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Flash Fiction Competition 2025 – Entry Form

FLASH FICTION COMPETITION 2025 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS – AT A GLANCE

  1. Pay the relevant entry fee (using the PayPal button below or THIS LINK) and take note of the Transaction ID.
  2. Complete the Entry Form below (including the PayPal ID) and click ‘Submit’.
  3. You will receive a confirmation email from NewWriters.org.uk confirming receipt of your entry or entries (if you don’t receive this within 24 hours – and you’ve checked your spam folder – please contact us: david@newwriters.org.uk).

(You can find more detailed instructions on the Terms and Conditions page.)


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Flash Fiction Competition Entry Form



Competition Details:

  • Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on Friday 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
  • Head Judge: Shreya Sen-Handley (Author, Columnist, Playwright and Illustrator)
  • 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: £1 from each entry will be donated to First Story (England’s leading creative writing charity for young people)
  • 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 2025, one low-income entry per person). Please see the terms and conditions for details.

Winners and authors who have made the shortlist will be notified by email no later than Friday 28th March 2025. The announcement of winners and shortlisted entries will also be made no later than this date.


Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Where will you publish the winning entries?

The three winning entries will be published on the NewWriters.org.uk website and in a future issue of the New Writers Anthology, our electronic literary journal.

Will any shortlisted or longlisted entries be published?

We hope to publish several entries from the shortlist and longlist in a future issue of the New Writers Anthology. We will contact entrants with the details after the competition winners have been announced.

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 15th January 2025.

Who is the Head Judge?

The head judge for this competition is the acclaimed author, columnist, playwright and illustrator, Shreya Sen-Handley.

Can I enter a poem rather than a story?

The Flash Fiction Competition is for prose rather than poetry (as we also run regular dedicated poetry competitions). Although poems will not be disqualified, we are generally seeking stories rather than poems. Having said that, prose poems with a narrative tilt might appeal to the judges.

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, £19 for two entries, £27 for three entries). Note that the maximum number of entries is three per person.

Is there a theme for the competition?

There is no specific theme. Stories can be about any subject or incorporate any theme or genre, although we are seeking stories that are likely to appeal to adult readers (as opposed to those specifically aimed at children). We don’t mean the stories have to have ‘adult themes’, but something specifically aimed at teens or younger children is unlikely to make the longlist.

Can you give a hint about what type of story might be successful?

Well-written stories that engage, excite or move the reader are likely to do well.

What is the word limit again?

300 words, excluding the title.


Please ensure you proofread your entry (or get someone else to) and ensure you read the full terms and conditions before entering. Please don’t go over the word limit (300 words max), and don’t include your name or other details on the entry. Please be aware that failure to follow the submission instructions or the terms and conditions will result in your entry being disqualified and no refund will be issued, so please take care.

Thank you and good luck!