For the benefit of our members (and the broader writing community), we’ve collected this list of current competitions and opportunities for you. Please note that we do not administer these competitions, and we can’t answer any questions you might have about them. Listings are provided in good faith. Please check details and conditions of entry.
Looking for children’s contests? Those exclusively for school-aged and ‘young’ writers are marked YOUTH, but others may include junior sections.
Date limited competitions and calls for submission, June 2025 onward
COMPETITIONS
FICTION
Closes 13 July: The Richell Prize for Emerging Writers. For information, click here.
Closes 30 November: The Bath Children’s Novel Award. For information, click here.
Closes 12 December: Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize. For information, click here.
SHORT STORY
Closing 23 June: Apollo Bay WordFest Short Story Competition. For information, click here.
Closing 23 June: Flash fiction, FFF Competition Twenty-Eight (UK competition). For information, click here.
Closing 31 July: What’s your story? Stonnington Library. For information, click here.
Closing 31 July: Short Story Competitions, theme: fresh water. For information, click here.
Closing 25 July: Flash fiction, Not Quite Write Prize. For information, click here.
Closing 31 July: Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition (UK competition). For information, click here
Closing 31 July: Rose Frankcombe Short Story Award. For information, click here.
Closing 1 August: The Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition. For information, click here.
Closing 15 August: Woollahra Digital Literary Award. For information, click here.
Closing 25 August: Fifty word story competition Red Beard Bakery, Trentham. For information, click here.
Closing 1 September: Roly Sussex Short Story Competition. For information, click here.
NON-FICTION
Closing 15 August: Woollahra Digital Literary Award. For information, click here.
POETRY
Closing 14 July: Ekka Royal Queensland Show Bush Poetry Competition. For information, click here.
Closing 31 July: What’s your story? Stonnington Library. For information, click here.
Closing 4 August: Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize. For information, click here.
Closing 15 August: Woollahra Digital Literary Award. For information, click here.
Closing 31 August: Fool for Poetry International Chapbook Competition (Irish competition). For information, click here.
Closing 1 September: Frontier Poetry Awards, Debut Chapbook Prize. For information, click here.
Cloing 30 September: Woorilla Poetry Prize 2025. For information, click here.
SUBMISSIONS
Closing 15 August: Submissions to Meniscus magazine. For information, click here.
Closing 16 August: Submissions to Island magazine. For information, click here.
Closing 30 September: Submissions from Australian and NZ writers to Aurealis, science fiction, fantasy and horror. For information, click here.
Open: Westerly magazine. For information, click here.
Open: ABR welcomes pitches for ‘commentary essays on topics of political or cultural moment’. For information, click here.
Open: Demure welcomes contributions from emerging LGBQIA writers. For information, click here.
Open: Sunspot welcomes submissions, with submission deadlines for various genres. For information, click here.
OPPORTUNITIES
Closing 30 June: Submissions to the Trans and Genderqueer Voices Anthology. For information, click here.
Closing 30 June: The Letter Review Prize for short fiction, non-fiction, poetry and books. For information, click here.
Closing 11 August: Peter Blazey Fellowship, the University of Melbourne. For information, click here.
Closing 15 August: Woollahra Digital Literary Award. For information, click here.
Closing 29 August: The Pearl Prize for prose and/or poetry. For information, click here.
Closing 15 September: The Neilma Sidney Literary Travel Fund, Writers Victoria. For information, click here.
Closing 30 September: The Moth Nature Writing Prize for prose and poetry (Irish). For information, click here.
Open: Blog with links to horror and dark fiction publishing opportunities. For information, click here.
Ongoing Opportunities
Henshaw Story Competitions – Henshaw Press hosts both regular short story competitions four times on an annual basis (March, June, September & December) amongst anthology opportunities with additional writing & editing resources for writers. Their current short story competition is open to writers 16 years and above with accepted original submissions up to 2,000 words on any theme, submission deadline is Monday June 30th 2025 and please see their website for further submission details and regular updates on other opportunities hosted by Henshaw Press.
