Category: Competitions

To enter, and for full competition rules, see: How to Enter

Brief: ‘Write a piece of prose around the theme of ‘the next chapter’. The theme can be interpreted in any way you wish, but must incorporate some reference to a fresh start.’

(max 300 words, 10% plus or minus)

Deadline: November 25th 11:59pm

Adjudicator: Eleanor Marsden

Winners will be announced at the November meeting and thereafter in the newsletter. Please come in person to the meeting to receive your certificate!

To enter, and for full competition rules, see: How to Enter

Brief: ‘The plot of all stories is a character changing.

At some point, there is a moment of irrevocable change after which nothing will ever be the same again. Please write 300 words that centre on a moment of revelation: a character recognises that they are forever changed.’

(max 300 words, 10% plus or minus)

Deadline: October 25th 11:59pm

Adjudicator: Helen Cullen

Winners will be announced at the November meeting and thereafter in the newsletter. Please come in person to the meeting to receive your certificate!

To enter, and for full competition rules, see: How to Enter

Brief:  ‘What is a profound experience of nature you’ve had, when you felt most a part of the natural world?

Using your experience as inspiration, write 300 words in any form so that the reader is immersed in the natural world through their senses and vivid description. You might also wish to explore different perspectives – including the non-human!’

(max 300 words, 10% plus or minus)

Deadline: September 25th 11:59pm

Adjudicator: Shimrit Janes

Winners will be announced at the October meeting and thereafter in the newsletter. Please come in person to the meeting to receive your certificate!

FIRST PLACE: ‘Family’ by Ryan Keogan

SECOND PLACE: ‘The Night Walk’ by Nicola Pritchard-Pink

THIRD PLACE: ‘Among the Thorns’ by Michael Hopkins

HIGHLY COMMENDED: ‘The Major’ by Helen Kent

To enter, and for full competition rules, see: How to Enter

Brief:  ‘A man or woman stands on a beach looking out to sea… Write 300 words based on this scenario, any genre. I’m looking for great prose, story, character or simply something that makes me think.’

(max 300 words, 10% plus or minus)

Deadline: August 25th 11:59pm

Adjudicator: Vaseem Khan

Winners will be announced at the September meeting and thereafter in the newsletter. Please come in person to the meeting to receive your certificate!

FIRST PLACE: A Sea Change by Jo Agrell

SECOND PLACE: No Distant Shore by Margaret Bromage

THIRD PLACE: Bag For Life by Maggie Farran

HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Beach by Stephen Hodgson

To enter, and for full competition rules, see: How to Enter

Brief:  ‘ For this challenge, research is not background—it is the engine of your story. Show us characters who are gathering data, asking dangerous questions, delving into memories, or uncovering hidden worlds. You may write in any genre, but the piece must highlight how research propels action, creates tension, or leads to transformation. Keep the narrative tight, the stakes sharp.’

(max 300 words, 10% plus or minus)

Deadline May 25th 11:59pm

Adjudicator: Louise Morrish

Winners will be announced at the June meeting and thereafter in the newsletter. Please come in person to the meeting to receive your certificate!

Winning entries

FIRST PLACE: Buried Evidence by Johnathan Reid

SECOND PLACE: Cracking Eggs by Philip Evans

THIRD PLACE: The Man Who Never Was by Michael Hopkins

HIGHLY COMMENDED: C. R. O. 21736/26 by Anne Eckersley

To enter, and for full competition rules, see: How to Enter

Brief:  ‘Write a short piece of historical fiction (300 words max) set in any era of your choosing. I would be looking to see how well the piece absorbs me in the period chosen.’

(max 300 words)

Deadline April 25th 11:59pm

Adjudicator: Stephen Hodgson

FIRST PLACE London 1974 By Shirley Jackson

SECOND PLACE A Heart from a Hart By Wendy Falla

THIRD PLACE Basing House by Michael Hopkins

HIGHLY COMMENDED The Plot By Ro Devile

To enter, and for full competition rules, see: How to Enter

Brief:  ‘Natural sounding dialogue is always important in storytelling, as is the ability to introduce fresh developments in a believable manner, so please write 300 words about a conversation between two people that is interrupted by something unexpected!‘

(max 300 words)

Deadline March 25th 11:59pm

Adjudicator: Nick Spalding

FIRST PLACE The Right Time for Waffles by Francesco Sarti

SECOND PLACE 22nd November 1963 by Maggie Farran

THIRD PLACE Number Twenty Three by Michael Hopkins

To enter, and for full competition rules, see: How to Enter

Brief:  Write a short story (300 words)  inspired by a work of art. It could be about an unknown painting, or a famous sculpture; seen from the artist’s perspective, or the viewer’s. The art might be the subject of the story, or merely the starting point. If you can, please include a copy of the image which sparks your interest. 

Deadline February 25th 11:59pm

Adjudicator: Sarah Freethy

Winners will be announced at the March meeting and thereafter in the newsletter. Please come in person to the meeting to receive your certificate!

FIRST PLACE The Blue Tit by Francesco Sarti

SECOND PLACE Man with a Quilted Sleeve by Viv Smith

THIRD PLACE Doom by Michael Hopkins

HIGHLY COMMENDED Blindsided by Eleanor Marsden

HIGHLY COMMENDED Tooth Fairy by M J White

To enter, and for full competition rules, see: How to Enter

Brief:  ‘Write a love story.’

(max 300 words)

Deadline January 25th 11:59pm

Adjudicator: Della Galton

Winning Entries

FIRST PLACE A Good Beginning by Michael Hopkins

SECOND PLACE Acting Out by Rachel O’Neill

THIRD PLACE A Blush in the Ivy by Eleanor Marsden

HIGHLY COMMENDED The Loving Maze by David Sinclair