Writing Opportunities August 2023

The latest writing opportunities for August 2023.

If you would like your submissions call listed on our website, please contact us here.

New Island Books

Deadline: 23rd August

New Island publishes broadly Irish-themed award-winning literary work – novels, short stories, novellas and poetry – and non-fiction. We love powerful memoir/autobiography, essays and creative non-fiction, Irish-interest history and biography. We have a strong track record in publishing debut authors, those based in Ireland or with a connection to the country. We love reading stories we haven’t read before and we are excited by the opportunity presented by the growing diversity of Irish society. Seeking narratives as-yet-to-be-told, we welcome submissions of persuasive writing from all colours, creeds and identities.

The Anthology Short Story Competition

Deadline: 31st August.

The Anthology Short Story Competition is now open for entries. Established to recognise and encourage creative writing and provide a platform for publication, this short story competition is open to original and previously unpublished short stories in the English language by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. There is no restriction on theme or style. Stories submitted must not exceed the maximum of 1,500 words. Writers can submit as many entries as they wish. Each submission will require a separate entry form and is subject to a separate entry fee.

Manchester Writing Competition 2023

Deadline: 1st September.

There are two £10,000 prizes up for grabs as part of the Manchester Writing Competition; one each for poetry and short fiction. There is a word limit of 2500 words for the short story competition and for the poetry competition they’re looking for a portfolio of 3-5 poems.

VS Pritchett Short Story Prize

Deadline: 1st September.

The V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize is an annual award for unpublished short stories between 2000 to 4000 words in length. The winner will receive £1,000 and their entry will be published in Prospect magazine and the RSL Review. This prize is very prestigious and entry only costs £7.50 so definitely make sure to get your submissions in!

Adventures in Fiction: New Voices First Novel Competition 2023

Deadline: 14th September

This is an interesting opportunity. Adventures in Fiction are offering a start-up package worth more than £750 to the most promising synopsis and first page. The prize is a mini-masterclass covering everything you need to know about writing a novel. A Start-Up Mentoring package (covering up to 50 pages/16,000 words) includes a manuscript appraisal, guidelines, a development strategy, a consultation and an agreed deadline for a year later. All you need to submit is the first page of your novel and a one page synopsis! (There is a £10 fee).

The Belfast Review

Deadline: 1st October.

We’re based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, however our focus is global and we welcome contributors from around the world. We accept fiction, non fiction, flash fiction, original scripts (theatre and film), art, photography, song lyrics, hybrid works (however you define it), and poetry.

Michael McLaverty Short Story Award 2023

Deadline: 31st October

The Michael McLaverty Short Story Award offers a significant prize of £2,000 for the winning story. Additionally, each of the two runners-up will receive a prize of £250. The maximum word count for entries is 3,000 words.

The Dublin Review

Deadline: Ongoing.

The Dublin Review welcomes submissions of fiction and non-fiction previously unpublished in the English language. We do not accept poetry submissions. We especially encourage submissions from members of groups traditionally underrepresented in literary magazines and other cultural forums.

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