{"id":12566,"date":"2025-06-20T06:18:54","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T13:18:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/?p=12566"},"modified":"2025-06-20T06:18:57","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T13:18:57","slug":"25-contests-for-fiction-nonfiction-journalism-etc-july-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/uncategorized\/25-contests-for-fiction-nonfiction-journalism-etc-july-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"25 Contests for Fiction, Nonfiction, Journalism, Etc (July 2025)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><br>By S. Kalekar<br><br><\/strong>These are contests for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, journalism, scriptwriting, and playwriting. They are, very loosely, divided geographically. A couple of the deadlines are in June.<br><br><strong>INTERNATIONAL CONTESTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><br>Embracing Our Differences Quotation Competition<br><\/strong>This international contest calls for quotations on a theme (up to 20 words), to feature in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracingourdifferences.org\/index.php?submenu=aboutExhibit&amp;submenu=Exhibit&amp;src=gendocs&amp;ref=exhibit&amp;category=Exhibit\">exhibition<\/a>. \u201cFeaturing 50 billboard-size images measuring 16 feet \u2026 wide by 12.5 feet \u2026 high accompanied by a thought-provoking quotations, each work of art and quotation is created by local, national and international artist or writer reflecting their interpretation of our theme &#8220;embracing our differences.&#8221; The exhibition will be on display mid-January through April at multiple locations along Florida&#8217;s Cultural Coast in Southwest Florida.\u201d They have three categories,and will award \u201c$2,000 each for Best-in-Show Adult &amp; Best-in-Show Student &amp; People&#8217;s Choice Award\u201d.<br>Value: $2,000 each<br>Deadline: 1 July 2025<br>Open for: All writers<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracingourdifferences.org\/submit-a-quotation-2026-exhibition\/\">here<\/a>.<br><br><strong>Richard J. Margolis Award<br><\/strong>The award is for non-fiction writers of social justice journalism. It is for a promising new journalist or essayist whose work combines warmth, humour, wisdom and concern with social justice. Applications should include 2-3 non-fiction writing samples, up to 30 pages. At least one sample should be non-memoir material. Apart from a cash prize, the winner also gets residency at Blue Mountain Centre artists\u2019 colony.<br>Value: $5,000, residency; $1,000 for runners-up<br>Deadline: 1 July 2025<br>Open for: Non-fiction writers of social justice journalism<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.margolisaward.org\/\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.margolisaward.org\/apply-for-the-rjm-award\">here<\/a>.<br><br><strong>The International Academy Of Television Arts &amp; Sciences Foundation: Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award<br><\/strong>This is an opportunity for young non-American TV scriptwriters. \u201cEach year, The Foundation administers the Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award. The competition is designed to motivate non-American novice writers under the age of 30, and offer them the recognition and encouragement that might lead to a successful career in television scriptwriting. Entrants are asked to create a completed half-hour to one-hour English-language television drama script.\u201d Please note, you have to create an account and log in to enter this contest. The applicant must be a non-U.S. citizen (non-U.S. citizens currently studying\/residing in the U.S. are eligible.) Please note, entries from Russia are ineligible this year.<br>The winner will be flown* to New York City to be presented with an award and a $2,500 USD prize at the International Emmy\u00ae World Television Festival on November 22, 2025, and will be invited to take part in the red-carpet festivities at the 53rd International Emmy\u00ae Awards Gala on November 24, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Value: $2,500, other non-cash prizes<br>Deadline: 1 July 2025<br>Open for: Non-American TV scriptwriters under the age of 30<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iemmys.tv\/international-emmy-awards\/other-awards\/sir-peter-ustinov-scriptwriting-award\/?trk=article-ssr-frontend-pulse_little-text-block\">here<\/a>.<br><strong>The BCLF Short Fiction Story Contest for Caribbean Writers<\/strong><br>This is a short story contest for Caribbean-descended writers, by Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival (BCLF). For 2025, they say, \u201cThis year\u2019s\u00a0BCLF Short Fiction Story Contest\u00a0seeks new fiction that speaks to the urgent need for grounding and healing. Whether it is a tale of migration and return, an act of quiet rebellion, an ancestral recipe passed through generations, a rewilding of grief, or the reclaiming of forbidden memory, we are calling for stories that\u00a0<strong>prescribe survival, illuminate resilience, and offer prayers for what endures<\/strong>.