Discover the best UK and international writing competitions to showcase your talent. From poetry to short stories and novels, my curated list highlights opportunities with upcoming deadlines, generous prizes, and prestige for both aspiring and established authors.

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Visible Mag Art Essay Prize

Essay format

Deadline:

31 December 2025

Prize:

Published by Visible and membership of its Founding Patron programme.

Description:

Seeking unexpected insights on art and culture today.

Bridport Prize 2025: Short Story

Short story (up to 2,500 words)

Deadline:

Already open; closes 31 May, 2026 (but enter soon for 2025 cycle)

Prize:

£5,000 (1st); publication in anthology

Description:

UK-based; open internationally; £12 entry fee; winners auto-entered into BBC Short Story Award.

Bridport Prize 2025: Poetry

Poetry (up to 42 lines)

Deadline:

Already open; closes 31 May, 2026 (but enter soon for 2025 cycle)

Prize:

£5,000 (1st); publication in anthology

Description:

UK-based; open internationally; £10 entry fee.

Writers' & Artists' Yearbook Short Story Competition 2025

Short story (up to 2,000 words)

Deadline:

14 February, 2026

Prize:

Arvon Residential Writing Week (£850 value); publication

Description:

Free entry; open to all; judged by UK literary experts.

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Comments

Elizabeth Chatwin Jackson
7 days ago

I have found myself producing the story of my mother's life in poetry; dots that join together. It was not initiated by ambition, or to serve a public with entertainment, but rather for the health and wellness of an old woman who suffers dementia, to take her on excursions down Memory Lane. The result has more than satisfied my mission, bringing joy and gladness to her, but meanwhile it appears to touch the heart of those who hear them or read them. I am keen publication, not just because I think it can stand on its feet as a book, but more so because I would love to encourage families with old people suffering dementia to be encouraged to write for healing. Beth.