Literary awards 2026 - 2027

 Submit your poems & short stories 2026 Want to submit to the Driftwood Annual Anthology ? Use the link in our bio to submit your best short story or poem for a chance to be published and get paid! Deadline Jan. 15th. Click here

Virtual art exhibitions 2026   We are starting the year with a celebration of art in all its forms. The Open Open Call is our most expansive exhibition, a space for the pieces that don’t fit a category, a theme, or a box. Whether your work is experimental, traditional, bold, unfinished, highly polished, deeply emotional, or unconventional, we want to see! Celebrate Creativity Month in January with us by sharing your creativity! All mediums welcome. All artists over 18 years old are welcome. Submission Deadline: January 10th, 2026 Exhibition Opening: January 31st, 2026 Learn more about submission requirements and submit your work: https://www.confluencecommunity.org/virtual-art-exhibit-submission-form

  Writing Tips for 2026 In a fast-changing world, writing is no longer just a talent; it has become a skill that requires awareness and continuous development. As we enter 2026, a set of essential tips emerges to help writers stay consistent, stand out, and build an authentic literary voice . 1. Write with honesty before perfection Readers in 2026 are searching for sincere texts that touch their souls, not empty linguistic ornamentation. Write what you truly believe in and what you have lived or felt—genuine emotions can never be imitated. 2. Daily reading is part of writing There is no writing without reading. Set aside a fixed daily time to read novels, short stories, and diverse articles. Reading expands imagination, refines language, and exposes you to different writing styles . 3. Develop your style—don’t imitate Exposure is important, but imitation erases your identity. Try to discover your own voice , and let readers recognize you through your style, not through your...

Katara Launches 12th Edition of the Arabic Novel Prize for 2026 The Katara Cultural Village Foundation has officially opened submissions for the 12th edition of the Katara Prize for Arabic Novel 2026 . The nomination period begins in early November and will remain open until January 31, 2026 . This prestigious award continues to celebrate excellence in Arabic storytelling through several main categories, including published and unpublished novels , research and critical studies , unpublished young adult novels , unpublished historical novels , and published Qatari novels . Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti , General Manager of Katara, expressed his pride in the remarkable success of the 11th edition , describing it as an outstanding season that introduced a wide range of innovative projects and cultural initiatives. Among the most notable developments were the launch of the Katara International Prize , which welcomes novels written in English, French, and Spanish , as well as an am...

  How to Win a Literature Award: A Practical Guide for Ambitious Writers Winning a literature award is not just about talent—it’s a combination of craft, strategy, consistency, and understanding how literary competitions work. Whether you are a new or experienced writer, understanding the path to success can greatly increase your chances of standing out. Below is a complete guide that will help you prepare your work, submit confidently, and improve your chances of winning. 1. Know the Award Before You Enter Every competition has its own: Theme and style preferences Eligibility rules Submission requirements Judging criteria Tip: Before writing or submitting, study previous winners . Look at tone, length, message, and originality. This helps you understand what the judges value most. 2. Choose Your Strongest Idea Award-winning stories share one thing: a powerful central idea . It doesn’t need to be complicated—just meaningful. Ask yourself: Is this idea em...