\u201d There are two categories, with different eligibility requirements:<br><strong>&#8212; The BCLF Elizabeth Nunez Caribbean-American Writer\u2019s Prize<\/strong> is open to unpublished writers of Caribbean heritage. Self-published writers may apply. This prize seeks to unearth hidden storytellers in the United States and Canada; Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bklyncbeanlitfest.org\/2025-bclf-short-fiction-story-contest\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bklyncbeanlitfest.org\/2025-bclf-short-fiction-story-caribbean-american\">here<\/a>; and<br><strong>&#8212; BCLF Elizabeth Nunez Award for Writers in the Caribbean<\/strong> is open exclusively to Caribbean writers of all levels who reside and work in the Caribbean or are on temporary assignment overseas.<br>Writers should send short stories of up to 3,000 words. Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bklyncbeanlitfest.org\/2025-bclf-short-fiction-story-contest\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bklyncbeanlitfest.org\/2025-bclf-short-fiction-story-writers-in-the-caribbean\">here<\/a>.<br>Prizes: $1,750 each<br>Deadline: 1 July 2025<br>Open for: See above<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bklyncbeanlitfest.org\/2025-bclf-short-fiction-story-contest\">here<\/a>.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Submissions are also open for the <strong>Sine Theta Magazine Annual Writing Contest<\/strong>; Sine Theta Magazine accepts works from people of <strong>Sino diaspora only<\/strong>, regardless of nationality, and the same eligibility requirement applies to this contest. They\u2019re accepting works of prose and poetry for their next issue. They have published <a href=\"https:\/\/sinetheta.net\/contest2025.html\">three prompts<\/a> on their website, and writers should respond to those. Out of all the entries submitted for publication in the magazine, they\u2019ll select one winner for poetry, and another winner for prose, who will receive cash prizes. Also, \u201cAll authors published in sin\u03b8 receive a $10 USD honorarium. For the two contest winners, there is an additional $140 USD prize, amounting to a total of $150 USD.\u201d The deadline is 22 June 2025; details <a href=\"https:\/\/sinetheta.net\/contest2025.html\">here<\/a>.)<br><br><strong>Hubert Butler Essay Prize<br><\/strong>This is a themed essay contest, of up to 3,000 words, for writers who are UK or European Union citizens. \u201cThe Hubert Butler Essay Prize is intended to encourage the art of essay-writing with a European dimension and to expand interest in Butler&#8217;s work. \u2026 The subject for the 2025 essay prize is: \u2018<strong>\u2018Men must endure \/ Their going hence, even as their coming hither\u2019 \u2013 King Lear.\u00a0 Have we no more active rights over life, birth and death?<\/strong>\u2019\u201c<br>Value: \u20ac1,500; two second prizes of \u20ac500 each<br>Deadline: 4 July 2025<br>Open for: UK or EU citizens<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hubertbutleressayprize.com\/how-to-enter\">here<\/a> \u2013 also download the entry form.<br><br><strong>Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship<br><\/strong>This is an opportunity for investigative journalism, open for applicants worldwide. This fellowship \u201cprovides an unrivalled opportunity for an exceptional early career journalist: a nine-month fellowship with Durham University and Reuters to undertake an investigative project. The Fellow will be mentored by top Reuters editors while having access to Durham\u2019s academics and research resources and will be given the opportunity to develop rigorous, fact-based research and reporting skills. The Fellow will pursue the project from inside a Reuters newsroom\u00a0 in London, New York, or Toronto with the additional support of colleagues in Durham\u2019s Institute of Advanced Studies. The Fellow will deliver a public seminar at the IAS, sharing their learnings from the Fellowship and supporting the understanding of journalism at the University.\u201d They also say, \u201cQualified applicants should have between two-and five-years\u2019 professional journalism experience. Where a prospective applicant is not currently a journalist but has worked in an investigative reporting capacity in a related professional field (for example: leading human rights or other socio-political publications and campaigns; working as an author or researcher on authoritative investigative work; or developing in-field photo-or video-research projects, documentaries, or exhibitions) applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis.\u201d They encourage applications from members of groups which are under-represented in journalism. And, \u201cThe Fellowship has a monthly salary of c.