Writing competitions and opportunities – August 2020

Published: Aug 01, 2020
By: Original Life

We’ve brought together August’s best writing competitions, contests and opportunities open to writers of novellas, short stories, poetry, plays and more.

All the writing opportunities listed should be open to writers across the UK and most are open internationally too. We share details of prizes, requirements, eligibility, entry fees (some are free) and deadlines to help you choose the right ones for you.

Don’t forget that our submissions are also open. Details here.

Red Hen Press Novella Award

This novella award is open to previously unpublished, original works of fiction. Submit stories that are between 15,000 and 30,000 words. 

• Prize – $1,000 and publication by Red Hen Press.
• Deadline – 1st August.
• Entry fee – $25.
• Full details – Visit the Red Hen Press submissions page. 

Tulip Tree Publishing contest

Enter fiction, nonfiction, poetry or any narrative of up to 1,000 words into Tulip Tree Publishing’s ‘Stories that need to be told’ contest. The judges are looking, in particular, for stories that excel in terms of humour, passion, depth and any form of love. 

• Prizes – Grand prize: $1,000 and a two-year ($100) gift certificate to Duotrope / Five additional prizes of $200 / Winners and honourable mentions will also be published in Tulip Tree Publishing’s annual anthology.
• Deadline – 3rd August.
• Entry fee – $20.
• Full details – Visit the Tulip Tree Publishing website.

Women Poet’s Prize 

The biennial, Rebecca Swift Foundation Women Poet’s Prize is open to writers living in the UK (including Northern Ireland).

Rebecca was the much-loved editor, novelist, diarist and poet as well as founder and director of The Literary Consultancy until she passed in 2017. The prize honours her passions for poetry and the empowerment of women.

To apply, submit three poems as well as statements detailing why you write poetry and what you think you would gain from the prize. 

• Prizes – Three women poets will be awarded a cash bursary of £1,000 and will be matched with a poetry mentor, offered coaching and a programme of creative development from Bath Spa University, City Lit, Faber & Faber, RADA, The Literary Consultancy, The Poetry School and Verve Festival.
• Deadline – 14th August.
• Entry fee – FREE.
• Full details – Visit the Rebecca Swift Foundation website.

Grayson Books Poetry Contest

Grayson Books offers two contests a year and the latest is inviting full-length collections of poetry (50 to 90 pages).

• Prize – $1,000, publication and ten copies. 
• Deadline – 15th August.
• Entry fee – $25.
• Full details – Visit the Grayson Books website. 

Dalkey Writing Prizes

Enter short stories of up to 2,000 words and poetry of up to 30 lines in any theme or style into this competition. Entries must not have been previously published or broadcast.

• Prizes – €1,000 in each category and publication in Books Ireland Magazine.
• Deadline – 16th August.
• Entry fee – €15.
• Full details – Visit the Dalkey Creates website. 

Red Wheelbarrow Poetry Prize

The international, Red Wheelbarrow Poetry Prize is open to all styles of poetry. You can submit up to three unpublished poems. Each must fit onto a 8.5 x 11 inch page. 

• Prize – First prize: $1,000 / Second prize: $500 / Third prize: $250. Five finalists will be published in Red Wheelbarrow.  
• Deadline – 16th August.
• Entry fee – $15.
• Full details – Visit the Red Wheelbarrow website.

David Charles Horn Prize

The Yale Drama Series seeks submissions for its latest playwriting competition from writers worldwide who have not yet had a play produced. Submissions must be original full-length plays with a minimum of 65 pages. 

• Prize – $10,000, publication by Yale University Press and a staged reading at Lincoln Center’s Claire Tow Theatre. 
• Deadline – 15th August.
• Entry fee – FREE.
• Full details – Visit the Yale University Press website. 

Palette Poetry Prize

This international competition is open to submissions of poetry written primarily in English. There are no page requirements but you can enter up to three poems. You will also need to include a brief cover letter detailing your publication history.

The competition will be judged by Pulitzer Prize winner, Forrest Gander.

• Prize – First prize: $4,000 and publication / Second prize: $300 / Third prize: $200.
• Deadline – 16th August. 
• Entry fee – $20.
• Full details – Visit the Palette Poetry website. 

Voyage First Chapters Contest 

Voyage is on the hunt for great young adult novels with a first chapter that will captivate audiences and make them want to keep reading. Submissions must be written from the point of view of a young adult and should be no more than 5,000 words.

• Prize – First prize: $3,000 and an hour-long consultation with a literary agent / Second prize: $300 and publication / Third prize: $200 and publication / All finalists will also receive written feedback on their entries from a literary agent. 
• Deadline – 17th August. 
• Entry fee – $20.
• Full details – Visit the Voyage website. 

Summer Writing Contests

Kallisto Gaia Press is running two writing contests over the summer: The Chester B. Himes Memorial Short Fiction Prize and the Julia Darling Memorial Poetry Prize. Submit fiction between 800 and 4,200 words or poems of up to 65 lines. You will also need to provide a bio detailing any previous awards or publishing credits.

• Prize – $1,000 in each category and publication in The Ocotillo Review.
• Deadline – 20th August.
• Entry fee – $20.
• Full details – Visit the Kallisto Gaia Press website. 

Best Opening Page Competition 

Submit up to 400 words from the opening page of your novel, memoir or short story for a chance to win the Retreat West Best Opening Page Competition. 

• Prize – First prize: A week-long writing retreat at Casa Ana and a mentoring session with resident mentor, Amanda Saint worth £1,000 / Second prize: A half-price writing retreat at Casa Ana / Third prize: Feedback on your opening words. 
• Deadline – 23rd August.
• Entry fee – £15.
• Full details – Visit the Retreat West website. 

Costa Short Story Award 

The prestigious, Costa Short Story Award is back and open to fiction of up to 4,000 words from published and unpublished writers based in the UK or Ireland. 

Once again, there is a great line up of judges including Adele Parks, Joe Haddow, Kit de Waal, Sarah Franklin and Simon Trewin. The public will read the top three stories selected by the judges and will have the chance to vote for their favourite. The winners and two runners-up will be announced at the Costa Book Awards ceremony in January 2021. 

• Prize – First prize: £3,500 / Second prize: £1,000 / Third prize: £500. 
• Deadline – 28th August.
• Entry fee – FREE
• Full details – Visit the Costa Awards website. 

Masters Review Short Story Award

This international competition is designed to support emerging writers and help them get their stories read. All stories entered are considered for publication. Submit bold, short fiction of up to 6,000 words in any style or genre. The judge is Kali Fajardo-Anstine.

• Prize – First prize: $3,000 / Second prize: $300 / Third prize: $200 / All three winners will be published online and receive an agency review.  
• Deadline – 30th August.
• Entry fee – $20
• Full details – Visit the Masters Review website.