Free Writing Opportunities.
A regularly updated list of free-to-enter writing contests, submission calls, and publishing opportunities — no fees, no catch, just opportunities.
Welcome to the Free Writing Opps Roundup — your one-stop resource for discovering the latest no-fee writing opportunities.
Whether you’re just starting out or building your publication list, this page curates open calls for:
Short stories
Flash and microfiction
Lit mags and anthologies
Writing competitions with free entry
Other interesting submissions with zero submission fees
This list is updated monthly, and older listings are removed as deadlines pass. All links are checked to make sure you’re only seeing active and accessible opportunities. No gatekeeping. No fees. Just a chance to get your words out there.
Want a reminder when the list updates? Follow me on Instagram for #FreeWritingOppsFriday.
For a full list of all the Writing Competitions open this month, check out the Writing Competition Roundup.
Green Stories Epiphanies Competition
Deadline | 27th August |
Wordcount | 500 words |
Fee | Free |
Prize/ Payment | £300 prize for the winning story plus £100 prize for 7 runners up. |
Intrepid Times Writing Competition
Deadline | 31st August |
Wordcount | 2,000 words |
Fee | Free |
Prize/ Payment | The winning writer will receive a prize of $300 as well as publication on Intrepid Times. |
THE WRITERS’ COLLEGE Short Story Competition
Deadline | 30th September |
Wordcount | 2,000 words |
Fee | Free |
Prize/ Payment | First Place: NZ$1,000 |
Emerging Worlds
Deadline | Unscheduled |
Wordcount | Unstated |
Fee | Free |
Prize/ Payment | £5 per story accepted. |
Goatshed Press
Deadline | Unscheduled |
Wordcount | 5,000 words |
Fee | Free |
Prize/ Payment | £60 per story accepted. |
Dan Pratt Writes
Aspiring Writer & Author. Read my Short Stories & Microfiction, Creative Writing Blog, Lit Mag Roundup and List of Short Story Competitions.