\u00a34,444 per month \u2026 In addition, there is a \u00a31,250 per month living stipend and a one-off payment of \u00a31,800 for travel and related expenses.\u201d<br>Value: \u00a35,694 per month for nine months, additional one-off payment of \u00a31,800 for travel<br>Deadline: 7 July 2025 (see <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=i9hQcmhLKUW-RNWaLYpvlC6bASMQfeZHpklqz1DsLtNUOVdQT0NHVUhVVDUzVEFUT0Q0VTgzQjREUS4u\">here<\/a>)<br>Open for: Investigative journalists (see guidelines)<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.durham.ac.uk\/sir-harry-evans-memorial-fund\/global-fellowship\/\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=i9hQcmhLKUW-RNWaLYpvlC6bASMQfeZHpklqz1DsLtNUOVdQT0NHVUhVVDUzVEFUT0Q0VTgzQjREUS4u\">here<\/a>.<br><strong><br>The H G Wells Short Story Competition<br><\/strong>This is an international short story contest; they want short fiction of 1,500-5,000 words on this year\u2019s theme, <strong>The Middle Ground <\/strong>(see <a href=\"https:\/\/hgwellscompetition.com\/faqs\/\">FAQ<\/a>). There is no fee for The Margaret and Reg Turnill Competition for young writers, i.e. for those under 21 years, and the prize for that is \u00a31,000.<br>Value: \u00a31,000<br>Deadline: 8 July 2025<br>Fee-free for: Writers under 21<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/hgwellscompetition.com\/how-to-enter\/\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/hgwellscompetition.com\/competition-rules-2025\/\">here<\/a>.<br><strong>International Women\u2019s Media Foundation: The Kari Howard Fund for Narrative Journalism<\/strong><br>This is a grant for narrative journalism, and is open for women and nonbinary journalists. Grants will be for a maximum of $5,000. Applicants may be a print journalist or a print journalist leading a multi-media team. Projects reported and published in English anywhere in the world are eligible. All reporting and publishing must be completed within six months of the award of the grant. Applicants may be freelance or staff print journalists and may apply individually or as part of a multi-format team. Applicants must have three (3) or more years of professional journalism experience.<br>Value: Up to $5,000<br>Deadline: 13 July 2025<br>Open for: Women and nonbinary journalists (see guidelines)<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/iwmf.submittable.com\/submit\/296598\/the-kari-howard-fund-for-narrative-journalism-2024\">here<\/a> (see the relevant category)<br>(See all of International Women\u2019s Media Foundation opportunities <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iwmf.org\/our-programs\/\">here<\/a> \u2013 click on the \u2018Opportunities\u2019 tab.)<br><br><strong>The Burlington Contemporary Art Writing Prize<\/strong><br>This is a prize for an art exhibit review. \u201cTo enter the prize, entrants should submit one unpublished review of a contemporary art exhibition by the specified deadline. \u2018Contemporary\u2019 is defined as art produced since 2000. The exhibition under review can be staged anywhere in the world, but it should be current or have closed within the last six months at the date of submission.\u201d Regarding eligibility, they say, \u201cEntrants must have published no more than six pieces of writing in print or online, in any language or country, prior to their submission. This does not include personal blogs and websites.\u201d Before entering, applicants are encouraged to read reviews recently published on Burlington Contemporary.<br>Value: $1,000<br>Deadline: 14 July 2025<br>Open for: Emerging writers<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/contemporary.burlington.org.uk\/writing_prize\">here<\/a>.<br><br><strong>The Helen Schaible International Sonnet Contest<br><\/strong>For this contest, they have two categories: a traditional sonnet, which can be Shakespearean or Petrarchan, and a modern sonnet. Poets can enter work in one or both categories (see guidelines).<br>Value: $50, $30, $20<br>Deadline: 15 July 2025<br>Open for: All poets<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.poetsandpatrons.net\/sonnet-contest-2025\">here<\/a>.<br><strong><br>\u201cCanne al Vento\u201d International Literary Prize<\/strong><br>\u201cThe Municipality of Galtell\u00ec, in collaboration with Jane Austen\u2019s book Club Association, promotes the 2025 edition of the Galtell\u00ec &#8220;Reeds in the Wind&#8221; International Literary Prize, competition dedicated to Grazia Deledda, Nobel Prize for Literature.\u201d They have detailed guidelines, including, \u201cSubmissions, never previously published in any form, must explore themes dear to Grazia Deledda\u2014all found in her novel Canne al vento:<br>from religious sentiment to the characteristics of social classes, from the description of anthropological-cultural and environmental dimensions to the defense of identity, etc. Stories must be between 5,000 and 7,000 characters, including spaces (excluding the title).