Prizes: 2-4 Winners are announced who share in the $1000 USD total prize pool. Winners may choose to have an extract published, and receive a letter of recommendation from our Judges. 10-20 writers are Shortlisted.
Word Limit: First 5,000 words of your manuscript or 15 pages of poetry (see Letter Review site for full details)
Prizes: Two to four winners share in the $1,000 USD total prize pool. 10-20 writers Shortlisted. All entries considered for publication, and for submission to the Pushcart.
Entry Fee: £10 (for three poems or one short story)
Prizes: First prize: £1,000; second prize: £300; third prize: £200; published in Dorset Magazine, read entry at the 2026 Bournemouth Writing Festival celebration event
Line/Word Limit: Poetry - 30 lines; Short Story - 3,000 words
Categories: Poetry and Short Story Competitions
Judges: Ed Wood (Short Story) and Matthew West (Poetry)
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.
If you find this page and our site useful, please consider making a small donation through our Ko-fi page. This will help us offer regular free-to-enter competitions and free entries to our paid-entry competitions for those on low incomes.
Please sign up to our free monthly newsletter. Subscribers gain exclusive access to our free-to-enter competitions, entrance into free prize draws, latest writing competitions and events.