Details

Details

UK Writing Competitions (currently 28)

Scribble Quarterly Short Story Competition .  This quarterly contest from Scribble magazine is for stories in any genre and on any subject, running to no more than 3,000 words.
    Closing: Quarterly.
    Prizes: £75, £25, £15.
    Entry Fee: £5.
    Comp Page: Scribble SSC.

Flash 500 Competition.  Here’s a quarterly flash fiction contest which offers higher prize money than many similar competitions. It is for stories of up to 500 words on any theme.
    Closing : Quarterly (end of March, June, September, December).
    Prizes: 1st - £300.  2nd - £200.  3rd - £100.  Winners will be published on the website.
    Entry Fee: £5 each, £8 for two, £11 for three, £14 for four.
    Comp Page: Flash 500 Story.

WriteTime Short Story Competition.  To enter this quarterly international contest from the WriteTime community you need to be aged 60 or older. Entries should run to no more than 1,500 words.
    Closing: Quarterly.
    Prizes: £100, £50, £50.  Unsuccessful entrants receive brief feedback on their work.
    Entry Fee: £5 for one, £10 for three.
    Comp Page: WriteTime Story

                         The Rules, the T&Cs, the Fine Print
When you submit a story or poem to a competition, you are entering into a contract with the promoter.  Make sure you know the terms.  It may be, for instance, that you are granting the promoter the right to publish your work without payment even if you don’t win.  This is often the price you pay for entering a contest with no entry fee.  If it bothers you, don’t participate.  But before you get sniffy about that 450-word story set in the sedate world of turnip farming, ask yourself this: Would I really be able to sell it to anyone else?  Publication, even without payment, might not be a bad thing if it gets you a healthy crop of readers.  And if it’s in a newspaper or magazine that carries some prestige ... well, there are plenty of struggling writers who would gift wrap and hand over their very souls for the privilege of being able to put that in their cv.  Only you can decide if it’s worth it.

Bridport Memoir Award.  Initially for this annual memoir contest, which is part of the famous Bridport Prize, you submit 5,000 to 8.000 words of your memoir plus a 300-word overview, this latter forming the opening pages of your entry (full instructions are given in the Rules).  If longlisted you will be expected to boost the word count to 15,000, and if shortlisted the total amount rises to 30,000 .  These amounts do not include the overview.
    Closing: 30.9.26.
    Prizes: 1st - £1,500 plus a year’s mentoring from The Literary Consultancy, plus a consultation with literary agents A.M. Heath, plus valuable advice from an editor at John Murray, part of Hachette Publishrs, plus other items.  2nd - £750 and other writing-related items.  Highly Commended (3) - £150 plus other writing-related items.
    Entry Fee: £26.
   Comp Page: Bridport Memoir

Bedford Flash Fiction Competition.  This is a recent addition to the Bedford  Writing Competition line-up.   I’m listing it separately because it has an earlier closing date than the rest    The contest is for stories of up to 300 words by writers from anywhere who are aged 17 or over.
    Closing: 30.9.26.
    Prize: £500.
    Entry Fee: £8.50 each, £17 for three.  Full-time students: £6 each, £12 for three.
    Comp Page: Bedford Flash

Creative Writing Ink Competition.   There is no theme for this regular short story contest from the Creative Writing Ink website.  As usual it is open worldwide and has a word limit is 3,000.
    Closing: 30.9.26 at 5pm.
    Prizes: 1st - £1,000 and a creative writing course of your choice, plus publication on the website..  Runners-up - £200 and publication on the website.
    Entry Fee: £12.
    Comp Page: Creative Writing Ink

Save As Writers  International Writing Competition.  Back again for another year is the annual Canterbury Festival with its two competitions.  The fiction category is for stories up to 3,500 words, while the Poetry category allows you up to 60 lines.  In both cases the theme, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of  the first ever telephone call, is ‘Lines of Communication’.  The telephone was of course invented years before that, but the inventor, Alexander Graham Bell, couldn’t make a call because no one else had a phone.
    Closing: 30.9.26.
    Prizes:  The Canterbury Festival Fiction Prize - £200, £100, £50.   The Canterbury Christ Church University Poetry Prize - £200, £100, £50.
    Entry Fee: Fiction - £4 each, three for £10.  Poetry - £4 each, three for £10..
    Comp Page:  Save As Writers

