BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//NewWriters.org.uk - ECPv6.16.4.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://newwriters.org.uk
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for NewWriters.org.uk
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:UTC
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:UTC
DTSTART:20240101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260601
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260602
DTSTAMP:20260519T094315Z
CREATED:20260518T064617Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260519T094315Z
UID:5309-1780272000-1780358399@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year Competition 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: Monday 1 June 2026\nEntry Fee: £5 for each poem\nPrizes: Winner: £300 (and named Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year(; Second place: £150; Third place: £75\nWord Limit: 60 lines maximum (excluding title and line breaks)\nJudges: Luigi Marchini (Chair\, SaveAs Writers Group)\, Lucy Crispin (Winner\, Poet of the Year 2025)\, Gillian Laker (Writer and Poet of the Year 2013)\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: canterburyfestival.co.uk/poet-of-the-year-2026\n\nThe Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year Competition 2026 is open to national and international entries with a closing date of 1st June 2026. With a maximum of 60 lines (excluding line breaks and title)\, there’s space to flex your poetic muscles.  \nPoems will be sent anonymously to the judging panel:\n•	Luigi Marchini (Chair\, SaveAs Writers Group)\n•	Lucy Crispin (Winner\, Poet of the Year 2025)\n•	Gillian Laker (Writer and Poet of the Year 2013) \nCheck out the Canterbury Festival website for the full terms and conditions.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/canterbury-festival-poetry-competition/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Canterbury-Festival-Poet-of-the-Year-Competition.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260531
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260601
DTSTAMP:20260408T094256Z
CREATED:20260408T094256Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T094256Z
UID:13849-1780185600-1780271999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Kirkstall Art Trail 2026 Poetry Competition
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on 31 May 2026\nEntry Fee: £4 each \nPrizes: National: £30; Local (Leeds postcode) £20\nLine Limit: 40 lines (Not including title)\nHead Judge: Kirkstall poet\, Jim Corah\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: kirkstallarttrail.co.uk/kirkstall-art-trail-2026-poetry-competition\n\nFor 2026\, Kirkstall Art Trail are launching their inaugural poetry competition with\, the surprisingly and appropriately named\, Kirkstall Art Trail Poetry Competition 2026.  \nWith two prizes\, one national and one local\, the organisers’ ambition is to produce a collection featuring the ten best submissions. The collection will be available for sale during the Kirkstall Art Trail weekend (18 and 19 July) and on their website. On Saturday\, 18 July\, there will be a spoken word event. To celebrate both the Poetry Competition and the Poetry Trail\, the organisers invite entrants to come along and read their poems. \nNote the 40-line limit (excluding the title) and the £4 entry fee. Full details can be found on the competition website.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/kirkstall-art-trail-poetry-competition/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Kirkstall-Art-Trail-Poetry-Competition-e1775641350280.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260531
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260601
DTSTAMP:20260408T093608Z
CREATED:20260402T120945Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T093608Z
UID:13791-1780185600-1780271999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Stainsby Festival National Poetry Competition
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on 31 May 2026\nEntry Fee: £6 each or £10 for two\nPrizes: The winner will be invited to a paid residency at the 2027 festival; Three winning poems will be published online; Shortlisted poets will be invited to read their work at this year’s festival\nLine Limit: 42 lines (Not including title)\nHead Judge: Roger McGough\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: stainsbyfestival.org/poetry/\n\nStainsby Festival has announced its inaugural National Poetry Competition to be held at this year’s event. The festival has featured spoken word with previous performances by\, Longfella (aka the Manchester poet Tony Walsh)\, the former Derbyshire Poet Laureate Mat Black\, the Bard of Windmill Hill\, the stand up poet Live Torc\, as well as numerous aspiring local poets. \nThe new competition will be judged by legendary poet\, Roger McGough. The voice of poetry on Radio 4’s Poetry Please for over 25 years\, he’s known for his work nationally and internationally\, as well as being a bit famous in Liverpool. \nShortlisted poets will be invited to read their work (or have it read) at this year’s festival in Roger’s presence. Three winning poems will be published online and (possibly) in this year’s festival programme. The overall winner will be invited to a paid residency at the 2027 festival\, which is a fantastic opportunity for any aspiring poet.  \nThe organisers are seeking accessible poems on any subject (no\, it doesn’t have to be about festivals or music or gatherings) – so really\, any subject you choose but to a maximum of 42 lines. Please see the competition website for the full details.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/stainsby-festival-national-poetry-competition/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Stainsby-Festival-Poetry-Competition-e1775131478629.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260531
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260601
DTSTAMP:20260401T082617Z
CREATED:20260401T082347Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T082617Z
UID:13774-1780185600-1780271999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Hay Festival Room to Write
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 12pm (BST) on 31 May 2026\nEntry Fee: FREE\nEligibility: UK-based published writers of fiction or non-fiction or poetry (at least one book) aged 18+\nPrizes: Eight writers will each win an Airbnb coupon worth £1\,500\nWord Limit: Entrants must provide a description of their work (max 500 words)\, a short writing sample (max 500 words)\, and a brief writer biography (max 200 words)\nPrompt: Write a story that includes change or transformation.\nCategory: Short Story\, Flash Fiction\, Poetry\, Novel\, Non-Fiction Competitions\nCompetition Website: https://www.hayfestival.com/room-to-write\n\nIn the UK’s National Year of Reading\, Airbnb will partner with arts charity Hay Festival to launch Room to Write – a new writing award.\nRooted in Hay Festival’s commitment to nurturing contemporary writing and Airbnb’s mission to enable meaningful travel and connection\, Room to Write champions creativity and the importance of place and space in storytelling.\nDeveloped with Hay Festival to support writers at a critical stage in their career\, the Room to Write award recognises that time\, space\, and a change of environment are essential to fuel creativity and often inaccessible due to financial or personal constraints.\nOpen to UK-based writers\, the award offers eight recipients an Airbnb coupon worth £1\,500\, enabling them to stay in a UK location of their choosing to support focused writing.\nApplications for the award are open now here\, closing Sunday 31 May. See the website for detailed full terms and conditions.\nAn accompanying digital content series\, recorded at the Festival’s flagship UK edition\, 21–31 May\, will feature established writers sharing their top writing tips and reflections on the role of place in storytelling\, to engage a wider audience in creative inspiration.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/hay-festival-room-to-write/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions,Non-fiction Competitions,Novel Competitions,Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Hay-Festival-Room-to-Write-e1775031953659.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260531
