May's round-up of submissions, prizes, bursaries, retreats & more!
The latest list of writing opportunities that you don’t want to miss.
Hello, and welcome to the Freelance Writing Network’s latest round-up of creative opportunities!
The complete latest list of opportunities includes: Fiction & poetry submissions, awards & prizes, internships, bursaries & fellowships, writing retreats & workshops and more—all neatly sorted by category (and then date!) to help you find what’s most relevant.
Highlights for free subscribers
Jenny Stallard’s LinkedIn workshop for freelance journalists: Find work and get over the ick is running tomorrow, May 9th. “Are you a freelance journalist who avoids LinkedIn but know (deep down) you should be on there more, looking for work and sharing your skills? This workshop is for you!”
The Resilient Freelancer Conference 2025 is running May 28-29th 2025. A group of 10 women speakers will be delivering power-packed sessions designed to help you navigate every aspect of building a successful freelance writing business - from the big strategic decisions to the nitty-gritty details that make all the difference. There are only 500 tickets maximum, so this one is open until it’s not! Costs $99 to take part.
The PEN/Jean Stein Grants for Literary Oral History recognize literary works of nonfiction that use oral history to illuminate an event, individual, place, or movement. “For the 2026 grant cycle, we will confer two PEN/Jean Stein Grants for Literary Oral History with cash prizes of $15,000 each.” Submissions accepted until June 1st.
Writers from around the world are invited to submit their scripts for the 29th International Audio Drama Competition, which is now open for entries. The global competition, hosted by BBC World Service and the British Council, offers the unique opportunity for writers from outside the UK to use the medium of audio drama to tell stories for an international audience. Winners will receive a cash prize, be invited to attend an award ceremony in the UK in 2026, and to participate in the recording of their dramas for a world premiere on BBC World Service platforms. Closes for applications on June 4th.
Small Harbor Publishing is calling all short prose writers to submit their work. “We are now accepting submissions for our 2025 Hybrid Chapbook Reading Period! We're seeking genre-defying collections or incorporating art. Open to marginalized writers.” Submit by June 30th.