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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260301
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260302
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260104T095330Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T111652Z
UID:6833-1772323200-1772409599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:New2theScene Winter Short Story Competition 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 1st March 2026 (opens 1st January 2026)\nEntry Fee: £5\nPrizes: First prize: Interview for the New2theScene podcast; £50 New2theScene vouchers; ‘Spotlight author’ and winner’s blog\, with the story featured on the New2theScene website and 2026 anthology; Notable mentions: £15 New2theScene vouchers; possible publication in anthology\nWord Limit: 4\,000 words\nTheme/Genre: Any – let your imagination free!\nJudge: Guest author\nCategory: Short Story 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. Their Winter Short Story Competition for unpublished writers will be open to entries from 1st January to 1st March 2026. Although the cash prize isn’t as big as some out there\, 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-winter-short-story-competition/
CATEGORIES:Short Story Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260302
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260303
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260104T144042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T145633Z
UID:4663-1772409600-1772495999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Brick Lane Bookshop Short Story Prize 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 5 pm (UK time) on Monday 2nd March 2026\nEntry Fee: £10 per entry\nPrizes: 1st Place: £1\,000; 2nd: £500; 3rd: £250\nWord Limit: 1\,000 to 3\,500 words\nEligibility: Stories can be submitted from writers based in the UK and Ireland\nJudges: Andrew Porter (author of The Imagined Life)\, Shani Akilah (author of For Such a Time as This) and Ludo Cinelli (agent at Eve White Agency)\nCategory: Short Story Competitions\nCompetition Website:  bricklanebookshop.org/2026-short-story-prize\n\nRun by Brick Lane Bookshop\, this well-established short story competition has great cash prizes and the twelve shortlisted stories will feature in the Brick Lane Bookshop Short Story Prize 2026 anthology.  \nThe judging team consists of:\n– Shani Akilah\, a Black British Caribbean writer and screenwriter from Woolwich. She is a book influencer\, co-founded the Nyah Network\, a book club for Black women\, and was a literary judge for the Nota Bene Prize 2023. Shani has a Masters degree in African Studies from Oxford University. Her debut short story collection ‘For Such A Time As This’ was published in June 2024.\n– Andrew Porter\, the author of four books\, including the story collections The Disappeared (Knopf) and The Theory of Light and Matter (Vintage) and the novels In Between Days (Knopf) and The Imagined Life (Knopf\, 2025). A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop\, he has received a Pushcart Prize\, a James Michener/Copernicus Fellowship\, and the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction.\n– Ludo Cinelli\, an Agent and the Managing Director at Eve White Literary Agency. He represents fiction\, non-fiction and children’s authors across genres. The work he loves might challenge him with their ideas and style\, but they might also be a simple story beautifully told\, or just incredibly fun. He takes pride in building strong\, long-lasting relationships with clients and publishing colleagues alike. \nSeveral free entries are available to those on a low income. See the competition site for details. Be sure to read and adhere to the terms of this competition (for instance entries must be in PDF format).
