Last updated: 24 June 2010
Please note that all details are subject to change. Always check the latest rules with the individual competition organisers.
31st October
National Poetry Competition
Poems: 40 lines max. Fee: £6 first poem, £3 others. Cheques payable to Poetry Society. Prize: £5000/£2000/£1000/7x£100 Rules: Entries must not have been published, self-published or broadcast, incl. Online publications. Details: web post: Competition Organiser (Web), The Poetry Society, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX.
Poems: up to 40 lines max (excl. Title). Fee: £3 per poem. Prizes: £150/£100/£50. Rules: entrants must include an entry form and two copies of each poem. Details: web post: Jennie Searle, Woodbine Farmhouse, Ingram Lane, Sutton On Trent, Nr Newark, NG23 6RT
Open Poem: 40 lines. Short poem: 10 lines. Poem for Children: (suitable for children aged 5-11) unrestricted length. Fee: £4, or 4 for £14. Online entry fee: £4.35 per poem. Prizes: £500/£200/£100 in first two categories. £100 first prize in Poem for Children. Local prizes for entries from Devon. Details: web post The Plough Arts Centre, 9-11 Fore Street, Great Torrington, Devon, EX38 8HQ
Poems: Any length: Fee: £3 per poem, 4 for £10 (one free entry with purchase of any Ragged Raven Poetry Book) Prizes: £300/4x£50. Details: web post: Ragged Raven Press, 1 Lodge Farm, Snitterfield, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 0LR
The Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Comp
Children's novel: under 80,000 wds. Fee: FREE. Prize: Publishing contract with Chicken House and royalty advance of £10,000. Rules: The entry should be suitable for a worldwide children's audience aged between 9 and 16. Each entry must be accompanied by a brief synopsis, plot plan and a letter of submission explaining the book's appeal to children. Picture books and graphic novels will not be accepted and illustrations will not be considered. Details: web post The Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition, T&C request, Customer Liaison department, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1PL (enclose SAE)
The Tom Gallon/Olive Cook Award
Story: 5000 wds. Fee: FREE. Prizes: £1000 to winner. Rules: Writers must have had at least one story published and be actively pursuing a career in writing. Their financial situation will be taken into account. Entries must be sent by post. Emails and faxes will not be accepted. Details: web post Paula Johnson, Awards Secretary, Society of Authors, 84 Drayton Gardens, London SW10 9SB.
Unbound Press Poetry Competition
Poem: 40 lines max Fee: £3 Prizes: £30/£15. Details: web . Email entries only to upsubmissions@googlemail.com
Unbound Press Flash Fiction Competition
Short story: 400 words max. Fee: £3. Prizes: £30; £15. Details: web Email entries only to upsubmissions@googlemail.com