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X-WR-CALNAME:NewWriters.org.uk
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://newwriters.org.uk
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for NewWriters.org.uk
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DTSTART:20250101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260201
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTSTAMP:20260424T105919
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:20260430
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTSTAMP:20260424T105919
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:20260501
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260502
DTSTAMP:20260424T105919
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:20260506
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260507
DTSTAMP:20260424T105919
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:20260515
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260516
DTSTAMP:20260424T105919
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:20260531
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260601
DTSTAMP:20260424T105919
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:20260531
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260601
DTSTAMP:20260424T105919
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:20260424T105919
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:20260424T105919
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:20260424T105919
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:20260424T105919
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:20260630
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260701
DTSTAMP:20260424T105919
CREATED:20260406T131612Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T134034Z
UID:1858-1782777600-1782863999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Queen Mary Wasifiri New Writing Prize 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23:59 (UK time) on 30 June 2026\nEntry Fee: £12 for a single entry\, £16 for a double entry\, and £6 for a single subsidised entry\nPrizes: Winner: £1\,000 and publication in Wasafiri magazine\nWord Limit: 3\,000 words\nJudges: Ellah Wakatama (Chair)\, Santanu Bhattacharya (Fiction)\, Jen Calleja (Life Writing)\, Mona Kareem (Poetry)\nCategory: Poetry | Fiction | Life Writing\nCompetition Website:  wasafiri.org/writing-prizes/queen-mary-wasafiri-new-writing-prize/\n\nThe Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2026 offers a £1\,000 prize to the winner in each of the three categories\, poetry\, short fiction and life writing.  \nExceptionally international in scope\, the prize supports writers who have not yet published a book-length work\, with no limits on age\, gender\, nationality\, or background. The winners of each category will receive a £1\,000 cash prize and publication in Wasafiri magazine. All winners and shortlisted writers will be offered the Chapter and Verse or Free Reads mentoring scheme in partnership with The Literary Consultancy (dependent on eligibility)\, as well as a one-year print subscription to Wasafiri. \nWasafiri has been encouraging great writing from writers far and wide for more than three decades and their publication often has a decidedly international feel to it. But above it\, they seek out high-quality writing\, whether fiction\, non-fiction or poetry. Note that a single poetry entry can include up to three poems\, which together total no more than 3\,000 words. Each entry comprising three poems submitted as a single document. \nPlease visit the competition website for the full details.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/queen-mary-wasifiri-new-writing-prize/
CATEGORIES:Non-fiction Competitions,Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Queen-Mary-e1775659110433.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260630
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260701
DTSTAMP:20260424T105919
CREATED:20260407T113239Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T135559Z
UID:1921-1782777600-1782863999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Poetry London Prize 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on 30 June 2026\nEntry Fee: £5 per poem (subscribers)\, £10 per poem (non-subscribers)\nPrizes: 1st Place: £5\,000\, 2nd Place: £2\,000\, 3rd Place: £1\,000; plus publication in the Poetry London magazine\nWord Limit: 80 lines maximum (not including titles or blank lines)\nJudge: Seán Hewitt\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: poetrylondon.co.uk/prize/\n\nThe 2026 Poetry London Prize\, run by Poetry London magazine\, has a whopping £5\,000 first prize\, with £2\,000 for second place and £1\,000 for third. For many\, that will be enough to convince them to enter. But throw in publication in this classy and well-regarded poetry magazine\, and this is certainly a competition for the most ambitious poets out there. \nThe judge for the 2026 Prize is Seán Hewitt\, the author of two poetry collections\, Tongues of Fire and Rapture’s Road\, and a memoir\, All Down Darkness Wide. His debut novel\, Open\, Heaven\, was published in 2024. He lectures at Trinity College Dublin and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. \nYou need to enter through Submittable\, and if you are planning on entering three or more poems\, it makes sense to subscribe to the magazine and it will work out cheaper (and you’ll be able to read loads of brilliant poems in the issues you’ll receive).
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/poetry-london-prize/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/London-Poetry-Prize-2026.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260731
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260801
DTSTAMP:20260424T105919
CREATED:20260226T100001Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T100001Z
UID:13421-1785456000-1785542399@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Whispering Wisdom Children and Young People's Poetry Contest 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 31st July 2026\nEntry Fee: FREE\nPrizes: A beautiful notebook and publication\nWord Limit: Up to 12 lines (excluding title and line breaks)\nTheme: Connection\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: whisperingwisdom.co.uk/about-5\n\nWhispering Wisdom’s Children and Young People’s Poetry Contest 2026 is open for entries and is seeking poems on the theme of “connection”. The contest is free to enter and has two age categories: under 12\, and under 18.  \nPoem Guidelines and Prize\n– Maximum 12 lines\n– Any style of poetry is welcome\n– Free to enter\n– One entry per person\n– To see how to submit\, visit the competition website\n– Deadline: 31st July 2026\n– Announcement of winners: end of September 2026 \nPrizes\nOne winner from each age category will receive:\n– A beautiful notebook\n– Publication on the Whispering Wisdom website and social media\n– Selected poems may also be shared (with consent) to celebrate the creativity of young writers  \nSafeguarding \nBecause this competition is for under 18s\, the organisers require consent from a parent or guardian. All entries must be submitted through the online form on the competition website by a parent or guardian\, who will provide their contact details and confirm permission for publication.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/whispering-wisdom-children-poetry-contest/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Whispering-Wisdom-Childrens-Prize.avif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260731
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260801
DTSTAMP:20260424T105919
CREATED:20260407T130215Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T151751Z