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/brick-lane-bookshop-short-story-prize/
CATEGORIES:Short Story Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260311
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260312
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260321
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260322
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260323
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260329
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260224T112755Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T112755Z
UID:13376-1774224000-1774742399@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Words Unwound: Online Creative Writing Festival 2026
DESCRIPTION:Writing Festival Dates: Monday 23rd March to Saturday 28th March 2026\nFee: Full week: £30 (standard) or £15 (concessions); Individual talks and workshops: £5/£3\nKeynote speaker: Chris Packham – naturalist\, nature photographer\, television presenter and author\nCategory: Writing Courses and Opportunities\nCompetition Website: beyondthespectrum.uk/product/online-festival-2026/\n\nBrought to you by Writing East Midlands’ Beyond the Spectrum programme\, the Words Unwound online creative writing festival workshops for Autistic writers\, the festival starts on Monday 23rd March and finishes Saturday 28th March 2026. \nNote that\, while Words Unwound features many talks\, workshops and panels led by Autistic authors and poets\, with topics that Neurodivergent writers may find particularly interesting\, it is open to all and covers many topics that all writers will find of interest. \nThis year’s theme is Writing as Rest\, celebrating writing as source of creativity and connection\, for telling the stories we want to tell without pressure to be productive and exploring genres and routes to publishing that bring us joy. Words Unwound encourages writers to slow down\, reflect\, and create in their authentic voice. \nIn 2026\, the Keynote Speaker is Chris Packham\, naturalist\, nature photographer\, television presenter and author. Fellow speakers include Kate Oliver\, Charlotte Faulconbridge\, Accessibility Arts\, Emma Pass\, Sabrina Mei-Li Smith\, Claire Thomas-Hawnt\, Antonia King\, Kit Whitfield\, Caroline Stancer\, Suzie Wilson\, Gemma Lees\, K Angel\, Lauren McMenemy\, David Green\, Jess Telling\, Claire Ingham\, Matthew Huntbach and CJ DeBarra. \nWorkshops\, talks and panels will cover subjects such as Radical Rest\, Calming Sensory Overload\, Writing Ourselves into the World\, Sustaining Your Creative Practice\, Autistic Women Writers\, Lore and Order\, Intersectional Identities and Creative Spaces\, Fun With Monsters\, Poetry and Mindfulness\, Submitting to Poetry Magazines\, Why We’re Drawn to Imaginary Worlds\, Self-publishing\, From Page to Stage and Screen and Neurodivergent Stories. \nYou can find out more about each session by browsing the full programme here. All sessions are online\, and those that take place on a weekday are usually scheduled between 1-2 pm or 7-8 pm\, making them easy to tune in to during lunch hours or after dinner. Recordings will also be available to all ticketholders once the festival has concluded.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/words-unwound-online-creative-writing-festival/
CATEGORIES:Courses & Opportunities
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260327
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260328
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260120T141141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T143939Z
UID:12678-1774569600-1774655999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Julia and Martin Wilson Short Story Prize
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 6 pm (UK time) on 27th March 2026\nEntry Fee: £12 per entry for adults; under-16s free\nPrizes: Main prize (adults): £800; Ages 11-16yrs: £100; Age 10 and under: £100\nWord Limit: 2\,000 words\nCategory: Short Story Competitions\nCompetition Website:  broadwayartsfestival.com/2026-short-story-competition-entry-form\n\nThe Broadway Arts Festival originally launched the Julia and Martin Wilson Short Story Prize aims to encourage creativity during the lockdown. The prize is generously sponsored and judged by festival Benefactors Julia & Martin Wilson who read every entry received\, from across the world. The competition now takes place every other year. \nEntries need to be a maximum of 2\,000 words with unlimited entries allowed per entrant. No theme to adhere to. The main prize for adults is £800\, while there are £100 prizes for children aged 11-16 years\, and 10 and under.  \nWinners will be announced towards the second week of May. Winning stories will be published on the festival website for all to read & enjoy.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/julia-martin-wilson-short-story-prize/
CATEGORIES:Short Story Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260328
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260329
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260220T131528Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T105911Z
UID:2755-1774656000-1774742399@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Letter Review Prize for Books
