My Novel

My Novel

UK Poetry Competitions (currently (8)

Creative Writing Ink Competition.   There is no theme for this regular short story contest from the Creative Writing Ink website.  As usual it is open worldwide and has a word limit is 3,000.
    Closing: 30.9.26 at 5pm.
    Prizes: 1st - £1,000 and a creative writing course of your choice, plus publication on the website..  Runners-up - £200 and publication on the website.
    Entry Fee: £12.
    Comp Page: Creative Writing Ink

Hammond House International Writing Competitions.  This annual offering from Hammond House Publishing at University Centre Grimsby is for short stories of between 1,000 and 5,000 words, poems of up to 40 lines, scripts (theatre, radio, short film, TV, comedy sketches) of up to 10 pages (= approx. 10 minutes duration) and Songwriting in the form of just lyrics or complete songs..  In all categories the theme this year is Destiny.
    Closing: 30.9.26.
    Prizes: Short Story - £1,000, £100,  £50.  Poetry - £1,000, £100, £50.  Script - £100, £50, £25.  Songwriting - £100, £50, £25 in each sub-category, plus the song will be played at the 2026 Literary Festival and released worldwide on the Hammond House record label.  All shortlisted entries will be published in the anthology (in the song category, this will be lyrics only).
   Entry Fee: £10.
    Comp Page: HH Lit Prize

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

Eyelands Book Awards.  This is the 9th of these international book award contests from literary magazine Eyelands and Strange Days Books in Greece.  There are three main categories: Published Book, Unpublished Book, Writers’ Choice.  Acceptable genres include Poetry Collection, Novella, Short Story Collection, Novel, Children’s and YA books, Historical Fiction, Memoir, Graphic Novel.
    Closing: 20.10.26 (midnight PST).
    Prizes:: Unpublished Book Grand Prize - Translation into Greek and publication by Strange Days Books.  Published Book Grand Prize - a 5-day stay in Athens.  Writers’ Choice (as voted for by other prizewinners) - a 5-day stay in Athens or publication by Strange Days Books.  All 24 prize winners will also receive a special handmade ceramic. Selected excerpts from prizewinners will be published online, and translated into Greek.   All winners and finalists receive an online certificate, ideal for printing and hanging on the wall where your visitors are sure to see it (i.e. next to the drinks cabinet or the television).
    Entry Fee: 20 euros up to September 20, then 30 euros.
    Comp Page: Eyelands Comp

Happiful Poetry Competition.  This freebie, which is open to UK residents only, is for poems of up to 25 lines on the subject of mental health or wellbeing.
    Closing: 30.10.26.
    Prizes: 1st - £100 by bank transfer.  Shortlisted (4) - £25 in National Book Tokens.
    Entry Fee: None - free to enter (only one entry per person).
    Comp Page: Happiful Poetry

Bedford Writing Competition.  This annual not-for-profit contest from Bedfordshire, home of the famous Shuttleworth Collection (old aeroplanes and cars) is for stories of up to 3,000 words and poems running to no more than 40 lines.  There is also the Cygnature story and poetry contest, open to young writers aged 17 to 25.  Plus there is the Bedford Prize for Bedford residents.
    Closing: 31.10.26.
    Prizes in each category (Poetry, Short Story): £2,000, £400, £300.   Cygnature Short Story and Poetry - £300 in each category.  In addition there is £100 in each category for the Bedford Prize..  Shortlisted and winning entries will be published in an anthology (e-book and hardcopy).
    Entry Fee: £8.50 each, £17 for three.  Full-time students: £6 each, £12 for three.
    Comp Page: BWC.

National Poetry Competition.  This hallowed and pleasingly lucrative event from the Poetry Society is back again for its umpteenth year.  As usual, entries of up to 40 lines are the order of the day.  The contest is open worldwide to poets aged 18 and over.
    Closing: 31.10.26.
    Prizes: 1st - £5,000.  2nd - £3,000.  3rd - £2,000.  Commended - £500.
    Entry Fee: £9 for the first, £6 thereafter.
    Comp Page: NPC

Edward Thomas Poetry Competition 2027.  The Edward Thomas Fellowship is running another of its annual poetry contests.  As usual, entries are limited to 40 lines, and there is no set theme.  Prize-winning poet Daljit Nagra will be judging.
    Closing: 15.1.27.
    Prizes: 1s6 - £250.  Commended (up to 6) - £100.
    Entry Fee: £5 each (maximum three entries).
    Comp Page: ETF Poetry.

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

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.