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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251031
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251101
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250622T100822Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250623T125340Z
UID:914-1761868800-1761955199@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:National Poetry Competition 2025
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: Midnight on 31 October 2025\nEntry Fee: £8 for first entry\, £6 for subsequent entries (in same admission)\nPrizes: First Prize: £5\,000; Second Prize: £3\,000; Third Prize: £2\,000; Commendations: £500\nWord Limit: 40 lines (excluding title)\nJudges: Denise Saul\, Ian Duhig and Susannah Dickey\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website:  npc.poetrysociety.org.uk\n\nFor poets looking to make a name for themselves\, The National Poetry Competition\, run by The Poetry Society\, is hard to beat. Apart from the gigantic £5\,000 prize for winning the competition (and the sizeable cash prizes for coming second or third)\, this competition is one of the greatest around when it comes to prestige. \nThe three judges are award-winning poets who have published numerous excellent collections between them\, and it won’t be easy to catch their attention. But with a very reasonable entry fee of £8.00\, it could be worth giving it a go if you have a poem (or two) you are particularly proud of.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/national-poetry-competition/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/NPC25_A4e-Poster.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251031
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251101
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250302T091408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250513T094438Z
UID:5378-1761868800-1761955199@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Bedford Competition - Short Story and Poetry Awards
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 31 October 2025\nEntry Fee: £8.50 (or three for £17). Students: £6 (or three for £12)\nPrizes: 1st: £1\,500\, 2nd: £300\, 3rd: £200\nWord Limit: Stories up to 3\,000 words; poems up to 40 lines\nEligibility: Entrants must be aged 17 or older\, but from anywhere in the world\nCategory: Short Story Competitions\, Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: bedfordwritingcompetition.co.uk\n\n** Open for entries from 1st May 2025 ** \nThe Bedford Competition are an International Competition\, open to everybody from around the world aged 17 or over\, with prizes totalling £4\,600 including special awards for young writers and Bedford writers. All winning and shortlisted entries are published on the website and in a paperback anthology with global distribution. The organisers donate proceeds to charities that support literary and literacy skills. \nThe short story competition is for stories up to 3\,000 words. The poetry competition is for poems up to 40 lines. Entrants can write on any theme. Check out the competition site for the full terms and conditions.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/bedford-short-story-poetry-awards/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Bedford-Competition-Logo-With-Title-Hi-Res-e1713777899371.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251024
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251025
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250922T124731Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250922T124731Z
UID:11353-1761264000-1761350399@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Failing Writers Flash Fiction Contest
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: Midday (UK time) on Friday 24th October 2025\nEntry Fee: £4 for one entry\, £6 for two entries\, £7 for three entries\nPrizes: 1st Place: £500; stories that make the final will be read out on the podcast\nWord Limit: 300 words\nTheme: “A Lie” and must include the mandatory special phrase (revealed in the episode the podcast released on 29th September 2025)\nJudge: Sarah Lewis from Writers’ HQ\nCategory: Flash Fiction Competitions\nCompetition Website: failingwriterspodcast.com\n\nOrganised by The Failing Writers Podcast (“A podcast for anyone who ever dreamed of being a writer… then went and put the kettle on”)\, this flash fiction competition has a very reasonable £4 entry fee and a very nice top prize of £500. \nThe theme for The Failing Writers Flash Fiction Contest 2025 is “a lie”\, and you’ll also need to include the special secret phrase which will be revealed on the podcast on 29th September 2025. \nAll the finalists and some of the runners-up stories will be read out on the podcast\, and there might even be a few extra prizes for those that don’t quite make it to the gold medal spot on the podium.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/failing-writers-flash-fiction-contest/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Failing-Writers-Flash-Fiction-Contest-e1758545071489.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251020
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251021
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250910T102736Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250910T134125Z
UID:11172-1760918400-1761004799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Eyelands Book Awards 2025
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 20th October 2025\nEntry Fee: €40\nPrizes: Five-day stay in Athens (winners of the Published Books and Writers’ Choice categories); lots more prizes for the various categories\nWord Limit: 250\,000 words / 250 pages (check by category)\nCategory: Novel\, Non-fiction\, Poetry Competitions\nCharity: 1 euro from every submission will be donated to United Nations Refugee Agency Greece\nCompetition Website:  eyelandsawards.com\n\nThe Eyelands Book Awards is running for the eighth year and is open to writers from all over the world. There are several categories to choose from: \nAWARD CATEGORIES (select one per entry application): \nThe following are eligible: \n1/Full-length books of fiction (Novels or novellas of any genre)\n2/Collections of short stories by one author\n3/Collected and selected poems\n4/Historical fiction – Memoir\n5/Children’s and YA books – Graphic Novels\n6/ LGBTQIA+ (texts of any genre with main theme related to the community)\n7/ Sci-Fi – Crime/Thriller – Horror (Novels or novellas)\n8/ Self-published books      \nPRIZES\n– Grand prize (published books): Five-day stay in Athens.\n– Grand prize (writers’ choice): Five-day stay in Athens.\n– Grand prize (unpublished books): Translation into Greek and publication from Strange Days Books.\n– 14 more prizes\, also win a handmade ceramic designed especially for Eyelands Book Awards!\n– Certification document for every prize winner.\n– Online publication for selected texts of prize-winning books.\n– Translation into Greek for poetry & short stories prize winners!\n– Video promotion across our social media for grand prize & prize winners.\n– There will be at least five finalists for each category. \nCheck out the competition site for the full details and to enter.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/eyelands-book-awards/
LOCATION:VirtualLocation
CATEGORIES:Non-fiction Competitions,Novel Competitions,Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Eyelands-International-Book-Awards-2025.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251015
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251016
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250922T121914Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T151239Z