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (ET) 28th March 2026\nEntry Fee:  $30; Additional entries $20\nPrizes: 2-4 Winners are announced who share in the $1000 USD total prize pool. Winners may choose to have an extract published\, and receive a letter of recommendation from our Judges. 10-20 writers are Shortlisted.\nWord Limit: First 5\,000 words of your manuscript or 15 pages of poetry (see Letter Review site for full details)\nCategory: Novel competition / Non-fiction competition / Poetry competition\nCompetition Website: letterreview.com/information/\n\nThe competition is open to anyone in the world. The entry must not have been traditionally published. The competition organisers are seeking all varieties of novels\, short story collections\, nonfiction\, and poetry collections. We will accept manuscripts which are unpublished\, self published\, and some which are indie published. Review the full entry guidelines for further details. You can access previous winners on the Letter Review site to give you an idea of what floats their boat. The judges will be Kita Das and Dr. Ol James. \nThe Book Prize is open to anyone in the world but the entry must not have been traditionally published. The competition is open to all varieties of novels\, short story collections\, nonfiction\, and poetry collections. Manuscripts which are unpublished\, self-published\, and some which are indie published will be accepted. Be sure to refer to the full entry guidelines for further details. Entrants should submit the first 5\,000 words of their manuscript\, whether it be prose or poetry.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/letter-review-prize-books/
CATEGORIES:Non-fiction Competitions,Novel Competitions,Poetry Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260328
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260329
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260221T134134Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T105212Z
UID:2775-1774656000-1774742399@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Letter Review Prize for Poetry
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (ET) 28th March 2026\nEntry Fee:  $20; Additional entries $15\nPrizes: Two to four winners share in the $1\,000 USD total prize pool. 10-20 writers Shortlisted. All entries considered for publication\, and for submission to the Pushcart.\nWord Limit: Up to 70 lines\nCategory: Poetry competition\nCompetition Website: letterreview.com/information/\n\nThe Letter Review Prize is a regular writing competition split into the following categories: Short Fiction\, Poetry\, Nonfiction\, Books and Art. It offers cash prizes and publication to the winners. You can access previous winners on the Letter Review site to give you an idea of what floats their boat. The judges will be Kita Das and Dr. Ol James. \nThe Poetry Prize is open to anyone in the world but the entry must not have been traditionally published. The competition is open to all varieties of poetry and there are no style or subject restrictions.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/letter-review-prize-poetry/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/LetterReview.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260328
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260329
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260222T132809Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T104301Z
UID:2767-1774656000-1774742399@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (ET) 28th March 2026\nEntry Fee: $25 USD; Additional entries $15\nPrizes: Two to four winners share in the $1\,000 USD total prize pool. 10-20 writers Shortlisted. All entries considered for publication\, and for submission to the Pushcart.\nWord Limit: 5\,000 words\nCategory: Short Story Competitions\nCompetition Website: letterreview.com/information/\n\nThe Letter Review Prize is a regular writing competition split into the following categories: Short Fiction\, Poetry\, Nonfiction\, and Manuscripts. It offers cash prizes and publication to the winners. You can access previous winners on the Letter Review site to give you an idea of what floats their boat. The judges will be Kita Das and Dr. Ol James.\nWinning and Shortlisted writers are celebrated via the Letter Review website (400\,000 yearly readers)\, their extensive mailing list\, social media channels (FB 37\,000 members)\, and their Subreddit (12K). Winning entries are also frequently submitted to further prestigious anthologies such as the Pushcart Prize. Winners are invited to participate in our interview series (Writers’ Insight)\, further raising their professional profile.  \nThere are no style\, theme or genre restrictions for the short fiction prize and all entries considered for publication and for submission to the Pushcart Prize and other anthologies.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/letter-review-prize-short-fiction/
CATEGORIES:Short Story Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260331
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260401
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260331
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260401
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20251103T110947Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T135331Z
UID:3781-1774915200-1775001599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Henshaw Press Short Story Competition