Hammond House International Writing Competitions.  This annual offering from Hammond House Publishing at University Centre Grimsby is for short stories of between 1,000 and 5,000 words, poems of up to 40 lines, scripts (theatre, radio, short film, TV, comedy sketches) of up to 10 pages (= approx. 10 minutes duration) and Songwriting in the form of just lyrics or complete songs..  In all categories the theme this year is Destiny.
    Closing: 30.9.26.
    Prizes: Short Story - £1,000, £100,  £50.  Poetry - £1,000, £100, £50.  Script - £100, £50, £25.  Songwriting - £100, £50, £25 in each sub-category, plus the song will be played at the 2026 Literary Festival and released worldwide on the Hammond House record label.  All shortlisted entries will be published in the anthology (in the song category, this will be lyrics only).
   Entry Fee: £10.
    Comp Page: HH Lit Prize

Moth Nature Writing Prize.  For this one you are required to explore your relationship with the narural world in prose or poetry.   The prose can be fact or fiction, up to 4,000 words.  Poetry can be any length, but best not to ramble, not even if you’re writing about a walk in the countryside.
    Closing:: 30.9.26.
    Prizes: £1,000, £500, £250.  Winning entries will be published in the Irish Times online.
    Entry Fee: 16 euros per piece, prose or poetry.
    Comp Page: Moth Nature Writing

Writers’ College Short Story Competition.  The End of the Line.  That’s the theme for this year’s annual international short story contest from The Writers’ College in New Zealand.  You have up to 3,000 words (minimum 1,400) to play with.  To be eligible to enter you need to be 16 or over and unpublished or published no more than three times.  Stories can be in any genre, although they say literary fiction tends to do best with the judges.
    Closing: 30.9.26.
    Prizes: $1,000, $500, $250. The top three winners receive editorial comments on their work.
    Entry Fee: None - free entry.
    Comp Page: Writers College Story

Dear Michael,
     Thank you for maintaining your informative and witty list of writing competitions.
     I entered loads of them last year and got precisely nowhere, but I ploughed on regardless and have just won second prize (£100) in the Flash 500 Humour Verse contest, which would suggest that your friend Percy Vere might be onto something.
                                                                             -  Melanie Branton

Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Prize.  This regular visitor from the USA has now become two competitions in one: the Tom Howard Prize and the Margaret Reid Prize.  The former is for poems in any style, while the latter is for traditional verse as defined on the competition page.  In both cases the line limit is a very generous (some might say extravagant) 250.
    Closing: 1.10.26.
    Prizes: Tom Howard Prize (any style) - $3,500 + gift certificate.  Margaret Reid Prize (traditional verse) - $3,500 + gift certificate.  In addition there will be ten Honourable Mention awards of $500.
    Entry Fee: $22 per submission (one submission can contain up to 3 poems).
    Comp Page: TH & MR Poetry.

Dinesh Allirajah Prize.  Here’s a return of the annual freebie from Comma Press and the University of Lancashire.  Entries should be stories of between 2,000 and 7,500 words.  The theme this year is Found Fiction.  The idea is that you 'find' a story in existing text in real documents (newspaper articles, police reports, text messages, etc), mimicking that document's format to tell a story.  See website for more details.
    Closing: 11.10.26.
    Prize: £500.  Shortlisted entries will be featured in an ebook anthology.
    Entry Fee: None - free to enter.
    Comp Page: DA Prize

Eyelands Book Awards.  This is the 9th of these international book award contests from literary magazine Eyelands and Strange Days Books in Greece.  There are three main categories: Published Book, Unpublished Book, Writers’ Choice.  Acceptable genres include Poetry Collection, Novella, Short Story Collection, Novel, Children’s and YA books, Historical Fiction, Memoir, Graphic Novel.
    Closing: 20.10.26 (midnight PST).
    Prizes:: Unpublished Book Grand Prize - Translation into Greek and publication by Strange Days Books.  Published Book Grand Prize - a 5-day stay in Athens.  Writers’ Choice (as voted for by other prizewinners) - a 5-day stay in Athens or publication by Strange Days Books.  All 24 prize winners will also receive a special handmade ceramic. Selected excerpts from prizewinners will be published online, and translated into Greek.   All winners and finalists receive an online certificate, ideal for printing and hanging on the wall where your visitors are sure to see it (i.e. next to the drinks cabinet or the television).
    Entry Fee: 20 euros up to September 20, then 30 euros.
    Comp Page: Eyelands Comp

Wenlock Olympian Society Writing Competition.  Running again this year (if you’ll pardon the pun) is this contest from Much Wenlock in Shropshire whose games date back to 1880 and are said to have been a big influence on the man who created the modern international Olympic Games.  The contest is for stories of up to 2,500 words.
    Closing: 29.10.26.
    Prizes: £150, £50, £25.  The winners also receive a medal (gold, silver or bronze).
    Entry Fee: £6 for one, £11 for two, £15 for three.
    Comp Page: Wenlock Short Story

