Creative writing competitions

In this article, I’ve picked a few different creative writing competitions that are open or opening soon. Whether you’re interested in poetry, short stories, long fiction or non-fiction, there are many different competitions available – this is not a conclusive list so go ahead and look for a prize that suits you! Happy writing!

Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize

Your task in this competition is to submit a short story up to 6,000 words in length. Any genres are accepted, so why not give some horror, crime or fantasy a go. The first prize for this competition is an appealing £2,500, making the entry fee of £11 worth it. In addition to this, there are 200 free entries for the prize which you can apply for through the email info@galleybeggar.co.uk. The deadline for this competition is the November 8, so get writing!

Inkspot Publishing’s Short Story Competition

This competition is looking for a short story with a maximum of either 2500 or 5000 words. It will only cost you £10 to write 2500 words and £15 for 5000 words and the first prize will be £1000 along with publication on Inkspot Publishing’s website. Amateurs and professionals are encouraged to write for this competition, so why not try something new and see how creative writing works for you? The deadline is the November 30.

Neil Gunn Writing Competition

You can write for either the Short Story or Poetry sections. This competition uses two quotes from the collection of essays by Neil Gunn, titled Landscape to Light. These are: ‘A landscape that retains the light and is there waiting to receive you on your dark dead days.’ And, ‘We are affected strangely by any place from which the tide of life has ebbed.’ It’ll only cost you £10 per entry and you are able to submit as many pieces as you wish, so it’s possible to give both the short story and poem a try. First place will win £500 so get your writing submitted before March 6 2026!

there is a multitude of benefits for those who write a successful memoir, and there is little harm in trying your hand at this style

The Fish Short Memoir Prize

Look back into your past and write a piece of your life for the Fish Publishing House. You can write a maximum of 4,000 words and there is no restriction on theme or style. Multiple entries are also allowed, with the initial entry costing €22 and subsequent entries costing €15. Winning this competition will get you 1,000, but it is important to mention that the second and third places will receive 300 and access to an online writing course. Ten memoirs will also be published in the Fish Anthology 2026 and invited to read at the launch in July 2026. Thus, there is a multitude of benefits for those who write a successful memoir, and there is little harm in trying your hand at this style!

The Bath Novel Award

If you’re looking the opportunity to get your first novel out there and published, then have a look at the Bath Novel Award. This prize requires a complete novel of 50,000 words or more to be submitted and this work cannot have been published previously. It will cost you £29.99 to submit your novel and entreis are open from the December 1 until the May 31. This deadline gives you the opportunity to get writing and complete that first novel. If that isn’t incentive enough, the award will give first place £5,000 and the Minerva trophy.