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Our current competition: New Writers Novel Prize 2026 – Deadline: 31st October 2026. Top Prize: £1,000 + Lifetime Access to The Novel Factory (Version 3).
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Organised by Calibre Audio (a registered charity that produces audiobooks for people living with a print disability), the Inclusive Voices Short Story Competition is seeking entries of up to 550 words from people of all ages. There are various age categories and written, video or audio entries are accepted.
The 2026 competition launched on 4 June and closes on 13 September 2026. There are four age categories – Under 11s, 12 to 17 years, 18 to 25 years, and 26 years and over.
Entries can be either an empathy-boosting story or a poem that explores life from another person’s perspective. Submissions may be written, audio, or video formats, and should be no more than 550 words. Calibre’s Resources Page Resources – Calibre Audio offers useful guidance and tips on creating an empathy-led story.
Prizes
First, second, and third-place prizes will be awarded in each age category, with prizes generously provided by partner organisations, including publisher Nosy Crow, who, in partnership with audio platform xigxag, are donating children’s audiobook prizes, and Voxblock, suppliers of screen-free audiobook players, who are donating audiobook players for the first-place winners in the children’s age categories.
Each first-prize winner will have the opportunity to visit the Calibre studio in Buckinghamshire to record their entry or hear it recorded for the Calibre Collection.
In addition, the story will be included in the Best Inclusive Voices print book and recorded as an audiobook. Winners will be invited to attend a prize-giving event at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre during the Calibre Conversations Live On-Stage event on 15 October 2026.
Full prize information for all age categories is available in the competition’s Terms and Conditions Inclusive Voices – Calibre Audio
Judging Panel
The judging panel includes award-winning authors, including Sally Gardner and A M Dassu, alongside accessibility advocates, Imogen Bond, Managing Director at EmpathyLab, and Calibre Audio staff, who will assess entries based on originality, creativity, use of theme, and authentic representation.
Details