Why enter competitions?
It helps you get seen and gives you a headstart in building a writing portfolio.
What does it mean to build a writing portfolio?
You might be familiar with this term if you have queried. Often, a publishing house will ask for an example of your portfolio or a ‘writing CV’. So, if you’re writing your debut novel…how do you build a writing portfolio?
Answer: By writing short stories, articles, and poetry and submitting them to anthologies, reviews, competitions, and opportunities. This shows that you are already putting yourself out there and connecting with a readership. This makes you more marketable!
The below are in deadline order. Check the links for the exact dates – bear in mind that some may end soon after the month labelled, so plan ahead.
January
Retreat West First Chapter Competition
The Encore Award (Prize for Second Novels)
February
Writers’ & Artists’ Short Story Competition 2025
The Edinburgh Short Story Award
March
BBC National Short Story Award
The Brick Lane Bookshop Short Story Prize 2025
April
Dream Quest One Poetry and Writing Contest
May
Green Stories Adult Novel Competition
2025 TCK Publishing Poetry Awards Context
July
Anthology Short Story Competition
August
Book of the Year Awards – The Independent Author Network
Aesthetica Magazine – Creative Writing Award
September
Anthology Nature Writing Competition
October
The Bedford Writing Competition
November
The Commonwealth Short Story Prize
December
The Lascaux Review Prize in Short Fiction
Do you want to talk about what you can enter or what to write? Get in touch today!
Note: It is up to the entering author to check any and all competitions before they enter, and to read the terms and conditions.
