Internationally respected short story prize run since 2008. Up to 4,000 words. Open to writers worldwide. All shortlisted writers receive ยฃ50 and publication in theโฆ
Celebrates the best fiction translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland. The ยฃ50,000 prize is shared equally between author and translator. Short storโฆ
Annual awards from one of America's most prestigious literary journals โ published since 1970 by the University of Iowa. Three categories: poetry, fiction, and creatโฆ
Annual contest from one of America's most distinguished literary journals, founded at the University of Iowa in 1969. Open internationally. Submit up to 3 poems (8 pโฆ
Prize from one of America's most distinguished literary journals. Stories up to 12,000 words. Open internationally. Winner receives US$1,000 and publication. Americaโฆ
Founded in 1998 by screenwriter Gordy Hoffman, BlueCat is particularly valued for the written feedback every entrant receives on their script โ not just finalists. Aโฆ
An annual prize for emerging writers run by the prestigious Cรบirt International Festival of Literature in Galway. Four categories: short fiction, poetry, essay, andโฆ
Free-entry flash fiction prize. Max 300 words. Open internationally. Top poem earns โฌ1,000. Winners published in the Fish Anthology. A prestigious platform for writeโฆ
A timed, prompt-based screenwriting competition running three rounds. Writers receive a genre, subject, and character assignment and must write an original short scrโฆ
International short story competition with multiple genre categories. Stories must be no longer than 5,000 words. No sexual, political or hate speech content accepteโฆ
One of the world's most prestigious and valuable prizes for a single short story. Open to UK writers submitted via publisher or agent. Winner receives ยฃ15,000. Shortโฆ
One of the world's most reputable flash fiction prizes. Up to 300 words. Open internationally. Two rounds per year with ยฃ1,000 first prize each round. All shortlisteโฆ
Australia's largest open poetry prize, awarding AU$15,000 for the best single poem. Open internationally. Winning poem published in the annual anthology alongside shโฆ
Prestigious international competition specifically for independently published authors and small presses. Recognises quality books outside traditional publishing. Noโฆ
An annual award for unagented, unpublished writers of children's, YA and adult fiction, run in partnership with Darley Anderson Agency. Now in its eighth year with aโฆ
An annual poetry contest from BOMB โ one of New York's most respected arts and culture magazines, known for its artist-to-artist interviews and experimental literaryโฆ
One of America's most distinguished prizes for a short story collection manuscript, published by the University of Georgia Press since 1983. Open internationally forโฆ
Known as the 'writer's festival', AFF runs one of the world's largest screenwriting conferences alongside its competition. Categories include feature, short, pilot,โฆ
A significant cash prize for the best unpublished short story. Open to Australian and international writers. 2,000โ5,000 words. Winning and shortlisted stories publiโฆ
International contest for unagented novelists worldwide. Submit the first 5,000 words plus a one-page synopsis. Welcomes both unpublished and self-published authors.โฆ
250 words max. Open to writers aged 16+ worldwide. One of the most competitive flash fiction prizes. Winners published in the annual Bridport anthology.
The Peggy Chapman-Andrews First Novel Award. Submit 5,000โ8,000 words from opening chapters plus a 300-word synopsis. A win or shortlist is one of the most powerfulโฆ
One of the most coveted poetry prizes in the English-speaking world. Up to 42 lines. Open to all writers aged 16+ worldwide. Winners published in the Bridport antholโฆ
One of the world's most respected writing competitions. Open to writers worldwide aged 16+. Max 5,000 words. Winners published in the annual Bridport anthology. Stroโฆ
Seeks bold, original writing that challenges norms and takes creative risks. Emotional stories with fresh perspectives. No AI-generated work accepted. Internationalโฆ
Established 1981 by the granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway, this prestigious competition has over 40 years of history. Focuses on emerging voices in short fiction. Opโฆ
A biennial award from Canada's oldest literary magazine for emerging writers who have not yet published a full-length book. Alternates annually between poetry and fiโฆ
An annual contest from Ploughshares โ one of America's most respected and widely read literary magazines โ for writers who have not yet published a full-length book.โฆ
Presented by the makers of the industry-standard screenwriting software, Big Break accepts feature films, TV pilots (hour-long and half-hour), and short scripts. Opeโฆ
Part of the annual HollyShorts Film Festival (Aug 13โ23, 2026), this contest accepts short screenplays up to 30 pages and TV pilots up to 50 pages. Winners gain expoโฆ
One of Hollywood's most respected screenplay contests, judged by working producers, agents, managers, and development executives. Ten genre categories including Actiโฆ
Prestigious international prize from Ireland's celebrated literary magazine. Up to 3,000 words. Open to anyone over 16 worldwide. Winning story published in the Irisโฆ
Open to women and non-binary writers worldwide writing in English. Submit the first 10,000 words of an unpublished novel plus a synopsis. Winner receives ยฃ5,000 plusโฆ
One of the longest-running U.S. screenplay contests, focused on connecting writers with representation. Quarterfinalists and above receive personalised development sโฆ