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 31 March 2026\nEntry Fee: £6 per entry (additional fee of £14 for a critique)\nPrizes: First prize: £200; second prize: £100; third prize: £50\nWord Limit: 2\,000 words\nCategory: Short Story Competitions\nCompetition Website:  henshawpress.co.uk\n\nThe latest Henshaw Press Short Story Competition is open to entries\, with a £6 fee and an optional critique (for an additional fee of £14)\, the top prize is £200\, which is well worth winning. Winning entrants will also be offered the opportunity to have their stories included in the next Henshaw Anthology. Check out the competition website for the various terms and conditions. \nIn 2023 the Henshaw Press Short Story Competition raised £406.39 which was donated for the purchase of books at the Christopher Whitehead Language College and Sixth Form\, Worcester. In 2024\, the competition raised £581.40 for The Burton Borough School\, Newport\, Shropshire. In 2025 the competition raised £364.29 for books for Walton High School\, Stafford.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/henshaw-press-short-story-competition/
CATEGORIES:Short Story Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260331
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260401
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260109T102756Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260109T103044Z
UID:12579-1774915200-1775001599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:WriteMentor Novel and Picture Book Awards
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on Tuesday 31st March 2026\nEntry Fee: £12\nPrizes: 1st Place: £500 and 45-minute one-to-one consultation with an agent.\nWord Limit: First 3\,000 words of a novel and a one-page synopsis\, or completed manuscript for picture books\nJudges: Picture Book Category Judge – Lorna Hemingway; Children’s Category Judge – Lucy Irvine; Adult Category Judge – Clare Wallace\nCategory: Novel Competitions\nCompetition Website: write-mentor.com/writementor-writing-awards\n\nIn partnership with Darley Anderson Agency\, the WriteMentor 2026 Novel and Picture Book Award is looking for new writing talent in children’s\, young adult\, and adult fiction. Now in its eighth year\, this writing award invites entries worldwide within three categories: Picture Books\, Children’s (Chapter Books\, Middle Grade\, Young Adult)\, and Adult fiction. \nThe winner of each category will receive a £500 cash prize\, a 45-minute one-to-one virtual consultation with the agent judge for that category\, and a one-year free membership to the Hub\, WriteMentor’s online membership platform\, worth £150. The consultation will consist of a 15-minute discussion of the winning entry and 30 minutes for additional questions\, including industry insights and career guidance. \nThe awards offer both a standard entry and a feedback entry.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/writementor-novel-picture-book-awards/
CATEGORIES:Novel Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260331
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260401
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260121T144904Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T144904Z
UID:12699-1774915200-1775001599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Cats Protection Cat Tales Short Story Competition
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 31st March 2026\nEntry Fee: £10\nPrizes: An exclusive prize bundle from Cult Pens\, worth up to £350 plus publication in The Cat magazine\nWord Limit: 250 to 1\,000 words\nJudges: Gail Porter\, Matt Richardson\, Jane Fallon\, Anne Twist\nCategory: Short Story Competitions\nCompetition Website:  cats.org.uk/shortstory\n\nCats Protection has announced the launch of a national short story competition\, inviting aspiring writers from across the UK to submit imaginative tales that celebrate the unique bond between cats and humans. \nWhether heart-warming\, magical or mysterious\, entries must feature cats at their core and highlight the special connection they share with people. \nStories will be judged by acclaimed authors Jane Fallon and Anne Twist as well as Scottish television presenter and mental health advocate Gail Porter and comedian Matt Richardson. \nThe winning entries will be published in The Cat magazine and showcased on Cats Protection’s website\, offering writers a valuable platform to share their work. \nBoth category winners will also win a goody bag gifted by competition partner\, Cult Pens\, each with a retail value of £350 as well as being offered a visit to a Cats Protection adoption centre to meet the cats awaiting rehoming. \nEligibility\n• Open to residents of England\, Wales\, Scotland and Northern Ireland\n• Entrants must be aged 18 or over\n• Stories must be original and written in English\n• Two categories: children’s literature and adult literature\n• Minimum word count 250 words\, maximum word count: 1\,000 words\n• Stories must use Arial\, 12pt\, be double-spaced and be submitted by a word document or PDF using the entry form with the short story title as the file name\n• One entry per person per category (separate entry fee required) \nAll stories must include or centre around a cat. Writers are encouraged to refer to Cats Protection’s Cat Welfare guidance to ensure responsible representation.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/cats-protection-cat-tales-short-story-competition/
