5 writing competitions to apply to before the end of 2019

By   Hannah Bickerton 1 min read

whitefox: helping brands, thought leaders and writers create beautiful bespoke books

Mslexia Fiction Competition 2019: Flash Fiction

Are you a woman writer who is expert at writing powerful, emotive stories in just 300 words? If so, this is the competition for you! Mslexia have a wide array of fantastic opportunities for writers (especially those preferring a shorter format), all with small entry fees and fantastic prizes. Enter Mslexia’s Flash Fiction competition and be in with a chance of winning £500 and publication.

The Jhalak Prize

The Jhalak Prize celebrates the best published book of the year from a UK writer of colour. Submissions have just opened and will close on the 15th December, so there’s plenty of time to send in your book (of any genre!) Roy McFarlane, Anita Sethi, Nikesh Shukla and Kerry Young will judge any book, traditionally published or self-published; put your name in the hat and you could win £1000.

London Short Story prize

The deadline for Spread the Word’s short story prize is fast approaching, so don’t waste any time! With over 500 submissions in 2018, this contest is competitive, but a fantastic opportunity for both published and unpublished short story writers. For the chance to win £1000 and publication in Open Pen London, submit up to 5000 words on any topic by the 7th October.

The Bath Children’s Novel Award

One for aspiring children’s authors, The Bath Children’s Novel Award is open for unpublished writers to submit the first 5000 words of their manuscript along with a one page synopsis. If your book is for young people between the ages of seven and seventeen, unpublished or self-published, £1800 and literary agent introductions could be yours. Apply by 17th November!

The 2020 Life Writing Prize

This is an amazing (and rare) opportunity for life writers. Although entries have not yet opened, they are due to sometime in November. In association with Goldsmiths Writers’ Centre, Spread the Word’s free-to-enter prize encourages emerging writers to submit a piece of writing that is reflective of their own life (i.e, not fiction). The terms and conditions? You cannot have had a full work published or be represented by a literary agent. £500 and some amazing mentoring are up for grabs, so keep an eye on Spread the Words’ Twitter page for any news!

Hannah Bickerton
Hannah Bickerton
Hannah has worked in marketing for nine years, specialising in strategy development for start-ups and EdTech companies. Having recently jumped across industries to join the Whitefox team, Hannah isn’t a complete stranger to the publishing world with previous employment at Macmillan and TES Global. She is now dedicated to ensuring that anyone who has something interesting to say knows all about whitefox.