AAWP: Meniscus literary journal Submission Manager – The Australian Association of Writing Programs (AAWP) is currently seeking submissions for their second issue of ‘Meniscus’, submission schedules include 2 issues published annually from issue one between November 1st to January 15th and June 1st to August 15th for issue two. Please see their website for further submission guidelines and additional details about this ongoing opportunity.
Romanian/Australian Anthology | NEW Writers’ Group incPublishable Application Guidelines — Queensland Writers Centre – This Romanian/Australian anthology for Contemporary Poetry and Prose is seeking poetry (80 lines), prose (1000 words) and short fragments of plays (4 A5 pages) submissions for ‘Dialogues’ in Romanian and Australian dialogues. This anthology will exclusively select 40 writers to be published by Mihaela Cristescu in Romania and launching in Romania and Australia within 2025/2026. The submission deadline is April 27th, 2025 and please see further submission guidelines and additional information on this opportunity.
2025 Fiction Edition Now Open – The Big Issue – The Big Issue Fiction Edition is an Australian fiction magazine currently accepting original and unpublished submissions between 500 – 3000 words with the submission deadline of Monday June 2nd 2025 at 11:59pm (AEST). Please see their website for further submission guidelines and updates on their regular submission periods and editions.
Wakefield Weekly Writing Competition | Wakefield Press – The Wakefield Weekly Writing Competition is an ongoing competition hosted by Wakefield Press on a monthly basis, setting new challenges for authors across Australia. Upon each month is a new prompt authors are encouraged to respond to with all winning entries are published onto the Wakefield Press blog with additional prizes, their current prompt is ‘Festival Madness’ for March 2025. Please see their website for further submission details amongst regular updates on monthly prompts issued to writers.
TV Pilot Screenplay Mentorship Program 2025 – Shore Scripts is a team of filmmakers who operate within the UK and US film industries, who set up this program on the focus to help emerging screenwriters break into the film and TV industry. Their annual ‘TV Pilot Screenplay Mentorship Program 2025’ focuses to provide emerging screenwriters with an 8-week program of high-impact sessions with accomplished showrunner Beth Schwartz (ARROW), dev exec Duane Luu (NBC Universal) and David Katsman (Sugar23), to assist in preparing with employment, gain representation and getting writer’s TV Pilot in the marketplace amongst offering invaluable behind-the-scenes knowledge of working in TV. Their ‘Early Bird’ deadline for submissions ends on March 13th 2025 with their ‘Regular’ and ‘Final’ deadlines on April 11th 2025 and May 16th 2025 retrospectively. See their website for further details on this mentorship program and further submission guidelines.
The Raven Review Submission Manager – The Raven Review is a quarterly literary magazine that publishes extraordinary poetry and short fiction centered around the deep, dark, and emotional. They have four submission periods that align to the four seasons (Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring) and currently within their ‘Spring’ submission period to be published annually in mid-April (November 15th to February 15th). See their website for further submission details for each seasonal period and additional guidelines.
Submissions | Metapsychosis – Metapsychosis welcomes submissions of original essays, stories, poetry, reviews, interviews, music, film, and digital art for publication in both the online and (forthcoming) print versions of our journal. Their focus of audience relates to the openness of ‘spiritual realities’ (mystical, mythological, contemplative, liminal, psychedelic and weird) with emphasis on intellectual discourse. See their website for their submission guidelines and important additional details.
Submit — POSTCARD – Postcard is a twice-yearly literary magazine that features 10 poems by 10 poets with original art inspired by each poem printed on a postcard and packaged as an issue. They are open to submissions of prose and verse poems twice a year: August 1-November 30 and February 1-May 31.
Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction – The ‘Not Quite Write Prize’ is an ongoing flash fiction competition series that occurs four times on an annual basis with the premise of challenging writers to “break the writing rules”. All participants are prompted with 2 prompts and an ‘anti-prompt’ (a prompt encouraging writers to break traditions) and tasked to write 500 words within their allocated 60-hour time limit. The next set of prompts will launch on Midday Friday 24th January 2025 (AEDT) and the submission deadline ends on Midnight Sunday 26th January 2025 (AEDT). Please see their website for further submission guidelines and the key dates listed for each round of this ongoing competition.
