Last updated: 12 July 2010
Please note that all details are subject to change. Always check the latest rules with the individual competition organisers.
1st July
Writers' Clinic 1st Birthday Comp
Prose: 250 wds. Theme: Tell us what owning a signed copy of an author's book feels like. Fee: FREE. Prizes: Signed copies of A Mother's Guide to Cheating by Kate Long
and The Chronicles of Joya by Liane Carter. Details: web send entries to Anita Andrews 181 Easemore Road, REDDITCH, Worc's B98 8HF
Leaf Books Creative Writing Workshop comp
Creative writing piece: poems 20 lines or fewer, or 300 words of prose. Theme: Think of a person you know well and write a brief piece (a paragraph or two; maybe a short poem) that tells the reader something about that person's character … but without using adjectives, adverbs or abstract nouns. So if your chosen person is kind, for example, you cannot simply say 'She is kind', 'She acts kindly' or 'She shows kindness': you have to demonstrate her kindness through her actions. Fee: £3 or 4 for £10. Prize: overall winner will receive £150 and free copy of Leaf Books Writing mag. Details: web post Leaf, Gti, Valleys Innovation Centre, Abercynon, CF45 4SN.
Leaf Books Write About Writing Comp
Article: 300 wds max. Themes: Where you write; Fitting writing into a busy schedule; writing resources (web, books, writing groups etc); editing; Publishing success and failure. Fee: £2.50 or 5 for £10. Prize: £100 and copy of magazine/further prizes of publication and complimentary mag for runners up. Details: web post Leaf, Gti, Valleys Innovation Centre, Abercynon, CF45 4SN.
10th July
Creative Competitor 'Design an imaginative back cover blurb'.
Blurb: 100 words max. Theme: write an imaginative back cover blurb for your new novel. Fee: £2. Prizes: £100/£50. Details: Web or email: info@creative-competitor.co.uk
16th July
Rowan Coleman's Short Story Competition
Story: 1000 wds. Theme: Starting Over. Fee: FREE. Prizes: First prize: 3 months creative writing online mentoring from Rowan Coleman, Tea and Cakes at Random House Publishing with Arrow Publishing Director Kate Elton and Rowan Coleman, a letter of introduction and agent feedback from David Higham Associates, £100 to spend on Random House books, your story to be published on Rowan Coleman's blog/website and a signed copy of The Happy Home for Broken Hearts/Other great prizes. Please see website for details. Rules: email entry only; The competition is only open to residents of the UK and Ireland who have not had a novel or short story collection published and/or do not have a publishing contract. Only one entry per person will be accepted. Details: web (email: rowanswritingcomp@btinternet.com)
24th July
Creative Competitor Novel Synopsis Comp
Synopsis: No word limit stated. Fee: £2. Prizes: £100/£75/£50 (please note that publication is not offered to any of the winners). Details: web or email info@creative-competitor.co.uk
31st July
Catherine Howard Short Story Comp
Story: 500-5000 wds. Fee: £5 optional critique further £5. Prizes: Depends on number of entries. See website for details. Plus some to charity of winners' choice. Details: web or email akacatherinehoward@yahoo.co.uk send SAE for entry form to: Catherine Howard Short Story Comp: 98 Woodland Road, Leeds, LS15 7DW
Creative Competitor 1st Chapter Competition
First chapter: up to 10k words. Fee: £4. Prizes: £500/£200/£100/4x£50. Details: web or email info@creative-competitor.co.uk
Hissac Open Short Story Competition
Story: 2500 wds. Fee: £5 per story, 3 for £12. Prize: £400/2x£50. Details: web post: HISSAC, 20 Lochslin, Balintore, Scotland IV20 1UP
How To Books Article Writing Comp
Article: Approx 300-500 wds, but will accept longer. See website for possible subjects. Fee: FREE. Prize: £200. Details: Web
Jerwood Aldeburgh First Collection Prize (2009 details - 2010 comp opens early 2010)
Poems: Three bound or proof copies of first poetry collection (must be at least 40 pages). Fee: FREE. Prize: £3000, a week of 'paid' protected writing time, an invitation to speak at Jed Aldeburgh Poetry Festival. Details: web post Aldeburgh First Collection Prize, The Poetry Trust, The Cut, 9 New Cut, Halesworth Suffolk IP19 8BY
Story: 1500-2000 wds. Theme: The Romance genre Fee: FREE. Prizes: Publication for winner/Books worth £200 for runner up (presumably Mills and Boon, but not stated specifically. Details: Web post: Edwina Langley, Short Story Competition, The Lady, 39-40 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9ER.
Story: adults 3000 wds max. juniors (8-11 and 12-15) and 1500 wds max. Poems: Adults 40 lines max. juniors 20 lines max. Fee: FREE for juniors, adults based on No of entries (see website) Prizes: Book tokens to top 3 winners in both junior age categories, adults 1st/2nd/3rd depends on Prize Fund. Judges: Eva Ullian poetry, Sally Quilford prose. Details: web
Wells Festival Of Literature International Short Story and Poetry comps (2009 details - new comp opens early 2010)
Poems: 40 lines max. Story: 1800-2000 wds. Fee: £4 in each category. (2009 prices) Prizes: £500/£200/£100 in each category, plus local prizes. Details: web post Short Story Competition, Chegworth House, Moor Lane, Draycott, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3TD, UK.