A collection of writing competitions, prizes, awards and opportunities open for submissions throughout the year for adult writers residing in NSW, Australia.
NOVEMBER
8 November: Masters Review Novel Excerpt Competition
For emerging writers, excerpts up to 6,000 words; US$20 entry (some free places for under-represented writers); first prize US$3,000 plus an agent consultation.
10 November: Aurealis Awards
Australia’s top speculative fiction awards across 16 categories, for works by Australian citizens or permanent residents first published in 2026. Unpublished work isn’t eligible. Fee applies, with NWCN member discounts.
14 November: F(r)iction Fall Contest
A US competition open to writers over 13, with categories for short story (1,001 to 7,500 words), flash fiction (1,000 words) and poetry (three pages per poem). First prizes are USD $1,000 for short story and USD $300 for flash and poetry, each with publication, and five finalists in each category receive a professional edit.
15 November: Lesley Derksen Visiting Fellowship in Children’s Literature
The Lesley Derksen Visiting Fellowship in Children’s Literature provides an opportunity for an established author or scholar from outside Western Australia to spend time at Edith Cowan University, sharing their expertise through activities such as lectures, workshops, seminars and community engagement.
15 November: CRAFT Short Fiction Prize
Open to all, 1,000–5,000 words. The first-place winner will receive a $2,500 award and online publication. The second- and third-place finalists will receive $500 and $300, respectively, along with online publication.
20 November: The Hongxue Prize
For university students and young professionals aged 18–30, on the theme “Becoming” with an Asia-Australia focus. Free entry for a 1,000-word short story or essay. First prize is $250 plus publication.
21 November: Catchment – Poetry of Place
Free for Australian residents, for poems up to 30 lines or tanka that show a sense of location. The prize is online publication.
24 November: Ninth Heaven Issue III: Creation & Festivity
Ninth Heaven Issue III: Creation & Festivity is open for poetry, fiction, essays, art and sound. They welcome work from both new and established writers and artists. Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis, with a target response time of 4-6 weeks.
29 November (early bird): Literary Women’s Writing Prize
For women writers 18+, including trans women and non-binary people. Accepts poetry, fiction, nonfiction and essays. The prize is $1,000, and the general deadline is 12 February 2027.
30 November (early bird entry): The $60,000 Discover New Art Prize for Poetry & Prose
For manuscripts in progress: up to 15 pages of poetry or 25 of prose. Prizes are $25,000 in each genre plus five $1,000 finalist awards per genre. Fee applies, discounted for early bird entries.
30 November: The Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition
An Irish competition open to all, for poems up to 40 lines. Entry is €7 or five for €30. First prize is €2,000 plus a featured reading at the Cork International Poetry Festival with four nights’ accommodation and full board, with €500 for second and €250 for third.
30 November: The Bath Children’s Novel Award
A UK award open to international writers yet to be traditionally published, across YA novels, novels for teens, children’s novels, early readers, chapter books and picture book texts. Entrants submit the first 5,000 words plus a one-page synopsis. Entry is £33, with some sponsored places available for writers on low incomes, and a first prize of £5,000.
30 November: Anthology Travel Writing Competition
An Irish competition open to all, for articles up to 1,000 words on the theme of an authentic travel experience. The standard entry fee is €15, with a prize of €300.
30 November: The 2027 Perentie Prize
The Perentie Prize is for graphic novel manuscripts (text only) is now open. The winner will receive an offer of publication with Perentie Press, as well as a $2000 advance towards royalties.
30 November: Fiction Factory First Chapter & Synopsis Competition (UK)
Open to adults, for a first chapter of up to 5,000 words. Entry is £18. First prize is £500 plus an appraisal.
DECEMBER
1 December: 2027 Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize
Two winners will be selected — one winner from the Hawkeye Prize Open Category and one winner from the Hawkeye Prize – Own Voices category. Both winners receive a trade publishing contract with Hawkeye plus an editing package valued at $3,500.
4 December: Storyfest National Novella Writing Competition
For secondary students in Australia under 19, with novellas of 8,000–20,000 words. Entry is $20. The national winner receives $300.
4 December: Somerset National Poetry Prize
For secondary students in Australia, with poems up to 50 lines in junior and senior categories. Entry is $15. Each category winner receives $300.
6 December: Newcastle Poetry Prize
Open to Australian citizens or residents 18+, for poems up to 200 lines. First prize is $10,000, and there’s a $1,500 prize for poets under 36.
13 December: Verge 2027: Ghosts
A Monash University Publishing anthology open to all writers in Australia. Accepts fiction, nonfiction and hybrid work up to 2,500 words, or poetry up to 35 lines, on the theme of ghosts.
14 December: Penguin Literary Prize
For a complete, unpublished adult literary fiction manuscript. Opens 5 November. Free for Australian residents, with a $20,000 prize.
16 December: Patrick White Playwrights Award
Free for Australian citizens or permanent residents living in Australia, aged 18+, for a full-length play. The prize is $7,500.