Welcome – Social Alternatives – Social Alternatives is an independent, quarterly refereed journal which aims to promote public debate, commentary and dialogue about contemporary social, political, economic and environmental issues. They accept submissions of academic papers, commentaries, book reviews and essays, short stories and poetry related to the aims of the journal. Wordcounts listed from this journal include academic articles (3000-5000 words), commentaries & review essays (800 – 2000 words) and short stories (1000 words). See their website for additional submission guidelines.
Australian short stories | Spineless Wonders publishing – Spineless Wonders is a Sydney-based multi-platform publishing house devoted to working collaboratively to produce books, eBooks and audiobooks as well as immersive and engaging literary-based experiences. They accept submissions of brief fiction (including short stories & novellas) amongst ‘Microlit’ (blend between micro fiction and prose poetry) and single author collections & anthologies in either print, eBook or audiobook format. See their website for additional submission guidelines.
Submit — Aniko Press – Aniko Press is an independent publishing company that publishes literary and contemporary fiction, short story collections, poetry, interesting/experimental nonfiction and exciting graphic novels. Their passion involves “curating a list of unique, exciting and experimental voices, and offering emerging writers a platform to share their stories” and their vision to creating “a space where readers and writers can explore new ideas, perspectives and artistic possibilities”. See their website for further submission guidelines.
Submission Guidelines | Black Inc. – Black Inc. is an independent Australian publisher based in Melbourne that publishes fiction and non-fiction books with imprints including the Quarterly Essay journal and La Trobe University Press books. They accept from Australian writers only for general, literary and commercial non-fiction – including history, current affairs, memoir and biography. Their submission period occurs on the first week of each month (1st – 7th) and see their website for further guidelines.
Submissions – Etherea MAGAZINE – Etherea Magazine is an Australian publication that seeks fantasy and science fiction flash fiction, short stories of length and novelette/novellas. They accept reprints (given that submissions are indicated upon publication) and charge between $25 – $200 flat rate per submission. See website for further details on their submission guidelines.
The Mythopoeic Society – The Mythic Circle Submissions Guidelines (mythsoc.org) – The Mythic Circle seeks contributions of fantasy- or mythic-inspired original stories, poems, and independent works of visual art. Their focus relies on emphasising in the benefit of writers trying to develop their craft in the Mythopoeic tradition. They publish short fiction and poetry that does not have a word count limit; however they do prefer short fiction submissions ideally no more than 5000 words. See website for their submission guideline details.
Metatron Press – Devoted to digital literature, including e-chapbooks, long poems, and long-form auto/non/-fiction, mixed/anti-genre, translation, and other experimental works.
Submissions | Old Moon Quarterly – Dark Fantasy Magazine (oldmoonpublishing.com) – Old Moon publishes character-focused, weird sword-and-sorcery: stories of a dark and transgressive nature, set in a secondary or historical-paranormal worlds, with the focus on rounded characters undergoing some sort of conflict, resolved by the might of their main or mind. They accept short-fiction pieces between 1000-6000 words and poetry with no more than 50 lines. See their ‘Submissions’ page for further details.
Submit – Southerly (southerlylitmag.com.au) – This magazine accepts short fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction and academic essays from exclusively Australian and New Zealand writers only. See website for further details.
Submit Your Work – Litro Magazine – ‘Litro Print Magazine’ accepts short fiction, flash/micro fiction, nonfiction (memoir, literary journalism, travel narratives, etc), original artworks (photographs, illustrations, paintings, etc) and translated to English pieces based on the designated theme. All accepted pieces are generally 4000 words but may accept no more than 5000 words in exceptional cases. See website for further details.
Quick Story Tales is a new opportunity for authors, and is open for submissions of very short stories and poetry, successful submissions are paid for publication. FAQs and application form on the website.