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260601
DTSTAMP:20260402T113021Z
CREATED:20251020T095120Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T113021Z
UID:1172-1780185600-1780271999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Bridport Prize 2026 - Poetry
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on 31 May 2026\nEntry Fee: £13 per entry\nPrizes: First prize: £5\,000; second prize: £1\,000; third prize: £500; highly commended: 10 x £100\nLine Limit: 42 lines (Not including title)\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: bridportprize.org.uk/the-competition/poetry\n\nCompetition Details\nThe Bridport Prize is one of the most prestigious (and lucrative) writing competitions around that is open to unpublished writers. The Bridport Prize for Poetry offers an amazing £5\,000 top prize\, but even making it onto the shortlist gives the poet an important addition to their CV. \nAt £13 per entry\, it’s not not bad value given the prize\, and if you are serious about your verse\, you might as well aim high. And if you win the Bridport Prize (in any category) it can garner a lot of attention and open plenty of doors. \nNote that the 42-line limit doesn’t include the title of the poem or lines between stanzas. Ensure you read the submission instructions carefully (for instance you need to add the line count to the entry and submit in 12pt\, black font). \nThe following additional prizes may also apply to entrants who fit certain criteria: \nYoung Writer Award £500 – For the highest placed writer aged 16 to 25 in poetry\, short story\, flash fiction and novel. \nNever Too Late Award – This £500 award is given to the highest placed writer aged 60+ in Poetry\, Short Story\, Novel and Flash Fiction. The winning piece will feature in our anthology\, which counts as being published and opens doors with literary agents and publishers. It also accesses other competitions not available to the public. \nDorset Award £100 – Given to the highest placed Dorset writer in poetry\, short story\, flash fiction and novel. Sponsored by The Bookshop\, Bridport.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/bridport-prize-poetry/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Bridport-Prize.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260531
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260601
DTSTAMP:20251020T093908Z
CREATED:20251007T102106Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251020T093908Z
UID:11568-1780185600-1780271999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Frogmore Poetry Prize 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 on Sunday 31 May 2026\nEntry Fee: £4 per poem\nPrizes: First prize: 250 guineas (£262.50) + 2-year subscription to The Frogmore Papers. Runners-up: 75\, 50 guineas + one-year subscriptions\nWord Limit: 40 lines\nTheme/Genre: Any\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: frogmorepress.co.uk/frogmore-poetry-prize\n\nThe Frogmore Poetry Prize was founded in 1987 and will be awarded for the 40th time in 2026. Previous winners include Sharon Black\, Tobias Hill\, Mario Petrucci and Emily Wills.  \nAll shortlisted poems will be published in the 108th edition of The Frogmore Papers in September 2026. The 40th Frogmore Prize will be adjudicated by poet and publisher Mike Barlow\, a previous winner of the National Poetry Competition\, who will read all entries. \nRead the full rules and entry details on the competition website.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/frogmore-poetry-prize/
LOCATION:VirtualLocation
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/pexels-leah-kelley-952594-e1710765926792.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260531
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260601
DTSTAMP:20260226T095050Z
CREATED:20250225T184352Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T095050Z
UID:9972-1780185600-1780271999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Whispering Wisdom Poetry Prize
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 11.59 pm on Sunday 31st May 2026\nEntry Fee: £5 per poem (additional entries £4 each)\nPrizes: 1st: £250\, 2nd: £50\, 3rd: £50\nWord Limit: Up to 40 lines (excluding title and line breaks)\nJudges: Whispering Wisdom and Award-winning Poet and Screenwriter\, Peter Devonald and Whispering Wisdom Founder\, Chris Allen\nTheme: A theme of your choice\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCharity: 5% of profits will be shared between our two chosen charities for 2025/26 – Sarcoidosis UK and Narcolepsy UK.\nCompetition Website: whisperingwisdom.co.uk/competitions\n\nThe Whispering Wisdom Poetry Prize is open for entries and is seeking poems on the theme of your choice. The top prize is £250 and 5% of the profits from the competition will be split between two excellent charities. In addition to the top prize\, there are additional £50 prizes for second and third place. \nAll entries will be judged blindly\, based on creativity\, resonance\, and technical craft. Chris Allen\, founder of  Whispering Wisdom\, will be joined by award-winning poet and screenwriter Peter Devonald on the judging panel. Winners will be announced on Friday 14th August 2026. Check out the competition website for further information.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/whispering-wisdom-poetry-prize/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Whispering-Wisdom-Poetry-Prize.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260515
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260516
DTSTAMP:20260422T101724Z
CREATED:20260416T132839Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T101724Z
UID:13983-1778803200-1778889599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:F(r)iction Writing Contests - Spring 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23:59 (Denver Time) on 15th May 2026\nEntry Fee: $10 for Poetry or Flash\, $15 for Short Story or Creative Nonfiction\nPrizes: Short Story: $1\,000; Creative Nonfiction: $500; Poetry: $300; Flash: $300; winners and selected finalists are considered for publication in F(r)iction\nWord 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\nJudges: Manuel Aragon (Short Stories)\, Trish Broome (Poetry)\, Shannon Chen See (Creative Nonfiction)\, Brett Pribble (Flash)\nCategories: Short Story | Poetry | Fiction | Creative Nonfiction\nCompetition Website:  frictionlit.org/contests/\n\nThe Spring 2026 F(r)iction Contests are open to entries of Short Story\, Poetry\, Creative Nonfiction\, and Flash Fiction. \nIn their writing contests\, they seek writing that reflects a similar mission to our journal\, F(r)iction: work that actively pushes the boundaries of traditional publishing\, that has complex characters and a strong narrative arc\, and makes the reader feel something. They are seeking stories they haven’t seen before\, whether it twists or plays with genre\, setting\, language\, voice\, you name it.  \nTheir contests also feature a panel of three guest judges to help decide the winners for each category. For Spring 2026\, they have Manuel Aragon judging Short Story\, Brett Pribble judging Flash Fiction\, Shannon Chen See judging Creative Nonfiction\, and Trish Broome judging Poetry.  \nWinners in each category will receive a cash prize\, as well as work with one of their Senior Editors to see their work published either online or in our print journal!
