writing competitions

  • Competition Winners

    When I was teaching a course on writing competitions at Swanwick Writing Summer School back in August, I launched two competitions for those attending the school. I had some fantastic entries for both competitions which made my job of choosing winners very difficult. But I promised I would announce the winning stories today so I’ve

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  • I Want Your Stories!

    A few months ago, I ran a writing competition to win a copy of my latest book of short stories, A Walk in the Woods. I had some super entries and so, as it’s coming up to the sixth anniversary of the release of my first book of short stories, The Siege, I thought it

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  • Markets For Writers

    Writing Magazine are holding their 500-word flash fiction competition. There’s no theme, so you can choose your subject, but you don’t have long – the closing date is 15th November 2019. Visit the competition page for the rules and to enter. Prizes: 1st place: £200 Runner-up: £50 Entry fees: £6 (£4 for subscribers) ***

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  • Winning Ways

    Have you entered a writing competition recently and not come anywhere? You’re not alone. I remember that sinking feeling, when I clicked on a link to the shortlisted entries and my name wasn’t among those on the list. But I wasn’t about to give up and kept studying prize-winning stories. What was it about them

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  • Markets For Writers

    The Big Issue Crime Writing Competition is certainly worth an entry. Why? Well, with a prize of a two-book publishing contract under the Avon Books UK imprint by HarperCollins, why wouldn’t you want to enter?! They’re looking for a 100-word synopsis and the full manuscript. To find out more about the competition, and how to

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  • I Challenge You To…

    This week’s challenge is to write a story, limerick or poem on the subject of: The Pub Last week’s theme was Diets. Here are some of the entertaining pieces you sent in: Keith Channing always sends a clever limerick: “You know,” I said, loading my platter, “I don’t think I could stand to be fatter.”

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  • I Challenge You To…

    This week’s challenge is to write a story, limerick or poem on the subject of: Diets As I was away, the previous challenge was extended. The theme was Shopping. Here are some of the super pieces you sent in: Keith Channing always makes me laugh: Ecologically, I’m still a learner, I can’t seem to work

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  • I Challenge You To…

    This week’s challenge is to write a story, limerick or poem on the subject of: Holidays Last week’s challenge was to write about sunshine. You sent in some excellent pieces. Here are a few: Keith Channing‘s limerick is hilarious – and so true! Sometimes, when the weather is fine We sit back with bread, cheese

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  • The Results Are In!

    When I sent out an appeal for ideas for the theme of my next mini competition, little did I know that I’d have hundreds of responses. You certainly made my job of picking a winning theme difficult. So I then decided to choose three winning themes. Well, you came up with so many good themes

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  • Your Last Chance!

    Competition Time! Three weeks ago, I set a mini-competition within a mini-competition! Lots of you took part in my latest flash fiction competition where I set the theme of ‘The Discovery’.  The results can be read here, if you missed them. I’m now looking at running my next mini-competition, but I’m not quite sure of the theme to

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