UID:246-1760486400-1760572799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition 2025
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 4:00 pm (UK time) on 14th October 2025\nEntry Fee: £12\nPrizes: 1st Place: £1\,000 plus online publication and an online creative writing course; two runners-up prizes of £200 each\nWord Limit: 3\,000 words\nFinal Judge: Tyler Paterson\nCategory: Short Story Competitions\nCompetition Website:  creativewritingink.co.uk/competitions/creative-writing-ink-short-story-competition-2025\n\nIf you are seeking a well-run and trusted short story competition with a tasty £1\,000 top prize (plus a free creative writing course)\, the Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition could be just the ticket. With two runners-up prizes of £200 and a reasonable entry fee of £9\, this theme-free competition always proves popular. They use Duosuma for all entries\, which can be both reassuring and generally hassle-free. \nThe judge this time around is Tyler Paterson\, who is a three-time Pushcart Prize nominee\, holds an MFA in Fiction Writing from the University of New Hampshire\, and is a graduate of Second City Chicago. His work has appeared in over 80 publications worldwide including The Saturday Evening Post\, The Forge Literary Magazine\, The Delhousie Review\, Brilliant Flash Fiction\, and Fresh Ink. A semi-finalist in the Aura Estra short story contest\, his work has also received notable accolades from Lycan Valley\, North 2 South Press\, and Lumberloft.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/creative-writing-ink/
CATEGORIES:Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Creative-Writing-Ink-Logo.1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251015
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251016
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250525T085330Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250604T092227Z
UID:385-1760486400-1760572799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Caledonia Novel Award 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: Midnight (UK time) on 15 October 2025\nEntry Fee: £28\nPrizes: 1st Place: £1\,500 plus an exclusive framed award (designed by Edinburgh artist Lucy Roscoe); Special Prize: a free place on a residential writing course (best novel from the UK and Ireland); Highly Commended: £500\nWord Limit: First 20 pages + 200-word synopsis\nJudge: Alice Lutyens\, literary agent at Curtis Brown\nAssociate Judge: Rosie Pierce\, associate agent at Curtis Brown\nCategory: Novel Competitions\nCompetition Website:  thecaledonianovelaward.com\n\nCompetition Details\nThe Caledonia Novel Award is open to entries from 15th May 2025 and will close to entries at midnight UK time on 15th October 2025.  \nTechnically this is the 2026 competition (as the shortlist will be announced in February 2026 and the winner announced later in the same month). You can see details of the 2025 winner and shortlist at their website. \nAs mentioned\, the entry fee is £28 and the top prize is £1\,500\, plus there’s a free place on a residential writing course up for grabs for the top entry from the UK or Ireland. The week-long writing course would take place at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre which is based in the Scottish Highlands. There’s also a £500 prize for a Highly Commended entry. \nOther Things To Note\nThere is no restriction in terms of genre as long as the novel is aimed at adults or young adults. The finished novel must be at least 50\,000 words\, though you should only send in the first 20 pages (plus a synopsis) when entering. The competition is open to unpublished and self-published novelists only and also only those who don’t have an agent at the time of entry. \nThe longlist will be announced on 2 December 2025. Longlisted authors will be invited to submit the full manuscript of their novel by 8 December 2025.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/caledonia-novel-award/
CATEGORIES:Novel Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/The-Caledonia-Novel-Award-Round-e1716964401493.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251010
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251011
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20251003T075639Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251003T075639Z
UID:11553-1760054400-1760140799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:OwlCrate Write In A Flash: 100-Word Challenge
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 12pm (PST) Friday 10th October 2025\nEntry Fee: FREE\nPrizes: Grand prize $800 plus loads more (see listing details)\nWord Limit: 100 words\nPublication: All winning stories will be published on the website and may be promoted across social media.\nCategory: Flash Fiction Competitions\nEligibility/Theme: All entries must have generally acceptable language (no swearing or offensive themes) to ensure that winning stories can be shared publicly! These are 5 genres with 2 themes each to choose from.\nCompetition Website: thenest.owlcrate.com/posts/91596521\n\nThe “Write In A Flash: 100-Word Challenge” is for aspiring\, indie\, and published writers as well as anyone who has a story to tell. This is your chance to put pen to paper and write some flash fiction. \nTo enter\, choose from 10 themes across 5 genres and write a story that is no more than 100 words long. Submissions are being accepted between October 1st and October 10th\, 2025\, via a form that can be accessed by signing up to the free community. \nOnce the submission period is over\, the organizers will select 5 of the best stories. These stories will then be shared with the community\, which will have the opportunity to vote for one overall winner who will win the grand prize worth $800. \nThe 5 strong contenders will win a 3-month OwlCrate Book Subscription Box\, depending on the genre they choose to enter their story into\, and there are also two prizes\, both worth $800\, for one overall winner to choose from on top of the 3-month subscription. The winner will be chosen from the 5 strong contenders\, and the community will be voting on the story that will ultimately win.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/owlcrate-100-word-challenge/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/forminator/11105_07c4da8b0460f6fad9fa069e751f5fa4/uploads/NgZ0wStgmPDZ-OwlCrate-100-Word-Challenge-Google-Form-e1759477439552.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251001
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251106
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250901T091057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251015T130635Z
UID:11073-1759276800-1762387199@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:New Writers Historical Flash Fiction Competition 2025