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/friction-writing-contests/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions,Non-fiction Competitions,Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/forminator/11105_07c4da8b0460f6fad9fa069e751f5fa4/uploads/ZGHijsQ4CY0e-contests-general-S26-e1776345850993.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260506
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260507
DTSTAMP:20260408T150404Z
CREATED:20260406T104524Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T150404Z
UID:7710-1778025600-1778111999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Wigtown International Poetry Prize 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 12.00 Noon on 6th May 2026\nEntry Fee: £10\nPrizes: Winner: £1\,500\, Runner-up: £200\nWord Limit: 40 lines\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website:  wigtownpoetryprize.com/poetry-competition\n\nFounded in 2005\, the Wigtown Poetry Prizes are some of the UK’s best established writing competitions\, offering awards in all three of Scotland’s languages with a prize pot of over £3\,000. The 2026 prizes mark more than two decades of Wigtown Poetry Prizes and over £50\,000 awarded to emerging and established poets. \nThe competition closes on 6th May 2026\, with a prize-giving at Wigtown Book Festival in the autumn.  \nNote that in addition to the International Prize\, the following prizes are also available (check the site for the relevant entry fees): \n– Wigtown Scots Prize: £500\, Runner-up: £200 (Supported by Saltire Society)\n– Wigtown Scottish Gaelic Prize: £500\, Runner-up: £200 (Supported by The Gaelic Books Council)\n– Dumfries & Galloway Fresh Voice Award: Professional support including mentoring by Wigtown Festival Company and a retreat at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre\n– Alastair Reid Pamphlet Prize: 30 copies of a pamphlet of your work set by Gerry Cambridge (Supported by The Dark Horse Magazine) \nCheck out the competition website for the full details of how to enter.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/wigtown-international-poetry-prize/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Wigtown-Poetry-Competition-e1736855588989.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260502
DTSTAMP:20260402T135403Z
CREATED:20260330T101607Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T135403Z
UID:4200-1777593600-1777679999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Alpine Fellowship Poetry Prize 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on 1st May 2026\nEntry Fee:  £10 per entry\nPrizes: 1st Place: £3\,000; 2nd: £1\,000; 3rd: £1\,000\nWord Limit: 500 words\nTheme: JOY\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website:  alpinefellowship.com/poetry-prize\n\nThis amazing free-to-enter poetry competition from the Alpine Fellowship is open to poems (or collections of poems) of up to 500 words. It is also open to all nationalities\, though applicants must be aged 18 or above at the time of entry and all entries must be written in English. Applicants can only enter one of the prizes and are limited to one entry per person.  \nNote that the winner and runners-up will receive cash prizes and will be invited to attend the Alpine Fellowship’s annual symposium. The organisation will offer up to £500 travel expenses to help with travel to the event and meals and accommodation during the symposium dates are also covered. \nThe Alpine Fellowship Poetry Prize 2026 will be awarded for the best poetic response on the theme of JOY.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/alpine-fellowship-writing-poetry-prize/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Alpine-Fellowship-Prize.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260430
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTSTAMP:20260225T141435Z
CREATED:20260224T173211Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T141435Z
UID:8426-1777507200-1777593599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Ware Poets Open Poetry Competition 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: Midnight (UK time) on 30th April 2025\nEntry Fee: £5 per poem\nPrizes: First prize £1\,000\, Second prize £500\, Third prize £200\, Sonnet prize £200\, Local prize: £200 (resident of Herts or Essex)\nWord Limit: 50 lines maximum\nJudge: Keith Jarrett\, multiple poetry slam champion\, writer and teacher of poetry\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: warepoets.org/competition-2026\n\nThe Ware Poets 28th annual Open Poetry Competition is open to entries of up to 50 lines. The winning poem will be awarded £1\,000 and entered for the Forward Prize. There are also prizes for second (£500)\, third (£200)\, and the best sonnet (£200)\, as well as a prize for the best poem from a for a poem by a resident of Hertfordshire or Essex (£200). All prize-winning and commended poets will be invited to read their poem at an informal\, celebratory prize-giving event.  \nThis year’s judge is Keith Jarrett. A multiple poetry slam champion\, he was selected for the International Literary Showcase as an outstanding LGBT writer. His poem\, ‘From the Log Book’\, was projected onto St. Paul’s Cathedral. His play\, Safest Spot in Town\, was performed at the Old Vic and aired on BBC Four.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/ware-poets-competition/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ware-Poets-Open-Poetry-Competition-2026-scaled-e1772028748566.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260401
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260402
DTSTAMP:20250923T090909Z
CREATED:20250923T090221Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250923T090909Z
UID:11372-1775001600-1775087999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 1st April 2026\nEntry Fee: FREE\nPrizes: First Prize: $2\,000 plus a two-year gift certificate from co-sponsor\, Duotrope (a $100 value); Second Prize: $500; Third Prize: $250; Honorable Mentions: 10 awards of $100 each; Top 13 entries published online\nWord Limit: 250 lines maximum\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nJudges: Jendi Reiter\, assisted by Lauren Singer\nCompetition Website:  winningwriters.com/our-contests/wergle-flomp-humor-poetry-contest-free\n\nRun by Winning Writers (with co-sponsor\, Duotrope)\, The Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest has been running for a quarter of a century\, and this highly regarded competition offers generous prizes (£3\,750 in total) AND is free to enter.  \nNote that the contest is for humorous poems only – serious poems will not stand a chance of winning so save them for a different contest.  \nThe results for the contest will be announced on 15th August 2026.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/wergle-flomp-humor-poetry-contest/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Wergle-Flomp-Humor-Poetry-Contest.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260331
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260401
DTSTAMP:20251009T133848Z
