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Top 11 Writing Competitions Ending in April 2023

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by Gayle Beveridge-Marien (subscribe)
Gayle Beveridge is a past winner of the Boroondara Literary Awards and her work has appeared in Award Winning Australian Writing. Gayle is passionate about family, writing, photography, and with Victoria’s beautiful Bass Coast which she now calls home.
Published February 8th 2023
Be the Writer You Always Wanted to Be
There's nothing like a deadline to get you going, and story writing is no exception to this. These writing competitions are open for entries now but don't dally, they close for entries at the end of April 2023. You could be a winner. Remember though, not winning might not mean your work isn't good; competition out there is fierce bit if you would want to analyse what you might do better, take a look at the article 'Why Didn't My Story Win?' https://basscoastbanter.wordpress.com/2022/04/11/why-didnt-my-story-win/ The list below is just a small selection of available writing competitions with deadlines in April 2023.

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I recommend you go through this checklist before entering the competitions. I cannot understate the importance of these key considerations and so I will always include them as a precursor to the competition list.
a) The following listings are summaries only and it is imperative that you always check the rules and terms and conditions on the competition website to ensure both you and your story are eligible to enter. For example, most competitions exclude previously published or awarded stories and some have regional or age limits.
b) Make sure you follow all the entry instructions including those for formatting.
c) Proofread and edit your story before entering it. Make sure you check spelling and grammar.
d) Reading your work aloud is a helpful editing tool. Perhaps even have a friend or family member read it through; a second pair of eyes often sees what the first misses.

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Photo by Jack Moreh from Freerange Stock

e) Some competitions publish non-winning entries on their websites or in anthologies without remuneration. You may be quite happy to just have your story out there, there is nothing wrong with it, but be aware that story is then 'published' which precludes entry into most other competitions.
f) Read previous winning entries if they are available. They will give some insight into what is sought, although many competitions have different judges with each passing year and each will have their own likes and dislikes.
g) Prices are correct at the time of writing but may change throughout the year. Ensure you check the websites.
h) If you want to brush up on your writing skills you find there are a plethora of free courses on almost any writing topic. You can check these out in the article 73 Free Writing Courses You Can Do at Home. https://www.weekendnotes.com/73-free-writing-courses-you-can-do-at-home/
All that remains to be said is to have a go and good luck.

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1. Under the Silver Tree Short Story Competition
Full Details: https://www.underthesilvertree.com/writers-competition
Country of Origin: Australia
Open to: Writers over 16 years of age
Theme: Underground
Word Count: to 2,000
Open for submissions: 1st December 2022
Submission Deadline: 12th April 2023
Expected Results Date: 31st May 2023
Prizes: 1st prize $1,000, 2nd prize $100
Publication: by Under The Silver Tree Cooperative Bookshop and will be read on radio
Entry Fees: $10
Critique Offered: No

2. Writer's Forum Monthly Short Story Contest
Full Details: https://writers-forum.com/short-story-contest/
Country of Origin: UK
Open to: Anybody writing in English
Theme: Open
Word Count: 1,000 to 3,000
Open for entries: 16th March 2023
Submission Deadline: 15th April 2023
Expected Results Date: End May
Prizes: 1st prize £300, 2nd prize £150, 3rd prize £100
Publication: Writers Forum Magazine
Entry Fees: £6
Critique Offered: £5

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3. The 2023 ABR Elizabeth Jolly Short Story Award
Full Details: https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/prizes-programs/elizabeth-jolley-story-prize
Country of Origin: Australia
Open to: Anybody writing in English
Theme: Open
Word Count: 2,000 to 5,000
Open for submissions: 23rd January 2023
Submission Deadline: 24th April 2023
Expected Results Date: Shortlist in July, full results in August or September
Prizes: 1st prize $6,000, 2nd prize $4,000, 3rd prize $2,500
Publication: August or September issue of The Australian Book Review
Entry Fees: $30 including four month's access to ABR
Critique Offered: No

4. The Bath Short Story Award
Full Details: https://www.bathshortstoryaward.org/
Country of Origin: UK
Open to: Anybody writing in English
Theme: Open
Word Count: 2,200
Open for submissions: Currently open
Submission Deadline: 24th April 2023
Expected Results Date: Unknown
Prizes: 1st prize £1,200, 2nd prize £300, 3rd prize £100
Publication: 2023 Bath Short Story Anthology
Entry Fees: £9
Critique Offered: No