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on Wednesday 5th November 2025\nEntry Fee: £8 for one entry\, £15 for two entries\, £21 for three entries\nMain Prizes: 1st Place: £500; 2nd Place: £300; 3rd Place: £200\nAdditional Prize: The best story set in one of these historic properties will win a year’s Historic Houses membership for one or two adults (living at the same address\, new joiners only)\nPublication: The three winning entries will be published on the NewWriters.org.uk website and in the next New Writers Anthology; the winning Historic Houses entry will be published in the Historic Houses Magazine\nWord Limit: 300 words (excluding title)\nTheme: Entries must be set before 1960 (Historic Houses setting optional)\nCharity: 10% of the proceeds will be split equally between First Story and The Funzi & Bodo Trust\nJudges: Editorial team at NewWriters.org.uk\nEligibility: Open to poetry or prose from writers based anywhere in the world\nCompetition Page: newwriters.org.uk/historical-flash-competition\n\nENTER NOW \nThe New Writers Historical Flash Competition 2025 is open to stories or poems of up to 300 words set in any time period before 1960. \nThere’s a prize fund of £1\,000 plus an additional prize available for any entries set in one of these historic properties\, which would be perfect for a haunted house tale or an Agatha Christie-style mystery. (This prize is offered courtesy of Historic Houses\, who are also offering a £5 discount on new memberships if you use the Historic Houses Discount Code: TREX05). \nThe top three entries will be published on the website and in the next New Writers Anthology\, while the winner of the additional prize will be published in the Historic Houses Magazine. \nAlso\, 10% of the proceeds of the competition (i.e. 10% of the entry fees collected) will be split equally between First Story and The Funzi & Bodo Trust. So even if you don’t win\, you’ll still be contributing to a good cause. \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 23rd October 2025). Please see the terms and conditions for details. \nSo if you’d like the chance to win up to £500 for (up to) 300 words\, and you’ve got a great idea for a story or poem set some time before 1960\, please get involved.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/historical-flash/
LOCATION:VirtualLocation
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions,Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Historical-Flash-Fiction-Competition-2025.png
ORGANIZER;CN="New Writers UK":MAILTO:competitions@newwriters.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250930
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251001
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250826T142846Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250901T081434Z
UID:10878-1759190400-1759276799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:New Writers Sense of Place Competition 2025
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on Tuesday 30th September 2025\nEntry Fee: FREE (one per person)\nPrize: 1st Place: £50 (plus one free entry to the New Writers Historical Flash Fiction Competition 2025\, and publication on the NewWriters.org.uk website and in the next New Writers Anthology)\nWord Limit: 100 words (not including title)\nTheme: Sense of place\nCategory: Microfiction/Poetry Competitions\nHow to Enter: Complete the form below and attach your entry (Word doc\, .docx\, or PDF)\n\nThis competition is free to enter\, but entrants must sign up to the NewWriters.org.uk newsletter (use THIS LINK to sign up if you haven’t already). \nOur monthly newsletter includes details of upcoming writing competitions (including our current Historical Flash Fiction Competition with a £500 top prize!)\, the deadline for which is 5th November 2025. The newsletter also includes tips and prompts and other news or offers we think might be of interest to writers. Note that we don’t share subscribers’ information with anyone else. \nFor this competition\, the theme is “Sense of Place” (although please don’t make that the title of your entry). We are seeking a description of a place that means something to you. You can interpret the notion of “place” as you see fit. Note that we are not seeking stories per se\, but rather a descriptive piece\, whether prose or poetry\, that allows the reader to imagine your chosen place. \nSense of Place Competition 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. \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.\nEntries must be unpublished\, either in print or online (including social media).\nEntrants must be aged 16 years or older at the time of entry.\nEntrants must be signed up to the New Writers Newsletter (also free). If you haven’t signed up yet you can do so using THIS LINK.\nEntries must be related to the theme ‘Sense of Place’ – though you can interpret that as loosely as you like.\nThe winner of competition will be paid a £50 prize and will receive one free entry to the New Writers Historical Flash Fiction Competition 2025 (worth £8\, deadline 5th November 2025).\nResults of the competition will be published in the NewWriters.org.uk newsletter in October 2025 and the winning entry will be published on the website soon after and in the next New Writers Anthology in early 2026.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/new-writers-place-competition-2025/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions,Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Twitter-Header-Image.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250930
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251001
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250811T110103Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250812T134659Z
UID:6731-1759190400-1759276799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Southword Editor’s Poetry Award
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 30 September 2025\nEntry Fee: €24 for three poems\nPrizes: 1st Place: €1\,000 for the best entry of three poems. The winner will receive publication in Southword magazine.\nJudge: Patrick Cotter\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website:  https://munsterlit.ie/southwordeditoraward/\n\nThe Southword Editor’s Poetry Award gives poets the chance to enter three poems for the very reasonable price of €24. The poet of the three poems judged the best will receive €1\,000 plus publication in Southword. The entry fee also includes a complementary postage-free\, one-year subscription to Southword\, which is a great bonus. \nThe judge for the contest is the acclaimed Irish poet\, Patrick Cotter\, whose poems have been published far and wide\, including in The London Review of Books\, Poetry and Poetry Review. His third full-length collection\, Sonic White Poise\, was published by Dedalus\, Dublin in 2021.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/southword-editors-poetry-award/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Southword-Editors-Poetry-Award-–-Munster-Literature-Centre.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250930
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251001
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250610T114341Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250611T130235Z
UID:6117-1759190400-1759276799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Inclusive Voices Short Story Competition
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 5 September 2025\nEntry Fee: Free\nPrizes: First Place: Amazon Echo Dot; Second Place: £20 book voucher; Third Place: Calibre Audio merchandise\nWord Limit: 550 words\nFormat: Written\, video or audio entries are accepted\nTheme: Your story must feature Audio\, Braille\, or Community (or all three!); open to residents of the UK\nCategories: Under 11s\, 11-17\, 18-25\, 26 and over\nCompetition Website: calibreaudio.org.uk/news/inclusive-voices\n\nOrganised by Calibre Audio (a registered charity that produces audiobooks for people living with a print disability)\, the Inclusive Voices Short Story Competition is seeking entries of up to 550 words from people of all ages. There are various age categories and written\, video or audio entries are accepted. \nStories can be submitted as either narrative or verse and can be submitted in writing as a Word document or PDF; as a standard video file (MP4) or a standard audio file (MP3 or WAV). Any submissions in other formats will not be considered. Your story must feature Audio\, Braille\, or Community (or all three!). All stories must be submitted in English. \nThe panel of judges – including writers\, accessibility advocates and Calibre staff – will assess entries based on originality\, creativity\, use of theme\, and authentic representation. Judging takes place in September and October 2025\, with winners announced at end of October 2025.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/inclusive-voices-short-story-competition/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions,Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Inclusive-Voices-Short-Story-Competition.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250914
