiction: 10 cents per word
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Sneaky Art Tricks. ASK is a non-fiction science themed magazine for children aged 7-10. Articles are commissioned following a query.
More details and submissions info HERE
Brian Dempsey Memorial Competition
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Line Limit: 40 lines per poem (enter individual poems for the single poem category or a collection of 10 for the pamphlet prize)
Prizes: Pamphlet prize: £100 + chapbook publication + 20 copies / Single poem category 1st prize: £75 / 2nd prize: £50 / 3rd prize: £25
Entry Fee: 1 poem: £5 10 poems: £20
Notes: Entry discounts for multiple entries
More details and submissions info HERE
CWA Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Word Limit: 3,500 words
Prize: £500 + two weekend passes to CrimeFest 2021 + a selection of Margery Allingham-related books
Entry Fee: £12
Notes: Entries must match the following definition: “The Mystery remains box-shaped, at once a prison and a refuge. Its four walls are, roughly, a Crime, a Mystery, an Enquiry and a Conclusion with an Element of Satisfaction in it.”
More details and submissions info HERE
Didcote Writers Competition
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Word Limit: 500 words (prose, script or poetry; fiction or non-fiction; a complete story or an extract of a longer work)
Entry Fee: FREE (for first entry, £5 for subsequent entries)
Notes: Theme: Cloud
More details and submissions info HERE
Drunk Monkeys
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Word Limit: Flash fiction: 1,000-1,500 / Short fiction: 3,000 words / Poetry: up to 5 poems / Non-fiction: 5,000 words
Payment: $5
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Pop culture
More details and submissions info HERE
Flash 500 Short Story Competition
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Word Limit: 1,000-3,000 words
Prizes: 1st prize: £500 / 2nd prize: £200 / 3rd prize: £100
Entry Fee: £7 for 1 entry / £12 for 2 / £16 for 3 / £20 for 4
More details and submissions info HERE
The Geoff Stevens Memorial Poetry Prize
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Requirements: A collection of 15 poems
Prize: Two winners will have a 52 page poetry collection published Indigo Dreams Publishing + 20 copies
Entry Fee: £17
More details and submissions info HERE
Grain Magazine: Queer Issue
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Word Limit: Poetry: up to 6 pages / Fiction & literary non-fiction: 3,500 words
Payment: $50 per page (up to $500)
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Submissions are open to all writers who identify as LGBTQ2S+
More details and submissions info HERE
MTP Winter Short Story Competition
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Word Limit: 3,000 words
Prizes: 1st prize: £400 / 2nd prize: £300 / 3rd prize: £200
Entry Fee: £5
More details and submissions info HERE
Nowhere Emerging Travel Writers’ Prize
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Word Limit: 800-5,000 words
Prize: $500
Entry Fee: $15
Notes: Up to 10 finalists will also be published
More details and submissions info HERE
Red Hen Press Women’s Prose Prize
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Word Limit: 45,000-80,000 words (novels, short story collections, memoirs, essay collections, and all other forms of prose writing)
Prizes: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Notes: The competition is open to all writers who identify as women
More details and submissions info HERE
Reflex Fiction Spring 2020
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Word Limit: 180-360 words
Prizes: 1st prize: £1,000 / 2nd prize: £500 / 3rd prize: £250
Entry Fee: Choose your own (suggested £7 fee)
Notes: All long-listed stories will be eligible for publication in a print anthology
More details and submissions info HERE
ScreenCraft Animation Screenplay Competition
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Requirements: Animated feature screenplays: 100-120 pages / Adult TV pilots and kids’ TV pilots: 22-35 pages for half-hour pilots, 46-65 pages for hour-long pilots
Prize: $1,000 in each category + circulation of winning screenplays to industry professionals + development support from ScreenCraft
Entry Fee: $69
More details and submissions info HERE
ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Requirements: Feature screenplays: 70-140 pages / Comedy TV pilot scripts: 25-40 pages / Drama TV pilot scripts: 45-65 pages
Prize: Up to 4 winners will receive all-expenses paid trip to LA to meet with industry professionals + creative development mentorship
Entry Fee: $69
More details and submissions info HERE
Scottish Arts Trust Story Awards
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Word Limit: 2,000 words
Prizes: 1st prize: £1,000 / 2nd prize: £500 / 3rd prize: £250 / Isobel Lodge award: £600 (for a writer born, living or studying in Scotland)
Entry Fee: £10
More details and submissions info HERE
Slipstream Open Poetry Competition
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Line Limit: 60 lines
Prizes: 1st prize: £200 / 2nd prize: £100 / 3rd prize: £50 / Best West Sussex entry: £25
Entry Fee: £5 for first entry, £3.50 thereafter
More details and submissions info HERE
Stonecrop Review
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Word Limit: 500-5,000 words
Payment: $20
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Sky. Stonecrop Review seeks creative non-fiction, fiction, art, and photography that explores the ways in which human animals, non-human animals, and plants have created, adapted to, and thrived in cities.
More details and submissions info HERE
Triangulation: Extinction
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Word Limit: 5,000 words (3,000 preferred)
Payment: 3 cents per word
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Theme: Extinction. Triangulation accepts science fiction, fantasy, and horror–and enjoy intelligent blends of the three. Stories without a speculative element will not be considered.
More details and submissions info HERE
White Label Collection Quatre – First Collection Pamphlet Competition
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Requirements: A collection of 20 poems, max 40 lines each
Prize: Three poets will receive publication + 100 copies
Entry Fee: £25
More details and submissions info HERE
Wild Poem Competition
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Line Limit: 70 lines
Prizes: 1st prize: £200 / 2nd prize: £75 / 3rd prize: £25
Entry Fee: £4 for 1 / £14 for 4
Notes: Theme: Wild
More details and submissions info HERE
WOW! Winter 2020 Flash Fiction Contest
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Word Limit: 250-750 words
Prizes: 1st prize: $400 / 2nd prize: $300 / 3rd prize: $200
Entry Fee: $10
More details and submissions info HERE
Writers’ Retreat UK
Deadline: 29th February 2020
Word Limit: 250-1,000 words
Prizes: 1st prize: £200 + free writing retreat / 2nd prize: £100 / 3rd prize: £50 / 6x merit prizes: £15
Entry Fee: £15
More details and submissions info HERE
Ad Hoc Fiction (RECURRING)
Deadline: Various (weekly)
Word Limit: 150 words
Prize: Free entry to the Bath Flash Fiction Award
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Entries must include the prompt word (see website for latest deadline). Once submissions are closed, entries are published for public voting on the Ad Hoc site.
More details and submissions info HERE
Faber Academy QuickFic (RECURRING)
Deadline: Weekly (new prompt every Friday)
Word Limit: 250 words
Prize: A selection of books
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Stories must be in response to a weekly prompt posted each Friday at 9.50am
More details and submissions info HERE
Third Word Press Great Eighty Challenge (RECURRING)
Deadline: Rolling
Word Limit: Exactly 80 words
Prize: Royalties on publication
Entry Fee: FREE
Notes: Title not included in word count (but limited to 6 words).
More details and submissions info HERE
If you have a writing competition or opportunity to add to our March listings, please contact [email protected] before the 1st of February.
Please note: We rarely list contests with an entry fee of over £20 (with the exception of scriptwriting and chapbook competitions) unless they also offer free entries for low income writers.
