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At NewWriters.org.uk, we curate the best and most trusted current and upcoming writing competitions for writers in the UK and internationally — including flash fiction, short stories, poetry, novels, and non-fiction. Each competition listing includes the deadline, prize details, word limit, entry fee, and eligibility so you can quickly decide which contests fit your writing goals.

Our current competition: New Writers 100-Word Writing Competition 2026 – Deadline: 30th Apr 2026. Prizes: 1st: £1,000; 4x Runners-up: £100.

If you would like us to publish details of a competition you are running, please complete the Listing Request Form.

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The SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction 2025

10 May 2025
Smokelong Quarterly Competition 2025
  • Deadline: Midnight (ET) on 10 May 2025
  • Entry Fees: 1st February to 31st March: One Entry, $14; Two Entries, $21; Up to Four Entries: $36 | 1st April to 10th May: One Entry, $16; Two Entries, $24; Up to Four Entries: $39
  • Prizes: Grand prize winner: $2,500; Second place: $1,000; Third place $500; Finalists: $150. All finalists and placers will be published in the special competition issue in June 2025.
  • Word Limit: 1,000 words or fewer (excluding title)
  • Judges: SmokeLong editors
  • Category: Flash Fiction Competitions
  • Competition Website: smokelong.com/the-smokelong-quarterly-award-for-flash-fiction-2025

The SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction is a biennial competition for fiction of up to 1,000 words. Run by The SmokeLong Quarterly (which is “dedicated to bringing the best flash fiction to the web”), the competition has a fabulous first prize of $2,500, $1,000 for the second-place entry, $500 for third and $150 each for the finalists. All finalists and placers will also be published in an edition of The SmokeLong Quarterly (which has been around for around 20 years).

There are discounts for multiple entries and/or if you enter before 31st March 2025. The competition is open from 1st February 2025 to anyone aged 18+ irrespective of where they reside. Entries must either be in English or another language but with an accompanying English translation.

This competition is a great way to get your flash fiction into the public view while also having the chance to win a serious cash prize, so get involved.

Details

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