CREATED:20251009T133848Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251009T133848Z
UID:11594-1774915200-1775001599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Fish Poetry Prize 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 31 March 2026\nEntry Fee: €16 (€11 subsequent entries); €45 for optional critique\nPrizes: 1st Place: €1\,000; 2nd: €300 + an online writing course; 3rd: €300\nWord Limit: 60 lines\nJudge:  Billy Collins\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: fishpublishing.com/competition/poetry-contest\n\nThe Fish Flash Fiction Prize\, run by west Ireland-based Fish Publishing\, offers a top prize of €1\,000 and is judged by the poet Billy Collins. The €16 entry fee might seem a little steep\, but subsequent entries cost a little less at €11. There is the option to pay an extra €45 to get a critique of your entry\, if that appeals to you. \nAside from the prizes listed above\, the top 10 stories will be published in the next Fish Anthology\, which is a great way to get your writing out to a wider audience. So if you have written a poem you’re particularly proud of\, the Fish Poetry Prize could be for you.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/fish-poetry-prize/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Fishing-Short-Story-Prize.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260321
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260322
DTSTAMP:20260226T143835Z
CREATED:20260226T143540Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T143835Z
UID:13432-1774051200-1774137599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:New Writers Sonnet Competition 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on Saturday 21st March 2026 (World Poetry Day)\nEntry Fee: FREE to newsletter subscribers (which is also free)\nPrizes: 1st Place: £50 plus one free entry to the New Writers 100-Word Writing Competition 2026\nPublication: On the NewWriters.org.uk website and in the next New Writers Anthology\nWord Limit: 14 lines (excluding title)\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nHow to Enter: Sign up to our free monthly newsletter (if you haven’t already)\, and submit your sonnet through the entry form.\n\nTo celebrate World Poetry Day on 21st March\, we welcome entries to the New Writers Sonnet Competition 2026. \nThe competition is FREE to enter\, but entrants must sign up to our NewWriters.org.uk Newsletter\, which is also free (use THIS LINK to sign up if you haven’t already). \nOur monthly newsletter includes details of upcoming writing competitions (including our current 100-Word Writing Competition with a £1\,000 top prize!)\, along with tips and prompts and other news or offers we think might interest writers. We don’t share subscribers’ information with anyone else. \nYour sonnet of 14 lines doesn’t have to strictly adhere to traditional rhyming schemes or stanza lengths\, but it should attempt to fit at least some of the sonnet ‘rules’. \nFor more information of the possible structures a sonnet could take\, check out the Poetry Foundation website and this useful introduction from BBC Bitesize. \nWe’re happy to receive traditional Petrarchan sonnets or English (aka Shakespearean) sonnets\, Equally\, if you want to experiment with the form\, that’s fine too (as long as you stick to 14 lines\, please). \nPlease give your entry a title that isn’t simply ‘Sonnet’\, and please don’t include your name on the entry. One entry per person. \nEntry to this free competition assumes you accept the following terms and conditions: \n\nEntries must be the sole work of the entrant and no AI or similar software may have been used to write it. One entry per person.\nEntries must be unpublished\, either in print or online (including social media).\nEntrants must be aged 18 years or older at the time of entry.\nEntries must be 14 lines and identifiable as a sonnet in some way.\nThe winner of competition will be paid a £50 prize and will receive one free entry to the New Writers 100-Word Writing Competition 2026 (worth £10\, deadline 30th April 2026).\nResults of the competition will be published in the NewWriters.org.uk newsletter no later than 23rd April 2026 (Shakespeare’s birthday). The winning entry will be published on the website soon after and in the next New Writers Anthology.\n\nNew Writers Sonnet Competition 2026 – Entry Form\nYour email *First Name(s) *Last Name *Pen Name or Alias (if applicable)The name you would like us to use if you make the short or longlist (or you win!)Title of Entry *Upload your entry *Choose FileNo file chosenDelete uploaded fileTick to confirm you have read and agree to the competition terms and conditions and that you have signed up to the free New Writers Newsletter. SUBMITPlease do not fill in this field.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/new-writers-sonnet-competition/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/New-Writers-Sonnet-Competition-1-e1772116680964.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260311
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260312
DTSTAMP:20260212T110518Z
CREATED:20260212T110518Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T110518Z
UID:13317-1773187200-1773273599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Mairtin Crawford Awards for Poetry and Short Story
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 12pm (midday UK time) on Wednesday 11 March 2026\nEntry Fee: £10\nPrizes: The Winner of each Award will receive a £500 cash Prize; In addition\, each Winner can take up time a ‘Time to Write’ package which includes a 3-night stay at a Hotel in Belfast\, and 4 days of dedicated writing space in The Crescent. Two Runners Up for each Category will receive a £250 cash prize.\nWord Limit: Poetry Award: between 3-5 poems of up to 60 lines each. Short Story of up to 2\,500 words.\nCategory: Short Story Competitions / Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website:  belfastbookfestival.com/mairtin-crawford-award\n\nThe Mairtín Crawford Awards are aimed at writers working towards their first full collection of poetry\, short stories\, or a novel. Both published and unpublished writers are invited to submit between 3-5 poems for the poetry award\, and a short story of up to 2\,500 words for the short story award\, with the only stipulation being that they have not yet published a full collection of poetry\, short stories\, or a novel. \nThe Winner of each Award will receive a £500 cash Prize. In addition\, each Winner can take up time a ‘Time to Write’ package which includes a 3-night stay at a Hotel in Belfast\, and 4 days of dedicated writing space in The Crescent. Two Runners Up for each Category will receive a £250 cash prize. \nJudging the 10th Mairtín Crawford Poetry Award will be: Kathleen McCracken and Dawn Watson. With support from Milena Williamson. Whilst the 9th Short Story Award will be judged by: Lucy Caldwell (Chair) and Wendy Erskine with support from Riley Johnston. The Patron of the Awards is Moyra Donaldson. The organisers offer thanks to the supporters of the 2026 Awards: Hastings Hotels and No Alibis Bookshop.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/mairtin-crawford-awards-poetry-short-story/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Mairtin-Crawford-Awards-for-Poetry-and-Short-Story.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260228