CATEGORIES:Short Story Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260401
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260402
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260405
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260406
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260101T091152Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260109T102025Z
UID:7530-1775347200-1775433599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:New2theScene Winter Novel Competition 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 5th April 2026\nEntry Fee: £18\nPrizes: A professional line edit on the first 3\,000 words of your submission; a developmental workshop to structure your novel; a podcast interview\, discussing your story\, journey and ambitions; first 3\,000 words published in an anthology; your entry submitted to a literary professional\, bypassing the slush pile; an ‘Origins’ blog\, introducing you to an audience; a relationship with New2theScene – supporting any publication\, introducing you to a community through blogs/posts\, and potential future projects; £50 vouchers for the New2theScene bookstore.\nWord Limit: First 3\,000 words of a novel and a one-page synopsis\nJudge: Guest author\nCategory: Novel Competitions\nCompetition Website: new2thescene.co.uk/competition-information/novel\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. Their Novel Competition for unpublished writers will be open to entries from 1st January to 5th April 2026.  \nThe winner will gain a professional line edit on the first 3000 words of their submission; a developmental workshop to structure their novel; a podcast interview\, discussing their story\, journey and ambitions; the first 3\,000 words will also be published in an anthology. On top of that\, the winner’s entry will be submitted to a literary professional\, bypassing the slush pile and an ‘Origins’ blog will be written about the winner\, introducing them to an audience. All that adds up to a fantastic opportunity for a budding novelist.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/new2thescene-novel-competition/
CATEGORIES:Novel Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260408
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260409
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260126T093718Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T114635Z
UID:4779-1775606400-1775692799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Pitch Mag Young Sports Journalist Competition 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 17.00 (UK time) on 8th April 2026\nEntry Fee: FREE\nPrizes: Publication in Pitch Mag\, £50 and possible work experience\nWord Limit: 700 to 800 words\nJudges: Guillem Balague\, Pat Nevin\, Natalie Perks\, Paul Simpson\, Jade Craddock\nEligibility: Open to young people aged between 14-21\, attending\nschool\, college or university in the UK\nCategory: Sports Writing Competitions\nCompetition Website: pitch-mag.co.uk/young-sports-journalist-competition\n\nOrganised by Pitch Magazine\, the Pitch Mag Young Sports Journalist Competition 2026 is open to aspiring journalists aged 14 to 21 years old and is split into the following age categories: \n\n14-15 year olds: Is sport damaging athletes’ mental health and well-being?\n16-17 year olds: Is sports betting undermining the integrity of competition?\n18-19 year olds: Should ‘sports-washing’ and sponsorship by ethically questionable bodies be allowed?\n20-21 year olds: How far is too far in cheating\, doping\, and rule bending?\n\nWinning entries will be published online and printed in the Summer Issue of Pitch. Critiqued by the brilliant panel of accomplished judges\, winners will also receive a £50 cash prize and be offered work experience at PITCH HQ.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/pitch-mag-young-sports-journalist-comp/
CATEGORIES:Non-fiction Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Pitch-Mag-Sports-Journalist-Competition-2026-e1769513807148.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260423
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260424
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20250104T084629Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260303T162530Z
UID:2190-1776902400-1776988799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:FFF Competition Thirty-Three
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 10 pm (UK time) on Thursday 23rd April 2026\nEntry Fee: £4.95 per entry (PayPal/Stripe) or £3.50 per entry via BACS (UK bank account)\nPrizes: Winner: £200; 2x Highly Commended: £100; 3x Shortlisted: £88 (all winners will receive publication)\nWord Limit: 300 maximum\, 100 minimum (excluding title)\nJudge: TBC\nCategory: Flash Fiction Competitions\nCompetition Website: freeflashfiction.com/current-competition\n\nOrganised by freeflashfiction.com\, the latest FFF Competition offers an increased top prize of £200 and a very reasonable entry fee (especially if you pay by BACS from a UK bank account). There are also two highly commended and three shortlist prizes up for grabs. \nNote that Free Flash Fiction always accept submissions of flash fiction – if accepted they are published and can be read for free. For general submissions the upper word limit is 500\, but for the competitions it is 300 (so don’t overshoot!).
