It helps a great deal to be able to call yourself an award-winning author. To claim such praise begins by entering competitions. I've curated a bunch of writing competitions, managed by British organisations, for you. I've provided only basic details so make sure you check the Terms & Conditions for each competition - links are in the titles to the competition. Good luck! 🥳
Deadline | January 13 |
Entry fee | £5 |
First prize | £100 |
Word limit | One side of A4 |
Theme | None just the advice to “dare to be different” |
Deadline | January 13 |
Entry fee | Free |
First prize | £5,000 + representation via Curtis Brown Literary agency |
Word limit | 10,000 words + synopsis |
Theme | Novel do not need to be finished |
Deadline | January 15 |
Entry fee | £10 |
First prize | £500 |
Word limit | 3,000 words, 1-2-1 sessions, Open Mic slot |
Theme | None |
Deadline | January 26 |
Entry fee | Free |
First prize | £4,500 |
Word limit | 10,000 words, synopsis, cover letter |
Theme | Only open to unpublished writers of colour of SFF fiction |
Deadline | January 31 |
Entry fee | £10 |
First prize | £100, published in New Writers Anthology |
Word limit | 300 words (including title) |
Theme | None |
Deadline | January 31 |
Entry fee | £18 |
First prize | £500 + an appraisal |
Word limit | 5,000 words |
Theme | None |
Deadline | January 31 |
Entry fee | £12 |
First prize | £1,000 |
Word limit | 4,000 words |
Theme | None |
Deadline | January 31 |
Entry fee | £12 |
First prize | £1,500 |
Word limit | 10 pages, 1 paragraph pitch, 1 page synopsis |
Theme | None. Only open to women writers |
Deadline | February 28 |
Entry fee | £18 |
First prize | £500 |
Word limit | 3,500 words |
Theme | “The Mystery remains box-shaped, at once a prison and a refuge. Its four walls are, roughly, a Crime, a Mystery, an Enquiry and a Conclusion with an Element of Satisfaction in it.” |
Deadline | February 28 |
Entry fee | £11 |
First prize | £3,000 |
Word limit | 2,000 words |
Theme | None |
Deadline | February 28 |
Entry fee | £7 |
First prize | £700 |
Word limit | 3,000 words |
Theme | None |
Deadline | March 1 |
Entry fee | £20 |
First prize | £500 and publication |
Word limit | 40,000 words |
Theme | None |
Deadline | March 31 |
Entry fee | Free |
First prize | £10,000 |
Word limit | 20,000 words + synopsis + bio |
Theme | Open to a first-time prose writer whose work shows literary talent and who would benefit from financial support in order to complete their work |
Deadline | May 31 |
Entry fee | £24 |
First prize | £1,500, publication & manuscript appraisal |
Word limit | 8,000 words |
Theme | Your novel doesn’t have to be finished. We initially need only 5,000 to 8,000 words and a 300 word synopsis. If you’re long listed we’ll ask for a total of 15,000 words, including your original word count. Shortlisted? Then we need a total 30,000 words, again including your original entry and long listed word count. |
Deadline | May 31 |
Entry fee | £14 |
First prize | £5,000 |
Word limit | 5,000 words |
Theme | None |
Deadline | May 31 |
Entry fee | £29.99 |
First prize | £5,000 |
Word limit | 5,000 words + 1 page synopsis |
Theme | None |
Deadline | June 30 |
Entry fee | £10 |
First prize | £1,000 |
Word limit | 2,500 words |
Theme | None |
To find out details about my books, click on the image
