Whatever your writing goals for 2024, you’ll find a range of opportunities in our round-up of literary prizes, competitions, fellowships, calls for submissions and more below—updated weekly!
Writing prizes are a great way to give yourself a deadline, build your publication credits, as well offering a financial incentive at any stage of your writing career. Keep an eye on our program of workshops to get you ready to enter your best work.
Please note that inclusion on this page is not an endorsement. Writers should always carefully check terms and conditions for information on fees, rights, and eligibility.
DEEP CREEK RESIDENCY FELLOWSHIP
Entries close
1 April
Fellowship
Matilda Bookshop, in partnership with Writers SA, and in association with Ultimo Press, offers an annual residency fellowship to a South Australian writer. The fellowship provides support (time, writing space and mentoring) to work on a writing project of literary merit. Applications will be assessed by Writers SA staff, with the shortlist judged by Writers SA and Matilda Bookshop. Ultimo Press will provide consultation and manuscript assessment to the recipient.
Grants
Entries close
1 Jul 2025
Entries close
7 Oct 2025
Entries close
2 Feb 2026
Arts SA – Independent Artists and Groups
This grant supports the development, production and presentation of new works by independent artists and groups across all art forms.
Funded activity may include playwriting, dramaturgy, creative development, manuscript draft and development and making work in the studio.
Literature applications for the preparation of work for self-publishing will be accepted where a compelling case for self-publishing can be made. This would include a strong track record of published work and a viable marketing/distribution plan.
Entries close
Various
City of Adelaide Arts & Cultural Grants
The Arts and Cultural Grants Program provides funding to the community to deliver fun, lively, and interesting arts and cultural experiences with presentation outcomes in the city that enable a vibrant, connected and inclusive community in line with the City of Adelaide Strategic Plan 2024-2028.
These grants enable a diverse year-round program that attracts visitors and connect the community to the city.
Entries close
Various
Country Arts SA Grants
Country Arts SA have a range of grants to support arts and cultural activities in regional South Australia. View the grants page for those currently open.
Entries close
6 Apr
Carclew Project and Development Grants
This program is designed to support and encourage the growth and development of young talent in the South Australian arts community.
Age limit for applicants
- Up to 26 years
- First Nations applicants up to 30 years
Entries close
1 May
Independent Arts Foundation
IAF Small Grants for Young and/or Emerging Artists (individual and group) All art forms are eligible including (but not limited to): Creative Writing (fiction, non-fiction, screen plays, poetry), Music (composition, performance, recording & production), Performing Arts (acting, directing, circus, dance), Visual Arts (all media), Film & New Media, Multi Arts.
March
Closes
1 March
Seeking Submissions
Woven Webs Issue One: City of Churches
Woven Webs is an upcoming online (non)literary magazine which seeks to publish and highlight works which typically struggle to find a place in literature or to be defined as such, with particular interest in speculative and experimental fiction. The first issue, which will highlight specifically SA creatives, is funded by Carclew, allowing us to pay creatives $100 per piece.
Closes
3 March
Seeking Submissions
Ann Moyal Non-Fiction Fellowship
Encouraging excellence in non-fiction writing, this prestigious three-week fellowship supports established writers who are developing an original work founded on research, in the broad fields of the humanities and social sciences, particularly history, biography, climate change, science, technology, the arts and the environment.
Closes
3 March
Award
Karajia and Environment Awards for Children’s Literature
In 2022, the Wilderness Society added the Karajia Award for Children’s Literature. This Award celebrates excellence in children’s literature by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island authors and/or illustrators, who honour Connection to Country and tell stories exploring land, community, culture and language.”
Closes
13 March
Prize
Peter Carey Short Story Award
The Peter Carey Short Story Award returns for 2025, opening for entries on January 27. Organised by the Moorabool Shire Council and writers Wayne Marshall and Jem Tyley-Miller, the award is for short stories between 2000 – 3000 words, and is open to all Australian residents. Entry is $15 per story. The winning entry receives $2000 and the runner-up $1000. First and second-placed stories will also be published in the spring 2025 issue of Meanjin.