\u201d Submissions can be in English, Italian, or Sardinian.<br>Value: EUR500<br>Deadline: 20 July 2025<br>Open for: All writers<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiocannealvento.it\/en\/premio\/\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiocannealvento.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Terms-an-conditions.pdf\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Speculative Literature Foundation Grants<\/strong><br>These are grants for writers of speculative literature, and they have various grants in through the year. The upcoming ones are <a href=\"https:\/\/speculativeliterature.org\/grants-3\/slf-diverse-writers-and-diverse-worlds-grants\/\">The Diverse Writers Grant<\/a>, for writers from an underrepresented and underprivileged backgrounds, pays $500, open 1-31 July; <a href=\"https:\/\/speculativeliterature.org\/grants-3\/slf-diverse-writers-and-diverse-worlds-grants\/\">The Diverse Worlds Grant<\/a>, for work that best represents diversity, regardless of the writer\u2019s background, pays $500 also open 1-31 July. The grants have various eligibility and submission guidelines, please read them carefully before applying. Please send submissions only during the specific grant application periods.<br>Value: $500-1,000<br>Reading periods: 1-31 July 2025<br>Open for: Writers of speculative literature<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/speculativeliterature.org\/grants\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><br>Sisters in Crime: Pride Award for Emerging LGBTQIA+ Crime Writers<br><\/strong>This is a grant for an emerging writer in the LGBTQIA+ community. It is for an unpublished work of crime fiction, aimed at readers from children\u2019s chapter books through adults. This may be a short story or first chapter(s) of a manuscript in-progress of 2,500 to 5,000 words. An unpublished writer is preferred, but writers with publication of not more than 10 pieces of short fiction and\/or up to 2 self-published or traditionally published books are also eligible. Also, winners and any runners-ups who wish to maintain their anonymity, may do so, or they may choose to select a pen name for announcements. Please note, you have to register\/log in to access the submission portal.<br>Value: $2,000<br>Deadline: 31 July 2025<br>Open for: Unpublished\/emerging LGBTQIA+ writers (see guidelines)<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sistersincrime.org\/page\/Pride\">here<\/a>.<br>(See all of Sisters in Crime grants\/awards <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sistersincrime.org\/page\/awards_grants\">here<\/a>.)<br>&nbsp;<br><strong>Briefly Write Poetry Prize<\/strong><br>This prize \u201ccelebrates and rewards bold, succinct writing. We want well-crafted poems up to 10 lines. We want innovative language, strong imagery and a subtle, focused composition.\u201d Participants can send one poem. Submission is via a form on their website. &nbsp;<br>Value: \u00a340, \u00a325, \u00a315<br>Deadline: 31 July 2025<br>Open for: All writers<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/brieflywrite.com\/poetry-prize\/\">here<\/a>.<br><br><strong>(A couple of contests with later deadlines are:<br><br>&#8212; The Forum Essay Prize: Anniversaries: <\/strong>This is an essay prize from Oxford Academic \/ Oxford University Press and is open to all researchers, whether early-career or established, on the theme of Anniversaries. They have detailed guidelines, including, \u201cTo mark the 60th anniversary of&nbsp;<em>Forum for Modern Language Studies<\/em>, we are looking for \u2026 essays that use academic research to pursue innovative questions. \u2026 The topic may be addressed from the perspective of any of the literatures and cultures (including literary linguistics, translation and comparative approaches) normally covered by the journal: Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Please note that material of a predominantly social science or sociological nature falls outside our scope. We are seeking submissions that focus on literature, film, art or other cultural outputs that relate to the subject of anniversaries, be that through engaging with the theme more broadly, or with regard to specific anniversaries as they relate to the discipline(s) covered by&nbsp;<em>Forum for Modern Language Studies<\/em>.\u201d The winning essay will also get published in an issue of Forum for Modern Language Studies. The prize is \u00a3500, and the deadline is 15 August 2025. Details <a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/fmls\/pages\/The_Forum_Prize?login=false\">here<\/a>.