October's Writing Contests & Opportunities
Your Monthly Submission Shortlist
Below is a carefully curated selection a few great vetted opportunities to keep you writing and submitting without analysis paralysis. Every month, I post 1-2 strategic opportunities, in the following categories, that are worth your time and $ to submit.
Poetry
Fiction
Nonfiction/Essay
Grants, Fellowships, or Residencies.
Workshops (online) & Retreats or Conferences (in-person).
These Monthly Roundups are to help you submit your work without information overload. Let’s keep progressing your story.
POETRY
1. Raleigh Review Laux & Millar Poetry Book Prize
Final Judge: Tyree Daye
An even-year poetry book prize for unpublished first or second poetry manuscripts (48–60 pages). The winning book is featured with the Fall issue, then published as a standalone (print + e-book).
Details
Prize: $500 USD + publication inside the prize issue (print & online). Finalists/Honorable Mentions may have individual poems selected for the magazine at $15 per poem; all Finalists/HMs receive a 2-year subscription. International winners receive payment in copies. No royalties beyond the $500 prize.
Publication: Featured with the Fall magazine issue (even years), then full book via Fernwood Press with target standalone release February 21, 2027.
Entry Fee: $15 USD per manuscript
Eligibility: Open to poets residing in the USA (any immigration status)
Deadlines: Open from Nov 1–Dec 31, 2025.
2. National Poetry Competition 2025
Hosted by: The Poetry Society (UK)
One of the most prestigious international contests for a single unpublished poem, open to all writers aged 18 and over. This competition has launched the careers of celebrated poets such as Carol Ann Duffy, Ruth Padel, Jo Shapcott, and Tony Harrison. In 2024, the first-prize winner, Fiona Larkin, was praised by judges for her “impressive, ingenious and affecting” winning poem.
Award Details
Prizes:
1st Prize: £5,000
2nd Prize: £3,000
3rd Prize: £2,000
Commended: £500 each
Judges: Denise Saul, Ian Duhig, and Susannah Dickey
Deadline: 11:59 PM GMT, October 31st
Eligibility & Guidelines
Open to writers aged 18+, internationally
Poems must be unpublished, under 40 lines (excluding title, dedications, or epigraphs.
All entries are judged anonymously—do not include your name on the poem.
Multiple entries allowed; no limit to number of submissions.
Simultaneous submissions accepted, but withdraw immediately if accepted elsewhere.
AI-generated poems are prohibited
Low-income fee waivers are available.
Entry Fees
£8 for the first poem
£6 for each additional poem in the same session
Poetry Society members receive a free second poem when entering.
FICTION
1. Global Writers’ Prize – The Hope Prize (Short Fiction)
Hosted by: The Hope Prize
Publishing Partner: Simon & Schuster Australia
This international short story competition celebrates bold, emotionally resonant storytelling. Open to writers around the world, it seeks fiction or narrative nonfiction that explores themes of hope, courage, and resilience—directly or indirectly.
Deadline: October 31, 2025 at 11:59pm EST
Prize Pool: $13,000 AUD
First Prize: $10,000 AUD
Second Prize: $2,000 AUD
Third Prize: $1,000 AUD
Publication: Winning and commended stories will appear in a Simon & Schuster Australia anthology
Royalties: Donated to CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education)
Submission Guidelines
Word Count: Up to 5,000 words (no minimum)
Genres: Short fiction or narrative nonfiction
Formatting: Double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman
Blind Submissions: No name/personal info in the file—title only
Multiple Entries Allowed: Submit each story separately with its own entry fee
Original Work Only: Must not have been widely published (online or in print)
What They’re Looking For
Work that illuminates aspects of the human condition
Doesn’t need to be overtly about “hope”—complexity is welcome
Eligibility
Open to all writers 18+ worldwide
No publishing history or MFA required—first-timers welcome!
2. Bath Flash Fiction Award
Hosted by: Bath Flash Fiction Award (books published by Ad Hoc Fiction)
Final Judge: Kathryn Aldridge-Morris
An international rolling flash-fiction competition (three rounds per year) for original, unpublished work up to 300 words. Cash prizes are awarded and 50 longlisted writers are offered publication in the year-end anthology.
Deadline: Midnight GMT on 5 October 2025.
Award Details
Prize: £1,000 (1st), £300 (2nd), £100 (3rd), plus two £30 commendations.
Publication: 50 longlisted writers offered print/digital anthology publication (free print copy for those who accept); winners announced by 1 Nov 2025.
Deadline: Midnight GMT, 5 October 2025.
Entry Fee: £9 for one entry; £15 for two; £18 for three (all currencies accepted).
