Writing Deadlines - Update #12 (October 2025)
Recently discovered opportunities to win prizes, gain recognition, and get your writing published in 2025 and 2026.
Hello Writers! ✍️
As we move deeper into the creative season, new opportunities are opening up for storytellers, poets, and novelists alike. In this week’s update I bring you more freshly discovered writing competitions and events with deadlines into late 2025 and early 2026. Whether you write flash fiction, poetry, or novels, there’s something here to spark your imagination and encourage you to share your voice with the world.
Take a look, mark your calendars, and let these deadlines guide your creative rhythm through the months ahead.
FYI: You can find a full list of events in our 🗓️ Curated List of Writing Competitions. Consider visiting and bookmarking our site for future reference!
Inspirational quote of the week:
You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it.
– Octavia E. Butler
Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction
Deadline: 24 October 2025
The Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction is an international event that challenges writers to create a 500-word story in just 60 hours, based on two prompts and one anti-prompt. Open worldwide to writers of all experience levels.
Prize: AU$1,500 for 1st place + trophy and publishing contract; AU$1,000 for 2nd; AU$500 for 3rd; further prizes for runners-up and wildcards, totalling AU$4,000.
More info: https://notquitewritepodcast.com/prize/ref/office@almondpress.co.uk/
Omnidawn Fabulist Fiction/Novelette Contest
Deadline: 16 November 2025
Open to all writers worldwide, this contest invites fabulist fiction, including magical realism, fantasy, horror, fable, and myth. Entries may be realistic with non-realistic elements or entirely non-realistic.
Prize: $1,000 and publication of the winning chapbook or novelette with Omnidawn, plus 20 free copies and extensive publicity.
More info: https://www.omnidawn.com/fiction-contest/
RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers
Deadline: 2 December 2025
Established in memory of writer Bronwen Wallace, this award supports emerging Canadian authors in poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction. Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are unpublished in book form.
Prize: Three $10,000 awards; finalists receive $2,500 each plus mentorship and publication opportunities.
More info: https://www.writerstrust.com/BronwenWallace
Palette Poetry 2025 Love & Eros Prize
Deadline: 7 December 2025
This international poetry prize invites work exploring the many forms of love — romantic, platonic, queer, and beyond. Submit up to three unpublished poems (under ten pages total).
Prize: $3,000 for 1st place; $300 for 2nd; $200 for 3rd. Finalists may also be considered for publication.
More info: https://www.palettepoetry.com/the-2025-love-eros-prize/
The Exeter Novel Prize
Deadline: 1 January 2026
An international competition open to unagented writers. Submit the first 10,000 words and a synopsis of your novel for a chance to win a prestigious award and gain industry attention.
Prize: £1,000 for the winner; £100 for each of five finalists.
More info: https://www.wordkitchen.org.uk/exeter-novel-prize
Marlowe & Christie Novel Prize
Deadline: 5 January 2026
Submit the opening 3,000 words of your novel for the chance to win £1,200 and receive feedback from top literary agents and editors. Optional feedback packages available at discounted rates.
Prize: £1,200 for 1st place plus feedback from industry professionals for finalists.
More info: https://www.marloweandchristie.com/
Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival’s Poetry Competition
Deadline: 4 January 2026
This poetry contest, themed “In the Garden,” welcomes poems of up to 30 lines in any form. Open to writers worldwide in three age categories.
Prize: £300 (18 & Over), £100 (12–17), £50 (11 & Under). Entry fee £4 per poem for adults; free for under 18s.
More info: https://www.sheptonsnowdrops.org.uk/competitions/2026-poetry-competition/
Story Unlikely Annual Short Story Contest
Deadline: 14 January 2026
Now in its fifth year, the Story Unlikely Annual Contest seeks the best stories up to 7,000 words in any genre, judged purely on quality of writing. Open internationally to writers of all backgrounds.
Prize: $3,000 for 1st; $1,000 for 2nd; $750 for 3rd. Winning stories published and illustrated by professional artists.
More info: https://www.storyunlikely.com/#contest
César Egido Serrano Foundation VIII International Flash Fiction Competition
Deadline: 31 January 2026
A major global microfiction contest promoting cultural understanding through language. Open to writers aged 18+ from any country. Stories must be unpublished and under 100 words. No entry fee!
Prize: €20,000 grand prize; €2,000 for each runner-up in the contest’s other languages.
More info: https://www.fundacioncesaregidoserrano.com/en/contest
Never Such Innocence International Competition
Deadline: 27 February 2026
Open to young writers aged 9–18 worldwide, this competition encourages entries on the theme “In Someone Else’s Shoes,” exploring different perspectives on war and conflict. Entries accepted in poetry, art, or song.
Prize: Winners receive NSI prize packs, publication in a digital booklet, and invitations to special events. Free entry.
More info: https://www.neversuchinnocence.com/2025-26-competition
Novel November 2025
50,000 words. 30 days. 1 novel.
Go from blank page to first draft with Novel November, the only writing challenge that helps you finish your first draft in just 30 days, with advice from bestselling authors.
Beat writer’s block with daily writing sprints and networking sessions
Track your progress wherever you write
Get advice from bestselling authors at 150 sessions led by Madeline Miller, Rufi Thorpe, Jessica Brody, and more
Earn rewards and badges for hitting your milestones
Support children’s literacy globally, with $2 donated to Room to Read for every writer who completes the challenge
✍️✨ That’s all for this week!
I hope these events inspire you to set aside a little extra writing time — perhaps to finish that story you’ve been meaning to polish or to try your hand at something entirely new. Every entry is a step forward in your craft and a chance to connect with readers and judges who might just fall in love with your work.
Until next time, keep writing boldly, submitting bravely, and celebrating every word you put to the page.
See you next weekend! ✍️
FYI: There are many more writing events which I have not included here (it’s a long list!). You can browse the full calendar of upcoming opportunities any time on our website. Also, consider joining our group on Facebook where members of our community share new events throughout the week.
You an also support me by ☕donating a coffee (no pressure — but caffeine really does help me out on rainy weekend mornings).
Know of any other interesting writing event with prizes?
Consider submitting it to our curated calendar through the submission form here.
Until next time, keep writing, and best of luck!
- Ashley