The TGEP Literary Network
Writing Competitions Around the World
A curated and searchable guide to credible writing competitions, literary prizes and creative contests for short story writers, novelists, poets, memoirists and young writers.
A competition should serve the writing, not distract from it.
TGEP selects opportunities from established or identifiable organisers, links readers to the official rules, and adds an editorial note explaining who may benefit from entering.
Current and Forthcoming Opportunities
Read every official rule before entering. Dates, fees and eligibility can change without notice.
TGEP Editorial Pick · Open Now
Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition 2026
An international short story competition accepting unpublished work on any subject, theme or genre.
TGEP Editorial Pick · Open Now
Bridport Prize Memoir Award 2026
The Bridport Memoir Award seeks an unpublished memoir submission and forms part of a long-established international writing-prize programme.
TGEP Recommended · Young Writers
Write the World Monthly Competitions
Write the World runs monthly competitions for teenage writers across changing genres including poetry, fantasy, flash fiction, journalism, memoir and screenwriting.
Short Story · International
The Writers’ College Short Story Competition 2026
An annual short story competition with a final September deadline, followed by a longlist and winner announcement later in the year.
Forthcoming Deadline · 2027 Awards
Next Generation Short Story Awards 2027
A short story awards programme accepting digital submissions for its 2027 awards year.
Forthcoming · Opens 15 November 2026
Bridport Prize 2027 Main Competition
The next Bridport Prize cycle is scheduled to open in November 2026 across its principal poetry and fiction categories.
Before you enter a writing competition
A strong submission begins with careful reading of the rules, not with the upload button.
Check eligibility and rights
Confirm age, nationality, publication history, simultaneous submission rules and what rights the organiser may claim.
Follow the format exactly
Respect word limits, file types, anonymity instructions, fonts and deadline time zones. Technical errors can cause disqualification.
Submit finished work
Enter only after revision and proofreading. A competition deadline is not a substitute for editorial readiness.
How to avoid unreliable or exploitative competitions
Check the organiser’s identity, previous winners, named judges, prize history, entry fees, copyright terms and contact information. Be cautious where awards are guaranteed, rights demands are excessive, fees appear disproportionate, or organisers provide no verifiable record. Never assume that a polished advertisement is proof of credibility.
Please verify every competition before entering
Deadlines, entry fees, prize amounts, eligibility and rights conditions may change. Always consult the organiser’s current official rules before submitting work or paying a fee. TGEP provides this guide as a curated information resource and does not administer third-party competitions.
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