Overland: open for poetry submissions
Open to submissions from emerging, politically engaged poets for publication in the journal. Submit up to three poems per quarter. Payment for poems published in the print edition.
UQP Publishing is now accepting unsolicited submissions for their literary fiction and non-fiction lists, as well as the Stories for the Future initiative, in the first week of every month. To be considered, please read and follow the guidelines carefully.
The Wakefield Weekly Writing Competition is a monthly challenge for authors Australia-wide. Each month, they release a new prompt for authors to respond to. The prize for the winning author (or authors) includes gift vouchers and the publication of winning entries on the Wakefield Press blog.
Griffiths Review is regularly open for pitches and submissions, with four calls a year in each category: fiction, non-fiction and poetry. In addition they run the Emertging Voices Competition. Read the site carefully for T&C and details of themes etc.
Fractured Lit publishes flash fiction with emotional resonance, with characters who come to life through their actions and responses to the world around them. They are searching for flash that investigates the mysteries of being human; the sorrow and the joy of connecting to the diverse population. Fractured Lit is open year-round, to all writers. They currently publish microfiction (up to 400 words) and flash fiction (401-1,000 words), with new writing featured on Mondays and Thursdays. They also offer contests throughout the year.
Writers Victoria’s in-house magazine, The Victorian Writer, welcomes submissions from both members and non-members writing short fiction and non-fiction, poetry, and articles on the craft and business of writing. Check the link for submission dates, themes and pitching info.
The School Magazine is open for submissions, seeking quality children’s literature for ages 7-12+. Submit stories, plays, articles, persuasive texts or poetry. Categories for writers, illustrators, comic serial creators and cartoonists
Extinction Rebellion Creative Hub: is an online anthology of songs, fiction and poetry that’s inspiring, meaningful and original, and that reflects the principles, concerns and values of the Extinction Rebellion from a global, regional or local perspective. Submissions accepted year-round.
Tim Saunders Publications invite submissions of poems up to 30 lines and short stories up to 1000 words on a range of topics across the year. Contributors retain copyright. He also runs monthly prompts/competitions on a range for short-format formats: Four Words, Idea, Title and Writing Prompt with publication possibilities
Voiceworks is a national literary journal that features exciting new writing and art by young Australians. Our purpose is to create a space for people under twenty-five to develop their creative and editorial skills and to publish, and be paid for, their fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art and comics. See site for deadlines and details.
Wordgathering: A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature is a digital, Open Access, quarterly journal accepting rolling submissions for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter issues. The aim is to highlight disability literature and the creative arts, and work pertaining to disability experiences and cultures, and prioritises work by writers and other creative artists with disabilities. See the site for cut-off dates.
NB: writers with disability can find more info on opportunites and resources through Writers Victoria Writeability site.
Green Stories writing competitions is a writing competition project with a range of categories for novels, plays, and short stories. Entries should conform with positive visions of more sustainable futures and/or the inclusion of green solutions but needn’t have an explicitly green theme.
Women with Disabilities Australia is looking for blog posts from women, girls and non-binary persons with disability that live in Australia, on the theme of leadership.
The Australian Bush Poets Association run a calendar of bush poetry events for both written and performed bush poetry.
Ginninderra Press (accepts unsolicited manuscripts across a range of genres, please read their criteria carefully).
Wombat Books (accepts unsolicited manuscripts, submitting authors should be familiar with WB’s body of printed books).
LitMag is looking for fiction, poetry and non-fiction submissions (submission fees, paid).
Big Sky Publishing is open for finished non-fiction manuscripts.
The Archipelago is a new online journal exploring themes of migration, identity and decolonisation (limited payment) through prose, poetry and art.
[untitled]is open to submissions of short stories 300-5,0000 words
Science Write Now is a website promoting writing about science through the forms of fiction, memoir, creative nonfiction and poetry.
Creative Writing News maintains a website of international writing opportunities of all types. Entry conditions vary so check the details carefully.
Write from the Heart runs a monthly, themed micro-fiction contest with the $2 entry fee being split between a charity and the prize pool.