Closes
17 March
Prize
International Lamplight Online Fellowship – Ireland
Connecting Australian and Irish writers, this two-week online fellowship is an opportunity for published fiction writers to enjoy the combined mentorship and support of Varuna and the Irish Writers Centre. Find inspiration, enjoy professional development opportunities, and build international connections.
Closes
23 March
Prize
Kill Your Darlings – Flash Fiction Prize
We welcome submissions of previously unpublished stories, between 750–1000 words. Submissions close midnight Sunday 23 March 2025. Judged by KYD editor Suzy Garcia and publishing director and CEO Rebecca Starford, the winner will receive $1000, and three runners-up will receive $500. All winning pieces will be published online at Kill Your Darlings.
Closes
23 March
Prize
The Neilma Sidney Literary Travel Fund
In partnership with the Myer Foundation, the Travel Fund supports emerging, midcareer, and established Australian writers and literary sector workers in pursuing professional development opportunities. This includes writers, editors, agents, publishers, librarians, booksellers, employees and associates of literary organisations and journals, and other literary professionals currently living in Australia.
Closes
31 March
Prize
The Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2025
The prize is for unpublished poems written by adults for children aged 7–11. Entrants are welcome from anywhere in the world. 1st prize €1,000 plus a week at Circle of Misse in France, 2nd prize of €500, 3rd prize of €250. The prize is judged anonymously by Kate Wakeling. Winning poems published in the Irish Times online.
Closes
31 March
Prize
Biennial Maritime History Prizes
Every two years, the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Australian Association for Maritime History co-sponsor two awards, the Frank Broeze Memorial Maritime History Book Award (worth $8,000) and the Australian Community Maritime History Award (worth $2,000).
Closes
31 March
Prize
The Tom Grass Spirit of Adventure Literary Prize
The prize is for a short piece of stand-alone prose in either Fiction or Non-Fiction (1,500 – 3,000 words). It can be adapted from a longer work but must be satisfying to read by itself. The prize invites writers from all walks of life, whether writing a short story, essay, memoir, piece of reportage, historical investigation, or other hybrid form, as long as the writer reflects the sensibility of the prize.
Closes
31 March
Competition
AAALS Creative Writing Competition
The American Association of Australasian Literary Studies (AAALS), together with the American
Australian Association, welcomes submissions to our annual creative writing competition. We invite
entries for poetry and creative prose.
Closes
31 March
Prize
The Letter Review Prize
$4000 USD prize pool. 12-16 winners published, 80 shortlisted. All writers welcome. No style or subject restrictions. All entries considered for publication, and submission to Pushcart. Prose up to 5000 words. Poetry up to 70 lines.
Closes
31 March
Prize
AAALS Indigenous Writers Prizes
The American Association of Australasian Literary Studies (AAALS), together with the American Australian Association, welcomes submissions to our Indigenous Writers Prizes, recognizing the creative work of any writer who identifies and is recognized as a member of an Indigenous community in Australia, the Torres Strait or Aotearoa New Zealand.
Closes
31 March
Prize
The Caterpillar Poetry Prize
The Caterpillar Poetry Prize is an annual prize for unpublished poems written by adults for children aged 7–11.
April
Closes
1 April
Competition
The Nature And Place Poetry Competition 2025
The Rialto working in association with the RSPB, BirdLife International, Cambridge Conservation Initiative and The University of Leeds Poetry Centre. Poems are invited that deal with any aspect of nature and place – these terms will be given a wide interpretation by the judge Helen Mort.
Closes
7 April
Competition
Copyright Agency First Nations Fellowships
First Nations writers are invited to apply for one of twelve week-long residencies at Varuna in 2025, sharing the residency with other First Nations writers, and benefiting from one-on-one mentorship and the sharing of skills and knowledge.
