Writing Competitions.
A regularly updated list of open short story and flash fiction competitions.
This is a regularly updated list of short story writing competitions open right now. It includes flash fiction contests, short story awards, and longer-form opportunities for writers at every stage.
If you’re looking for a way to challenge yourself, build a submission habit, or get your work in front of editors and judges, these competitions offer clear goals and real deadlines. New opportunities are added each month, with outdated listings removed, so you’re always seeing current, relevant calls for entries.
From 100-word stories to full-length fiction, this page is designed to be a practical hub for writers ready to put their work out into the world.
Scottish Wildlife Trust Words of the Wild Writing Competition
Deadline: 12th July Wordcount: 1,000 words Fee: Free Prize: 24-litre Swarovski backpack £100 voucher for NHBS £50 voucher for Wild Fungarium 70cl bottle of Seòlta Spiced Rum Complete series of Melissa Harrison’s Seasons anthologies Opticron 10x magnification hand lens 2027 Scottish Wildlife calendar 1-year’s membership to the Trust or a wildlife adoption |
Write Catalyst Annual Short Story Contest
Deadline: 23rd July Wordcount: 1,000 – 5,000 words Fee: $5 Prize: 1st Place: $100 – 2nd Place: $50 – 3rd Place: $25 |
The Letter Review Prize
Deadline: 29th July Wordcount: 5,000 words Fee: $22 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 $1,000 |
Olga Sinclair Short Story competition 2026
Deadline: 30th July Wordcount: 2,000 words Fee: £8 Prize: 1st: £300 2nd: £150 3rd: £50 |
Precocious Prize for Fantasy
Deadline: 31st July Wordcount: 6,000 words Fee: £9.75 Prize: The winning short story receives £100 and publication. Up to 10 shortlisted writers will also be published in the anthology. |
Ironclad Short Story Competition
Deadline: 31st July Wordcount: 6,000 words Fee: £9.75 Prize: First Place writer will be offered a prize of £100 and publication Second Place writer will be offered a prize of £50 and publication Third Placed writer will be offered prizes of £25 and publication |
Anthology Short Story Competition 2026
Deadline: 31st July Wordcount: 1,500 words Fee: €18 (February – July 2026) Prize: 1st Place: €1,000 plus publication in Anthology magazine and a one-year subscription; 2nd: €250; 3rd: €150 |
Bournemouth Writing Prize
Deadline: 15th August Wordcount: 3,000 words Fee: £10 Prize: £500 for the overall winner, £300 for second place and £200 for third place |
FFF Competition Thirty-Five
Deadline: 25th August Wordcount: 100 – 300 words Fee: £4.95 Prize: 1 Winner will receive £200.00 and publication 2 Highly Commended will receive £100.00 and publication 3 Shortlisted will receive £80.00 and publication |
Aesthetica Creative Writing Awards 2026 Aesthetica Creative Writing Award – Short Fiction
Deadline: 31st August Wordcount: 2,000 words Fee: £18 Prize: Winner: £2,500, publication in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual and an Arvon writing course plus more |
Southam Book Festival Flash Fiction Competition 2026
Deadline: 5th September Wordcount: 100 words Fee: £3 Prize: First Prize: £60 Second Prize: £30 Third Prize: £20 |
Clapham Writers: The McNeile Writing Competition
Deadline: 5th September Wordcount: 1,000 words Fee: £5 Prize: First Prize: £200 Second Prize: £50 Third Prize: £50 |
New2theScene Summer Short Story Competition 2026
Deadline: 6th September Wordcount: 4,000 words Fee: £5 Prize: Interview for the New2theScene podcast; £50 New2theScene vouchers; ‘Origins’ blog’; author bio and work featured on the New2theScene website; social media promotion; publication in an anthology; possible future projects not advertised on the site. Notable mentions: £15 New2theScene vouchers; possible publication in anthology |
BPA Short Story Award 2026
Deadline: 13th September Wordcount: 2,500 words Fee: £20 Prize: First place: £1,00 Second place: £300 Third place: £100 |
The Wild Muse Nature Writing Prize 2026
Deadline: 14th September Wordcount: 2,000 words Fee: £10.36 Prize: First place: £750 Second place: £300 Third place: £150 |
Anthology Flash Fiction Competition
Deadline: 30th September Wordcount: 250 words Fee: €12 Prize: The winner will receive a €300 cash prize |
THE WRITERS’ COLLEGE Short Story Competition
Deadline: 30th September Wordcount: 2,000 words Fee: £8 Prize: First place: £500 Second place: £250 Third place: £125 |
SaveAs Writers’ International Writing Competition 2026
Deadline: 30th September Wordcount: 3,500 words Fee: £5 Prize: First place: £200 Second place: £100 Third place: £50 |
Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition 2026
Deadline: 30th September Wordcount: 3,000 words Fee: £12 Prize: First prize is £1,000, an online creative writing course with Creative Writing Ink, and publication. Two runners-up will receive £200 each. |
The Bedford Competition 2026
Deadline: 31st October Wordcount: 3,000 words Fee: £8.50 Prize: £2000, £400 and £300 |
Killer Shorts Horror Short Story Competition
Deadline: 31st December Wordcount: 6,000 words Fee: $25 Prize: Publication, Killer Trophy, a Scrivener license, and a pro consult with author Chris Hicks. |