Competitions for Young Writers

Author ot Tomorrow. Part of the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize, this is an annual competition for young people aged 11-21 who have completed a short piece of adventure writing in English.

 

BBC Young Writers' Award. Open to writers between the ages of 14-18 for a story up to 1,000 words.

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Betjeman Poetry Prize. Themed contest for young people, aged 10 -13, living in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Cash prizes and more.

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Booktrust. Prizes and awards that cover a wide range of genres and themes for both children and adults.

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Christopher Tower Poetry Competition. An annual themed contest open to young writers (16-19) in full or part-time education at a school, college or other educational institution (but not higher education) in the UK.

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Evesham Festival of Words Short Story Contest. International shorty story contest with adult and junior categories.

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The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award. Poetry competition for young writers aged 11-17. Prizes include mentoring, a writing course, Poetry Society membership and books.

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The Eric Gregory Awards. Awards to poets under the age of 30.

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Hippocrates Prize for Poetry and Medicine. Annual contest for poetry on a medical theme. There are three categories: Open (international), NHS (open to NHS staff, students and others), and Young (14-18). Over £10,000 in prizes.

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The Sunday Times Charlotte Aitken Young Writer of the Year Award. £10,000 awarded for a full-length published or self-published (in book or ebook formats) work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry, by a British or Irish author aged 18-35 years.

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The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. Cash prizes for historical fiction novels with an addition competition for young writers between 11 and 19.

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