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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.
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The Dorothy Dunnett Society / HWA Short Story Award 2025
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The Dorothy Dunnett Society / HWA Short Story Award 2025 is open to short stories that are set at least 35 years in the past. The competition is run by the Historical Writers’ Association and the Dorothy Dunnett Society and the winner will receive £500, mentoring sessions from publishing experts and publication in Whispering Gallery and on www.historiamag.com. Two further highly commended writers will also be offered mentoring.
All six shortlisted writers will have their stories published as an ebook / print on demand edition by the HWA and Dorothy Dunnett Society via Amazon and each shortlisted author will receive two print copies. Longlist announced on 24 September. Shortlisted, highly commended and winning stories announced on 1 October and shortlisted authors will be invited the the Crown Awards Ceremony on 19 November in central London.
Details