Don't dally, get pen to paper. These competitions are open for entries now! Writing competitions are great motivators. They give you a deadline to work towards and a prize to reward you for your efforts, should you be one of the winners. Some offer critiques for a small additional fee. I have found these are not just economical but are invaluable and impartial feedback. Remember though, as you enter, 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?' The list below is just a small selection of available writing competitions with deadlines in March 2023.
I recommend you go through this checklist before entering the competitions. I cannot understate the importance of these key considerations.
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 see what the first misses.
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.
All that remains to be said is have a go and good luck.
1. Mulga Bill Writing Award - Goldfields Libraries and the Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Festival
Full Details: https://www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/mulgabillwritingaward
Country of Origin: Australia
Open to: Australian writers
Theme: Gold
Word Count: to 2,000
Open for entries from: 1st December 2022
Submission Deadline: 3rd March 2023
Expected Results Date: March 2023 – to be announced at the festival
Prizes: 1st prize $500, 2nd prize $150
Publication: Unknown
Entry Fees: $5
Critique Offered: No
2. Evesham Festival of Words Short Story Competition 2023
Full Details: https://eveshamfestivalofwords.org/competition/
Country of Origin: UK
Open to: International
Theme: Open
Word Count: to 2,200
Open for submissions: 1st November 2022
Submission Deadline: 10th March 2023
Expected Results Date: 7th April 2023
Prizes: 1st prize £200, 2nd prize £100 and 3rd prize £75
Publication: On their website
Entry Fees: £5
Critique Offered: No
3. Lorian Hemmingway 2022 Short Story Competition
Full Details: https://shortstorycompetition.com/
Country of Origin: USA
Open to: International writers with limited prior publication
Theme: Open
Word Count: to 3,500
Open for entries: December 2022
Submission Deadline: 15th March 2023
Expected Results Date: July 2023
Prizes: 1st prize USD $1,500, 2nd prize USD $500, 3rd prize USD $500
Publication: On their website
Entry Fees: USD $15 to 1st March or USD $20 2nd to 15th March
Critique Offered: No
4. 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 February 2023
Submission Deadline: 15th March 2023
Expected Results Date: End April
Prizes: 1st prize £300, 2nd prize £150, 3rd prize £100
Publication: Writers Forum Magazine
Entry Fees: £6
Critique Offered: £5
5. Flash500
Full Details: https://flash500.com/flash-fiction/
Country of Origin: UK
Open to: International
Theme: Open
Word Count: to 500
Open for submissions: 1st January 2023
Submission Deadline: 31st March 2023
Expected Results Date: Mid May 2023
Prizes: 1st prize £300, 2nd prize £200, 3rd prize £100
Publication: On the website
Entry Fees: £5 for one entry or £8 for two, £11 for three or £14 for four entries
Critique Offered: £15 per story
6. Henshaw Short Story Competition
Full Details: https://www.henshawpress.co.uk/
Country of Origin: UK
Open to: International
Theme: Open
Word Count: to 2,000
Open for submissions: Sometime after 6th January 2023 - check their website
Submission Deadline: 31st March 2023
Expected Results Date: 30th April 2023
Prizes: 1st prize £200, 2nd prize £100, 3rd prize £50
Publication: On their website
Entry Fees: £6
Critique Offered: £14
7. 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 March 2023
Submission Deadline: 31st March 2023
Expected Results Date: 30th April 2023
Prizes: £50 and publication
Publication: Website
Entry Fees: £3.50
Critique Offered: No
8. Write Time Over 60's Short Story Award
Full Details: https://writetime.org/competition-rules/
Country of Origin: UK
Open to: Internationals over the age of 60
Theme: Open
Word Count: to 1,500
Open for submissions: 1st January 2023
Submission Deadline: 31st March 2023
Expected Results Date: Mid-April 2023
Prizes: 1st prize £50, 2nd prize £25, 3rd prize £25,
Publication: On their website and perhaps in an anthology
Entry Fees: £3 for one entry or £5 for two entries
Critique Offered: No
Note: Photos to illustrate this article were sourced from Pixabay and Unsplash with wording added.