2026 Writing Competition
We've partnered with Bournemouth University's Bournemouth Writing Prize for our 2026 Creative Writing Competition - celebrating their 10th anniversary.
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With MORE cash prizes!
The Bournemouth Writing Prize
The Bournemouth Writing Prize is an international competition honouring exceptional quality prose and poetry. We enjoy supporting writers based in the Southwest of England or who write about themes close to our home and hearts, but our reach is global and our tastes eclectic, so writers from anywhere on the planet are encouraged to send us their very best work. It is organised by the MA in Creative Writing and Publishing at Bournemouth University in collabation with the Bournemouth Writing Festival
The Bournemouth Writing Prize celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2026, with the largest prize fund of £3,000 for winners. Every year, we support a writing charity to help more people to express themselves through words - providing access to writing professionals and offering free workshops. This year, we are proud to support The Storyworks. Entrants can make a donation to the charity helping young people find their voice when submitting their entry.
Perform at our Bourn Jammy music event
Each winner will have an Open Mic slot at our live music / improvisation event on the Saturday night of the Writing Festival (26th April 2025) at Pavilion Dance.
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The band mould their notes to your words and rhythm creating a spectacular backdrop to your performance. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
The incredible MC Gramski will be returning for another super-high energy improvised performance, taking suggestions from the audience and creating a unique and unforgettable story from the festival crowd.
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If you missed it last year, DO NOT miss this year!
This Year's Competition
Bournemouth has a rich literary heritage. World-renowned writers - from Bram Stoker to Bill Bryson, Mary Shelley to JRR Tolkien, all took inspiration from our seaside oasis on the south coast of Dorset. Originally, Bournemouth was a spa town, attracting people from across the country (and polluted cities!) to use the sea air to revitalise their wellbeing. Where relaxation exists, creativity springs.
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Drawing on Bournemouth's incredible creative scene - including two world-class universities, colleges and language schools - and a thriving, engaged and inclusive creative community, our 2025 writing competition - in partnership with the Bournemouth Writing Prize - invites writers from across the world to be inspired by Bournemouth's rich literary history to send us their short stories (up to 3,000 words) and poems (up to 30 lines) on any subject.
For 2026, we are supporting The Storyworks, whose mission is to help young people in Dorset build confidence in themselves and their own voice by providing them with the space and creative tools to tap into their imagination and tell stories in their own unique way. Creative writing has the power to change lives. When young people have experience of their voice being heard, seen and valued, they develop the confidence to seize opportunities and achieve their true potential.
At the payment screen you are welcome to add a donation to fund their outstanding work.
The costs to enter are:
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£10 for a Short Story (up to 3,000 words)
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£10 for up to three poems (up to 30 lines)
An option to donate to The Storyworks will appear at the payment screen​
Key Dates
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Early bird 20% off finishes 31st May 2025.
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Deadline for entries is midnight 15th August 2025.
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Shortlisted finalists will be completed by 31st October 2025.
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A winner will be chosen by the judges by 30th November 2025.
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Finalists and the winner will be announced by 15th January 2026.
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Anthologies will be on sale by 24th April 2026 with a celebration event at the 2026 Writing Festival for the winners.
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*External link to the dedicated competition website