Happiful Poetry Competition.  This freebie, which is open to UK residents only, is for poems of up to 25 lines on the subject of mental health or wellbeing.
    Closing: 30.10.26.
    Prizes: 1st - £100 by bank transfer.  Shortlisted (4) - £25 in National Book Tokens.
    Entry Fee : None - free to enter (only one entry per person).
    Comp Page: Happiful Poetry

Hi
    Before I discovered your website I’d never even thought of trying my luck in a writing competition. My stories were a very private part of my life, I was (and for the most of the time still am) very convinced that they are not good enough for the ‘outside world’.
     I don’t know what made me try - call it a crazy moment of self-confidence - but here I am the October winner of the Cazart short story competition. I haven’t felt so good about myself in months. It might not seem like a big deal to the world but for me it means everything. And it would not have happened if it wasn’t for your wonderful website.
     Thank You very much.                                         -  Dorota Nocun

Bedford Writing Competition.  This annual not-for-profit contest from Bedfordshire, home of the famous Shuttleworth Collection (old aeroplanes and cars) is for stories of up to 3,000 words and poems running to no more than 40 lines.  There is also the Cygnature story and poetry contest, open to young writers aged 17 to 25.  Plus there is the Bedford Prize for Bedford residents.
    Closing: 31.10.26.
    Prizes in each category (Poetry, Short Story): £2,000, £400, £300.   Cygnature Short Story and Poetry - £300 in each category.  In addition there is £100 in each category for the Bedford Prize..  Shortlisted and winning entries will be published in an anthology (e-book and hardcopy).
    Entry Fee: £8.50 each, £17 for three.  Full-time students: £6 each, £12 for three.
    Comp Page: BWC.

Novel Opening Competition.  For this annual contest from the Flash 500 website you submit the first chapter of your novel, or just the first 3,000 words if the chapter is longer.  Add to this a one-page synopsis of up to 750 words.
    Closing: 31.10.26.
    Prizes: £500, £200.
    Entry Fee: £10 for one, £18 for two, £26 for three.
    Comp Page: F500novel.

National Poetry Competition.  This hallowed and pleasingly lucrative event from the Poetry Society is back again for its umpteenth year.  As usual, entries of up to 40 lines are the order of the day.  The contest is open worldwide to poets aged 18 and over.
    Closing: 31.10.26.
    Prizes: 1st - £5,000.  2nd - £3,000.  3rd - £2,000.  Commended - £500.
    Entry Fee: £9 for the first, £6 thereafter.
    Comp Page: NPC

Scribble Annual Short Story Competition.  Stories of up to 3,000 words are required for this annual contest from Scribble magazine.  This year’s theme is ‘A slice of luck’
    Closing:  1.11.26.
    Prizes:  £100, £50, £25.
    Entry Fee: £6.
    Comp Page: Scribble

Dear Michael,
     I love your website and its pertinent personal comments re the comps.
     I entered the Alexander Cordell one some months ago, the mini saga, and was short-listed to win. It was a 600 mile round trip with two toddlers but we had a really wonderful weekend. My husband is self employed and works really long hours so it was great to drag him away and out into the countryside. The people were lovely, the whole event was fascinating, and I was thrilled to get two books and a book token. My little girl age 3 gets excited every time Wales is mentioned on the news now! The greatest thrill was hearing the Director of Visit Wales read out my story so reverently, and with evident enjoyment. The organisers were delighted with the world-wide entries.  I don’t write for money - just as well - but for the love of the medium and the message.
     Keep up the good work!                                         -  Julie Noble

The Ascent Novel Prize 2026.  The first 3,000 words of your novel plus a one-line pitch and one-page synopsis are all that you need initially to enter this international contest.   However, if longlisted you will be asked for the next 30,000 words, and if shortlisted you’ll need to submit the rest, so it’s best if you have the manuscript finished when you enter.  The story must be aimed at adults and must be unpublished, although self-published work is acceptable.
    Closing: 1.11.26.
    Prize: £1,000.   Personal feedback will the given to the top 100 entrants.
    Entry Fee: £29.
    Comp Page: Ascent Novel

Anthology Travel Writing Competition.  Your entry for this international contest should be about your authentic travel experience and must convey a strong sense of the destination and the culture.
    Closing: 30.11.26.
    Prize: 1st - £300, publication in the magazine, and one year’s Reedsy Learning membership.includuing all masterclasses and conferences.  2nd - one live craft masterclass of your choice.
    Entry Fee: £15.
    Comp Page: Anthology Travel

Bath Children's Novel Award .  This annual international contest, which is open to unpublished and self-published emerging authors, is for novels and chapter books of any length (but see recommendations) aimed at children or young adults.  It is also for picture books. To enter a novel or chapter book, you send the first 5,000 words plus a one-page synopsis.  For picture books, you submit up to three complete stories in the same document with short summaries of each story (without pictures).
     Closing: 30.11.26.
     Prizes: 1st - £5,000 plus the Minerva trophy.  The writer of the most promising longlisted novel will receive an online place on Edit Your Novel the Professional Way from co-sponsors Professional Writing Academy and Cornerstones Literary Consultancy.  Shortlisted entrants will receive feedback on their work.
     Entry Fee: £33.00 for a novel or chzpter book (for picture books, the fee covers up to three stories in the same document).
     Comp Page: BCN Award.

