My Novel

My Novel

UK Poetry Competitions (currently (10)

F(r)iction Writing Competition.  This international contest from the USA has three categories: Short Story (1,001 to 7,500 words), Poetry (up to three pages per poem), and Flash Fiction (up to 1,000 words..
    Closing: 13.11.26.
    Prizes: Short Story - $1,000.  Flash Fiction - $300.  Poetry - $300.
    Entry Fees: Short Story - $15.  Poetry and Flash Fiction - $10.
    Comp Page: F(r)iction Comps

Cafe Writers Open Poetry Competition.  Poems of up to 40 lines will be accepted for this annual contest from Cafe Writers of  Norwich where the Man in the Moon, according to an old nursery rhyme, was keen to go after tumbling down to earth.   Perhaps he thought he might find a doctor there, but Doctor Foster, as any kid from that era could have told him, had gone to Gloucester.   To be clear, this contest is not for nursery rhymes.
    Closing: 15,11.26.
    Prize: 1st - £1,000.  2nd - £300.  3rd - £200.  Commended - 3 x £30.  Norfolk Prize - £50.
    Entry Fee: £5 each, £13 for three, £4 each thereafter.
    Website:  Cafe Writers

Letter Review Prizes.  Here’s a repeat of the contest from the USA with three categories: Poetry (all kinds, up to 70 lines), Short Fiction (up to 5,000 words), and Unpublished Books (first 5,000 words of a novel, nonfiction or collection of short stories, or 15 pages of poetry).  In the Unpublished Books category, self-published books are eligible.  In all three categories, a  covering letter is required, as specified in the Guidelines.
    Closing: 27.11.26 (11.59pm ET).  Early Bird closing date for reduced entry fees: 30.10.26 (4am).
    Prizes: A share of the $1,000 prize pool in each category.  Poetry and Short Fiction winners will be published, while Unpublished Book winners can choose to have an extract published and receive a letter of recommendation from the judges.  Winners in the first two categories will also be considered for submission to the Pushcart Prize and other anthologies.
    Entry Fee: Short Fiction - $22 for the first, $15 thereafter.  Poetry - $17 for the first, $10 thereafter.  Book - $27 for the first, $20 thereafter.
    Comp Page: Letter Review Prizes

Gregory O’Donoghue Poetry Competition.  This annual international contest from the Munster Literature Centre in Southern Ireland is for poems in English of up to 40 lines in any style and on any subject.
    Closing: 30.11.26.
    Prizes: 1st - 2,000 euros plus a featured reading at the Cork International Poetry Festival with a four-night full-board hotel stay, plus publication in Southword magazine and on a podcast.   2nd - 500 euros and publication in Southword    3rd - 250 euros and publication in the mag.  Runners-up (10) - 50 euros and publication in the mag.
    Entry Fee: 7 euros each, 30 euros for five.
    Website: O’Donoghue Poetry

The Moth Poetry Prize 2026.   Ideally you would write your entry for this one while fluttering against a window in the night, vainly trying to get at the light inside.  But although that might seem appropriate, it isn’t de rigueur as the contest is not strictly about moths.   The Moth is the name of the Irish magazine running the competition, and as far as I know, it doesn’t have any moth connection at all.  As to the competition, apart from being one of the best-paying of its kind, it has the distinction of having no line-limit.  But  remember: it’s for poems not novels.   Long ago before television and the internet took over our lives, people could spend all evening reading a poem without eventually screaming, ‘For crying out loud, how much more of this is there?’  Now things are different, so if it’s going to go on for over 100 lines, it better be damn good.
    Closing: 31.12.26.
    Prize: 1st - 6,000 euros.  Runners-up (3) - 1,000 euros.  Eight more prizes will be awarded, these being 250 euros each.  All shortlisted poems will be featured in the online version of The Irish Times.
    Entry Fee: 17 euros.
    Comp Page: Moth Magazine Poetry

Dear Michael
   I discovered your excellent site a few months back and entered some of the poetry competitions. I have in all my long years never received a payment for anything I have written, but I today received an email from Cooldog Publications to say I have won second prize in their E-mag Poetry Competition! £50! What a great way to start the new year.
   I just had to write and say thanks to you for the trouble you have taken with your site and how much I appreciate the sense of humour that underpins it.
  This has given me a terrific boost.
                                                                                -  Carol Browne