An annual competition for poetry chapbooks run by the Munster Literature Centre and Southword Editions, launched at the Cork International Poetry Festival. Two winneโฆ
The Irish Writers Centre's flagship annual initiative gives unpublished novelists the opportunity to pitch their novels to world-class publishers and literary agentsโฆ
Open to women and non-binary writers worldwide. Up to 2,200 words. Winner and finalists published in Mslexia and the Best Women's Short Fiction anthology. One of theโฆ
One of the world's most prestigious literary awards, given annually for the best novel written in English and published in the UK or Ireland. Open to writers of anyโฆ
Known as the 'writer's festival', the Austin Film Festival hosts the world's largest screenwriters' conference alongside its film programme. Hundreds of panels, pitcโฆ
Awarded to a debut full-length poetry collection published originally in English. Publishers submit four copies. One of the most valuable poetry prizes for debut colโฆ
An annual prize from The Missouri Review โ one of America's most influential literary journals โ for the best unpublished fiction, poetry, and essay. Open internatioโฆ
Run by The Poetry Society since 1978, one of the world's most prestigious prizes for a single unpublished poem. Open to all poets worldwide aged 18+. Judged anonymouโฆ
Open to citizens of the UK, Commonwealth, or Republic of Ireland who have had at least one short story published or accepted. Max 5,000 words. Run by the Society ofโฆ
Sister award to the Bath Novel Award, open to unagented writers of children's fiction worldwide โ both unpublished and self-published authors welcome. Submit the firโฆ
Respected international poetry prize. Open to all poets worldwide. Winners and shortlisted poems published in the annual Fish Anthology. Judged anonymously. Maximumโฆ
Internationally respected short story prize. Max 5,000 words. Open to all writers worldwide. Winners and shortlisted stories published in the Fish Anthology, a respeโฆ
A major annual international poetry prize run by the Munster Literature Centre (publishers of Southword journal) and named for Cork poet Gregory O'Donoghue. Open toโฆ
One of the world's most valuable prizes for a single poetry collection, with CA$65,000 each for best Canadian and best International collection. Publisher-submitted.โฆ
Created to address gender bias in literary awards. Celebrates excellence, originality, and accessibility in women's writing. Open to women of any nationality writingโฆ
Supported by the Malcolm Robertson Foundation and named after novelist Neilma Gantner. Seeks powerful short fiction up to 3,000 words on an annual theme. Open internโฆ
Named for acclaimed Australian-born British poet Peter Porter, this prize is awarded annually by Australian Book Review for the best unpublished poem. Open internatiโฆ
Monthly free-entry flash fiction contest run by the Australian Writers' Centre. Stories must be 500 words max and written within a weekend using set criteria. Open iโฆ
Free-entry contest for poetry and short fiction. Winners published in Aesthetica Magazine and receive ยฃ1,000. Open internationally. Celebrates innovative and boundarโฆ
Free-entry contest for the best philosophical-themed writing. Offers one of the largest free-entry prizes in creative writing. Open internationally.
International screenplay competition based in Australia, open to screenwriters worldwide. Accepts feature scripts, shorts, and TV pilots. Emphasises detailed readerโฆ
Backed by BAFTA and run by Rocliffe, this competition gives emerging UK writers the chance to have their work read by top film and TV executives. Winning scripts recโฆ
A joint BFI and BAFTA professional development programme for emerging UK filmmakers and screenwriters. Selected participants gain access to masterclasses, peer netwoโฆ
For first novels in a 'traditional or romantic' style by Commonwealth citizens under 35. Can be published or unpublished. One of the few major prizes for debut novelโฆ
Channel 4 runs recurring screenwriting talent schemes in partnership with ScreenSkills, including the 4Stories initiative and writer attachment programmes. Selectedโฆ
International competition for crime novelists writing in English. All crime subgenres welcome. Entrants may not have self-published fiction over 20,000 words. Win caโฆ
No entry fee prize run by the independent publisher Galley Beggar Press. Seeks extraordinary storytelling. Open internationally. One of the few free-entry prizes froโฆ
Free-entry competition awarding US$1,000 across multiple genres including short stories, poetry, and flash fiction. Open internationally. Rolling deadlines make it aโฆ
Awarded to the best work of literature in the English language, regardless of form or nationality. Nominated by Academy members. Celebrates literary merit across ficโฆ
Weekly themed short story contest with rolling deadlines and free entry. Open internationally. Strong community of writers. A good entry point for emerging writers sโฆ
Runs year-round genre-specific competitions including Drama, Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi, Animation, and TV Pilot, each judged by relevant industry professionals. Known fโฆ
Open to anyone over 16. Five categories: Novel, Short Story, Poetry, Children's/YA Novel, and Writing Without Restrictions. Strong track record of supporting emerginโฆ
UK Writing Competitions in 2026
The United Kingdom has one of the world's richest literary competition landscapes, with prestigious prizes including the Bridport Prize, the Bath Novel Award, the Costa Book Awards, and the Rathbones Folio Prize.