Poems on the Move Competition.  Poems of up to 14 lines that fit onto an A4 page are required for this international contest from the Channel Islands ... or rather one of them: Guernsey.  The three prizewinners in each category will be displayed on Guernsey Buses, with the 9 finalists being exhibited at Guernsey Airport.  A further 12 poems will be selected for display at various public locations around the Island.
    Closing: 15.1.27.
    Prizes: Open category: 1st - £1,000, £500, £250.  Channel Islands; 1st - £250, £50, £30.  Young Poets: 1st - £250, £50, £30.
    Entry Fees: Open and Channel Islands categories - £5 each, three for £12,  Young Poets - Free.
    Comp Page: Guernsey Poetry

Edward Thomas Poetry Competition 2027.  The Edward Thomas Fellowship is running another of its annual poetry contests.  As usual, entries are limited to 40 lines, and there is no set theme.  Prize-winning poet Daljit Nagra will be judging.
    Closing: 15.1.27.
    Prizes: 1s6 - £250.  Commended (up to 6) - £100.
    Entry Fee: £5 each (maximum three entries).
    Comp Page: ETF Poetry.

W&A Yearbook Short Story Competition.  A story of up to 2,000 words on the theme of Celebration is the requirement for this one from the venerable Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook.
    Closing: 12.2.27
    Prizes: 1st - An Arvon residential writing week, an annual sub to the W&A listings service, access to a W&A Masterclass of your choice, and a copy of the W&A Yearbook 2027.  2nd and 3rd - A Masterclass and a year’s sub to the listings service.  Shortlisted - a six-month sub to the listings service.     Entry Fee : None - but you need to sign up for a free account to enter.
    Comp Page: W&A Comp.

Flash 500 Short Story Competition.  This annual contest from the Flash 500 website is for short stories of between 1,000 and 3,000 words on any theme.
    Closing: 28.2.27.
    Prizes: £500, £200, £100.
    Entry Fee: £7 for one, £12 for two, £16 for three, £20 for four.
    Comp Page: F500 Short Story

L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Competition.  This US contest is open worldwide and is for short stories of up to 17,000 words.  They should be science fiction, fantasy or horror with fantastic elements.
    Closing: Quarterly.
    Prizes: $1,000, $750, $500.
    Entry Fee: None.
    Website: Click Here.

Dear Michael
     Just to say a big ‘Thank You’ for your work on the website. I have been selected for publication in the Mirador competition which ran last year and have been awarded 3rd place in the Stringybark Speculative Fiction competition. To be published twice is like a dream for me, which the information found on your site made possible. Thanks again.
                                                                                    -   Pat Davies

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Notes: Unless otherwise stated in the rules, all poetry should be single-spaced.  The rest should be double-spaced (which is to say, double spacing between the lines, not the words!).  It is sometimes the case that your name shouldn’t appear on the manuscript.  Again, check the rules.  If you put your name on there after being told not to, you’re out.  Don’t use coloured paper or fancy fonts, and don’t send your manuscript done up like the Queen’s dinner menu with a fancy gold-tooled leather cover.  These things merely announce that you have no confidence in your submission or, worse, that you think the judges are shallow enough to judge on appearance rather than content.  Plain white A4 80gsm paper is the stuff to use, with plain black typing or print.  Write on one side of the sheet only (unless asked to put your address on the back).

        Before you start writing, allow me to introduce you to an old friend

                                       The Typo Goblin

  I am the Typo Goblin, my heart is made of flint,
  My role in life is simply this: to keep you out of print.
  I sneak into your manuscript and do my fiendish work,
  Adding errors guaranteed to make you look a berk.
  And then I cast the ‘Careless’ spell: you say, ‘Ah, what the heck!’
  And pop your script into the post without that final check.
  At length some hapless editor receives your golden wit,
  And after reading fifty words he writes it off as ... unpublishable.

                                                                            - Michael Shenton

Finally, as you sift through the remnants of your shattered dreams and wonder if it’s worth going on ... www.samaritans.co.uk/

   My Humorous Verse, Songs , Etc (sample)
     
                           This is the Prizemagic website
                            Email comps@prizemagic.co.uk
                           Copyright:  Michael Shenton  2026

                                                           Poem: Being a Writer

                             Romantic Poetry by Michael Shenton (sample)