Scribbles Radar: The Writer’s News Source for Contests, Publication Opportunities and Updates on Inklings Publishing.
- K.M. Sokulski
- May 4
- 3 min read
May is blooming with fresh writing opportunities and you don't want to miss out on these contests! This month's first Inklings Radar comes with plenty of listings to choose from. New listings and event reminders await you below with plenty of creative challenges and inspiring contest themes. Happy writing!
Event Type: Fiction Story Contest
Hosted By: The Last Station
Deadline: May 15th, 2026
Entry Fee: Free
A tribute to unpaid caregivers, this international contest invites stories based on personal experiences of caregiving. Emphasizes sensitivity, authenticity, and emotional honesty.
Event Type: Flash Fiction & Fiction Story Contest
Hosted By: Write By The Sea Kilmore Quay
Deadline: June 7th, 2026
Entry Fee: $15.00
The Write by the Sea Writing Competition features four categories: Fiction Short Story, Flash Fiction, Poetry, and Memoir/Personal Essay. It includes cash prizes and publication opportunities.
Event Type: Poetry & Short Story Contest
Hosted By: Hearts Through History
Deadline: June 30th, 2026
Entry Fee: $25.00 for HWG members
The Romance Through The Ages Contest invites authors to submit historical romance manuscripts. Categories are based on time period and author experience (published/unpublished). The contest emphasizes historical accuracy and romance as the central theme.
--Event Reminders--
Event Type: Poetry & Short Story Contest
Hosted By: Houston Writers Guild
Deadline: June 30th, 2026
Entry Fee: $30.00 - $20.00 for HWG members
This year's theme will be, "Journey Into The Holidays." For submission guidelines and more information on the contest, visit www.houstonwritersguild.org/contests and www.inklingspublishing.com/journeyinottheholidays
#JourneyIntoTheHolidays #InklingsPublishing #HoustonWritersGuild #ShortStoryCompetition #NonFictionComptetition #PoetryCompetition
Event Type: Poetry Prize Contest
Hosted By: Department of English at McGill University
Deadline: May 15th, 2026
Entry Fee: $25.00
Founded in 2010, the Montreal International Poetry Prize is a global competition awarding $20,000 CAD to a poet for a single poem of 40 or fewer lines. The prize emphasizes original poetry, international readership, and exploration of diverse Englishes. The contest is juried by esteemed poets and critics, and the shortlisted works are published in an anthology.
Event Type: Children's and Fiction Competition
Hosted By: Free Spirit Publishing
Deadline: May 31st, 2026
Entry Fee: Free
The contest aims to elevate culturally relevant children's stories by authors of Asian heritage. It welcomes submissions of original children's books focusing on topics like resilience and identity.
Event Type: Fiction and Flash-Fiction Competition
Hosted By: Bridport Arts Centre
Deadline: May 31st, 2026
Entry Fee: $10.00
The Bridport Poetry Prize is a prestigious competition open to poets worldwide, encouraging original and unpublished works. It features significant cash prizes and opportunities for publication in an anthology.
#Bridport Arts Centre #PoetryPrizeCompetition #PoetryCompetition
Event Type: Poetry Prize Competition
Hosted By: WOW! Women on Writing
Deadline: May 31st, 2026
Entry Fee: $10.00
The WOW! Spring 2026 Flash Fiction Contest invites writers globally to submit original flash fiction. The contest has an open prompt and awards a total of $600 for first place, along with prizes for second and third places, as well as runners-up. Entries must be between 250 and 750 words. A critique option is also available.
#WOWWomenOnWriting #FictionContest #FlashFictionStoryContest
Event Type: Fiction and Short Story Contest
Hosted By: Gotham Writers Workshop
Deadline: June 1st, 2026
Entry Fee: Free
Write a short story in ten words or fewer. Entry is free and must be original and unpublished. Judged on originality, quality, spelling, and grammar.
#GothamWritersWorkshop #FictionContest #FlashFictionStoryContest
Important note on library events and workshops! Author appearances and writing classes have become increasingly popular to host at the library. Be sure to check your local library's calendar for more events related to writing from their website. Know of any opportunities I missed? Did you submit to any of the above listings? Comment below! Depending on the deadline of the event, we may feature it on our next Inklings Scribbles Radar.
Scribble on, Inklingers!
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