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/fff-flash-fiction-competition/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260425
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260426
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260330T095738Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T095738Z
UID:13760-1777075200-1777161599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Northern Publishers' Fair 2026
DESCRIPTION:Event Date: 11am – 3:30pm on Saturday 25th Apr 2026\nEvent Location: Manchester Central Library\, St Peter’s Square\, Manchester\, M2 5PD\nEntry Fee: FREE or £7 for entry\, a ‘Reading is Resistance’ Tote bag and two mystery books\nCategory: Writing Courses and Opportunities\nCompetition Website: fly-on-the-wall-press.eventcube.io/events/93203/northern-publishers-fair-2026/\n\nHosted by Arvon\, the award-winning Manchester-based publisher\, the Northern Publishers’ Fair 2026 is designed to allow independent and trade publishers from the North of England to gather to sell books\, network with the future generation of publishers\, and meet writers and readers. \nWith space for reading and coffee\, the fair is the perfect place to grab a book that offers something different to mainstream bookshop offerings\, and a fab place to get an idea of just what the North has to offer. The fair welcomes families\, students\, readers and writers to come be part of the fun.  \nWith new publishers and their popular chatty table to chat with agents and development agencies about your writing career\, the Northern Publishers’ Fair could be particularly useful for new and aspiring authors. \nFrom trade to independent publishing\, this book fair showcases what the North does best – you’ll find a treasure trove of books from literary fiction\, genre fiction\, translated books\, non fiction\, children’s\, memoir\, essays\, short stories and poetry.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/northern-publishers-fair/
CATEGORIES:Courses & Opportunities
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260426
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260427
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260405T130819Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T153732Z
UID:3979-1777161600-1777247999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 11.59pm (AEDT) Sunday 26th April 2026\nEntry Fees: AU$35 per entry (PayPal) (approximately £17)\nPrizes: Total prize pool: AU$4\,000 (everyone on the shortlist wins a cash prize); Winner: AU$1\,500; 2nd place: AU$1\,000; 3rd place: AU$500; 4th place: AU$350; 5th place: AU$250; 6th place: AU$200; 2 x Wildcard prizes: AU$100 (all winners also receive print publication in the Not Quite Write anthology and are read aloud on the podcast)\nWord Limit: 500 words or fewer (excluding title)\nJudges: Ed and Amanda (Hosts of the Not Quite Write Podcast)\nCategory: Flash Fiction Competitions\nCompetition Website: notquitewritepodcast.com/prize\n\nThe Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction is different to most flash fiction competitions for various reasons. Firstly\, you have only two days in which to write your 500-word story. Secondly\, instead of just one prompt\, there are two… plus an additional anti-prompt\, which urges you to break a specific ‘rule’ of writing. This will either get your creative juices flowing or have you tearing your hair out\, but we are really drawn to the originality of the competition… and indeed the AU$4\,000 in cash prizes available! \nThere’s an option to purchase a critique if you so wish\, and even an option to have your entry read on the podcast with an on-air critique (of you’re feeling brave). So if you want to test yourself in a time-specific competition that forces to your work within set parameters\, this could be the contest for you.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/not-quite-write-prize-flash-fiction/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260428
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260429
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260407T101045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T101705Z
UID:5320-1777334400-1777420799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Jane Austen Literacy Foundation Writing Competition 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 28 April 2026\nEntry Fee: FREE\nPrizes: The winning story will be recorded as an audiobook and published worldwide\nWord Limit: 1\,000 to 2\,000 words\nTheme: A Story Worth Telling\nCategory: Short Story Competitions\nCompetition Website:  janeaustenlf.org/writing-competition-entry-2026\n\nThe Jane Austen Literacy Foundation Writing Competition 2026 is open to entries of between 1\,000 and 2\,000 words on the theme of ‘A Story Worth Telling’. The Jane Austen Literacy Foundation panel of judges will select a short list of ten stories from all of the eligible entries received and three winning stories will be selected from the shortlist by our special panel of judges including founder & chair of the foundation\, Caroline Jane Knight\, the lead judge\, author Jane MacKenzie and Helena Kelly\, author of ‘Jane Austen\, The Secret Radical’. \nThe three winning stories are published on the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation website and promoted to the organisation’s subscribers and on social media (with the author identities kept confidential) for a ten-day public vote\, to select our overall winner.  \nThe winner will be announced at The Knight Family Picnic with Jane Austen’s Family\, in the grounds of Chawton House on Sunday 21st June 2026. The winner will also be announced on the website and social media. The three winning stories will be recorded as an audiobook and published worldwide. \nThe competition is open to everyone around the world (aged 16+). The competition is judged in two categories — new fiction writers and experienced fiction writers (see Entry Guidelines on the competition website for details).