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250915
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250901T101252Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250901T101252Z
UID:11088-1757808000-1757894399@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Irish Writers Centre International Debut Novel Competition
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 14th September 2025\nEntry Fee: €65 (or €58.50 Irish Writers Centre members)\nPrizes: 12 winners are given the opportunity to skip the queue and pitch their novels face-to-face or zoom-to-zoom to publishers and agents\nWord Limit: submit a 5\,000-word extract of their novel\, as well as a 500-word synopsis\nCategory: Novel Competitions\nCompetition Website:  irishwriterscentre.ie/international-debut-novel-competition\n\nThe Irish Writers Centre International Debut Novel Competition is open to entries of debut novels until 14th September. It’s a great opportunity to skip the slush pile\, but the entry fee is a little on the steep side in our view\, especially given there’s no cash prize. On the other hand\, previous winners have benefitted greatly\, including Lauren Mackenzie who won in 2021 and said it changed her life.  \nIf you are confident your debut novel is ready to present to potential agents\, this could be a good option. In which case\, you need to submit the opening 5\,000 words and the synopsis. Be sure to read the full terms and conditions before you enter.  \nKey Dates\n– Submissions\, via Submittable\, are open between Friday 1 August and Sunday 14 September at 11.59pm.\n– 12 winners will be notified by The Phone Call on Friday 14 November 2025. The winners will be asked to send us 50\,000 words of their manuscript as proof that it is completed before by 21 Nov.\n– The Online Prep Day will take place on Friday 28 November 2025.\n– The Pitch Days will take place on Thursday 4 December November and Friday 5 December 2025\, a two-day hybrid event where the 12 International Debut Novel Competition winners will be given the opportunity to pitch their debut novels to national and international publishers and literary agents.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/irish-writers-centre-international-novel-competition/
CATEGORIES:Novel Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Irish-Writers-Centre-International-Debut-Novel-Competition.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250907
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250908
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250701T095633Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250702T094806Z
UID:2335-1757203200-1757289599@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Southam Book Festival Flash Fiction Competition 2025
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 12.00 noon on Sunday 5th September 2024\nEntry Fee: £3 per story\, or up to five stories for £10\nPrizes: Winner – £60\, Second – £30\, Third – £20\nWord Limit: 100 words\nCategory: Flash fiction competition\nCompetition Website: southambookfest.co.uk/100-words-2024\n\nThe Southam Book Festival Flash Fiction Competition 2025 is a writing competition for those who like their short stories extra short: up to just 100 words\, to be precise. Note that your entry must include at least one of the following words: ‘PLACE’\, ‘PLACED’ or ‘PLACES’\, but these mustn’t be used in the title. \nThe names of short-listed competition entrants will be published on the Southam Book Festival web site shortly after the deadline. The names of winner and runners up will be published on the Southam Book Festival web site and listed on the Festival social media page as soon as possible after the day of the festival. Winner and runners up will be contacted individually.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/southam-book-festival-flash-fiction-competition/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/100WordStory.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250831
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250901
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250812T135256Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250812T135256Z
UID:10866-1756598400-1756684799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Fool for Poetry International Chapbook Competition
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 31st August 2025\nEntry Fee: €25 per manuscript\nPrizes: 1st Place: €1000; 2nd Place: €500; both winners will receive Chapbook publication and 25 complimentary copies\, Featured reading at the Cork International Poetry Festival (with three-night hotel stay and full board)\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website:  munsterlit.ie/fool-for-poetry\n\nThe competition is open to new\, emerging and established poets from any country. At least one of these winners will be the highest scoring manuscript entered by a poet with no solo collection (full-length or chapbook) previously published. The other winner may have previously published poetry books. Up to 25 other entrants will be publicly listed as “highly commended”. \nManuscripts must be between 16 and 24 pages in length\, in the English language and the sole work of the entrant with no pastiches\, translations or versions. The poems can be in verse or prose. Any number of the individual poems may have been published before in journals\, anthologies and periodicals – the only restriction is that they cannot have appeared together as a book before. Entrants may submit more than one entry. Once entered\, no alterations can be made to the submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted but please notify us immediately should your manuscript be accepted elsewhere. The winners will be selected by a panel of renowned poets. \nThe winning chapbooks will be published by Southword Editions and launched at the Cork International Poetry Festival. It will be offered for sale internationally through our own website\, Amazon\, and in selected independent book shops.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/fool-poetry-chapbook-competition/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Fool-for-Poetry-Competition.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250831
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250901
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250728T094317Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250729T080341Z
UID:7541-1756598400-1756684799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Intrepid Times Travel Writing Competition
