Our current competition: New Writers Novel Prize 2026 – Deadline: 31st October 2026. Top Prize: £1,000 + Lifetime Access to The Novel Factory (Version 3).
If you would like us to publish details of a competition you are running, please complete the Listing Request Form.
Prizes: Winner: £100; four shortlisted poets will each receive a £25 National Book Token. The winning and shortlisted poems will be published in issue 120 of Happiful. Every entrant will be invited to an exclusive free online poetry webinar led by poet Sophie Dumont, delivered in partnership with the Rebecca Swift Foundation.
Line Limit: 25 lines max (excluding title)
Theme: Poems must be on the topic of mental health or wellbeing
Eligibility: The competition is open to anyone based in the UK or NI aged 18 or over
Judges: Two special guest judges, Deborah Alma and Richard Tyler, will join the Happiful editorial team to pick the winning and shortlisted poems
Entry Fee: $10 for Poetry or Flash (or $12 for three), $15 for Short Story
Prizes: Short Story: $1,000; Poetry: $300; Flash: $300; winners and selected finalists are considered for publication in F(r)iction
Word Limit: Short stories: 1,001–7,500 words; Poetry: up the three pages per poem; Creative Nonfiction: up to 6,500 words; Flash fiction: up to 1,000 words per piece
Judges: Joy Deva Baglio (Short Story), Renia White (Poetry), and Wes Blake (Flash Fiction)
Prizes: The top 3-4 Winners are announced and share the $1000 USD total prize pool equally. 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: The top 3-4 winners share in the $1,000 USD total prize pool equally. 10-20 writers are shortlisted. All entries considered for publication and for submission to the Pushcart Prize.
Prizes: First prize: Interview for the New2theScene podcast; £50 New2theScene vouchers; ‘Origins’ blog’; author bio and work featured on the New2theScene website; social media promotion; publication in an anthology; possible future projects not advertised on the site. Notable mentions: £15 New2theScene vouchers; possible publication in anthology
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.
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