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/jane-austen-literacy-foundation-competition/
CATEGORIES:Short Story Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260430
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260430
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260312T085529Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T155252Z
UID:3518-1777507200-1777593599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 30th April 2026\nEntry Fees: $15 per entry\nPrizes: 1st place: $1\,000 + a 2-year Duotrope Gift Certificate\nWord Limit: 100 words or fewer (including title)\nCategory: Flash Fiction Competitions\nCompetition Website: tadpolepress.com/100-word-writing-contest\n\nThe Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest offers one hell of a cash prize for so few words\, this is a great opportunity for fans of flash (or\, more accurately micro) fiction. You can write on any theme but note that – unlike many competitions – the title of your story IS included in the word count. And with just 100 words to play with\, you will have to be selective and very efficient. \nThe prizes for their 2026 contest are sponsored by Duotope and are as follows:  \n1st place: $1\,000 USD + a 2-year Duotrope Gift Certificate ($100 USD value)\n2nd place: Publishing and marketing package with Compassiviste Publishing ($6\,000 USD value)\n3rd place: Manuscript assessment package with Compassiviste Publishing ($1\,500-$3\,000 USD value)\n4th place: Editing package with Tadpole Press ($1\,500 USD value)\n5th & 6th place: Writing coaching package with Tadpole Press ($500 USD value)\n7th to 10th place: $200 USD\n11th to 15th place: $150 USD\n16th to 20th place: $100 USD\n21st to 30th place: $50 USD \nCheck out the full details on the Tadpole Press site\, but in their guidance\, they say: “Pieces will be judged on creativity\, uniqueness\, and how the story captures a new angle\, breaks through stereotypes\, and expands our beliefs about what’s possible or unexpectedly delights us. In addition\, we are looking for writing that is clever or unique\, inspires us\, and crafts a compelling and complete story.”
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/tadpole-press-100-word-writing-contest/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260502
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260502
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260331T100410Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T134805Z
UID:4193-1777593600-1777679999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Alpine Fellowship Writing 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: 1\,250 words\nTheme: JOY\nCategory: Short Story Competitions\, Non-fiction Competitions\nCompetition Website:  alpinefellowship.com/writing-prize\n\nThis amazing free-to-enter competition from the Alpine Fellowship is open to all genres of writing\, including fiction\, non-fiction\, and non-academic essays. 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.  \nThe theme for the 2026 Writing Prize is JOY.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/alpine-fellowship-writing-prize/
CATEGORIES:Non-fiction Competitions,Short Story Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260502
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260503
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260226T102834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T101414Z
UID:13425-1777680000-1777766399@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Mo Siewcharran Prize 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 11:59PM on 2nd May 2026\nEntry Fee: FREE\nEligibility: Entrants must be unagented and previously unpublished\, aged 18 or over\, resident in the UK and from a Black\, Asian\, mixed heritage and/or multiple ethnic background.\nPrizes: First prize: £2\,500 plus editorial feedback\, a meeting with a literary agent and more; second prize: £1\,500 plus feedback and mentoring; third prize: £750\, feedback and a hamper\nWord Limit: Up to the first 10\,000 words of the novel plus a synopsis of up to 700 words.\nCategory: Novel Competitions\nCompetition Website: thefuturebookshelf.co.uk/tfb-blog/2026/01/07/bookouture-to-host-the-mo-siewcharran-prize-2026\n\nHachette UK’s The Future Bookshelf is running the Mo Siewcharran Prize for its sixth year to help discover unpublished fiction writers from Black\, Asian\, mixed heritage and/or multiple ethnic backgrounds. For 2026\, the prize will be hosted by Bookouture and we are looking for page-turning commercial fiction within the genres of psychological thriller and romantic fiction. \nThe initiative\, named in memory of NielsenIQ BookData’s former Director of Marketing and Communications\, aims to nurture talent from under-represented backgrounds writing in English. Run as part of Hachette UK’s The Future Bookshelf scheme\, the prize was launched in 2019. \nThe Judges are: Ellen Gleeson (Publishing Director at Bookouture)\, Hennah Sandhu (former co-chair of Thrive\, Hachette UK’s network for Black\, Asian and Mixed Heritage employees and allies)\, Leodora Darlington (editor\, Bookseller Rising Star\, and author of The Exes)\, Silé Edwards (Literary Agent at Andrew Nurnberg Associates)\, and Jenn Li (book influencer @bookmarkonthewall). \nJudges will be looking for:\n– A well-written and entertaining piece of writing\n– A page-turning story that will speak to romance or psychological thriller readers\n– An attention-grabbing concept\, also known as the hook\n– A compelling plot that drives us through the story\n– Memorable characters that readers care for\n– The submission must be aimed at adults.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/mo-siewcharran-prize/
