Free Writing Opportunities.
A regularly updated list of free-to-enter writing contests, submission calls, and publishing 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.
Canterbury Tales Writing Competition 2025/26
Deadline: 28th February Wordcount: 500 words Prize/payment: 1st £300, 2nd £150, 3rd £100 (Prizes for entrant’s school library: 1st £1000, 2nd £500, 3rd £250) |
Sondor Author Challenge
Deadline: 28th February Wordcount: 3,000 – 5,000 words Prize/payment: Prize: We do not pay royalties, instead we donate at least 10% of the book’s profits to an appropriate charity |
Deepings Literary Festival 2026 Short Story Competition
Deadline: 9th March Wordcount: 1,000 words Prize/payment: Winners will each receive a £30 book token and the opportunity to have their story published in I’d Rather be in Deeping magazine. |
Sondor Author Challenge
Deadline: 31st March Wordcount: 3,000 – 5,000 words Prize/payment: We do not pay royalties, instead we donate at least 10% of the book’s profits to an appropriate charity |
The Mo Siewcharran Prize 2026
Deadline: 2nd May Wordcount: synopsis of the novel (up to 700 words) and up to the first 10,000 words of the novel. Prize/payment: The winner will receive £2,500 prize money, a 1000-word piece of editorial feedback from a Bookouture editor and follow-up editorial meeting, and an introductory meeting with a literary agent. Their submission will also be taken forward to our acquisitions meeting to be considered for publication. The runners-up will receive £1,500 and £750, as well as editorial feedback for their projects. |
The Creative Future Writers’ Award
Deadline: 5th May Wordcount: 2,000 words Prize/payment: Fifteen prize winners are selected by a panel of prestigious authors and industry experts and are given the chance to develop their work through £25,000 of prizes in training, mentoring, assessment and coaching. |
International Jay Yes Short Story Contest 2026
Deadline: 8th May Wordcount: 2,500 – 4,000 words Prize/payment: 3 top winning entries get publishing contracts with zero degree publishing |
Fight for another world, write for another world! Short story Competition
Deadline: 31st May Wordcount: 25,000 words Prize/payment: one year of free writing guidance by a experienced writer / publisher |