Here is my latest round-up of FREE poetry and short story competitions for adults for June and July 2014. Be aware that the deadlines for a few of them are coming up, so if you want to enter, better get writing! Full guidelines are on the sites themselves, but I’ve summarised some of the information so you can save yourselves some reading time. Good luck submitting and happy writing!
DEVELOPING DYLAN
Deadline 27 June. Open to 7-25 year olds. Poems inspired by poet Dylan Thomas.
http://www.developingdylan100.co.uk/international-competition/
THE GREENHOUSE FUNNY PRIZE (CHILDREN/ YOUNG ADULT FICTION):
Deadline 30 June. Open to anyone. Send the first chapter of your humour-themed manuscript.
http://greenhouseliterary.com/index.php/site/funny_prize
ERBACCE POETRY PRIZE
Deadline 30 June. Prize is a publishing contract.
http://www.erbacce-press.com/#/erbacce-prize/4533449873
DYING MATTERS CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION (FICTION)
Deadline 30 June. Open to anyone. Prizes of £200, £100 and £50.
http://www.dyingmatters.org/stilltime
SMALL BUT MIGHTY (FICTION)
Deadline 1 July. Open to 12-15 year olds.
http://smallbutmightywriters.com/ages-12-15-competitions/
Deadline 1 July. Open to 7-11 year olds.
http://smallbutmightywriters.com/competitions/
POETRY SOCIETY COMPETITION
Deadline 31 July. For 11-17 year olds:
http://www.poetrysociety.org.uk/content/competitions/fyp/
Good luck!
Leilanie Stewart is a widely published writer and poet. In addition to promoting her own work, she has run creative writing workshops for gifted and talented London secondary school students aged 12 to 18 and is currently a poetry editor for Ashvamegh International Literary Journal. She is married to the writer and poet, Joseph Robert.
Leilanie Stewart 