Welcome to the New Writers 100-Word Writing Competition 2026. We are now open to writers from around the world for poems or short-short stories of up to 100 words.
We’re offering an increased total prize pot of £1,400, with a top prize of £1,000 for the writer of the winning entry.
There will be four runners-up, who will win £100 each.
The deadline is midnight (UK time) on Thursday, 30th April 2026 and 10% of the entry fee proceeds will be donated to a fantastic charity, Duchenne UK. Visit the charity’s website for details of the charity’s brilliant work as they work towards ending Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
If you are ready to enter the competition, head straight to the ENTRY FORM to submit. Alternatively, read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Also, please subscribe to the NewWriters.org.uk monthly newsletter to gain access to exclusive free-to-enter micro, flash and poetry competitions (with cash prizes), book and writing course giveaways and the latest writing competition listings: SUBSCRIBE HERE
New Writers 100-Word Short Story Competition 2026 – At A Glance:
- Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on Thursday 30th April 2026
- Entry Fee: £10 (one entry), £18 (two entries), £26 (three entries)
- Prizes: 1st Place: £1,000; 4x Runners-up prizes of £100 each
- Publication: The winning entry and the four runners-up will be published on the NewWriters.org.uk website and in the New Writers Anthology
- Word Limit: Up to 100 words (excluding title)
- Eligibility: Open to writers aged 18 or above from anywhere in the world; entries can be prose or poetry and must be written in English
- Judges: Editorial team at NewWriters.org.uk
- Charity: 10% of entry fee proceeds will donated to Duchenne UK
- Please read the full Competition Terms & Conditions before entering
- Winners and authors who have made the shortlist will be notified by email no later than Friday 26th June 2026. The public announcement of winners and shortlisted entries will also be made by that date.
*We want to make the competition accessible to as many writers as possible. We therefore have a limited number of free entries for low-income writers, available on a first-come, first-served basis (though no later than 22nd April 2026). Please see the terms and conditions for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which charity are you supporting through this writing competition?
We are donating 10% of entry fee proceeds (i.e. after PayPal fees) to the UK-registered charity, Duchenne UK. They are the UK’s leading charity trying to find a cure and to improve treatment for those with the debilitating progressive condition, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
In addition, the New Writers Editor, David Hanson, is undertaking a sponsored 200-mile London to Paris cycle ride (the Duchenne Dash) to raise additional funds for the charity. If you’d like to support the charity (and encourage his efforts), please check out his Just Giving page HERE. Any donations would be massively appreciated.
Can I enter stories that have been published elsewhere?
No, this would invalidate your entry, even if published on your own website or social media.
Is the competition only open to unpublished writers?
The competition is open to published and unpublished writers alike. The main thing is that the entry or entries you submit must not have been published elsewhere (including online or on social media) and haven’t been awarded a prize in another competition.
Where will you publish the winning entries?
The five prize-winning entries will be published on the NewWriters.org.uk website and in the next edition of the New Writers Anthology.
Are there are any free entries for people on low incomes?
There are a limited number of free entries available to people from low income households. Details of how to apply can be found in the terms and conditions. Note that this must be done before 22nd April 2026.
Can I enter a poem rather than a story?
Absolutely, we’re happy to accept either prose or poetry (as long as your entry doesn’t contain more than 100 words, excluding the title and any line breaks).
Is there is a discount for multiple entries?
Yes. If you pay for and submit two or three entries at the same time, you will receive a discount ( Entry fees: £10 for one entry, £18 for two entries, £26 for three entries). Note that the maximum number of entries is three per person.
Should I put my name on the entry?
Please do not put your name or any other identifying information on the entry (as they are judged anonymously). Please write only the title (not included in the word count) and the story or poem itself in the body of the entry document.
Should I include the word count on the entry?
There’s no need to include the word count as we check every entry. But please double-check that your entry is 100 words or fewer (not including the title) before sending it in. (We double-check entries using wordcounter.net.)
Is there a theme for the competition?
There is no specific theme. Stories or poems can be about any subject or incorporate any theme or genre.
Can I use AI to help me write my entry?
No, please don’t use AI. Any entries found to have been written by AI, or indeed any that have been plagiarised, will be disqualified and no refund will be given. Note that some software uses AI to check for typos and grammatical errors – this is okay as long as you don’t use AI to re-write your words. We permit human-written entries only.
Which file formats are allowed?
Please submit your entry or entries as an attachment through the entry form in one of the following file formats: Microsoft Word Document, OpenDocument Text, or PDF (.doc, .docx, .odt, or .pdf). (No .pages files please, we can’t open them!)
GOOD LUCK!