October 2023

Flash 500 Flash Fiction Competition

This quarterly open-themed competition for fiction up to 500 words:
closing dates of 31st March, 30th June, 30th September and 31st December.

Entry fee: £5 for one story, £8 for two stories

Prizes: £300, £200 and £100

Email: entry@flash500.com

Website: www.flash500.com

Flash 500 Novel Opening Chapter & Synopsis Competition

Annual competition closes 31st October 2023.

Entry fee: £10 for one novel, £18 for two novels, £26 for three novels

Prizes: £500 first prize, plus a runner’s up prize of £200

Email: entry@flash500.com

Website: www.flash500.com

Café Writers Open Poetry Competitionn 2023

Open for entries until November 30th

Martin Figura: sole judge; no sifting.
1^st Prize: £1000
2nd £300; 3rd £200
Five Commended Prizes of £50
Norfolk Prize £100
Best poem from a permanent resident not winning another prize.

Zoom Prizewinning event: @ Café Writers on 11th March, 2024

Fee: £4; £10/3, then £2 per poem.

Free entry, 1 poem, to any UK resident
for whom the cost of entering would be prohibitive

Length: 40 lines
Café Writers, 85, Gertrude Rd, Norwich, NR3 4SG
Check website for full rules: www.cafewriters.co.uk

SWC Annual Open Short Story Competition 2023
Deadline: 31st October 2023
Chief Judge: John Maguire
No theme, original unpublished work only.
First Prize: £200, Second Prize: £100, Third Prize: £50
2000 words maximum
Entry fee is £3 per story or four stories for £10
Online and Postal entry available
5 Carrwood Park Southport, Merseyside,PR8 5FA
Full details and online entry  at http://www.swconline.co.uk

The Bedford Competition
International & Short Story & Poetry Awards
Short Story Competition – up to 3000 words.
Poetry Competition – up to 40 lines on any theme.
TBC is a non-profit group, all net proceeds going to charities
Short story judge, Tim Jarvis. Poetry judge, Kirsten Norrie/MacGillivray
Details: www.bedfordwritingcompetition.co.uk
Prizes: £1500, £300 and £200
All entries go into the main competitions;
those aged 17 to 25 or Bedford residents qualify for special prizes as well.
Entry fee: £7.50 or 3 for £15. Students, £5 or 3 for £10.
Closing date: 31 October 2023

‘Sonnet or Not’ 2023
Cannon Poets invite poems of 14 lines.
First Prize £500
Judge: Gregory Leadbetter
Full details: www.cannonpoets.org.uk
or from Hon. Sec. Cannon Poets, 22, Margaret Grove, Birmingham, B17 9JH
Closing date 31st October