Overland journal is paying for fiction in its print and online editions.
Right Now magazine is looking for pitches on written and multimedia works about human rights issues in Australia.
Penny Mint seeks experimental poetry, spoken word, essays, serialised fiction and more.
Frankie seeks interviews, rants, research pieces, photography projects and editorial illustrations.
Quadrant online seeks essays, literature, poetry and historical and political debate.
Arena (Online and Quarterly) seek commentary on emerging social and political issues.
Going Down Swinging journal seeks fiction, creative non-fiction, spoken word, commentary, essays, comics, poetry and experimental work.
Archer Magazine is open to pitches for articles and images about sexuality, gender and identity.
The Sydney Review of Books is open to pitches for non-fiction on contemporary literature and culture.
Sweaty City seeks writing about climate change and urban ecologies with a Sydney focus.
The Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund has rolling grant opportunities for artists and organisations throughout the year.
US-based Sunspot Literary Journal offers a $35 Editor’s Prize for every digital edition, a $50 Editor’s Prize for the annual print edition, and pays for artwork selected for a cover. It accepts flash, stories, essays and memoir up to 49,000 words, poetry and art. Translations welcome.
Positive Words holds monthly mini-competitions (short story up to 100 words or poem up to 10 lines) with a different word/prompt.
The Human Writers is offering a platform for works on ‘creative ageing in Australia’ from older Australian writers.
Babyteeth journal is open to submissions of prose, spoken word, visual art and more.
Dark Lake Publishing publishes regular anthologies and single titles on the dark side.
Opportunities for Poets | New Australian poetry, contemporary Australian writers & poetry education | Red Room Poetry (includes section for prose)
Writers – The School Magazine – The School Magazine
Storiaverse For Writers (an interesting new concept)Submit | Australian Literary and Arts Magazine | ISLAND (islandmag.com)
Submit | Australian Literary and Arts Magazine | ISLAND
Lightspeed Magazine – Science Fiction & Fantasy – Lightspeed is a digital science fiction and fantasy magazine that accepts original and unpublished short stories & novelettes (1,501 – 10,000 words) from all writers. See website for further submission guideline details.
Nightmare Magazine – Horror & Dark Fantasy – Nightmare Magazine is a horror & dark fantasy magazine that feature works spanning the broad spectrum of dark fiction, with an emphasis on fascinating characters and prose. Original and unpublished Creative Nonfiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry and Short Stories entries are accepted by all writers. See website for further submission guideline details.
Fantasy Magazine – From Modern Mythcraft to Magical Surrealism – Fantasy Magazine is a digital magazine focusing exclusively on the fantasy genre (dark fantasy, contemporary urban tales, surrealism, magical realism, science fantasy, high fantasy, folktales). Their current publication schedule (monthly basis) includes two original short stories and two pieces of flash fiction, feature interviews and poetry. Each issue’s contents are serialized on our website throughout the month. See website for further details.
Clarkesworld Magazine – Science Fiction & Fantasy – Clarkesworld Magazine is a Hugo, World Fantasy, and British Fantasy Award-winning science fiction and fantasy magazine that publishes short stories, interviews, articles and audio fiction. See ‘Submissions’ page for specific genre guidelines.
Home – Alfred Hitchcock – AHMM is a monthly issued magazine that specifically seeks for mystery & crime focused entries (classic mystery, police procedurals, private eye tales, suspense, courtroom dramas, espionage). Accepted entries must be no longer than 12,000 words and further information can be found via ‘Writers Guidelines’ page.
ILLUMINATIONS OF THE FANTASTIC LITERARY MAGAZINE – Monthly Submissions for Adventure, Essays, History, Horror, Mystery, Poetry, Sci-Fi & Travelogue. More information can be found via ‘About’ page.
Furious Fiction | Australian Writers’ Centre (writerscentre.com.au) – Monthly Submissions with regular challenge prompts announced on the first Friday of each month, the next challenge prompt to be announced on September 6th 2024. Contestants to submit entries under a deadline for 55 hours and word limit of 500 words.