From food to flowers, there's an interesting range of writing contests and opportunities in January 2025. These four contests are just a few of the many different writing contests open for submissions this month. The four below are ones I have picked out as possibilities for me. I hope you will find one that works for you as well.
Please remember that although I do check over the information listed here, I am human, and humans make mistakes. Do your own research before submitting your work anywhere.
Shepton Snowdrops Poetry Competition
Contest Entry Period: October 3, 2024 - January 6, 2025
Entry Fee: Free for those 18 and under, £4 for anyone over 18.
Special Requirements: "Over 18s can submit up to five poems, under 18s one poem."
Theme: "Treasures of Nature"
Entry Length: 30 lines max.
Age Category: 11 and under; 12 to 17; 18 and over.
Rights Information: "Copyright remains with you but we reserve the right to reproduce the poems in print and digital form to publicise and promote the competition and the Festival"
Prizes: "18 & Over – £300"; "12 to 17 – £100"; "11 & Under – £50"
Find more competition details here.
Rattle Poetry Tribute to Food
Contest Deadline: January 16, 2025
Entry Fee: FREE.
Special Requirements: None found.
Theme: Food.
Entry Length: Poems of any length.
Age Category: All.
Rights Information: None specified on this page.*
Prizes: See this page.
This one isn't actually a contest per se, it's just a call for poetry submissions with a theme and deadline. Still, if you like food, this might be "write" for you!
*You can find Rattle's submission guidelines, inculding rights information, at this link.
More info on this paricular call for submissions can be found here.
Morgen Bailey's 50-Word Competition
Contest Entry Period: January 1, 2025 - January 31, 2025
Entry Fee: FREE
Special Requirements: None found.
Theme: "sharing the spotlight"
Entry Length: 50 words exactly (excluding title). EXACTLY 50 words. No more, no less!
Age Category: All ages.
Rights Information: Not listed. Winning stories will be published on Morgen's website.
Prizes: "1st prize, free prose critique up to 1,500 words; 2nd prize, free prose critique up to 1,000 words; 3rd prize, free prose critique up to 500 words."
"Each prize will be valid for six months from the closing date (i.e. the prizes for the top three stories for May are valid until end November) so you can combine your ‘winnings’."
Up to three story submissions per author, per month.
WFNB Writing Competition
Contest Entry Period: January 1, 2025 - March 31, 2025.
Entry Fee: Varies by category (13-18 year olds can enter free in this category).
Special Requirements: Must be a resident of New Brunswick or a WFNB member.
Theme: There are different genre categories, but I don't think there are specific themes. Check each contest listing for more information.
Entry Length: Varies by category.
Age Category: Check with your chosen category to see if an age category/range is specified.
Rights Information: N/A. Winning entries are not published on the site.
Prizes: Prizes vary by category.
This contest is run annually by the Writers' Federation of New Brunswick, with eight categories.
I actually placed as an Honourable Mention in the Sheree Fitch Prize last year, which was very exciting and encouraging. I plan to enter again this year. The Sheree Fitch Prize is open to writers 13-18, with no entry fee. I believe that all other categories charge entry fees, but check with your chosen category to see.
You can find more information here. Information on how to format and submit your entry can be found here.