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260301
DTSTAMP:20250922T130759Z
CREATED:20250921T082154Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250922T130759Z
UID:7002-1772236800-1772323199@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Canterbury Tales Writing Competition 2025/26
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: Midnight (UK time) on 28 February 2026\nEntry Fee: FREE\nPrizes: For entrant: 1st £300\, 2nd £150\, 3rd £100 (Prizes for entrant’s school library: 1st £1000\, 2nd £500\, 3rd £250)\nWord Limit: 500 words\nTheme/Genre: Happily ever after?\nEligibility: The three age groups are: Junior – 5-10 years old\, Intermediate – 11-14 years old\, Senior – 15-18 years old\nCategory: Story/Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: chaucer.org.uk/canterbury-tales-writing-competition-2025-26-happily-ever-after\n\nThis competition is organised by The Chaucer Heritage Trust (which was founded in 1992 and aims to further interest\, understanding and appreciation of the works of Geoffrey Chaucer\, his life and times\, and influence).  \nThe special theme of the competition this year is ‘Happily ever after?’ and the competition is open to all students of school age including not only those in schools and college communities\, but also students who are home educated and in any other young people’s community organisations. The three age groups are: Junior – 5-10 years old\, Intermediate – 11-14 years old\, Senior – 15-18 years old (based on the entrant’s age on 28 February 2026). \nEntrants should invoke the spirit of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales and must choose ONE of the following:\n– Write a poem or story that ends happily\n– Write a poem or story that ends happily\, but not for everyone\n– Write a description (in verse or prose) of a character who comes to a bad end \nMore details available on the competition site.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/canterbury-tales-writing-competition/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/pexels-pixabay-207636.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260227
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260228
DTSTAMP:20251021T084719Z
CREATED:20251020T094631Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T084719Z
UID:11685-1772150400-1772236799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Classical Association Verse and Voice Competition
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23:59 (GMT) on Friday 27 February 2026\nEntry Fee:  FREE\nPrizes: Share of £2\,000 prize money\nWord Limit: 1\,000 words\nTheme/Genre: Inspired by classical objects from Sir John Soane’s Museum\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: classicalassociation.org/verse-and-voice-competition\n\nThe Classical Association is delighted to be working in collaboration with Sir John Soane’s Museum in London to open entries for our 2026 Verse and Voice Competition\, which is free for everyone to enter\, of any age\, across the world. Explore the fascinating classical objects in the Sir John Soane collection and be creatively inspired to submit your poems and spoken word pieces! \nEntries must not have been previously published or accepted for publication in print or online by a third party. Selected entries may be published on the competition website. \nNote that there are three age categories:\n– Junior: aged 11 and under\n– Senior: aged 12-18\n– Open: aged 19 and above \nEntries can be submitted as Verse (written poem) or Voice (spoken word): \nVerse (Written Poem) Category \n\nYou must be inspired by one or more of the ten inspiration objects.\nThere is no specific prompt or any restriction upon the style of your poem. Be creative!\nPoems must not exceed 1000 words in length.\n\nVoice (Spoken Word) Category \n\nYou must be inspired by one or more of the ten inspiration objects.\nYour spoken word piece must not exceed 8 minutes in length.\nYou must upload your video to YouTube unlisted.\nIn the description box of your video you must state the following: ‘this is an entry for the 2026 CA Competition and the views and opinions in this work are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of The Classical Association or Sir John Soane’s Museum’.\n\nThere are two fantastic judges for the competition: Helen Dorey\, MBE – Deputy Director and Inspectress of Sir John Soane’s Museum\, and Barney Norris – Award-winning writer.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/classical-association-verse-voice-competition/
LOCATION:VirtualLocation
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Verse-and-Voice.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260215
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260216
DTSTAMP:20251120T133751Z
CREATED:20251119T105106Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251120T133751Z
UID:3955-1771113600-1771199999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:3-Minute Writing Competition
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 15th February 2026\nEntry Fees: £6 for first entry\, £3 for subsequent entries (in the same category)\nPrizes: £70 plus winning entries will be performed at the Mini-Arts Festival in Glaisdale\nWord Limit: Three minutes/500 words or fewer (excluding title)\nCategory: Song/Play/Story Competitions\nCompetition Website: 3-minutearts.uk/writing-competition\n\nThe 3-Minute Arts Writing Competition is seeking stories\, plays or songs that last three minutes. The winning entries will be performed at Glaisdale’s 3-Minute Arts Fest\, and the cash part of the prize will be £70. This could be a fun and interesting way to get your work performed rather than simply published\, so get involved. \nNote that the judges for the competition are: Lydia Reid – story\, Martin Vander Weyer – drama\, story\, Lisa Williams – drama\, story\, Mark Stratton – drama\, Maddy Prior – song\, Sarah Dew – song\, Angela Hannaford – song\, Mark Goodall – song.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/3-minute-writing-competition/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions,Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/3-Minute-Writing-Competition.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260201
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTSTAMP:20260226T152545Z
CREATED:20260129T101720Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T152545Z