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 31st August 2025\nEntry Fee: FREE with optional paid upgrade for feedback\nPrizes: 1st Place: $300 plus publication\nWord Limit: 1\,200 to 2\,000 words\nTheme: A Book Led Me There\nCategory: Travel Writing Competitions\nCompetition Website: intrepidtimes.com/writing-competition-a-book-led-me-there\n\nIntrepid Times’ 10th writing competition invites readers and wanderers to explore the books that have guided our lives and impelled our adventures. Write a non-fiction travel story of up to 2\,000 words that describes following in the footsteps of your literary heroes.  \nYour story should be non-fiction\, between 1\,200 and 2\,000 words in length\, and written in the narrative style favoured by Intrepid Times stories (as exemplified here: intrepidtimes.com/stories/). The winning writer will be paid $300 USD and have their original story and accompanying photographs published in Intrepid Times. Up to four runners-up will also be selected for publication and paid at the publication’s standard article rates.  \nEntry is free but there is the chance to purchase an ‘Assessed’ option for constructive feedback from the Intrepid Times’ editorial team. Members of the Travel Writer’s Club can take advantage of the Assessed option free of charge.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/intrepid-times-travel-writing-competition/
CATEGORIES:Non-fiction Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/A-Book-Led-Me-There-1170x585-1-e1753776070474.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250831
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250901
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250519T130746Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T093126Z
UID:2790-1756598400-1756684799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:SaveAs Writers' International Writing Competition 2025 - Prose
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 31st August 2025\nName: The Canterbury Festival Fiction Prize sponsored by Canterbury Festival\nTheme Facing the Storm\nEntry Fee: £5 per short story\, £12 for three\nPrizes: First: £200; Second: £100; Third: £50\nWord Limit: 3\,500 words\nCategory: Short story competition\nJudge: Victoria Grainger\nCompetition Website: saveaswriters.co.uk/competitions/facing-the-storm.html\n\nTo commemorate the the 250th anniversary of J. M. W. Turner’s birth\, the theme for this year’s competition is ‘Facing the Storm’\, which can be interpreted as broadly as entrants like. \nIf inspiration is needed\, Turner 250 is a year-long festival of special exhibitions and events. You can find out more at www.tate.org.uk/art/turner-250. However\, the theme of stormy seascapes can be freely interpreted\, metaphorically or literally\, with or without reference to Turner’s life and art. \nBe sure to read the full terms and conditions on the competition site before entering.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/saveas-writers-story-competition/
CATEGORIES:Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Saveas-Writers-Writing-Competition-2025.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250831
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250901
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250518T125920Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T093743Z
UID:2783-1756598400-1756684799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:SaveAs Writers' International Writing Competition 2025 - Poetry
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 31st August 2025\nName: The Canterbury Christ Church University Poetry Prize\nTheme Facing the Storm\nEntry Fee: £4 per poem\, £10 for three\nPrizes: First: £200; Second: £100; Third: £50\nWord Limit: 60 lines\nCategory: Poetry competition\nJudge: Mara Adamitz Scrupe\nCompetition Website: saveaswriters.co.uk/competitions/facing-the-storm.html\n\nTo commemorate the the 250th anniversary of J. M. W. Turner’s birth\, the theme for this year’s competition is ‘Facing the Storm’\, which can be interpreted as broadly as entrants like. \nIf inspiration is needed\, Turner 250 is a year-long festival of special exhibitions and events. You can find out more at www.tate.org.uk/art/turner-250. However\, the theme of stormy seascapes can be freely interpreted\, metaphorically or literally\, with or without reference to Turner’s life and art. \nBe sure to read the full terms and conditions on the competition site before entering.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/saveas-writers-poetry-competition/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Saveas-Writers-Writing-Competition-2025.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250829
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250830
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250722T070204Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250723T121633Z
UID:6540-1756425600-1756511999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Ink of Ages Fiction Prize 2026
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 29th August 2025\nEntry Fee: FREE\nPrizes: $1\,000 USD cash prize to the first place winner of the adult contest. Various other prizes from World History Encyclopedia and Oxford University Press\nWord Limit: 1\,500 to 2\,000 words (800 to 1\,000 for the Youth Prize\, for those aged 13 to 17)\nGenre Guidelines: Historical Fiction or Mythological Fiction (see site for details)\nCategory: Short Story Competitions\nCompetition Website:  fictionprize.worldhistory.org\n\nThe Ink of Ages Fiction Prize is organized by World History Encyclopedia and sponsored by Oxford University Press and is free to enter. With both 18+ and youth (13-17) options\, the contest accepts historical and mythological short stories. Take a read through the guidelines on the competition site for the full information. But if you enjoy writing historical or mythological fiction\, this is a great contest for you.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/ink-ages-fiction-prize/
CATEGORIES:Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ink-of-Ages.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250827
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250828
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250702T085354Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250721T075737Z
UID:10251-1756252800-1756339199@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Green Stories Epiphanies Flash Fiction Competition
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 27th August 2025\nEntry Fee: Entrants must purchase at least one book from the Green Stories project\nPrizes: 1st Place: £300; 7 Runners-up prizes: £100\nWord Limit: 500 words\nTheme: Epiphanies!\nCategories: Transport\, Home and garden\, Food\, Nature\, Consumption/waste\, Activism\nCompetition Website:  greenstories.org.uk/flash-fiction-competition-epiphanies-2\n\nThe Green Stories Project is running a Flash Fiction Competition with the them of Epiphanies. \nThe writing competition invites writers to submit a story about transformation\, when a moment of epiphany causes one or more characters to change for the greener. \nThe transformative realisation could relate to any attitude or behaviour with environmental implications (e.g. food\, travel\, consumption\, gardening\, cleaning\, etc.)\, or the story could focus on the benefits of any greener alternative (e.g. environment\, health\, status\, spirit\, soul). \n£300 prize for the winning story plus £100 prize for 7 runners up. Stories are invited in the following categories: \nCategories:\n– Transport\n– Home and garden\n– Food\n– Nature\n– Consumption/waste\n– Activism (e.g. campaigns\, protest\, or internal activism\, for instance\, within a school or business)\n– Other \nThere is no entry fee\, but all entrants must purchase at least one book from the Green Stories project as a guide to competition criteria (entertaining fiction that showcases green solutions). Green Stories books must be purchased from habitatpress.com/shop/.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/green-stories-flash-fiction-competition/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Epiphanies-Comp-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250815
