Places to submit your writing 19 September 2025

Contests and journal submissions are a great way to motivate yourself to finish a piece of work and get it in front of readers and industry professionals. We've got you covered for where to submit your writing this September.

We've gathered a mix of journals and contests looking for all kinds of work, from poetry to prose. Hopefully, there's something here for you. Good luck, writers! Let us know how you get on!

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 the journal or contest.

The Moth Nature Writing Prize is an annual international competition for prose or poetry that explores our relationship with the natural world. Entries should be unpublished, original work up to 4,000 words. The winner receives €1,000 and a week at The Moth Retreat in Ireland. Finalists are published in The Irish Times online.

Deadline: 30 September 2025 | More Info

Commonwealth Short Story Prize is one of the most respected international awards for unpublished short fiction. Writers from Commonwealth countries can submit stories between 2,000–5,000 words. The competition is free to enter and offers a regional winner in each of five global regions, with one overall winner.

Deadline: TBA (Submissions open now for 2025 cycle)| More Info

Black Fox Literary Magazine is a US-based literary journal dedicated to publishing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry that reflects diverse voices and bold storytelling. Submissions for the Winter 2026 issue open on 1 July and remain open through 30 November. They accept flash fiction, short stories, essays, and up to 5 poems.

Submissions open: 1 July – 30 November 2025| More Info

Europe Books is a dynamic publisher accepting submissions across genres, including poetry, fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, biographies, and theses, with no thematic restrictions. Manuscripts must be at least 40 pages, or include 25 poems for poetry submissions. Authors may submit a synopsis and bio.

Deadline: 23 September 2025| More Info The Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition 2025 is open for entries until 30 September, 4pm (GMT). Submit original short stories (up to 3,000 words) on any theme or genre via Submittable. Entry fee: £12 per story. All entries judged anonymously by Tyler Paterson. Full guidelines on their website. Deadline: 30 September 2025| More Info Crowvus, a publisher in North Scotland, is hosting its annual Ghost Story Competition. Adult entries are open for original ghost stories up to 4,000 words. Entry fee: £3 per story or £5 for two (maximum two stories per author). Full details and submission guidelines are available on their website. Deadline: 30th September 2025| More Info The Letter Review prize is open for entries in Short Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Books, with winners published and over $16,000 USD awarded annually. Held quarterly, this international prize is one of the highest-paying literary awards from a literary journal. Full details and entry guidelines on their website. Deadline: 30 September 2025| More Info