BBC Radio 4 Opening Lines

BBC Radio 4 Opening Lines ContestThe BBC Radio Drama Readings Unit welcomes submissions from writers new to radio for their annual series, Opening Lines which is broadcast on BBC Radio 4. They are looking for original short stories which work being read out loud i.e. with a strong emphasis on narrative and avoiding too much dialogue, character description and digression. Pay particular attention to how the story opens and closes, the ending needs to link back to the beginning.

Prizes: Three successful writers will have their stories broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and be invited to the BBC in London to see their stories being recorded. As well as broadcasting the three strongest stories they will publish transcripts of the best stories on the Opening Lines website.

Entry fee: FREE

Deadline: 13th February 2015

For more information, please visit their website.


Indies Unlimited is pleased to provide this contest information for the convenience of our readers. We do not, however, endorse this or any contest/competition. Entrants should always research a competition prior to entering.

2nd Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest

Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story ContestLittle Tokyo Historical Society (LTHS) seeks fictional short stories for it second annual “Imagine Little Tokyo” writing contest. The story must be original, fictional, written in either Japanese or English by the submitting author and never been published (even online). The setting of the story should be in Little Tokyo – either past, present or future. Submitted manuscript should be 2,500 words or less for English or 5,000 ji or less for Japanese.

Prizes: The first place winners of the English- and Japanese-language competitions will each receive a cash award of $600; the winner of the youth division (18 and younger) will get $400.

Entry fee: FREE

Deadline: Submissions need to be e-mailed by January 31, 2015, 12 midnight PST.

For more information, please visit their website.


Indies Unlimited is pleased to provide this contest information for the convenience of our readers. We do not, however, endorse this or any contest/competition. Entrants should always research a competition prior to entering.

Highlights Fiction Contest

Highlights Childrens Fiction ContestHighlights Magazine is looking for work from both published and unpublished authors. All submissions must be previously unpublished and not found online. Stories may be any length up to 750 words. No crime, violence, or derogatory humor.

Prizes: Three prizes of $1,000.

Entry fee: FREE

Deadline: All entries must be postmarked between January 1 and January 31, 2015.

For more information, please visit their website.


Indies Unlimited is pleased to provide this contest information for the convenience of our readers. We do not, however, endorse this or any contest/competition. Entrants should always research a competition prior to entering.

Bethesda Literary Festival’s Essay and Short Story Contests

 Bethesda Literary Festival's Essay and Short Story ContestsBethesda Literary Festival’s Essay and Short Story Contests invites authors from Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia to submit essays of up to 500 words and short stories of up to 4000 words on any subject.

Prizes: First, second, third place, and honorable mention winners will receive prizes of up to $500 and publication in Bethesda Magazine. See site for details.

Entry fee: FREE

Deadline: Entry must be postmarked January 23, 2015.

For more information, please visit their website.


Indies Unlimited is pleased to provide this contest information for the convenience of our readers. We do not, however, endorse this or any contest/competition. Entrants should always research a competition prior to entering.