Recurring Writing Opportunities.
Your go-to list for regular and always-open writing contests
Whether you’re a short story writer, flash fiction fan, or just trying to stay ahead of submission deadlines, this page brings together recurring and always-open writing competitions so you can submit your work without constantly chasing new calls.
These listings include monthly, quarterly, and rolling-deadline opportunities—many of which are free to enter and open to international writers. I focus on fiction submissions, especially those that offer cash prizes, publication, or a clear editorial focus, to help you get your work out there and build a writing routine.
Each listing includes entry fees, prize details, word count limits, and any notable quirks about the contest. I update the list regularly and remove markets that go on hiatus or shut down—though, as always in the world of lit mags, double-check before submitting.
Looking for fresh calls with specific themes or one-off deadlines? Head over to my Writing Competition Roundup for monthly picks.
Reedsy Weekly Writing Contests
Frequency: Weekly Wordcount: 1,000 – 3,000 words Fee: $5 Prize: $250 |
Free Flash Fiction
Frequency: Always Open Wordcount: 500 words Fee: Free Prize: Publication |
The Elegant Literature award for new writers.
Frequency: Monthly Wordcount: 500 – 2,000 words Fee: Free Prize: $3,000 |
Emerging Worlds
Frequency: Weekly Wordcount: Open to larger pieces Fee: Free Prize: £5 |
The Fiction Desk
Frequency: Always Open Wordcount: 1,000 – 15,000 words Fee: £5 Prize: £25 per thousand words |
Silver Sun Books
Frequency: Quarterly Wordcount: 7,500 words Fee: Free Prize: Publication |
Prole Books
Frequency: Quarterly Wordcount: 7,500 words Fee: Free Prize: Publication |
Fictive Dreams
Frequency: Always Open Wordcount: Microfiction up to 400 words Flash fiction up to 1,000 words Short stories up to 2,500 words. Fee: Free Prize: Publication |
Didcot Writers
Frequency: Quarterly Wordcount: 500 words Fee: £4 Prize: Publication |
All Your Stories
Frequency: Bi-monthly Wordcount: Flash Fiction 500 to 1000 words Sudden Fiction 750 words Twitterature up to 280 words Drabble 100 words Dribble 50 words Short story 2500 words Essays and Non Fiction up to 2500 words Fee: Free Prize: Publication & Free Copy |
Tortive Lit Flash Fiction 101
Frequency: Monthly Wordcount: 101 words Fee: £1.50 Prize: Each month the total prize fund will be 50% of the entry fees taken. |
Storytwigs
Frequency: Monthly Wordcount: 100 words Fee: Free Prize: Grand Prize Winners: $100 Winners: $20 Honourable Mentions: $10 |
Shooter Flash
Frequency: Monthly Wordcount: 1,000 words Fee: £5 Prize: £50 |
Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction
Frequency: Quarterly Wordcount: 500 words Fee: £18.08 Prize: 1st Place – AU$1,500 2nd Place – AU$1,000 3rd Place – AU$500 4th Place – AU$350 5th Place – AU$250 6th Place – AU$200 Wildcards (2) – AU$100 |
Fusilli Writing Flash Fiction Competition
Frequency: Always Open Wordcount: 200 words Fee: £2.50 Prize: £30 |
Flash 500 Flash Fiction Competition
Frequency: Quarterly Wordcount: 500 words Fee: £5 Prize: First: £300 Second: £200 Third: £100 |
Cranked Anvil Press Flash Fiction
Frequency: Quarterly Wordcount: 500 words Fee: £5 Prize: Publication |
Cranked Anvil Press Short Story
Frequency: Yearly Wordcount: 1,000 – 2,000 words Fee: £6 Prize: Publication |
101 Words
Frequency: Monthly Wordcount: 101 words Fee: Free Prize: $10 |
50-Word Stories
Frequency: Monthly Wordcount: 50 words Fee: Free Prize: $50 Canadian |
The Letter Review Prize
Frequency: Quarterly Wordcount: 5,000 words Fee: $20 Prize: The top 2-4 winning entries of the Prize for Short Fiction are declared the Winners, and share equally in the Prize pool of $1000. |
The Henshaw Press Short Story
Frequency: Quarterly Wordcount: 2,000 words Fee: £6 Prize: Publication and choice of which school will receive the profits. |
Short Story
Frequency: Monthly Wordcount: 10,000 words Fee: Free Prize: Base Pay of $100 for the chosen story + 50% of subscription revenue. |
Anansi Archive Writing Awards – Flash Fiction
Frequency: Quarterly Wordcount: 500 words Fee: £1 Prize: First £20, runner-up £10 |
Anansi Archive Writing Awards – Short Story
Frequency: Quarterly Wordcount: 3,000 words Fee: £3 Prize: First £50, runner-up £20 |
The Booby Prize
Frequency: Quarterly Wordcount: 500 words Fee: £10 Prize: Top prize £500 |