Writing competitions can be a great way to set yourself a deadline: to finish your draft, edit it, or prepare a query package. They also offer the chance to connect with other writers and get your work in front of agents and editors who could make a real difference in your writing career.
However, keeping track of multiple dates, deadlines, and submission requirements can be overwhelming. If you’re like me, you might only remember a deadline when it’s just a week or a few days away. This isn’t ideal—the more polished your submission, the more likely you are to be long-listed or short-listed.
In 2020, I was fortunate enough to be selected for the Author Mentor Match mentorship program in the Middle Grade category. In 2024 one of my stories was short-listed for the Guppy Books Open Submission Competition. While programs like Author Mentor Match and PitchWars are no longer active, there are still plenty of fantastic competitions to submit to in 2025. These opportunities can help you polish, finish, and showcase your manuscript.
Below is a list of 20 competitions that are active and upcoming in 2025. I’ve included links to each one for your convenience. Save this list to your notes, and get ready to submit your work! If you find this helpful, feel free to comment below or reach out—I’m always excited to connect with fellow writers.
Happy writing and best of luck with your projects in 2025!
20 Writing Competitions for 2025
The First Five Pages (Stockholm) (March 1) (that’s today!)
Rubery Book Award (for indie authors) (March 31)
Rubery Book Award (March 31)
Write Mentor Novel & Picture Book Award (April 1)
Guppy Books Stories for Change (April 11)
Globe Soup 100 Word Competition (April 30)
Blue Pencil Agency (May 31)
Bridge Port (May 31)
Goldfinch Novel Award (May 31)
Bath Novel Award (May 31 and Nov 30)
Cheshire Novel Prize (June 1)
The Lascaux Prize (Flash Fiction) (June 30)
Moth Short Story Competition (June 30)
H.G. Wells Short Story Competition (July 8)
Short Fiction Aesthetica Magazine (August 31)
John Steinbeck Award for Fiction (Nov 1)
Final Thoughts
Writing competitions provide a unique opportunity to refine your work, gain recognition, and connect with industry professionals. Whether you're polishing a novel, short story, or screenplay, there’s a competition on this list for you.
I hope this guide helps you navigate your submissions in 2025. Let me know if you enter any of these competitions—I’d love to cheer you on!