This is the time of year when submission calls and competition deadlines can be thin on the ground. Editors and contest organisers deserve a break too! It gives writers a chance to look about them and gather some ideas for all the opportunities that are coming up in January. Here's a round-up of a few.
Playwrights should get writing now if they want to send work to the next BBC Script Room call. They're looking for stage, television, film or radio scripts at least 30 minutes long. You'll have to hurry, because the deadline is 13th January. Visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities.
The Verity Bargate Award is for stage plays that are at least an hour long. The prize is £7,500 and the closing date is 21st January. Submit online at https://sohotheatre.com/artists/writers/verity-bargate-award
Another chance for playwrights to shine is the Drip Action Theatre Trail contest, but you have a little longer to enter this, as it doesn't close until 31st January. Plays must be 30-40 minutes long, easy to stage and need no more than five actors. Details are at http://www.dripaction.com/writers-competition.
If you've ever fancied writing a detective story with a twist, Arc Manor are looking for re-invented detective stories from 1,500-5,000 words. They pay eight cents per word, and the closing date is 15th January. Go to http://www.arcmanorbooks.com.
Novella writers could enter the Reflex Press contest. Any genre is welcome from 15,000 to 40,000 words. You have to buy one of their books to enter, but there is a first prize of £1,000 and two runner-up prizes of £500. The closing date is 15th January, so if you're interested you should check their website at http://reflexpress/novella-award-2022 without delay.
There are many more opportunities out there. Good places to look for them are Diabolical Plots Submission Grinder at http://www.thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com and Winning Writers at http://www.winningriters.com. You might start 2022 spoiled for choice!

P.S. If all you want to do is relax with a book, don't forget to check out the Smashwords End of Year Sale, where you'll find Discord's Child FREE and Discord's Apprentice at half price until 1st January at http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ksdearsley.