Starting a short story, essay, novel or memoir can feel overwhelming when you think about the whole thing at once. There’s the structure. The theme. The ending. The voice. The question of whether the idea is strong enough. The fear that you’ll start in the wrong place and waste your time. For many writers, this is where the pressure begins. Before a single sentence has been written, the project already feels too large. But sometimes the best way into a piece of writing is not

Fiction 1. The Masters Review Emerging writers can submit original short fiction with a strong narrative voice. Deadline: Early June Learn more: https://mastersreview.com/submissions/ 2. Narrative Magazine Publishes story-driven fiction that prioritises readability and strong storytelling. Deadline: Rolling Learn more: https://www.narrativemagazine.com/submit-your-work 3. The Common Accepts fiction with a strong sense of place and grounded, character-driven narratives.

At the moment, I'm living in cramped accommodation with no heat or hot water while we wait for the completion of the endless renovations of our Italian house to end. Add to that working in corporate tech, managing the Writing Grove and trying to learn Italian, I don't have much brain capacity for writing. But that doesn't mean I'm ignoring my novel. When life and work feel like too much, I outline. When I can’t bring myself to write full scenes or even full sentences, I outl

Fiction Free Flash Fiction – FFF Competition Thirty-Two — A quick, low-pressure flash contest for very short pieces (100–300 words) on any theme. Due date 23 Feb. Learn more Brick Lane Bookshop – 2026 Short Story Prize — A UK bookshop-run short story prize that’s great for literary fiction and strong storytelling. Due date 2 March. Learn more 3-Minute Arts – 2025/26 Writing Competition — A short story competition designed for punchy, performance-friendly writing that reads we

One of the most common problems in early drafts is dialogue that floats. The voices are sharp. The information matters. But the scene feels flat because the characters aren’t doing anything. They’re just heads in space, trading lines. This is what novelist Elizabeth George famously warned writers about. Flat dialogue keeps your scenes from coming to life. Even when writers add the occasional beat — a sip of coffee, a shrug, a bit of pacing — the scene can still feel static.

As the air turns crisp and the light softens, it’s the perfect season to settle in with your writing — and send it out into the world. This autumn, we’ve gathered a fresh list of contests and journals ready to read your words. Good luck, writers! Please note: This list was created to support the Writing Grove community. We’re not affiliated with these publications, so please don’t send us your submissions. Click the links to view full details and submit your work directly to

Top places to submit your writing this summer

Top places to submit your writing this summer

If you’re an indie or self-published author dreaming of seeing your book on physical shelves, you’re not alone—and you’re not dreaming...