UID:9757-1785456000-1785542399@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Winchester Poetry Prize 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 11:59 pm (UK time) on 31st July 2026\nEntry Fee:  £7 for first poem\, £5 for subsequent poems\nPrizes: 1st Place: £1\,000; 2nd Place: £500; 3rd Place: £250; winning and commended poems will be published in a competition anthology\nWord Limit: 40 lines maximum (excluding title)\nJudge: Julia Copus\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: winchesterpoetryfestival.org/wpp26\n\nThe Winchester Poetry Prize is open for entries until 31st July 2026 and offers a fantastic top prize of £1\,000. There’s also a second prize of £500\, a third prize of £250 and the Kathryn Bevis Prize\, which will be awarded for the best poem entered by a Hampshire-based poet. \nThis year’s judge is Julia Copusm who has published four collections of poetry. Girlhood (Faber 2019) was winner of America’s inaugural Derek Walcott Prize. She has tutored poetry courses for Oxford University and the Arvon Foundation\, and currently teaches for the Faber Academy. Julia is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. \nThe longlist will be announced mid September\, with winners announced live at a special prize-giving ceremony as part of Winchester Poetry Day at The ARC\, Winchester on Saturday 10th October 2026.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/winchester-poetry-prize/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260831
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260901
DTSTAMP:20260424T105919
CREATED:20260327T113944Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T133945Z
UID:1544-1788134400-1788220799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Aesthetica Creative Writing Award - Poetry
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 31 August 2026\nEntry Fee: £12\nPrizes: Winner: £2\,500\, publication in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual and an Arvon writing course \nWord Limit: 40 lines\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website:  aestheticamagazine.com/creative-writing-award\n\nThe Aesthetica Creative Writing Award offers two prizes\, one for poetry and one for short fiction. Run by Aesthetica magazine\, there is a brilliant bundle of prizes available for the winner. These include the rather substantial £2\,500 cash prize\, publication in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual and a five-day course from Arvon. The winner of the poetry competition will also receive full membership to The Poetry Society\, a course from  the Poetry School and a one-year print subscription to Poetry London. \nThe judging panel is made up if editors and publishers from a wide range of organisations and publications and previous winners have become winners or made the shortlist of some of the biggest awards around including the TS Eliot Prize\, the National Poetry Competition and the Costa Book Award.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/aesthetica-creative-writing-award-poetry/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261001
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261002
DTSTAMP:20260424T105919
CREATED:20260331T091920Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T153032Z
UID:11381-1790812800-1790899199@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 1st October 2026\nEntry Fee:  $25 per submission (one submission may contain up to 3 poems)\nPrizes: TOM HOWARD PRIZE: $3\,500 for a poem in any style or genre; MARGARET REID PRIZE: $3\,500 for a poem that rhymes or has a traditional style; The top two winners will also receive two-year gift certificates from co-sponsor\, Duotrope (a $100 value); Honorable Mentions: 10 awards of $500 each (any style); Top 12 entries published online\nWord Limit: 250 lines maximum\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nFinal Judges: Michal ‘MJ’ Jones\, assisted by Briana Grogan and Dare Williams\nCompetition Website:  winningwriters.com/our-contests/tom-howard-margaret-reid-poetry-contest\n\nRun by Winning Writers (with co-sponsor\, Duotrope)\, The Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest is open to entries of up to 250 lines and there are two prizes to go for: the Tom Howard prize of $3\,500 is awarded for a poem in any style or genre\, while the Margaret Reid Prize\, also of $3\,500\, is awarded for a poem that rhymes or has a traditional style. \nThe results of the contest will be announced on 15th April 2027. Please see the competition website for the full entry details.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/tom-howard-margaret-reid-poetry-contest/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261031
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261101
DTSTAMP:20260424T105919
CREATED:20250106T125238Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260108T155806Z
UID:681-1793404800-1793491199@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Anthology Poetry Competition 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: Midnight (UK time) on 31st October 2026\nEntry Fee: Early Bird: €15 – until 30th June 2026; Standard fee: €18 – 1st July to 31st October 2026\nPrizes: 1st Place: €1\,000\, plus publication in Anthology magazine; 2nd Place: €250; 3rd Place: €150\nWord Limit: 40 lines maximum\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: anthology-magazine.com/awards/poetry-competition\n\nThe Anthology Poetry Award\, run by Anthology magazine\, gives poets a chance to get their work published in their modern and stylish publication (which is based in the Republic of Ireland). This year’s poetry comp is open to poems of up to 40 lines and is open to entrants of any age\, based anywhere in the world. \nThe poems must be written in English and must be original and unpublished. Entries cost €18 a pop (unless you get in early for a discount)\, but there is no limit to the number of entries you may submit (though you obviously have to pay the fee for each entry). The magazine also runs a Short Story Award and various others too for those who are interested.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/anthology-poetry-award/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261206
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261207
DTSTAMP:20260424T105919
CREATED:20260105T101951Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T113453Z
UID:6821-1796515200-1796601599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:New2theScene Poetry Competition 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 6th December 2026 (opens 4th October 2026)\nEntry Fee: £5\nPrizes: 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\nWord Limit: 400 words\nTheme/Genre: Any – let your imagination free!\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: new2thescene.co.uk/new2thecomp\n\nNew2theScene is a platform for the discovery of new or not yet familiar literary talent. They sell the books of authors who aren’t bestsellers (yet)\, promoting them through their podcast\, articles\, blogs\, social media and so on. They have now launched their latest poetry competition (it opens for entries on 5th October 2025). It’s open to published poets to amateurs from around the world and it will be judged by a guest author (tbc). \nAlthough the cash prize isn’t as big as some out there (well\, vouchers for this one)\, the winner will also be interviewed on the New2theScene podcast and given exposure on the socials\, so it could be a great opportunity to get your writing out there.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/new2thescene-poetry-competition/
LOCATION:VirtualLocation
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
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