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250816
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250519T154412Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T095727Z
UID:3894-1755216000-1755302399@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Bournemouth Writing Prize
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 15th August 2025\nEntry Fee: £10 (for three poems or one short story)\nPrizes: First prize: £1\,000; second prize: £300; third prize: £200; published in Dorset Magazine\, read entry at the 2026 Bournemouth Writing Festival celebration event\nLine/Word Limit: Poetry – 30 lines; Short Story – 3\,000 words\nCategories: Poetry and Short Story Competitions\nJudges: Madeleine Milburn (Short Story) and Abu Ibrahim (Poetry)\nCompetition Website: bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk/2026-writing-competition\n\nThe Bournemouth Writing Prize celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026\, with the largest prize fund of £3\,000 for winners. Every year\, they support a writing charity to help more people to express themselves through words – providing access to writing professionals and offering free workshops. This year\, the competition will support The Storyworks. Entrants can make a donation to the charity helping young people find their voice when submitting their entry. \nThe Short Story Judge is Madeleine Milburn\, the founder of Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency\, one of the top literary agents in the UK. While the Poetry Judge is Bournemouth-based Abu Ibrahim (IB)\, a poet and spoken word artist who has gained recognition for his work across various literary platforms.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/bournemouth-writing-prize/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250806
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250807
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250511T122448Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250721T080550Z
UID:2136-1754438400-1754524799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Aurora Prize for Writing 2025
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23.59 (UK time) on 6th August 2025\nEntry Fee: £9 (£7 for additional entries)\nPrizes: Winner: £500 in each category\, Second: £150\, Third: A ticket to the 2027 Writers’ Conference\, hosted by Writing East Midlands\nWord Limit: 60 lines (poetry)\, 2\,000 words (short story)\nCategory: Poetry and short fiction competition\nCompetition Website: writingeastmidlands.co.uk/for-writers/aurora-prize-for-writing\n\nRun by Writing East Midlands\, in partnership with the Society of Authors\, the Aurora Prize for Writing is open for entries of either short fiction or poetry. Winners of each category will receive a prize of £500\, feedback on a piece of work of their choice from a leading literary agent (or Editor as appropriate) and a years free membership to the Society of Authors\, which includes access to advice and resources on all aspects of the business of writing. \nThis year’s judges include T.S. Eliot Prize winner Joelle Taylor\, reading poetry\, and multi-award-winning author Irenosen Okojie\, judging prose. \nWinners will also receive a session with Society of Authors staff\, including an introduction to how the Society can support them in their careers as professional authors and covering essential advice on copyright\, payment terms and contracts. There are also prizes for second and third places and for regional regional winners. Shortlisted writers will also receive a free masterclass with their relevant judge.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/aurora-prize-writing/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250804
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250805
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250703T101801Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250703T101801Z
UID:10280-1754265600-1754351999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival Writing Awards
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 11.59pm on Monday 4 August 2025\nEntry Fee: Free\nPrizes: The winning entries are published in an illustrated book\, also available as an eBook.\nWord Limit: Varies\, see listing\nTheme: Comfort & Disturb\nCategory: Story\, Creative Non-fiction\, Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: mhfestival.com/2025/05/smhaf-2025-writing-competition-now-open\n\nThe Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival’s 2025 Writing Competition is open for entries.  \nThe theme for 2025 award is ‘Comfort & Disturb’. This can be interpreted in any way you choose – the limit is your imagination. For this year’s competition\, there are three categories and you can submit no more than one piece in each category:\n– FICTION: Short fiction pieces\, including short stories\, between 500 and 2000 words.\n– POETRY: Poems\, up to 40 lines.\n– CREATIVE NONFICTION: Creative writing with a factual basis\, between 500 and 2000 words. Examples can include letters\, diary entries\, autobiographical writing\, personal essays\, and creative journalism. \nEntrants must be over 16 years of age and entries must be typed and in English or Scots. Shortlisted entrants will be invited to read their entry at the Writing Awards ceremony at SMHAF. This will take place in Aberdeen on Wednesday 29 October. Category winners and the overall winner will be announced on the day.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/scottish-mental-health-arts-festival-writing-awards/
CATEGORIES:Flash Fiction Competitions,Non-fiction Competitions,Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Scottish-Mental-Health-Arts-Festival-Writing-Awards.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250801
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250802
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250718T141829Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250721T061849Z
UID:5072-1754006400-1754092799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Dorothy Dunnett Society / HWA Short Story Award 2025
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: Midnight (UK time) on 1st August 2025\nEntry Fee:  £5\nPrizes: Winner: £500 plus mentoring and publication\nWord Limit: 3\,500 words\nNote: Stories must be set at least 35 years in the past\nCategory: Short Story Competitions\nCompetition Website: historicalwriters.org/ddshwass-award-2025/\n\nThe Dorothy Dunnett Society / HWA Short Story Award 2025 is open to short stories that are set at least 35 years in the past. The competition is run by the Historical Writers’ Association and the Dorothy Dunnett Society and the winner will receive £500\, mentoring sessions from publishing experts and publication in  Whispering Gallery and on www.historiamag.com. Two further highly commended writers will also be offered mentoring.  \nAll six shortlisted writers will have their stories published as an ebook / print on demand edition by the HWA and Dorothy Dunnett Society via Amazon and each shortlisted author will receive two print copies. Longlist announced on 24 September. Shortlisted\, highly commended and winning stories announced on 1 October and shortlisted authors will be invited the the Crown Awards Ceremony on 19 November in central London.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/dorothy-dunnett-hwa-short-story-award/