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5. The Bristol Short Story Prize 2023
Full Details: https://www.bristolprize.co.uk/
Country of Origin: UK
Open to: Anybody writing in English
Theme: Open
Word Count: to 4,000
Open for submissions: Currently open
Submission Deadline: 24th April 2023
Expected Results Date: 14th October 2023 in the anthology publication date
Prizes: 1st prize £1,000, 2nd prize £500, 3rd prize £250 and 17 x £100 / plus 2 copies of anthology
Publication: Anthology
Entry Fees: £9
Critique Offered: No

6. 30th Annual Tom Howard / John H Reid Fiction and Essay Contest
Full Details: https://winningwriters.com/our-contests/tom-howard-john-h-reid-fiction-essay-contest
Country of Origin: USA
Open to: Australians - Writers from countries not subject to USA government sanctions.
Theme: Open
Word Count: to 6,000
Open for submissions: October 15th 2022
Submission Deadline: 30th October 2023
Expected Results Date: 15th October 2023
Prizes: 1st prize USD $3,000 and 10 x USD $300
Publication: unknown
Entry Fees: USD $22
Critique Offered: No

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7. Cranked Anvil Press Short Story Competition
Full Details: https://crankedanvil.co.uk/shortstory/
Country of Origin:
Open to: UK
Theme: Open
Word Count: to 1,500
Open for submissions: Currently open
Submission Deadline: 30th April 2023
Expected Results Date: Mid-June 2023
Prizes: 1st prize £150, 2nd prize £75, 3rd prize £30
Publication: On the website and in the anthology
Entry Fees: £5 1st plus £3 2nd plus £2 3rd
Critique Offered: No

8. Shooter Flash Monthly Rolling Flash Fiction Competition
Full Details: https://shooterlitmag.com/shooter-flash/
Country of Origin: UK
Open to: People writing in English
Theme: Open
Word Count: to 1,000
Open for entries: 1st April 2023
Submission Deadline: 30th April 2023
Expected Results Date: 31st May 2023
Prizes: £50 and publication
Publication: Website
Entry Fees: £3.50
Critique Offered: No

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9. Short Story Substack - Palisatrium
Full Details: https://shortstory.substack.com/
Country of Origin: USA
Open to: Anybody writing in English
Theme: Open
Word Count: 6 words to 10,000 words
Open for entries: Ongoing
Submission Deadline: 30th April 2023
Expected Results Date: Mid May 2023
Prizes: USD $100 plus 50% subscriptions
Publication: On the website
Entry Fees: No entry fee
Critique Offered: No

10. The Best of Times Short Story Competition
Full Details: wildthoughts.com.au/comp35.html
Country of Origin: Australia
Open to: Anybody writing in English
Theme: Humorous
Word Count: to 2,500
Open for entries: Currently open
Submission Deadline: 30th April 2023
Expected Results Date: Unknown – can take a while
Prizes: 1st prize 60%, 2nd prize 15% and 3rd prize 5% of total entry fees
Publication: On the website
Entry Fees: $10
Critique Offered: No

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Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik

11. The Furphy Literary Award
Full Details: https://www.furphystory.com.au/furphy-literary-award/
Country of Origin: Australia
Open to:
Theme: Australian Life in All its Diversity
Word Count: to 5,000
Open for entries: 1st February 2023
Submission Deadline: 30th April 2023
Expected Results Date: By the end of July 2023
Prizes: 1st prize $15,000, 2nd prize $3,000, 3rd prize $2,000 (and a residency program in Shepparton for the winner)
Publication: Anthology - current payment $250
Entry Fees: There is no entry fee
Critique Offered: No
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When: From now to 30th April 2023
Where: In your favourite writing space
Cost: Entry fees are listed in the article - some are international currency
Your Comment
This list is great. I'll look into it, thanks.
by Janice Williams (score: 3|1223) 128 days ago
Good information Gayle! I enter the Elizabeth Jolley one on occasion, this is my reminder to enter this year - thanks for that!
by Lynne Vertannes (score: 2|144) 128 days ago
There seems to be some interesting challenges here.
by Roger (score: 2|867) 129 days ago
It's amazing how many competitions there are to enter. So many opportunities.
by betty (score: 2|730) 128 days ago
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