Welcome to NewWriters.org.uk
At NewWriters.org.uk, we curate the best and most trusted current and upcoming writing competitions for writers in the UK and internationally — including flash fiction, short stories, poetry, novels, and non-fiction. Each competition listing includes the deadline, prize details, word limit, entry fee, and eligibility so you can quickly decide which contests fit your writing goals.
Our current competition: New Writers 100-Word Writing Competition 2026 – Deadline: 30th Apr 2026. Prizes: 1st: £1,000; 4x Runners-up: £100.
If you would like us to publish details of a competition you are running, please complete the Listing Request Form.
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Ascent Novel Prize is a writing competition for aspiring novelist, but with a difference as every entrant will receive personalised feedback. In addition, writers from under-represented backgrounds are able to select whether they want to enter the under-represented writers’ awards, for free. These additional accolades are sponsored by independent bookshop, Messrs Fletcher and Frost and a range of professionals from the industry.
With a pair of exceptional judges (Ajebowale Roberts – Senior Commissioning Editor, Tor UK and Liza DeBlock – Literary Agent, Greenstone Literary), and a host of brilliant readers, this new novel prize promises to unearth some real gems from new writers. We are particularly impressed by the additional awards for under-represented writers, which could give a leg-up to those who might ordinarily find it especially tough to make it in the cut-and-thrust world of publishing.
Note that Ascent Novel Prize welcomes entries from writers across the globe, aged 18 years and over and the competition is for writers who have no agent and have not accepted an offer of publication for a novel.
Good luck!
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