CATEGORIES:Short Story Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250731
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250801
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250522T132930Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250522T132930Z
UID:9904-1753920000-1754006399@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Novelry: The Next Big Story - £75\,000 Prize
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 31 July 2025\nEntry Fee: £15\nPrizes: 1st Place: £75\,000; the winner and seven runners-up\, will receive The\nFinished Novel Course.\nWord Limit: Opening 1\,500 words (three pages)\nCategory: Novel Competitions\nCompetition Website:  thenovelry.com/prize\n\nThe Novelry is pushing the boat all the way out with The Next Big Story prize. Almost unbelievably\, the top prize is a whopping £75\,000! (That’s more than the Booker Prize winner gets!) And you don’t even have to have finished your novel. \nAll you need is the idea for a story and the first thee pages of what could be a novel.\nOne grand winner will scoop the £75\,000 prize and\, along with seven runners-up\, will receive The\nFinished Novel Course to create\, write\, and edit their novel with our all-star cast of writing coaches and former Big Five editors for submission to our partner literary agencies. \nThe judging panel includes movers and shakers from the book world\, including Emma Roberts\,\nTayari Jones\, Zibby Owens\, Julia Quinn\, Zosia Mamet\, Brady Lockerby\, Yann Martel\, Carley Fortune\,\nJackie Oshry\, and Kimmy Nwokorie. They’ll be looking for the next big story. Could it be yours? \nThis is an opportunity that might seem too good to be true\, but we’ve checked it carefully\, and it is true! So if you want to write The Next Big Story\, get involved today. \nThe Novelry is the global fiction writing school offering courses\, coaching\, and community to help\nthe next generation of writers become authors. Founded by Booker Prize-listed author Louise Dean\, with a team of bestselling authors and book editors from Big Five publishing houses offering direct submission to leading literary agencies. The Novelry helps writers find their stories and go from book idea to book deal. Learn more at: thenovelry.com
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/novelry-next-big-story/
LOCATION:VirtualLocation
CATEGORIES:Novel Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250731
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250801
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250424T102935Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250424T103113Z
UID:9412-1753920000-1754006399@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Southlands Arts Creative Writing Competition 2025
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: Midnight (UK time) on 31 July 2025\nEntry Fee: £3.00 for a single submission. £5 if you submit to both life writing and creative writing\nPrizes: Adults: First prize in each adult category is £100\, second prize is £50\, runners up will each receive £20. Under 18s: First prize in each under 18 category is £50\, second prize is £25\, runners up will each receive £10\nWord Limit: 2\,000 words (excluding title)\nEligibility: Prose only from writers resident in the UK at the time of submission\nJudges: Jayne Towndrow\, Paula O’Shea and Elizabeth Drummond (published author)\nCategories: Fiction/Short Story / Life Writing\nCompetition Website: southlandsarts.co.uk/competition\n\nThe Southlands Writing Competition 2025 is open for entries until the deadline on 31st July 2025. There are two categories for entry: Fiction/Short Story and Life Writing. The theme for the Fiction/Short Story category is the weather. It’s up to you how you include the weather but some kind of weather must be included. Entries for the Life Writing category should be about the writer’s own life. \nEntry fees are: £3.00 for a single submission. £5 if you submit to both life writing and creative writing. Fees go toward the prize pots and the Southlands Arts Centre\, a charity with a mission to bring the arts to the local and wider community.  \nCheck out the competition website for further details.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/southlands-arts-creative-writing-competition/
CATEGORIES:Non-fiction Competitions,Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Southlands-Creative-Writing-Competition-2025.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250721
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250722
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250618T074231Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250618T074337Z
UID:10063-1753056000-1753142399@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Flashback Fiction Challenge 2025
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 23:59 (UK time) 21st July\, 2025\nEntry Fee: Lucky Dip Tickets:- Early Bird: £4\, General: £8\, from 23rd April: £9; Golden Tickets:- Early Bird: £15\, General: £20\nPrizes: 1st Place: £1000\nWord Limit: 3\,000 words max\nCategory: Short Story Competitions\nCompetition Website:  globesoup.net/2025-flashback-fiction-challenge\n\nFor this challenge\, writers will be assigned a specific decade—the 1950s\, 60s\, 70s\, 80s\, 90s\, or early 2000s—and must craft a contemporary short story that includes at least one flashback set in that assigned decade! The idea is that the flashbacks should feel unmistakably of their time. From the language or cultural references to the setting or mood\, Globe Soup are seeking stories that capture the essence of their decade and transport readers into that world. \nIf you take the Lucky Dip option\, you will be randomly assigned a decade. If you choose the Golden Ticket\, you can choose your decade. Once you receive your assignment\, you’ll have until the deadline to craft a complete story (of 3\,000 words or fewer) that features at least one flashback to your assigned decade. There’s no minimum word requirement\, but your entry must stand alone as a full story. \nThe decades are:\n1. 1950s (1950-1959)\n2. 1960s (1960-1969)\n3. 1970s (1970-1979)\n4. 1980s (1980-1989)\n5. 1990s (1990-1999)\n6. Early 2000s (2000-2009) \nYou can read more about the rules and guidance for competition HERE. \nSo if you fancy taking part in this exciting competition\, get in early and take advantage of the early bird prices – and then decide whether you want to risk the lucky dip or pick your own decade! \nNote that for writers who want to take part in regular competitions but also be part of an online writing community\, Globe Soup is a brilliant option. As well as the open competitions (like this one) which are outlined on their website\, they also have an amazing members-only Facebook group with regular free-to-enter competitions and plenty of writing-related chat.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/flashback-fiction-challenge/
LOCATION:VirtualLocation
CATEGORIES:Short Story Competitions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250720
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250721
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250630T133135Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250630T133135Z
UID:10227-1752969600-1753055999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Galtellì "Reeds in the Wind" International Literary Prize 2025