Closes
11 April
Prize
Inaugural ANZAC Poetry Competition
A golden opportunity to enter the ANZAC Poetry Competition, to honour those who served and still serve our great nation, and win a prize while showing how good your poetry is!
Closes
13 April
Prize
Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize
The aim of the Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize is both to celebrate the best of new short fiction and to give winners the most visibility possible for their writing.
Closes
17 April
Residency
Hedberg Writer-in-Residence Program
Applications are invited for the fifth University of Tasmania Hedberg Writer-in-Residence program, with the residency open to all established writers with professional publication record, in any field or genre, resident in Australia.
Closes
27 April
Competition
2025 Liquid Amber Prize
The Liquid Amber 2025 Poetry Prize invites you to explore the idea of ‘flight’ – and to take it in whatever direction you wish. Perhaps it’s being in flight from something, or about flying towards new places, experiences or elements. Or perhaps it’s knowing the ecstatic flight of emotions or the spirit. Perhaps it’s an engagement with the feathered world of what inhabits air and branch…
Closes
30 April
Competition
The Furphy Open Short Story Competition
In the spirit of Archibald and honouring the author of Such is Life, the Furphy Literary Award has been established to promote and extend the tradition of story telling, both factual and fictional, that is so much part of Australian life.
May
Closes
15 May
Competition
Eastwood/Hills FAW Literary Competitions 2025
The 2025 Annual Literary Competition and Boree Log Poetry Competition are now open. The competition closes on Thursday 15th May 2025. Certificates and monetary prizes are awarded to first and second place in each of our four categories.
Closes
31 May
Award
Places Writing Competition by Minds Shine Bright
Seeking stories and poems about the places that mean something to you. It could be the place where you live, a place that you love or a place that you have left. First prize is $1500, category prizes $500, English as a second language $500. Commended $100 to $200. Young commended writers $50. Winning and commended writers will be published in Places anthology or in Young Writer’s Places Anthology.
Closes
31 May
Competition
AWMA WRITING COMPETITION
This year Albury Wodonga Martial Arts (AWMA) is celebrating their 10th year and are including a writing competition on the theme of Martial Arts. Winning entries will be published in Martial Artists Magazine Australia.
It can be either fiction or non-fiction and you don’t have to be a martial artist to enter.
And beyond…
Closes
30 June
Prize
Bundyi Writing Prize
We are on the lookout for creative, compelling and original works of adult fiction that celebrate First Nations voices. Enter below for a chance to win The Bundyi Writing Prize. This Prize is awarded to an outstanding unpublished manuscript by an emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writer (a writer who maybe have appeared in anthologies and literary journals but is yet to have a full length manuscript published).
Closes
30 June
Prize
Heroines Anthology
Heroines Anthology – Volume 6: Call For Submissions
Submissions are open for the 6th Heroines Anthology and the 2025 Heroines Women’s writing prize. Volume 6 is a special witchcraft-themed edition. We are accepting poems and short fiction from women across the globe. Submissions close 30 June 2025
Closes
30 June
Prize
Moth Short Story Prize
The Moth Short Story Prize is an international prize, open to anyone from anywhere in the world, as long as their story is original and previously unpublished. The winners are chosen by a single judge each year, who reads the stories anonymously.
Closes
31 July
Prize
Anthology Short Story Competition 2025
Established to recognise and encourage creative writing and provide a platform for publication, the Anthology Short Story Competition is open to original and previously unpublished short stories in the English language by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world.
Closes
24 Aug
Competition
Not Quite Write – FLESH Fiction
This spicy 1,500-word competition is now wide open, and we’re ready and waiting for you to submit. The competition is free to enter, offering 6 cash prizes totalling AU$1,000 plus an ever-expanding prize pool thanks to our generous sponsors. If you’re 18 or over, no matter where you are in the world, it’s time to lay your words bare for a chance to reap the rewards.