<br><br>&#8212; <strong>Amazon: Kindle Storyteller Award: <\/strong>This is an international award for those who publish their work through Amazon\u2019s Kindle Direct Publishing in English in any genre. Entrants must make the book available for sale in both digital and print versions through KDP between 1<sup>st<\/sup> May 2025 and 31<sup>st<\/sup> August 2025. The book must be at least 24 pages long, and can have a maximum of 2 co-authors. Please note, the books must be published through their KDP Select program (be only available on Amazon), and readers play a significant role in winner selection (see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/b\/ref=s9_acss_bw_cg_ConUK_4b1_w?node=12414786031&amp;pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&amp;pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-1&amp;pf_rd_r=P3C3G27AE89T43A6BSMN&amp;pf_rd_t=101&amp;pf_rd_p=3db39743-4143-410b-a414-dc401262df5e&amp;pf_rd_i=12061299031\">Terms &amp; Conditions<\/a> \u2013 which also lists ineligible countries\/nationalities \u2013 and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/b\/ref=s9_acss_bw_cg_ConUK_4c1_w?node=77998573031&amp;pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&amp;pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-1&amp;pf_rd_r=P3C3G27AE89T43A6BSMN&amp;pf_rd_t=101&amp;pf_rd_p=3db39743-4143-410b-a414-dc401262df5e&amp;pf_rd_i=12061299031\">General Competition Questions \/ FAQ<\/a>). The book can have up to two co-authors. The prize is \u00a320,000, and the deadline is 31 August 2025. Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/b\/ref=glow_cls?ie=UTF8&amp;node=12061299031\">here<\/a>.<strong><br><br>&#8212; The Academy for Teachers \u2013 Stories Out of School Flash Fiction Contest: <\/strong>They want honest, unsentimental stories, of 6-499 words, about teachers and schools. The contest is open to all writers, whether or not they are a teacher. The story\u2019s protagonist or narrator must be a K-12 teacher. Sentimentality is discouraged and education jargon is forbidden. The prize is $1,000, and publication in A Public Space. The deadline is 7 September 2025. Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.academyforteachers.org\/contests\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.academyforteachers.org\/program\/stories-out-of-school-flash-fiction-contest-2026\">here<\/a>.<strong>)<br><\/strong><br><strong>CONTESTS FOR WRITERS IN US\/CANADA<br><\/strong>(Also see the<strong> Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award<\/strong>, the <strong>BCLF Short Fiction Story Contest for Caribbean Writers<\/strong> in the international section.)<br><br><strong>Raleigh Review Flash Fiction Prize<br><\/strong>This is for those in the US, for stories up to 1,000 words. The contest has a submission fee attached but for those who cannot pay it, they have a fee-free option available through 30 June 2025.<br>Value: $300, $15<br>Deadline: 30 June 2025<br>Open for: US writers<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/raleighreview.org\/rr-flash-fiction-prize\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/duotrope.com\/duosuma\/submit\/raleigh-review-flash-fiction-prize-o0Q19\">here<\/a>.<br><br><strong>PEN America: US Writers Aid Initiative<br><\/strong>This is intended to assist fiction and non-fiction authors, poets, playwrights, screenwriters, translators, and journalists. To be eligible, applicants must be based in the United States, be professional writers, and be able to demonstrate that this one-time grant will be meaningful in helping them to address an emergency situation. Writers do not have to be PEN members to apply. Please apply when the link for this category appears on their Submittable. The other deadline listed for this year is in October. &nbsp;<br>Value: Unspecified<br>Deadline:1 July 2025<br>Open for: US writers<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/pen.org\/us-writers-aid-initiative\/\">here<\/a>.<br><br><strong>The Stony Brook Short Fiction Prize<br><\/strong>This prize is for short fiction of up to 7,500 words. It is for undergraduates enrolled full time in US and Canadian universities and colleges. Apart from the cash prize, the winner also gets a scholarship to the Southampton Writers Conference.<br>Value: $1,000<br>Deadline: 14 July 2025<br>Open for: Undergraduate students from the US and Canada<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/stonybrookshortfictionprize.submittable.com\/submit\">here<\/a>.<br><strong><br>The FSG Writer\u2019s Fellowship<br><\/strong>This fellowship, from Farrar, Straus and Giroux, is a yearlong program designed to give an emerging writer from an underrepresented community additional resources to build a life around writing: funding, editorial guidance, and advice on how to forge a writing career. It offers the unique opportunity for a writer to spend time with and enjoy the support and mentorship of the FSG community. It is for U.S. writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry who have never published a book, and are uncontracted. This fellowship will take place remotely. The applicant should be writing for an adult audience. Submissions include a writing sample (40-50 pages for prose, 8-12 pages for poetry).