Writing Deadlines - Update #13 (October 2025)
Recently discovered opportunities to win prizes, gain recognition, and get your writing published in 2025 and 2026.
Hello Writers! ✍️
Welcome to this week’s roundup of writing opportunities! From short stories and poetry to chapbooks and pitch prizes, this edition features contests and calls for submissions that support emerging and established writers alike. Deadlines range from early November through January 2026, giving you plenty of time to prepare your entries. Whether you’re exploring new themes, experimenting with form, or seeking publication, there’s something here for every writer looking to challenge themselves and share their work with the world.
Inspirational quote of the week:
Never write anything that does not give you great pleasure. Emotion is easily transferred from the writer to the reader.
– Joseph Joubert
Charmed & Chained Short Story Contest
Deadline: 1 October 2025
Organized by Elegant Literature, this contest invites new and unpublished writers to explore the theme “Charmed and Chained” in any genre — from fantasy to crime. The competition supports emerging authors with publication and financial awards.
Prize: 1st place $3,000 USD and enrolment in the New Novelist Accelerator; additional cash prizes and publication for runners-up.
More info: https://www.elegantliterature.com/?aff=almondpress&p=2324
Derricotte/Eady Chapbook Prize
Deadline: 3 November 2025
Presented by Cave Canem, this annual prize honors outstanding chapbook-length manuscripts by Black poets. The winner receives publication by O, Miami Books, a residency at The Betsy Hotel, and a featured reading at the O, Miami Festival.
Prize: $1,000, publication, and residency.
More info: https://cavecanempoets.org/programs/
The BPA Pitch Prize
Deadline: 9 November 2025
Open to unagented writers seeking representation, this international contest invites fiction submissions in any genre except children’s and non-fiction. Entrants submit the first 500 words of their novel, a synopsis, and a short cover letter.
Prize: One-to-one pitch meetings via Zoom for up to seven winners.
More info: https://bluepencilagency.com/bpa-pitch-prize-2025/
Call for Submissions: The Fiddlehead – “Disability: The Revolution!”
Deadline: 30 November 2025
The Fiddlehead’s Summer 2026 issue will feature work by disabled writers on the theme “Revolution.” Submissions are open across poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and reviews. No entry fee.
Prize: Publication in The Fiddlehead.
More info: https://thefiddlehead.ca/revolution
Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards
Deadline: 1 December 2025
Writer’s Digest invites submissions for its 20th Annual Poetry Awards, open to poems of 32 lines or fewer and unpublished chapbooks under 25 pages. All poetic forms are welcome.
Prize: Cash awards and feature coverage in Writer’s Digest magazine.
More info: https://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/poetry-awards
Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize
Deadline: 5 December 2025
Overland’s annual short story prize invites works up to 3,000 words inspired by the theme of “travel.” Entries must be unpublished and original. Open internationally.
Prize: Winner $5,000 AUD; two runners-up $750 each; publication in Overland.
More info: https://overland.org.au/prizes/overland-neilma-sidney-short-story-prize/
Frontier Poetry Family & Home Prize
Deadline: 14 December 2025
Frontier Poetry invites poems exploring family and home — from legacy and love to grief and reconciliation. All finalists will be considered for paid publication in New Voices.
Prize: 1st place $3,000; 2nd $300; 3rd $200; publication for all finalists.
More info: https://www.frontierpoetry.com/2025-family-home-prize/
Lilith Fiction Contest
Deadline: 31 December 2025
Lilith magazine seeks short fiction with feminist and Jewish nuance for its annual contest. The editors welcome fresh, heartfelt work from emerging writers, especially those from diverse backgrounds.
Prize: $300 and publication.
More info: https://lilith.org/contact/writing-for-lilith/
The 2026 Press 53 Award for Short Fiction
Deadline: 31 December 2025
This annual award honors an outstanding, unpublished short story collection by a U.S.-based writer. Open to authors aged 18 and over, regardless of publication history.
Prize: Publication, $1,000 advance, and 53 author copies.
More info: https://www.press53.com/award-for-short-fiction
The Moth Poetry Prize 2025
Deadline: 31 December 2025
One of the world’s most prestigious poetry competitions, The Moth Poetry Prize is open to poets worldwide for a single unpublished poem.
Prize: €6,000 first prize; 3 runner-up prizes of €1,000; 8 commendations of €250.
More info: https://www.themothmagazine.com/a1-page.asp?ID=9445&page=59
Gemini Magazine Sixteenth Annual Poetry Open
Deadline: 2 January 2026
Gemini Magazine welcomes unpublished poems of any subject, style, or length. Translations and works previously posted on personal blogs are eligible.
Prize: 1st $1,000; 2nd $100; four honorable mentions $25; publication for finalists.
More info: https://gemini-magazine.com/16th-annual-poetry-open/
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!
Don’t wait until the last minute — mark your calendars, polish your submissions, and take advantage of these chances to gain recognition, win prizes, and get your work published. I’ll be back next week with more contests and calls for writers of all genres.
✍️Keep writing, and may your next submission be a winning one!
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 can support me by ☕donating a coffee (no pressure — but caffeine really does help on weekend mornings!).
Know of any other interesting writing event with prizes?
Consider submitting it to our curated calendar through the submission form here. Let my know if there is any event you’d like to feature in the next edition of the newsletter.
Until next time, keep writing, and best of luck!
- Ashley
Thanks for keeping us updated.
Write on. I just started submitting again after many years.