18 December (early bird): Literary Women’s Novella Prize
For novellas of 20,000–40,000 words. The prize is a $500 advance plus publication by The Kind Press. The general deadline is 28 February 2027.
31 December: The Moth Poetry Prize (Ireland)
Open to all over 16. Entry is €17. First prize is €6,000.
31 December: Rhiza Teen Author Prize
For Australians aged 13–19, with manuscripts from picture books to YA. Winners receive a mentorship towards publication.
2027
JANUARY
13 January: Romance Australia Ruby Award
For members and non-members with published works. Opens 2 December.
15 January: Youth Alliance for Writers and Poets
A contest for students aged 13–18 that is run and judged by students. Any genre up to 3,000 words. Every entry gets peer feedback, and winners receive publication and cash prizes.
28 January: Next Generation Short Story Awards
Calling all short story writers, even first time authors, internationally who have original, unpublished short stories (5,000 words or less per story) written in English to enter this awards program. Take advantage of this exciting opportunity and have your short story considered for a cash prize, gold medal, complimentary invitation to the annual Next Generation Indie Book Awards (NGIBA) gala, literary exposure, and inclusion in a complimentary digital Anthology.
31 January: Melbourne Poets Union International Poetry Competition
Open to all, for poems up to 50 lines. Entry is $15 for the first poem. First prize is $1,500.
31 January: Fae Style Fantasy Writing Prize
The first year of this prize, for original fantasy fiction up to 2,000 words on the theme “Fae Style”. Three finalists win a cash prize and publication with Fae Style.
FEBRUARY
5 February: RAS AB Paterson Bush Poetry Award
Free for school-aged Australian poets, on the theme of the Australian bush. Prizes include a family pass to the 2027 Sydney Royal Easter Show.
12 February: Next Generation Indie Book Awards
This exciting and rewarding book awards program for independent publishers and authors is now accepting entries written in English and released in 2025, 2026 or 2027 or with a 2025, 2026 or 2027 copyright date.
28 February: Flash 500 Short Story Competition (UK)
For stories of 1,000–3,000 words. Entry is from £7. First prize is £500.
28 February (early, free): Tom Grass Spirit of Adventure Literary Prize (UK)
For emerging writers 25+. The final deadline is 31 March. First prize is £1,500 plus an agent meeting.
MARCH
1 March: Sorrento Writing Prize
Free for Australian citizens or residents 18+, for pieces of 2,500–3,000 words. The prize is $5,000.
2 March: Creative Australia: Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups
Grants of $10,000–$50,000 across art forms, including literature, for creation, development, publishing, residencies and more. The activity must happen between June 2026 and June 2028.
5 March: Jennifer Burbidge Short Story Award
For Australian writers, on disability in an Australian setting, up to 3,000 words. Entry is $15. The prize is $500.
18 March The Portal Prize
A new national prize for fantasy short stories up to 3,500 words, open to anyone living in Australia, with adult and youth categories.
APRIL
1 April: Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest
Free to enter, for one humour poem in English of up to 250 lines. First prize is US$2,000, second $750 and third $350, plus 10 honourable mentions of $200 each.
2 April: North American Review Terry Tempest Williams Creative Nonfiction Prize
The winner, runner-up and any honourable mentions are offered publication in this US journal’s ‘fall’ issue. Opens 1 January 2027. I couldn’t confirm the fee or international eligibility, so check before listing.
MAY
30 May (final round): The Pearl Prize
A platform for queer writers, accepting unpublished work from Australian and international writers on the theme “the mystery out there”, with up to two entries each. The prize is $2,000.
31 May: The Bridport Prize
UK competition, open to writers everywhere, with categories for poetry, short story, flash fiction and novel. Flash fiction is up to 250 words with a £12 entry fee and a £2,000 first prize, open to writers aged 16+ worldwide. Short story first prize is £5,000.
GENERAL JOURNAL & MAGAZINE SUBMISSIONS
Archer Magazine
An award-winning print publication about sexuality, gender and identity, published twice yearly with a focus on lesser-heard voices and the uniqueness of our experiences.
Aurealis
Australia’s long-running speculative fiction magazine, considering science fiction, fantasy and horror short stories. Submissions open for set periods across the year.
Australian Book Review
One of Australia’s major cultural magazines, presenting high-quality journalism and new writing. ABR welcomes pitches for commentary essays on topics of political and cultural moment.
Australian Poetry Journal
Published six-monthly and guest-edited each issue by different voices to ensure excellence and inclusivity. Also publishes articles.
Babyteeth Journal
Accepting submissions across many artforms, including poetry, prose and scripts.
Backslash Lit
Invites work that uses digital and electronic mediums as a vessel for creativity, including source code poetry, hypertext poetry, interactive fiction, ASCII art and generative art.
Bramble
A journal based in the Illawarra that is edited by, and solely publishes creative work by, disabled writers and artists.
Buzz Words
Buzz Words is the premier twice-monthly e-magazine for those in the Australian children’s book industry with information about Australian and overseas markets, events, opportunities, and industry news, as well as interviews and feature articles. There are opportunities for subscribers to get published in the magazine or book review website.
Cordite Poetry Review
A quarterly Australian and international journal of poetry, criticism and research. Regularly open for submission of unpublished poems from Australian and overseas-based writers.
Cult Magazine
A monthly not-for-profit arts magazine publishing most forms of creative writing up to 3,000 words. Free to submit.
Frankie Magazine
A bi-monthly magazine welcoming submissions from writers that have their own individual voices, speaking their minds.
Griffith Review
Non-fiction and fiction callouts open four times a year against a loose edition theme, while poetry callouts are also four times a year but open to any subject.
HEAT Literary Magazine
Welcoming submissions of fiction, essays, hybrid forms and translated works, HEAT is published five times a year in a slim, intimate format, that throws sharp focus on the work of the featured authors.
Island Magazine
A not-for-profit premium Australian literary magazine of fiction, poetry, nonfiction and arts features. Looking to provide opportunities for new, emerging and established writers from Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and Australians living abroad.
Kill Your Darlings
KYD now accepts short fiction submissions from members year-round, with a minimum payment of $1000. (Writers who aren’t yet members are welcome to join and submit.)
Liminal
An online space for the exploration, interrogation and celebration of the Asian-Australian experience.
Mascara Literary Review
Currently accepting fiction and non-fiction up to 3000 words and reviews 1200-1500 words.
Meniscus
An online, free access literary journal publishing high quality, innovative poetry, short fiction, and creative essays in English, or in other languages with a good parallel translation. Meniscus publishes two issues a year: in April, and in October.
Overland Magazine
Accepting submissions of completed fiction and non-fiction articles and poems, 3000 words or less.
Peril Magazine
An online magazine focused on Asian Australian arts and culture, showcasing poetry, drama, translations, creative writing, memoir, essays, interviews and critical writing across the arts.
Plumwood Mountain
An Australian and international journal of ecopoetry and ecopoetics.
Portside Review
Publishes poetry and prose, including essays, reviews, interviews and short stories. Submissions are free, open all year, and there is no limit on how many times you can submit.
Puentes Review
Published twice a year, welcoming previously unpublished fiction, non-fiction, poetry, translations and artwork from Latinx artists and writers in Australia. All successful contributions are paid.
Quadrant
Accepts unsolicited, previously unpublished articles that fit within its general profile of a journal of ideas, essays, literature, poetry and historical and political debate.
Rabbit
A pioneer in the field, Rabbit celebrates the potential for poetry to explore and interrogate the boundaries of nonfiction writing.
Right Now
Accepts pitches on human rights issues in Australia. Unpaid.
Stereo Stories
Publishes evocative, concise stories and short memoir built around a song.
Southerly
One of Australia’s oldest literary journals, Southerly opens periodically for submissions of short fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, and academic essays from Australian and New Zealand citizens, or residents of Australia.
Stylus Lit
An Australian bi-annual online literary journal publishing poetry, short fiction, novel excerpts, creative non-fiction, interviews and reviews.
The Big Issue
An independent magazine publishing informative and entertaining articles across arts and entertainment, street culture, lifestyle and personal profiles, as well as fiction.
The Borough
An online poetry journal with an annual print anthology, seeking both local and international poetry. See the website for specific callouts.
The Human Writers
The Human Writers began as an Australia-based webzine but is now seeking previously unpublished non-fiction contributions from writers aged 60+ from all around the world. Writers 60+ can send stories of 1000 words or fewer, including a photo with their piece, and where they live.
The School Magazine
Australia’s most-loved literary magazine for children. The School Magazine is open year-round to stories, articles, poetry, plays and persuasive writing for readers aged 7–12. They welcome submissions from both established and emerging writers, respond within 30 days and pay on publication.
The Suburban Review
Celebrates work that might otherwise fall through the cracks of mainstream publishing, providing a platform for under-represented and structurally excluded voices.
Varnish
Varnish discards traditional word limits and encourages longer works, allowing more thematically complex and timeless explorations, aiming to introduce readers to fresh mental frameworks and unexamined connections. Play with form, play with length, play with the reader.
Westerly
Publishes short stories, micro-fiction, poetry, memoir and creative non-fiction, artwork, comics, essays and literary criticism.
Writing NSW publishes these free listings in good faith but does not endorse or warrant the accuracy of any information.
Do you have an opportunity you’d like to see listed?
Writing NSW lists opportunities for writers (such as competitions and fellowships) at our discretion. All opportunities are to have a maximum of 200 characters not including links, which we can hyperlink.
Due to the high level of demand and restricted time-frame, please be sure to submit your opportunities in the format shown in this example:
26 August: KSP Emerging Writers’ Residencies
Three positions for four weeks for talented writers able to show application to the craft of writing. Selected writers will have some published material in the print, visual or broadcast media. Salary $2250. Visit www.kspf.iinet.net.au.
EMAIL US TO LET US KNOW ABOUT YOUR OPPORTUNITY HERE
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