UID:8475-1769904000-1777593599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:New Writers 100-Word Writing Competition 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on Thursday 30th April 2026\nEntry Fee: £10 for one entry\, £18 for two entries\, £26 for three entries\nPrizes: 1st Place: £1\,000; 4x Runners-up prizes of £100 each; top five entries will be published online\nWord Limit: 100 words (excluding title)\nCharity: 10% of entry fee proceeds will be donated to Duchenne UK\nJudges: Editorial team at NewWriters.org.uk\nEligibility: Open to poetry or prose from writers aged 18 or above based anywhere in the world\nCompetition Page: newwriters.org.uk/100-word-competition\n\nThe New Writers 100-Word Writing Competition 2026 is seeking imaginative\, thought-provoking stories or poems of up to 100 words. With an increased prize fund of £1\,400 and the top five entries getting published on the website and in a future New Writers Anthology\, this is a great competition for new and experienced writers alike. \nThe winner will be awarded £1\,000\, while four runners-up will be awarded £100 each. \n \nAlso\, 10% of the proceeds of the competition will donated to Duchenne UK\, the UK’s leading charity seeking a cure and effective treatments for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). So even if you don’t win\, you’ll still be contributing to a good cause. \nIn addition\, the New Writers Editor\, David Hanson\, is undertaking a sponsored 200-mile London to Paris cycle ride (the Duchenne Dash) to raise additional funds for the charity. If you’d like to support the charity (and encourage his efforts)\, please check out his Just Giving page HERE. Any donations would be massively appreciated. \nWe want to make the competition accessible to as many writers as possible. We therefore have a limited number of free entries for low-income writers\, available on a first-come\, first-served basis (up to 22nd April 2026). Please see the terms and conditions for details. \nSo if you’d like the chance to win up to £500 for (up to) 100 words\, get involved.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/100-word-writing-competition/
LOCATION:VirtualLocation
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions,Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Long-Logo1-e1740652090620.png
ORGANIZER;CN="New Writers UK":MAILTO:competitions@newwriters.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260201
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260202
DTSTAMP:20251117T144950Z
CREATED:20251114T124429Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251117T144950Z
UID:7220-1769904000-1769990399@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Latin Programme Poetry Prize VI
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 1st February 2026\nSuggested Entry Fee:  £14\nPrizes: Winner: £200; All shortlisted poems will be included in our Poetry Prize Anthology.\nLine Limit: 40 lines max\nTheme: ‘All roads via Rome’\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: thelatinprogramme.co.uk/poetryprize-vi\n\nThis is the sixth annual poetry prize organised by The Latin Programme – a charity promoting the learning of Latin in schools. The winner of the competition will earn £200 and all shortlisted poems will be included in our Poetry Prize Anthology. They will also be invited to share their work at a prize giving event. \nNote that the prompt for the competition – ‘All roads via Rome’ – can be interpreted as you see fit. Entries are not required to reference Latin or the ancient world specifically. Although words or phrases in other languages are permitted\, entries should be written predominantly in English. The prize is open to adults (18+). \nCheck the competition site for further details.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/latin-programme-poetry-prize/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Latin-Programme-Poetry-Prize-VI.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260119
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260120
DTSTAMP:20251125T091500Z
CREATED:20251124T133836Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251125T091500Z
UID:3753-1768780800-1768867199@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Page Is Printed 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on Monday 19th January 2026\nEntry Fee: £5 for one entry\, £10 for three (FREE for under 18s)\nPrizes: First prize (adults): £100 voucher; First prize (under 18s): £25 voucher\nWord Limit: Single side of A4\nCompetition Website: tacchi-morris.com/the-page-is-printed\n\nThe Page is Printed creative writing competition is run by the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre in Taunton\, Somerset\, and is different to most writing competitions in that it accepts any type of writing as long as it fits on a single side of A4. So whether you want to write prose\, poetry\, script\, a confession\, a love letter or anything else\, this could be the perfect competition for you. \nNote that there is a fee for entries from adults\, but those aged under 18 can enter for free. There is an Open prize and an additional prize for resident of Somerset. Entry to the competition also entitles you to one free tickets for the Celebration Evening on 15th February 2025\, at which the winners to the competition will be announced. There is also an additional prize of £25 for the “Best on the Night”. \nThere are four categories\, each with their own prizes: \n– The Somerset Prize (£100 voucher to Uk.Bookshop.org) is awarded to the best submission from a Somerset based writer. There is also an under 18’s version of this category with a £25 voucher prize available.\n– The Open Prize (£100 voucher to Uk.Bookshop.org for UK based winners\, or Waterstones.com for overseas winners) is awarded to the best submission regardless of the writer’s geographic location. Again\, there is a separate under 18’s version of this category with a £25 voucher prize. \nThe competition is assessed by a panel of judges\, which includes local award-winning poet Graeme Ryan.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/page-is-printed-competition/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions,Non-fiction Competitions,Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/The-Page-is-Printed-2026-Creative-Writing-Competition.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251231
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260101
DTSTAMP:20251009T135522Z
CREATED:20251007T114848Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251009T135522Z
UID:397-1767139200-1767225599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Moth Poetry Prize 2025
