{"id":15017,"date":"2018-12-03T13:35:33","date_gmt":"2018-12-03T13:35:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.city-academy.com\/news\/?p=15017"},"modified":"2025-10-29T10:09:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T10:09:50","slug":"best-uk-writing-competitions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.city-academy.com\/news\/best-uk-writing-competitions\/","title":{"rendered":"Best UK Writing Competitions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n<\/p>\n
\n\tFor all City Academy aspiring writers, and fellow creative writers. We’ve hand-picked the latest and best writing competitions<\/strong> from the long lists of competitions and awards listed online. All the writing competitions we’ve listed below are for unpublished writers so perfect for those looking to take their first writing steps.<\/em><\/p>\n

For more information about ongoing competitions join our Writing Club<\/a> – where you’ll receive monthly bulletins with all the latest information.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\"writing\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n
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Short Story & Short Fiction Writing Competitions<\/h2>\n

Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize<\/strong><\/a>
\nCelebrating the best of new short fiction (up to 2,000 words per entry), this competition aims to give its winners the greatest visibility possible, with the chance to be published in multiple print and online locations and to have their work put in front of literary agents.<\/p>\n

Judge<\/strong>:\u00a0short story writer Claire-Louise Bennett
\nFirst prize<\/strong>: \u20ac1000, a week\u2019s residency at the\u00a0Civitella Ranieri Foundation<\/a>, a consultation with a US literary agent from\u00a0Foundry Literary + Media
\nDeadline<\/strong>: 14 February 2019
\nHow to Apply<\/strong>: https:\/\/desperateliterature.com\/desperate-literature-short-fiction-prize\/\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

The Bridport Prize<\/b><\/a>
\nAn international creative writing competition – with the mission to encourage emerging writers and promote literary excellence. They have four categories: Short Stories, Poetry, Flash Fiction and Novel. They aim to promote new writing and develop new opportunities for writers.<\/p>\n

Judge<\/strong>: Kirsty Logan
\nFirst prize<\/strong>: \u00a35,000
\nDeadline<\/strong>: 31 May 2019
\nHow to Apply<\/strong>: http:\/\/www.bridportprize.org.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook Short Story Competition<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

For published and aspiring writers alike – enter our free annual short story competition and be in with a chance of winning a place on one of Arvon’s four- or six-day Clockhouse writing retreats, as well as seeing your story published on www.writersandartists.co.uk.<\/p>\n

Deadline<\/strong>: Midnight 13 February 2019
\nHow to Apply<\/strong>: https:\/\/www.writersandartists.co.uk\/competitions<\/a><\/p>\n

Wicked Young Writers Awards<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

This young writers award (aged 5-25) is your chance to write absolutely anything. Short Story, play or poem. There is a 750 word limit and is open to UK residents only.<\/p>\n

Prize<\/strong>: A self-publishing package from Spiderwize, book tokens and more
\nHow to Apply<\/strong>:\u00a0https:\/\/literacytrust.org.uk\/programmes\/young-writers\/wicked-writers-be-the-change\/<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBROWSE CREATIVE WRITING COURSES\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\"creative\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n
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Novel & Longer Fiction Competitions<\/h2>\n

Spotlight First Novel Competition<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Run by literary consultancy Adventures in Fiction, this competition is calling for synopses and first pages of unpublished novels. This competition is for first novel writers only and is a great opportunity for new writers.<\/p>\n

First Prize<\/strong>: Professional input worth upto \u00a31270, including: a mentoring package with a full manuscript appraisal, a development strategy and two consultations.
\nDeadline<\/strong>: 14 February 2019
\nHow to apply:<\/strong>\u00a0https:\/\/adventuresinfiction.co.uk\/spotlight-first-novel-award-2023\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Penguin Open Submissions window for Unagented Writers<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Ebury Open Fiction submissions period is a chance for unagented authors to get their manuscript read. They are looking for novel that are 70,000 words in the following areas: commercial fiction, crime thrillers and “Bookclub”. Please note that submissions are open to writers from around the world, you do not have to be based in the UK.<\/p>\n

They will read through every submission that we receive and will make every effort to get back to you within eight weeks to let you know. Please note we are unable to provide detailed feedback on novels that are not suitable for our lists.<\/p>\n

Deadline<\/strong>: 31 December 2018
\nHow To Apply<\/strong>:\u00a0https:\/\/www.penguin.co.uk\/company\/publishers\/ebury\/ebury-open-fiction-submissions.html<\/p>\n

Lucy Cavendish College Fiction Prize<\/strong><\/p>\n

This annual prize provides an opportunity for unpublished female authors, aged 21 and over,\u00a0to launch their literary careers.<\/p>\n

Prize<\/strong>: \u00a31,500
\nDeadline<\/strong>: noon, 8 February 2019
\nHow to Apply<\/strong>:\u00a0https:\/\/www.lucy-cav.cam.ac.uk\/fictionprize\/<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\"poetry\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n

Poetry Writing Competitions<\/h2>\n

Caf\u00e9 Writers Open Poetry Competition<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The Open Poetry competition welcomes submissions of original unpublished poems (maximum 40 lines).<\/p>\n

Judge<\/strong>: Daljit Nagra
\nFirst Prize<\/strong>: \u00a31,000
\nDeadline<\/strong>: 30 November 2018
\nHow to Apply<\/strong>:\u00a0http:\/\/cafewriters.co.uk\/home\/poetry-competition\/\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Magma Poetry Competition<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

This poetry competition is open to everyone, including non-EU residents, and the poems may be on any subject. The poems must be written in English and be your original work.<\/p>\n

Judge<\/strong>: Andrew McMillan
\nFirst Prize<\/strong>: \u00a31,000
\nDeadline<\/strong>: 12 January 2019
\nHow to Apply<\/strong>:\u00a0https:\/\/magmapoetry.com\/competition\/\u00a0<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBROWSE CREATIVE WRITING COURSES\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For all City Academy aspiring writers, and fellow creative writers. 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