June’s rolled in, and it’s a great time to get your work out there. It doesn’t matter if you’re writing poems, stories, essays, or pieces that don’t quite fit into a box; there’s something here for you. These are free-entry writing opportunities organized into categories — open calls, region-specific submissions, fellowships, and grants — so you can find what suits you best.
Bookmark this page and swing by now and then; I’ll keep updating it as new calls come in.
Put your work out there! And have fun doing it.
Call for Submissions By Categories
OPEN TO ALL WRITERS (WORLDWIDE)
These are poetry, prose, playwriting, and other opportunities for writers without restrictions based on location, demographics, or other criteria.
The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba is accepting unpublished poetry (max 2 entries, 300 words) and short stories (1 entry, 1000 words) for its 2025 contest—cash prizes of up to $125 CAD and publication; deadline: June 7, 2025.
Narrative is awarding a $5,000 prize for the best short story, novel excerpt, poem, graphic story, or literary nonfiction by a new or emerging writer (deadline: June 15, 2025).
The University of Pittsburgh Press is accepting unpublished short fiction manuscripts for the Drue Heinz Literature Prize ($15,000 prize and publication; deadline: June 30, 2025).
The Writers’ College is accepting 600-word personal essays on “The worst writing mistake I’ve ever made” for the free-to-enter My Writing Journey competition, open worldwide, with a NZ $200 prize (deadline: June 30, 2025).
Last Stanza Poetry Journal is seeking non-rhyming poems on the theme “Conversation” for Issue 21, with a $100 prize for the best poem (deadline: June 30, 2025).
WITH RESTRICTIONS
Opportunities for writers from specific regions, demographics, or calls with themes.
BBC World Service is accepting audio drama scripts from non-UK writers for its 2026 International Audio Drama Competition; winners receive £2,500 and a fully paid trip to the UK for the recording and award ceremony (deadline: June 4, 2025).
The Fraser Institute is accepting essay submissions from Canadian high school, undergraduate, and graduate students for its 2025 Student Essay Contest on Canadian economic prosperity, with prizes up to $1,500 (deadline: June 5, 2025).
The Associates of the Boston Public Library is accepting applications for its 2025–2026 Writer-in-Residence program for emerging U.S.-based children’s or YA writers, offering a $70,000 stipend plus $2,500 editorial support (deadline: June 6, 2025).
The Anne Brown Essay Prize is awarding £1500 for the best literary essay by a writer in or from Scotland (deadline: June 6, 2025).
Bow Seat’s 2025 Ocean Awareness Contest is accepting visual art, writing, film, and multimedia submissions from students aged 11–18 worldwide, with prizes up to $1,000 (deadline: June 9, 2025).
The Norton Writer’s Prize is accepting original nonfiction submissions from U.S. undergraduate students for a chance to win one of three $1,000 prizes (deadline: June 15, 2025).
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is accepting picture book mock-up submissions from unpublished artists for the Little, Brown Emerging Artist Award, offering a $1,000 prize and mentorship (deadline: June 15, 2025).
The Vweta Chadwick Poetry Prize is accepting original poems from young female poets in Nigeria with up to ₦1,000,000 in prizes (deadline: June 22, 2025).
Write the World is accepting personal essays (400–1000 words) from writers aged 13–19 for their 2025 Personal Essay Competition; the winner gets $100 (deadline: June 23, 2025).
The Sargeson Prize is accepting original, unpublished short stories from New Zealand citizens or residents (Open Division: prize up to $15,000; Secondary Schools Division: prize up to $2,000 + residency)—deadline: June 30, 2025.
Lee & Low Books is accepting unpublished picture book manuscripts (fiction, non-fiction, or poetry) from writers of color or Native/Indigenous writers for the New Voices Award, with a $5,000 advance and publication contract (deadline: June 30, 2025).
WRITING OPPORTUNITIES WITH JULY 2025 DEADLINES
PEN America is offering emergency grants to U.S.-based professional writers facing financial hardship (next deadline: July 1, 2025).
The Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival is accepting original fiction (3,000 words max) from Caribbean-American writers in the U.S. or Canada for the Elizabeth Nunez Writer’s Prize—$1,750 cash prize and publication (deadline: July 1, 2025).
The Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival is accepting original fiction (3,000 words max) from Caribbean-born/raised writers for the BCLF Elizabeth Nunez Award (prize: $1,750 + publication; deadline: July 1, 2025).
The Richard J. Margolis Award is seeking applications from nonfiction writers focused on social justice, offering a $10,000 prize and a one-month residency at Blue Mountain Center (deadline: July 1, 2025).
The Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award is accepting English-language TV drama scripts from non-American writers under 30, with a $2,500 prize (deadline: July 1, 2025).
The Hubert Butler Essay Prize is accepting essays from UK or EU writers over 18, offering a €1,500 first prize for a 3,000-word essay on the theme of life, birth, and death (deadline: July 4, 2025).
ROLLING SUBMISSIONS
The Orchards Poetry Journal is seeking poetry submissions for its Summer 2025 issue, offering a $50 prize for first place and $30 for second (deadline not stated, but submissions are currently open).
Bonus: Check out our full list of writing opportunities with rolling submissions here.
What are the best free writing contests for beginners?
Several contests in this list have no entry fees, and they are run by prestigious organizations.
P.S.: If you’ve ever won a writing contest/gotten published/any other opportunity via an opportunity shared on D’LitReview, please let me know!
P.P.S.: If you liked this list, kindly share it with others who would love to see it too. Thanks for reading!
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