Many UK competitions are open to international writers, including writers from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Canada. Use the filters above to find competitions by type โ from short fiction and poetry to novel awards and screenwriting.
See the Resources & Festivals tab for UK writers' organisations, training providers โ and major literary festivals including the Hay Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival, and Cheltenham Literature Festival.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Browse the full Scriptorium directory or submit a competition for review.
Browse the full directory
Search all competitions across Australia, NZ, UK, Ireland, USA and Canada in one place.
Open full directory →The UK's professional organisation for crime writers, running the CWA Dagger Awards. Membership offers networking, access to events and the monthly Red Herring newslโฆ
The UK's professional body for romantic novelists, offering the RNA New Writers' Scheme โ manuscript critique for unpublished writers โ plus the RNA Awards, events aโฆ
The UK's national membership organisation for poets, publishing The Poetry Review and administering the National Poetry Competition. Offers membership events and advโฆ
The UK's trade union for professional writers, illustrators and literary translators. Provides contract vetting, legal advice, the Authors' Foundation grants (up toโฆ
Scotland's international crime writing festival, held annually in Stirling. Hosts the world's leading crime writers alongside debut authors, in a friendly, fan-accesโฆ
The world's oldest literary festival, held each October in Cheltenham. Features over 500 events with the biggest names in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and current aโฆ
The world's largest public celebration of the written word, held each August in Edinburgh. Over 800 events across 18 days featuring the world's most significant andโฆ
One of the world's most celebrated literary and ideas festivals, held annually in Hay-on-Wye, Wales. Called 'the Woodstock of the mind' by Bill Clinton, it attractsโฆ
Held at the Southbank Centre in London, this annual festival brings major international authors and poets to one of the world's most iconic arts venues. Strong progrโฆ
One of the UK's most beloved writing organisations, Arvon runs week-long residential retreats across rural England and Scotland. Tutors are professional published auโฆ
Run by Curtis Brown, one of the world's leading literary agencies. Offers selective 6-week and 3-month writing courses. Extraordinary track record: alumni have publiโฆ
Run by Faber & Faber, one of Britain's most prestigious literary publishers. Offers courses in fiction, poetry, memoir and children's writing. Tutors include publishโฆ
Known for championing experimental and formally innovative fiction. Hosts the Goldsmiths Prize. Alumni include Olivia Laing and Sunjeev Sahota. A program for writersโฆ
Home to the UK's largest prizes for poetry and fiction (ยฃ10,000 each), MMU's MA is one of the UK's leading programs. Strong industry connections and a successful traโฆ
Home to the Dylan Thomas Prize and a thriving creative writing program. Swansea's MA has an international reputation, drawing on the region's rich literary heritageโฆ
The national writing centre of Wales. Runs residential writing courses in English and Welsh across all genres, tutored by leading Welsh and UK writers. Set in a histโฆ
Arguably the most famous creative writing MA in the world, founded in 1970. Alumni include Ian McEwan, Kazuo Ishiguro, Anne Enright and many other celebrated novelisโฆ
The national organisation for literature in Wales, supporting Welsh writers through bursaries, mentoring, events and residential courses at Tลท Newydd Writing Centre.
Based in the Dragon Hall in Norwich โ a UNESCO City of Literature โ the National Centre for Writing runs major development programs, translation initiatives, residenโฆ
Scotland's national charity for reading and writing. Offers the New Writers Awards (ยฃ2,000 bursaries), mentoring, professional development and a rich program of evenโฆ
London's leading literature development agency for writers. Runs the London Writers Award, Flight programme and extensive professional development specifically aimedโฆ
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