Closes
24 Aug
Competition
Rhiza Edge Short Story Competition
Theme 1: Migration and Diaspora
We’re interested in stories that examine identity, belonging, community, and the bridges—or divides—between cultures; stories that engage, entertain and enlighten the reader to new and fresh perspectives.
Theme 2: Breakthroughs in history
Stories that feature people, events, technologies and breakthroughs that have shaped our modern history and could include topics of war or the Great Depression.
Closes
29 Sep
Submission
Story Unlikely Magazine Submission
Submission period runs from February 2nd through September 29th (October 14th for Members) No restrictions on genre (seeking all types of stories; fiction and creative nonfiction) 3,500k word limit (12,500k for Members) All stories featured are professionally illustrated no submission fee
Monthly and Ongoing Opportunities
Entries close
monthly
Submissions
Aniko Press Guest book reviews
Aniko will be accepting one to two guest book reviews per month that fit with the tone and style of Aniko Press. Book reviews should be between 600-900 words, and contain a mix of literary criticism and personal opinion. Each published review is paid $50.00.
Entries close monthly
Writing challenges
Furious Fiction
On the first Friday of the month, you are invited to submit a short story up to 500 words, referencing the monthly theme, with only 55 hours to write.
Entries close quarterly
Competition
Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction
Four times a year, the Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction challenges writers to break the writing “rules”.The competition is open to writers of all levels of experience worldwide.
Entries close monthly
Competition
Right Left Write
QLD Writers Centre’s monthly short fiction competition Right Left Write is a great opportunity to get your writing published. Winning entries are published in the newsletter, on their website, and in an annual print anthology edition.
Entries close monthly
Competition
The Wakefield Weekly Writing Competition
An exciting monthly challenge for authors Australia-wide. Each month, Wakefield Press release a new prompt for authors to respond to. The prize includes gift vouchers and the publication of winning entries on the Wakefield Press blog.
Ongoing
Submissions open
InReview
Readers’ original and unpublished poems of up to 40 lines can be emailed, with postal address, to [email protected]. Submissions should be in the body of the email, not as attachments. A poetry book will be awarded to each accepted contributor.
Free download: writing submission tracker
As a writer, spreadsheets are your friend. No really. They’re the perfect way keep track of your writing, whether it’s a catalogue of your pitches to literary journals or publications, queries to agents and publishers, or competition submissions.
If you’d rather spend your time writing than in Excel, we’re here for you.
We’ve designed the ultimate spreadsheet submission/ story/ pitch tracker template, so you can get organised and focus on the words. Whether you’re a freelancer, poet, novelist, creative or non-fiction writer, it will help you to manage deadlines, track your submissions, keep a record of your stories and more.
Why keep track of your submissions?
- Get organised. What are my best opportunities for submission right now? What open calls am I interested in? What stories are pending and when will I likely hear back? Which of my stories are available for publication? Keep notes on different journals, competitions, and deadlines all in one place.
- First impressions count. Don’t send out the same pitch or story to the same place twice. You’ll have a one-stop record of all of your past submissions.
- Manage your budget. How much are you spending on entering competitions or residencies? Manage it all in one place.
- Understand your confidence level. How often are you sending your work out there? Do you need to focus on submitting more frequently, or is it time for revising, editing, or creating the work?
- Refine your skills and get your words out there. You’ve written the story – now get it out there! A systematic approach to publishing will not only help you think of yourself as a professional writer, it can also help you to focus on making sure your words find the right home before you move onto your next idea. You can also see quickly and easily what worked – and what didn’t – to help refine your future approach.
*To save to your Google Docs: select File, and then Make a Copy and hit OK
*To download it to your computer: select File and then Download As and select Microsoft Excel.
We’ve created a blank template for you to change to edit to suit your specific needs. Happy writing!
