Welcome to the New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2026. Open to writers from around the world, we’re offering a top prize of £1,100. The deadline is Saturday 31st January 2026 and 10% of the proceed will be donated to charity, split between First Story and the Funzi & Bodo Trust (see here for details of the fantastic work these charities undertake).
Read the details below, read our Frequently Asked Questions, or check out the fantastic winners of the 2024 Flash Fiction Competition or 2025 Flash Fiction Competition, for a little inspiration.
Alternatively, head straight to the ENTRY FORM to submit your entry or entries.
New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2026 – At A Glance:
- Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on Saturday 31st January 2025
- Entry Fee: £10 (one entry), £19 (two entries), £27 (three entries)
- Prizes: 1st Place: £1,100; 2nd Place: £300; 3rd Place: £200
- Publication: The three winning entries will be published on the NewWriters.org.uk website and in a future New Writers Anthology
- Word Limit: 300 (excluding title and line spaces)
- Charity: 10% of the proceeds will be donated to charity (split between First Story and the Funzi & Bodo Trust)
- Please read the full Flash Fiction Competition Terms & Conditions before entering.
- Low Income Entries: We want to make the competition accessible to as many writers as possible. We have therefore funded a limited number of free entries for low-income writers. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis (though no later than 15th January 2026, one entry per person). Please see the terms and conditions for details. (The free entries are funded in part thanks to the generous donations made to our Ko-fi page.)
- Winners and authors who have made the shortlist will be notified by email no later than Friday 27th March 2026. The announcement of winners and shortlisted entries will also be made no later than this date.