<br>Value: $15,000<br>Deadline: 18 July 2025<br>Open for: Emerging writers from underrepresented communities in the US<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/fsgfellowship.com\/#mission\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/fsgfellowship.com\/apply\/\">here<\/a>.<br><br><strong>International Women\u2019s Media Foundation: Lauren Brown Fellowship<br><\/strong>\u201cThe fellowship will fund projects proposed by women and nonbinary journalists from underrepresented backgrounds. Journalists must be based in the U.S. Grants of up to $2,000 will be awarded to support reporting projects or professional development opportunities, through a competitive application process.<br>Grants will support:<br>&#8212; Reporting that exposes under-reported and critical issues.<br>&#8211;Ambitious projects that challenge under-reported media narratives.<br>&#8212; Professional development to build field-based expertise and strengthen careers.<br>&#8211;Skills training and leadership opportunities.\u201d<br>Value: Up to $2,000 (see guidelines)<br>Deadline: 20 July 2025<br>Open for: Women and nonbinary journalists from underrepresented backgrounds in the US<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/iwmf.submittable.com\/submit\">here<\/a> (see the relevant category)<br>(See all of International Women\u2019s Media Foundation opportunities <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iwmf.org\/our-programs\/\">here<\/a> \u2013 click on the \u2018Opportunities\u2019 tab.)<br><br><strong>Strive Publishing &amp; Free Spirit Publishing \u2013 Black Voices in Children&#8217;s Literature&nbsp;<\/strong>This is a contest for US-based Black writers, and Free Spirit Publishing is an imprint of Teacher Created Materials (TCM). They want children&#8217;s stories by and about Black people. \u201cEligible entries will include original children\u2019s books for ages 0\u20134 (50\u2013125 words) or for ages 4\u20138 (300\u2013800 words) featuring authentic, realistic Black characters and culture and focusing on one or more of the following topics: character development, self-esteem, identity, diversity, getting along with others, engaging with family and community, or other topics related to positive childhood development. Religious and fantasy themes will not be considered.\u201d<br>Value: $1,000, $500, $250<br>Deadline: 22 July 2024<br>Open for: Black writers in the US<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/go.teachercreatedmaterials.com\/free-spirit\/black-voices-childrens-literature-writing-contest\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/freespiritpublishing.submittable.com\/submit\">here<\/a>.<br>(Their <a href=\"https:\/\/freespiritpublishing.submittable.com\/submit\">Submittable<\/a> page also has details of their other calls currently open. Also see TCM\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachercreatedmaterials.com\/submission-guidelines\">Manuscript Submissions and Writing Contests<\/a> tab; <a>Free Spirit and Con Todo Press will open for a <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/go.teachercreatedmaterials.com\/free-spirit\/latino-voices-childrens-literature-writing-contest\">Latino Voices in Children\u2019s Literature<\/a> contest in September.)<br><br><strong>Polar Expressions Publishing:&nbsp;Annual National Poetry and Short Story Competitions<br><\/strong>These poetry and short story contests are for Canadian residents and citizens. Poems must be up to 48 lines and short stories, up to 750 words. Fan fiction and essays are not allowed. Translations are accepted.<br>Value: CAD500, CAD250, CAD100 each in poetry and short story for those aged 16 or over; CAD200, CAD100 and CAD50 each in poetry and short stories for those 15 and under<br>Deadline: 31 July 2025<br>Open for: Canadian writers<br>Details <a href=\"http:\/\/polarexpressions.ca\/SummerContests.html\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Granum Foundation Prizes<\/strong> Submissions are open for the Granum Foundation Prize and the Granum Foundation Translation Prize. These are for works in progress, to help US-based writers complete substantive literary projects, including novels, memoirs, books of poetry, short story collections, and works in translation. General submissions are free, they also have an optional feedback service for which there is a submission fee, and which will be capped (see guidelines).<br>Value: The Granum Foundation Prize is $5,000, with up to three finalist prizes of with $500 or more each; and the Translation Prize is $1,500 or more<br>Deadline: 1 August 2025<br>Open for: US-based writers<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.granumfoundation.org\/granum-prize\">here<\/a>.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>CONTESTS FOR WRITERS IN UK\/IRELAND<br><\/strong>(Also see the<strong> Hubert Butler Essay Prize<\/strong>, in the international section above.