Competitions and Opportunities

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
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.

February

Closes
7 February

Mentorship

The 2025 ASA Award Mentorship Program

The ASA is pleased to announce that eight award mentorships will be offered in 2025 to help writers and illustrators develop their work to a publishable standard.

Closes
9 February

Seeking submissions

Verge Journal 2025: Blue

Verge 2025 is looking for new writing that responds in some way to the colour blue. Share with us poetry that alights the senses with blue; narratives infused with shades of cobalt, indigo and cerulean; any and all writing tinged with this most mysterious and evocative colour.. Submissions requested via email

Closes
9 February

Seeking submissions

Sinister Wisdom: Body of Land

Body of Land, seeks to showcase diasporic and First Nations lesbian, bisexual, queer, trans and gender-nonconforming perspectives in so-called Australia. As individuals both situated at the intersection of marginalised identities, we want this issue to provide an outlet for lesbian/queer voices that are too often overlooked in a context where whiteness dominates queer representation.

Closes
14 February

Competition

Summer Flash Fiction Competition

Aniko Press are now accepting submissions for our 2025 Summer Flash Fiction Comp!

Theme: Touch. Word limit: 100 words

Closes
14 February

Prize

The Tasmanian Writers’ Prize

The prize is for short stories up to 3,000 words having an island, or island-resonant, theme.

The winning entry receives a cash prize of $500 and all finalists’ stories will appear in the Forty South Short Story Anthology 2025.

Closes
17 February

Mentorship

Little Book Press Mentorship Program

The Little Book Press Mentorship Program is designed to provide unpublished South Australian creatives with the opportunity to launch their career in children’s publishing by being mentored by an experienced, published author or illustrator.

The program is open to South Australian unpublished writers and artists. 

Closes
17 February

Fellowship

Varuna Trans and Gender Diverse Fellowship

Six fellowships will be awarded to trans and gender diverse writers from anywhere in Australia. This fellowship program is open to any writer who identifies as trans and/or gender diverse, in that their assigned sex at birth does not match their gender identity.

Closes
23 February

Fellowship

2025 National Regional Arts Fellowship

The National Regional Arts Fellowship Program is a strategic project supported by the Regional Arts Fund and delivered by Regional Arts Australia. Fellowships provide guaranteed income for regional artists and arts workers to develop work, skills, networks, or research. In 2025, we are seeking Fellowship proposals with a focus on economic, cultural and/or environmental sustainability.

Closes
23 February

Award

Stringybark Short Story Award 2025

Stringybark’s flagship short story award. The theme is completely open however your short story must have a link to Australia (no matter how small and inconsequential). The award pool is over $1420 in cash and books.

Closes
24 February

Award

Mulga Bill Writing Award

Goldfields Libraries and Eaglehawk Festivals Inc. are calling for entries from writers all over Australia for the annual Mulga Bill Writing Award, a celebration of creativity at the Eaglehawk Dahlia & Arts Festival.
Poets and writers are invited to showcase their talents in the 2025 Mulga Bill Writing Award. Whether you’re an experienced storyteller or an aspiring writer, this is your chance to shine!

Closes
28 February

Mentorship

Fresh Off The Books: The Pasifika Australian Literary Initiative!

The initiative seeks to introduce Australian readers to the beauty, complexities, realities and diversity of contemporary Pasifika-Australian life.

Under the direction of Tongan-Australian author, editor and arts worker, Winnie Dunn, Fresh Off The Books will invite twelve successful applicants to participate in Pasifika-led mentoring, workshops and publication outputs.

Closes
28 February

Competition

Fleurieu Writers Competition

​Books and Words Group, in conjunction with Festival Fleurieu 2025, are pleased to announce the inaugural Fleurieu Writers Competition 2025.
Entries are invited for two categories:
Short Story – with a maximum of 2000 words
Poetry – up to 40 lines.

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
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

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

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

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

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. We invite entries for poetry and creative prose.

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
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.

And beyond…

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.

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
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.

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!

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