Nothing is more inspirational than a deadline. These websites update their competition/submissions information every month, so that YOU can choose one (or three) in any genre and GET IT DONE! Yes, there is usually a fee (sometimes quite hefty) but, without the pressure of that deadline, when else would you make the effort to rewrite, cut and polish a piece of work until it's as good as it can be? Trust me ~ the whoosh of pride and satisfaction you get when you press that 'Submit' button (two minutes before the official deadline, of course) makes you feel like a winner ~ every time.
Read about other writers' experiences here and then ....
Here's SOME WINNING ADVICE from a short story competition judge, more on HOW NOT TO LOSE
... plus a few TIPS FOR POETS
Don't let any of this stop you from daring to be different, but DO read the rules.
You might find TLC's excellent guide on
HOW TO WRITE A SYNOPSIS useful. And here's another for the dreaded one-page synopsis.
UK Literary Magazines looking for submissions
EXERCISES, PROMPTS, INSPIRATION, TIPS, COURSES & RESOURCES (click icons)
Lit Mags that publish
short stories
OPPORTUNITIES to publish
Poetry magazines
to submit to