CATEGORIES:Novel Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260503
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260504
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260408T105155Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T105442Z
UID:13861-1777766400-1777852799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:StorySloth - The StorySloth 500
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 3rd May 2026\nEntry Fee: FREE to all registered StorySloth authors (free to sign up)\nPrizes: 1st Place: £50 Amazon voucher and a permanent Founding Author badge on your profile; 5 entries selected at random to receive a £10 Amazon vouchers\nWord Limit: 500 words\nCategory: Flash Fiction Competitions\nCompetition Website: storysloth.com/competitions/welcome-500\n\nStorySloth is a new home for original short fiction. Free to read\, and built around the idea that independent authors deserve real readers. \nTheir inaugural writing competition welcomes entries of up to 500 words. There is no theme\, no genre restrictions\, and no prompt. They are simply seeking a story\, complete and under the word limit.  \nTo enter\, you need to sign up (which is free)\, then publish your entry\, and if it wins\, you’ll walk away with a £50 Amazon voucher and a permanent Founding Author badge on your profile — a small mark that you were here first. The organisers will also randomly select five entries to receive £10 Amazon vouchers. \nNote that authors grant StorySloth a non-exclusive licence to display their work\, but retain full copyright ownership\, so you can publish your story elsewhere too. Check out the full details on the Story Sloth site.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/storysloth-500/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260506
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260507
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260510
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260511
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260323T131209Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T154206Z
UID:720-1778371200-1778457599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:The SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: Midnight (ET) on 10 May 2026\nEntry Fees: 1st February to 31st March: One Entry\, $15; Two Entries\, $22; Up to Four Entries: $37 | 1st April to 10th May: One Entry\, $17; Two Entries\, $25; Up to Four Entries: $37\nPrizes: Grand prize winner: $2\,500; Second place: $1\,000; Third place $500; Finalists: $150. All finalists and placers will be published in the June 2026 issue.\nWord Limit: 1\,000 words or fewer (excluding title)\nJudges: SmokeLong editors\nCategory: Flash Fiction Competitions\nCompetition Website: smokelong.com/the-smokelong-quarterly-award-for-flash-fiction-2026\n\nThe SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction is a biennial competition for fiction of up to 1\,000 words. Run by The SmokeLong Quarterly (which is “dedicated to bringing the best flash fiction to the web”)\, the competition has a fabulous first prize of $2\,500\, $1\,000 for the second-place entry\, $500 for third and $150 each for the finalists. All finalists and placers will also be published in an edition of The SmokeLong Quarterly (which has been around for around 20 years). \nThere are discounts for multiple entries and/or if you enter before 31st March 2026. The competition is open from 1st February 2026 to anyone aged 18+ irrespective of where they reside. Entries must either be in English or another language but with an accompanying English translation. \nThis competition is a great way to get your flash fiction into the public view while also having the chance to win a serious cash prize\, so get involved.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/smokelong-quarterly-award-flash-fiction/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260515
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260516
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
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
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260517
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260518
DTSTAMP:20260426T023256
CREATED:20260121T150936Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T151209Z
UID:12704-1778976000-1779062399@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Inkspot Publishing £500 for 500 Flash Fiction Writing Competition
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 11:59 PM GMT on Sunday 17th May 2026\nEntry Fee: £10 for General Entry\, £20 for Entry + a paragraph of feedback from a competition judge\nPrizes: £500 plus publication\nWord Limit: 500 words\nJudge: Peter Buckman\, Literary Agent\, The Ampersand Agency\nCategory: Flash Fiction Competitions\nCompetition Website:  inkspotpublishing.com/competition/500-for-500-flash-fiction-2026\n\nThe Inkspot Publishing £500 for 500 Flash Fiction Writing Competition is open for entries. Writers from anywhere in the world can submit to this short story competition.  \nThe judge is Peter Buckman\, Literary Agent at The Ampersand Agency. Note that the word limit is 500 words\, and there is the option to receive feedback on your entry (for an additional fee). The shortlist date is Sunday 21st June 2026 and the winners will be announced on Sunday 19th July 2026. Check out the competition website for the full details.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/inkspot-publishing-flash-fiction-competition/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions
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