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 31 December 2025\nEntry Fee: €16 per poem\nPrizes: 1st Place: €6\,000; 3x runner-up prizes of €1\,000; 8x prizes of €250 for commended poems\nLine Limit: No limit\nJudge: Ishion Hutchinson (winner of numerous poetry prizes and Professor in the Humanities at Cornell University in New York)\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: themothmagazine.com\n\nCompetition Details\nThe Moth Poetry Prize offers a whopping €6\,000 prize\, which is one of the biggest out there for a single poem. There are also three runners-up prizes of €1\,000 and eight prizes of €250 for commended poems.  \nThe competition is open to poems that have never been published\, self-published\, published online or broadcast. Unlike many poetry competitions\, there is no line limit\, and poems can be about any subject you like. \nThe judge for the competition is Ishion Hutchinson\, who is the author of three poetry collections\, is a recipient of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry\, the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature and the Windham-Campbell Prize for Poetry\, among others. He is Professor in the Humanities at Cornell University in New York and recently published his essay collection\, Fugitive Tilts\, which New York Magazine described as ‘thrilling’. \nThere’s no specific time given for the close of entries on 31 December 2025\, so don’t leave it until the last minute. The cost to enter is €16 per poem and you need to make the payment through PayPal.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/moth-poetry-prize/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moth-Poetry-Competition.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251212
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251213
DTSTAMP:20260226T132515Z
CREATED:20251118T105031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T132515Z
UID:12110-1765497600-1765583999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:New Writers Festive 50-Word Competition 2025
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on Friday 12th December 2025\nEntry Fee: FREE to newsletter subscribers (which is also free)\nPrizes: 1st Place: £50 plus one free entry to the New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2026\nPublication: On the NewWriters.org.uk website and in the next New Writers Anthology\nWord Limit: 50 words (excluding title)\nTheme: Festive\nCategory: Flash Fiction / Poetry Competitions\nHow to Enter: Sign up to our free monthly newsletter (if you haven’t already)\, and submit your entry through the form.\n\nThis competition is free to enter\, but entrants must sign up to the NewWriters.org.uk newsletter (use THIS LINK to sign up if you haven’t already). \nOur monthly newsletter includes details of upcoming writing competitions (including our current Flash Fiction Competition with a £1\,100 top prize!)\, along with tips and prompts and other news or offers we think might interest writers. We don’t share subscribers’ information with anyone else. \nYour festive-themed entry of up to 50 words can be prose or poetry. Please give your entry a title that isn’t ‘Festive’ and please don’t include your name on the entry. One entry per person. \nEntry to this free competition assumes you accept the following terms and conditions: \n\nEntries must be the sole work of the entrant and no AI or similar software may have been used to write it. One entry per person.\nEntries must be unpublished\, either in print or online (including social media).\nEntrants must be aged 16 years or older at the time of entry.\nEntries must be related to the theme of ‘Festive’ – though you can interpret that as loosely as you like.\nThe winner of competition will be paid a £50 prize and will receive one free entry to the New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2025 (worth £10\, deadline 31st January 2026).\nResults of the competition will be published in the NewWriters.org.uk newsletter in December 2025 and the winning entry will be published on the website soon after and in the Anthology in 2026.\n\nNew Writers Festive 50-Word Writing Competition 2025 – Entry Form\nYour email *First Name(s) *Last Name *Pen Name or Alias (if applicable)The name you would like us to use if you make the short or longlist (or you win!)Title of Entry *Upload your entry *Choose FileNo file chosenDelete uploaded fileTick to confirm you have read and agree to the competition terms and conditions and that you have signed up to the free New Writers Newsletter. SUBMITPlease do not fill in this field.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/festive-50-word-competition-2025/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions,Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/New-Writers-2-scaled-e1763463313133.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251130
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251201
DTSTAMP:20251125T095112Z
CREATED:20251019T120638Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251125T095112Z
UID:6589-1764460800-1764547199@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Dark Poets Prize - Edition IV
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 30th November 2025\nEntry Fee: £6 for the first poem\, £10 for three poems\, £14 for five poems\nPrizes: First Prize: £1000 plus a Dark Poets Prize certification and a Dark Poets Club T-shirt\nWord Limit: 250 words\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: https://www.darkpoets.club/darkpoetsprize\n\nThe fourth edition of the Dark Poets Prize is open for entries until 30th November 2025. The winner will receive £1000\, a certificate of the win\, and Dark Poets Club merchandise. More information can be found on the competition site. \nDark Poets Club is a global collective for all inspiring\, emerging\, and established poets whose written expressions lean towards “darker” themes\, or as we like to call it\, real-world rawness. They love poetry that is beautiful\, honest\, and comes from that deeper voice within. While many publications may find your expression a little too heavy\, the Dark Poets Club want to read\, love\, and share it. They always encourage our club members to stay true to their art and never sugarcoat it for anybody. \nA portion of funds from the Dark Poets Prize IV submissions will be donated to SANE\, a mental health charity doing vital work to support people affected by mental illness.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/dark-poets-prize/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Dark-Poets-Club.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251130
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251201
DTSTAMP:20250901T095046Z
CREATED:20250808T100304Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250901T095046Z
UID:3535-1764460800-1764547199@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: Midnight on 30 November 2025\nEntry Fee: €7 per poem or €30 for a batch of five\nPrizes: Winner: €2\,000 and featured reading at the Cork International Poetry Festival ; 2nd Prize: €500; 3rd Prize: €250; 10 Runners-up: €50 (Winners and runners-up will also be published in the Southword literary journal)\nWord Limit: 40 lines (excluding the title)\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website:  munsterlit.ie/odonoghue-competition\n\nThe Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition is sponsored by the Munster Literature Centre and has been running since 2010. The prize is named in honour of the late Irish poet long associated with the Centre. \nAs well as the tidy cash prize\, the winning poet will also have their poem featured at the Cork International Poetry Festival (with a four-night hotel stay and full board!)\, and it will feature on the Southword Poetry Podcast and be published in the Southword literary journal. \nPlease read the submission details and rules carefully (for instance\, PDFs are not permitted). And good luck!