Judge: Kathryn Aldridge-Morris.
Submission Guidelines
Length: Maximum 300 words (title excluded).
Formatting: Plain, legible font (site suggests sans 14pt). Accepted file types: odt, doc, docx, txt, pdf. File name should be the title (or first five words if untitled, punctuation removed).
Anonymity Required: No identifying information on the manuscript.
Eligibility: Open worldwide, 16+; original, unpublished work; simultaneous submissions permitted; authors retain full worldwide copyright.
NON-FICTION / ESSAY
1. Harpur Palate — Creative Nonfiction (Issue 24.2)
Hosted by: Binghamton University
A call for creative nonfiction for Issue 24.2 of Harpur Palate. Submit one essay (up to 5,500 words) or up to three flash essays (each ≤1,000 words). Simultaneous submissions are welcome.
Details
Publication: In Harpur Palate Issue 24.2; Fall/Winter issues typically publish in late December/early January.
Deadline / Window: Fall/Winter general submissions are open July 1 – Oct 15 (or until a cap of 200 submissions is reached).
Submission Guidelines
Length: Up to 5,500 words (single essay) or up to three flash essays (each ≤1,000 words). One CNF submission per reading period.
What they like: Narrative nonfiction; diverse voices; hybrid/experimental forms welcome.
Eligibility: No submissions from current or recent Binghamton University affiliates (students, faculty, staff, recent alumni). Simultaneous submissions allowed (withdraw/notify upon acceptance elsewhere).
GRANT / FELLOWSHIP / RESIDENCY
Spring Writers Residency (2026)
Hosted by: Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity Faculty: Eden Robinson, Nicole Sealey, Vidyan Ravinthiran; Professional guest: Stephen Motika (Nightboat Books)
A two-week, self-directed residency in Banff, Alberta, providing time, space, and mentorship for emerging and established writers. Participants receive a private room, all meals, and a small private studio, with optional workshops, 1:1 mentor meetings, faculty talks, Q&As, and public readings. Program runs March 16–27, 2026; applications due October 15, 2025.
Program Details
Dates: Program Mar 16–27, 2026;
What you get: Private bedroom on campus, all meals, and a private writing studio; optional craft talks, workshops, 1:1 mentoring, Q&As, and public readings.
Capacity: ~19 writers in residence at a time.
Fees & Funding: Total fee CAD $3,616.20 (tuition + accommodation + meals). Standard scholarship typically applied CAD $2,469.60, leaving participant cost CAD $1,146.60. Additional scholarships available, including full support for Canadian Indigenous participants. Application fee: CAD $65 (or CAD $35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous).
Submission Guidelines
Focus/Genre: Open to writers working in English on any project (fiction, poetry, nonfiction, etc.).
Eligibility: Open worldwide; geared to writers with a proven publication record who can work autonomously in an unstructured environment. Pets not allowed.
CONFERENCE / WORKSHOP / RETREAT
AWP Conference & Bookfair — #AWP26
Hosted by: Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP)
Location: Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD (in-person) OR AWP Anywhere Pass (virtual)
The premier annual gathering for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Hundreds of panels, readings, and the largest literary bookfair in North America. Event dates: March 4–7, 2026.
Event Details
Dates: March 4–7, 2026 (Baltimore & virtual).
Venue: Baltimore Convention Center.
Registration periods & sample rates:
Early Bird (Aug 11–Nov 24, 2025): Member $210 / Nonmember $330; Anywhere Pass member $110, nonmember $190.
Preregistration (Nov 25, 2025–Mar 3, 2026): Member $260 / Nonmember $380; Anywhere Pass member $120, nonmember $200.
On-site (Mar 4–7, 2026): Member $435 / Nonmember $540; Anywhere Pass member $130, nonmember $210.
Student & Senior rates available; Saturday-only pass $25 (on-site).
Participation Guidelines
Who should attend: Writers at any stage, educators, students, editors, publishers, and literary organizations.
Presenters: Discounted presenter rates; presenters must be linked to an accepted event.
Accessibility: On-site and virtual accessibility services; ADA-compliant.
Policies: Terms & Conditions and Anti-Harassment Policy apply to all attendees.
I know we can get lost in long lists, so hopefully these quality monthly sub-samplers will be helpful. If you apply, let me know in the comments—I’d love to cheer you on and post your success in the newsletter.
Happy Submitting!
♥ NJ
POEtic Threads: Apparel for Writers.
For those of us who live in words, edit with caffeine, and revise until our eyelids stick to our scleras. POEtic Threads focuses on comfortable, wearable pieces, that nod to the writing life: for when you’re deep in the draft trenches, heading to a reading/book club, or just want to be cozy.