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Hachette UK: The Future Bookshelf \u2013 JKP Writing Prize<br><\/strong>This competition is only open to people with a disability or chronic illness in the UK. Send a non-fiction piece of up to 3,000 words on the theme, <strong>Everyday Disability and Chronic Illness: Stories of Joy, Resistance, and Anti-Ableism<\/strong>.\u00a0<br>Value: \u00a3150<br>Deadline: 25 June 2025<br>Open for: People with a disability or chronic illness in the UK<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefuturebookshelf.co.uk\/landing-page\/the-future-bookshelf\/the-future-bookshelf-opportunities\/the-jkp-writing-prize-2025\/\">here<\/a>.<br>(See all of The Future Bookshelf\u2019s opportunities <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefuturebookshelf.co.uk\/landing-page\/the-future-bookshelf\/the-future-bookshelf-opportunities\/the-jkp-writing-prize-2025\/\">here<\/a>.)<br><br><strong>Pentabus: Jerwood Writer in Residence Bursary<br><\/strong>\u201cPentabus are looking for an emerging theatre artist to become our second Jerwood Writer in Residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bursary supports a professional playwright in the early stage of their career, giving the recipient the opportunity to spend up to a year at our base in Ludlow in South Shropshire. During their time with Pentabus, the recipient will write at least one new full length play or piece of theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(The Bursary) \u2026 is intended to cover\u00a0the recipient\u2019s living costs while they are resident at Pentabus for at least six months of their year-long bursary. The Writer in Residence will be the working artist at the core of the company. They will write at least one full length play while they are with us, supported dramaturgically by the Artistic Director. They will take part in all our day to day activity from Artistic Planning meetings to meeting rural communities and audiences. They will work with our Head of Engagement to plan and deliver our Young Company and Young Writers\u2019 workshops.\u201d Please note, you must submit their application form as well as the equal opportunities form, to apply.<br>Value: \u00a312,000<br>Deadline: 14 July 2025<br>Open for: Emerging theatre writers in the UK<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pentabus.co.uk\/jf-writer-residence\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/pentabus.co.uk\/artists\/jf-writer-residence-applications\">here<\/a>.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Faber Children\u2019s: FAB Prize<br><\/strong>This is for undiscovered BAME writers and illustrators; you can read the prize announcement for 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.faber.co.uk\/journal\/faber-launches-2025-fab-prize-with-a-publishing-deal-for-the-winner\/\">here<\/a>.&nbsp;Entrants must be of black, Asian or minority ethnic background and UK- or Ireland-based. For writers, they want a maximum of 5,000 words of text (no minimum word count). Also, \u201cit does not have to be a short story (though those are welcome too!)<br>We do strongly advise you to complete your work insofar as you can, even if you do not enter the whole manuscript: after the ceremony agents will request the full manuscript, so in order to get the most out of the prize, it is best to have the whole manuscript ready to go.\u201d Please send the complete manuscript if it is a picture book. Entries must be text or artwork for children.<br>Value: A worldwide publishing contract for a writer; second place \u00a3500; and other non-cash prizes for both winners<br>Deadline: 25 July 2025<br>Open for: UK BAME writers<br>Details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.faber.co.uk\/about-faber\/the-fab-prize\/\">here<\/a><br><br><strong>Bio:<\/strong>&nbsp;S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She can be reached&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:skalekar888@gmail.com\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By S. Kalekar These are contests for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, journalism, scriptwriting, and playwriting. They are, very loosely, divided geographically. A couple of the deadlines are in June. INTERNATIONAL CONTESTS Embracing Our Differences Quotation CompetitionThis international contest calls for quotations on a theme (up to 20 words), to feature in an exhibition. \u201cFeaturing 50 billboard-size&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12566","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12566","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12566"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12566\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12569,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12566\/revisions\/12569"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12566"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12566"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomwithwriting.com\/freedom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12566"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}