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/gregory-odonoghue-poetry-competition/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Gregory-ODonoghue-International-Poetry-Competition-e1697195335198.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251114
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251115
DTSTAMP:20250922T123539Z
CREATED:20250914T112611Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250922T123539Z
UID:7208-1763078400-1763164799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Happiful Poetry Prize 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23:59 Friday 14 November 2025\nEntry Fee: FREE\nPrizes: Winner: £100; four shortlisted poets: £25 National Book Token each; plus publication/broadcast\nLine Limit: 25 lines max (excluding title)\nTheme: Poems must be on the topic of mental health or wellbeing\nEligibility: The competition is open to anyone based in the UK or NI aged 18 or over\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: happiful.com/poetry-prize\n\nOrganised by Happiful – the award-winning print and digital magazine devoted to mental health and wellbeing – the Happiful Poetry Prize is returns fonce again. This free-to-enter competition celebrates the best in mental health and wellbeing writing and gives entrants the chance to win £100 and possible publication in the magazine or even broadcast on their podcast. \nSome key info about the prize:\n– Entered poems should explore the topic of mental health and wellbeing in unique\, engaging\, and empowering ways.\n– The competition is free to enter\n– The winner will receive £100\, and four shortlisted poets will receive a £25 National Book Token.\n– All five poems will be published in issue 96 of Happiful.\n– The deadline for entries is 23:59 Friday 14th November 2025.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/happiful-poetry-prize/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Happiful-Poetry-Prize.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251031
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251101
DTSTAMP:20250721T081334Z
CREATED:20250721T081334Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250721T081334Z
UID:10839-1761868800-1761955199@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Solstice Nature Prize for Young Writers
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on 31st October 2025\nEntry Fee: FREE\nPrizes: Winner: £100\, goody bags and anthology publication\nWord Limit: 500 words( Short stories)\, 500 words (blogs)\, 40 lines (poems)\nAge Categories: 7-11\, 12-14\, 15-17 and 18-25 years\nTheme: Nature\, the environment and climate change\nCompetition Website: writingeastmidlands.co.uk/young-writers-groups/solstice-writing-prize/\n\nWriting East Midlands is seeking short stories\, blogs and poems from writers aged 7-25 on the theme of nature. \nThis year\, Writing East Midlands is seeking 500-word short stories\, 500-word blogs or 40-line poems from young writers across the UK—all on the theme of nature\, the environment and issues related to climate change! \nThe Solstice creative writing competition is open to writers aged 7-25\, with four age categories to enter (7-11\, 12-14\, 15-17) and prizes on offer for the first-place winner and five highly commended entries in each category. \nPrizes include: £100\, goody bags and publication in our online anthology. \nWriting East Midlands is delighted to announce the 2025 judge of the Solstice Nature Prize for Writers is Gill Lewis. Gill is the multi-award-winning and bestselling author of children’s nature-themed novels such as Sky Hawk\, Sky Dancer\, White Dolphin and A Story Like the Wind. Her latest book\, Moon Flight\, was launched in March 2023 and recently won Waterstones’ Book of the Month. You can find out more about Gill Lewis here. \nThe Solstice Nature Prize for Young Writers is FREE to enter. The deadline is 31st October 2025 at 11.59 pm. Check out the full details on the competition website.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/solstice-nature-prize-young-writers/
CATEGORIES:Non-fiction Competitions,Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SOLSTICE-2025-1920-x-1080-FINAL-DRAFT-e1753085315830.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251031
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251101
DTSTAMP:20250703T100525Z
CREATED:20250702T100505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250703T100525Z
UID:10259-1761868800-1761955199@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:TogetherintheUK Then & Now Writing Competition
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: Midnight (UK time) on 31 October 2025\nEntry Fee: Free (multiple entries permitted)\nPrizes: 1st Prize: £250.00 in each age category; 2nd Prize: A writing master class for each age category; 3rd Prize: A gift voucher for a bookstore or cinema near you for each age category\nWord Limit: 1\,500 words maximum (no minimum)\nEligibility: See competition site\nTheme: Then & Now\nCategory: Story\, Essay\, Poetry or Song Lyric Competitions\nCompetition Website: togetherintheuk.co.uk/competition\n\nTogetherintheUK is hosting a ‘Then & Now’ writing competition focussing on your or your family’s migration story. The organisers want to hear about the traditions you carried with you or have grown up with\, the gains and the losses\, the moments of joy and challenge as you built your new life. They want to hear about how you built your life in the UK: how you helped shape your community\, contributed to the economy in all kinds of ways through work and volunteering and how you or your family navigated living in a new country. \nYou can submit a poem or lyrics to a song\, an essay or a short story. There is a competition for over 18s and one for Under 18s\, an under 18. The top entries will be showcased on the TogetherintheUK website and may be published in an anthology. \nNote the following eligibility criteria. The competition is open to:\n– First and second-generation migrants and refugees\,  asylum seekers\, international students and international workers who have lived or are living in the UK\n– People working with migrants/refugees/asylum seekers\n– TGIUK volunteers current and previous and entrants and winners from previous TGIUK competitions.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/togetherintheuk-writing-competition/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions,Non-fiction Competitions,Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TogetherintheUK-creative-writing-competition.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251031
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251101
DTSTAMP:20250623T125340Z
CREATED:20250622T100822Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250623T125340Z
UID:914-1761868800-1761955199@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:National Poetry Competition 2025
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: Midnight on 31 October 2025\nEntry Fee: £8 for first entry\, £6 for subsequent entries (in same admission)\nPrizes: First Prize: £5\,000; Second Prize: £3\,000; Third Prize: £2\,000; Commendations: £500\nWord Limit: 40 lines (excluding title)\nJudges: Denise Saul\, Ian Duhig and Susannah Dickey\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website:  npc.poetrysociety.org.uk\n\nFor poets looking to make a name for themselves\, The National Poetry Competition\, run by The Poetry Society\, is hard to beat. Apart from the gigantic £5\,000 prize for winning the competition (and the sizeable cash prizes for coming second or third)\, this competition is one of the greatest around when it comes to prestige. \nThe three judges are award-winning poets who have published numerous excellent collections between them\, and it won’t be easy to catch their attention. But with a very reasonable entry fee of £8.00\, it could be worth giving it a go if you have a poem (or two) you are particularly proud of.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/national-poetry-competition/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/NPC25_A4e-Poster.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251031
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251101
DTSTAMP:20250513T094438Z
CREATED:20250302T091408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250513T094438Z
UID:5378-1761868800-1761955199@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Bedford Competition - Short Story and Poetry Awards
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 31 October 2025\nEntry Fee: £8.50 (or three for £17). Students: £6 (or three for £12)\nPrizes: 1st: £1\,500\, 2nd: £300\, 3rd: £200\nWord Limit: Stories up to 3\,000 words; poems up to 40 lines\nEligibility: Entrants must be aged 17 or older\, but from anywhere in the world\nCategory: Short Story Competitions\, Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: bedfordwritingcompetition.co.uk\n\n** Open for entries from 1st May 2025 ** \nThe Bedford Competition are an International Competition\, open to everybody from around the world aged 17 or over\, with prizes totalling £4\,600 including special awards for young writers and Bedford writers. All winning and shortlisted entries are published on the website and in a paperback anthology with global distribution. The organisers donate proceeds to charities that support literary and literacy skills. \nThe short story competition is for stories up to 3\,000 words. The poetry competition is for poems up to 40 lines. Entrants can write on any theme. Check out the competition site for the full terms and conditions.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/bedford-short-story-poetry-awards/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Bedford-Competition-Logo-With-Title-Hi-Res-e1713777899371.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR