In 2020 we launched a new short story prize in addition to our art competition in order to encourage creativity during the lockdown. The prize was generously sponsored and judged by festival benefactors Julia & Martin Wilson. The competition now takes place every other year, the next one is in 2026.

Entries need to be a maximum of 2,000 words with unlimited entries allowed per entrant. No theme to adhere to.

Prizes:

Main prize (over 16s): £800
Ages 11-16yrs: £100
Age 10 and under: £100

The 2026 competition will open for entries on 5th January, so start working on your entries!

The deadline for entries is 6pm on 27th March 2026. 

Please do not enter any previously submitted entries as they will not qualify for consideration.

Winners will be announced the second week of April.

There is a fee of £12 per entry for over 16s for the main prize of £800, but the competition is free to enter for 16 and unders.

Visit the Short Story Prize web page for further details. An online entry form will appear on the page in January.