Shepton Snowdrops Poetry Competition.  Hang on a minute, this is not for poems about snowdrops,  The theme this year from the Shepton Mallet Snowdrops Festival is Water is Life.  No doubt this springs (pun intended) from the recent droughts when many living things, including my once-beautiful back lawn, withered and died.   Snowdrops do need water of course, but I imagine the theme is referring to life in general.  On the other hand, I do not have any inside knowledge on this subject.  I trust that has cleared up any confusion.  Poems should run to no more than 30 lines.
    Closing: 3.1.27.
    Prizes:  Ages 18 and Over - £300.  12 to 17 - £100.  Under 11 - £50.   All shortlisted poems will be published in a pamphlet.
    Entry Fees: £4 per poem for entrants aged 18 and over,  Under 18s can enter one poem free of charge.
    Website: Shepton Snowdrops

Arts Richmond Poetry Prize 2027 .  This one is for poems of up to 40 lines on the theme of An Open Window.  Well-known poet Roger McGough will be the final judge.
    Closing: 15.1.27.
    Prizes: £250, £150, £75.  Local Prize - £150.
    Entry Fee: £6 each, £13 for three.
    Comp Page: Arts Richmond.

Poems on the Move Competition.  Poems of up to 14 lines that fit onto an A4 page are required for this international contest from the Channel Islands ... or rather one of them: Guernsey.  The three prizewinners in each category will be displayed on Guernsey Buses, with the 9 finalists being exhibited at Guernsey Airport.  A further 12 poems will be selected for display at various public locations around the Island.
    Closing: 15.1.27.
    Prizes: Open category: 1st - £1,000, £500, £250.  Channel Islands; 1st - £250, £50, £30.  Young Poets: 1st - £250, £50, £30.
    Entry Fees: Open and Channel Islands categories - £5 each, three for £12,  Young Poets - Free.
    Comp Page: Guernsey Poetry

Never Such Innocence.  This year’s theme for the annual NSI contest is Through Your Eyes.  The organisers are inviting young people between the ages of 9 and 18 to share their perspective on war and conflict.  If you fit the age limits, they want you to consider what has shaped your perspective (i.e. your experience, nationality, heritage, gender, proximity, etc).   There are three categories to enter: Poetry, Art or Short film.  You can enter one category, two or all three, all at no cost.
    Closing: 26.2.27.
    Prizes: Winning entries will be published in a digital booklet.  The winners will receive an NSI prize pack and will be invited to take part in special opportunities.  They will also get a personalised certificate of commendation.
    Entry Fee: None - free to enter.
    Website: Never Such Innocence

Canterbury Tales Writing Competition.  Children and young adults are invited to enter stories or poems in this freebie from the Chaucer Heritage Trust.  Entries do not have to be set in Canterbury but they must invoke the spirit of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales.  The theme of the contest this year is Transformations.  You can write a story/poem about a transformation, or a poem or story about a change that leads to surprising consequences, or you can write a description of a character who transforms from evil to good or vice versa.  Limit your creative efforts to 500 words.  There are three age categories: 5 to 10, 11 to 14, and 15 to 18.  Winners are awarded prizes for themselves and their school’s library.
    Closing: 28.2.27.
    Prizes (in each age category): 1st - £300, plus £1,000 for the library.  2nd - £150 plus £500 for the library.  3rd - £100  plus £250 for the library.
    Entry Fee: None - free entry (one per person).
    Comp Page: Canterbury Tales

Hi Michael
     I spent a year or so reading all those comments on your website from people who, since consulting your list, seem have won just about every competition going. I read it and thought it must be too good to be true – but worth a try. Then, on my third submission, I have actually gone and won the Yeovil Literary Prize for Poetry. I am absolutely over the moon, unable to believe it, etc.  Thank you so much.
                                                                                   -  Andy Miller

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Notes: Unless otherwise stated in the rules, poetry should be single-spaced.  It is sometimes the case that your name shouldn’t appear on the manuscript. Check the rules.  If you put your name on there after being told not to, you’re out.  Don’t use coloured paper or fancy fonts.  The colour and pizzazz to make you stand out from the crowd should be in the words.  Plain white A4 80gsm paper is the stuff to use, with plain black typing or print.  My preferred font for poetry manuscripts printed on an inkjet or laser printer is Gill Sans in 12 point (13 if I’m not pressed for space).  This gives a clear, dark print that’s easy to read.  Although publishers and agents sometimes demand the feeble Courier font, which comes out on my printers like something produced by a typewriter with an antique ribbon, I’ve never known competition organisers to express any preference.  But as always, check the rules.  Finally, write on one side of the sheet only - unless asked to put your address, etc, on the back.
 

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Disclaimer

   
For other types of writing contests see the full list on my Writing Comps page.