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 20th July 2025\nEntry Fee: FREE\nPrizes: 1st Place: €500.00\nWord Limit: 5\,000 and 7\,000 characters (NOT words)\, excluding title\nEligibility: Open to anyone aged 18 or over\, international\nparticipants welcome\, entries can be written in Italian\, Sardinian\, or English\nCategory: Short Story Competitions\nCompetition Website:  premiocannealvento.it/en/premio\n\nThis free-to-enter literary prize is run by The Municipality of Galtellì\, in collaboration with Jane Austen’s Book Club Association. the Galtellì “Reeds in the Wind” International Literary Prize is dedicated to Grazia Deledda\, Nobel Prize for Literature. \nNote there are several rules that must be adhered to in order to avoid disqualification\, so please read the details on the competition website carefully. \nThe competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over. International participants are welcome\, entries can be written in Italian\, Sardinian\, or English.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/galtelli-international-literary-prize/
CATEGORIES:Short Story Competitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://newwriters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/International-Literary-Prize-Canne-al-Vento-e1751290240507.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250712
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250713
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250512T122756Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250513T135636Z
UID:6084-1752278400-1752364799@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Scottish Wildlife Trust Words of the Wild Writing Competition
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 11:59pm on 12 July 2025\nEntry Fee: FREE\nAdult Prizes: Various prize bundles\nWord Limit: 1\,000 words\nTheme: From source to sea\nCategories: Short Story Competitions\, Poetry Competitions\, Non Fiction Competitions\nCompetition Website: scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/wordsofthewild/competition\n\nThe Scottish Wildlife Trust is once again inviting you to tell your story of Scotland’s wildlife and wild places. Have you witnessed a wildlife spectacle that took your breath away? Or had a wildlife encounter that stopped you in your tracks? Which words would you use to describe these experiences? \nSubmissions can be in English\, Scots or Gaelic up to 1\,000 words long and written in any form: poem\, letter\, short story\, essay\, song lyrics – whichever works best to tell your story. This year’s theme is “From source to sea”.  \nA winner from each age and language category will be selected by the panel of judges and will receive an amazing prize bundle: \nAdult winners (18 years and over)\n– A pair of Badger binoculars from Viking Optical\n– A £100 NHBS wildlife equipment voucher\n– A selection of 5x nature books from Canongate\n– A copy of Snorkelling Britain from Wild Things Publishing\n– A 1-year subscription to British Wildlife magazine\n– A bottle of the Trust’s 60th anniversary Connell’s Wild Scotland gin from Selkirk Distillers\n– A year’s membership to the Trust or one of our wildlife adoptions \nJunior winners (under 18 years)\n– A snorkel\, mask and tow float set from Arran Active\n– A £100 NHBS wildlife equipment voucher\n– A copy of Snorkelling Britain from Wild Things Publishing\nOne of the following:\n– A thornback ray sponsorship package from Macduff Marine Aquarium\n– A rockpooling goody bag from the Berwickshire Marine Reserve\n– A guided experience snorkelling session with Basking Shark Scotland**\n– A year’s membership to the Trust or one of our wildlife adoptions \nTwo runners-up in each category will also receive one of our wildlife adoption packs. \nWinners will be announced at a special event as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival in October. \nYour submission will be judged on its originality\, creativity and inspirational qualities by a brilliant panel of judges including Craig Aitchison\, Susi Briggs\, Seonaidh Charity\, Anne Frater\, Eve McIntosh\, Len Pennie\, and Dr Kenny Taylor.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/words-wild-writing-competition/
CATEGORIES:Non-fiction Competitions,Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250630
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250701
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250603T080939Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250702T095354Z
UID:1947-1751241600-1751327999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Alzheimer's Society Poetry Competition
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: Midnight (UK time) on 30 June 2025\nEntry Fee: Free (up to three entries)\nPrizes: Publication in the Alzheimer’s Society magazine\, Dementia Together\nWord Limit: 30 lines maximum\nCategory: Poetry Competitions\nCompetition Website: alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/publications-and-factsheets/dementia-together/poetry-competition-2025-dementia-together-magazine\n\nThe free-to-enter Alzheimer’s Society Poetry Competition is open to poems of up to 30 lines on the subject of dementia or people affected by the condition. It is open to residents of the UK\, the Republic of Ireland\, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands aged 16 or above at the time of entry. Poems must be your original work and not published elsewhere (unless in a personal capacity\, such as on your blog – ask us if you’re unsure).  \nEntry is by email or post and the winning poems will be published in the Alzheimer’s Society magazine\, Dementia Together. Check out the competition website for the full details.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/alzheimers-society-poetry-competition/
CATEGORIES:Poetry Competitions
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250630
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250701
DTSTAMP:20260422T070854
CREATED:20250513T095410Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250513T095410Z
UID:9741-1751241600-1751327999@newwriters.org.uk
SUMMARY:Hastings Book Festival Competition 2025
DESCRIPTION:Deadline: 10pm on 30 June 2025\nEntry Fee: Single entry fee is £8.25; Two entries: £15; Three entries £21 (Max one entry for creative non-fiction)\nPrizes: 1st prize £250\, 2nd prize £100\, and 3rd prize £50\nWord Limit: Stories up to 2\,500 words; poems up to 40 lines; creative non-fiction up to 1\,000 words\nEligibility: Entrants to all competitions must be a minimum of 18 years old at time of entry\, but the competition is open to all\, including non-UK based writers.\nJudges: Short Story\, Jen Calleja (Poetry)\, Creative Non-Fiction\nCategory: James Young (Short Story)\, Poetry\, Sam Davey (Creative Non-Fiction)\nCompetition Website: hastingsbookfest.org/competitions\n\nThe annual Hastings Book Festival Competition launched on 31 March 2025 and closed on 30 June 2025. With prizes for short stories\, poems and creative non-fiction\, there’s something for everyone\, with extra options for those living in Sussex or near Hastings. \nThe categories and prizes are as follows: \nThe main Hastings Book Festival Writing competition is for writers of short story and poetry and can be on any theme. Entries are welcome from anywhere in the world. \nThe Sussex Prize is for writers living in East and West Sussex and one will be chosen from the shortlisted entries of each of the categories for the main competition. \nThe Founder’s Prize is for emerging writers living within a 20-mile radius of Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea. It is for works of creative non-fiction and the theme is ‘REFLECTIONS’. This will be limited to one entry per person with a maximum of 50 entries overall.
URL:https://newwriters.org.uk/competition/hastings-book-festival-competition/
CATEGORIES:Non-fiction Competitions,Poetry Competitions,Short Story Competitions
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