Write the World 

Competition Opens: Mon, May 4, 2026

Competition Closes: Mon, May 25, 2026

With the words of self-help author Wayne Dyer in mind, consider how to share your view of the world through an excerpt of your future memoir. How will this snapshot of your life story make “the things [readers] look at change”? Perhaps you’ll explore a time when an inconvenience led to a happy coincidence. Or maybe you’ll consider how a family tradition or favorite hobby has shaped you. Whether your submission explores love, grief, growth, culture, or the human condition, consider how your words can inspire a fresh perspective.

You need not tell your full life story in your piece; instead, zoom in on one snapshot—up to 1,000 words—that offers a slice of your identity and experience while enticing readers to, one day, read more.

secondary-11-18 Competitions | Poetry & Creative Writing For Schools | Young Writers 

Deadline 22^nd May

This summer term, take this chance to express yourself and get writing with I Have A Dream, open for the final time.  You could consider future hopes and dreams, whether personal or connected to wider issues. Or perhaps you'll dive further into creativity and write about wonderful dreamlands or creepy nightmares. 

You can use any poetic style to structure your ideas, and the theme is open to interpretation so it's a fabulous chance to write in a way that suits you, creating something unique and personal. 

There are awesome prizes up for grabs, including £250, Apple AirPods and cinema vouchers to be won!

What do you dream about? We can't wait to find out!

Upload your entry at www.youngwriters.co.uk/competitions/enter

Student Voices - The Day

Deadline 17^th May

Is there an issue you feel strongly about? Want to be a published writer? Here at The Day, we stay objective about the news — but you don’t need to. Submit your articles and videos to us for the chance to reach thousands of people around the world — and make a real difference.

Amazing Young Writers Challenge for Children, Kids, Students

• 100 words maximum
• Any type of creative writing is accepted, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics and all other forms of written work
• Your creative writing will be published on this page and you'll receive a 'Certificate of Publication'

CAAB Publishing 

Deadline October

Tales of the Winter Festival invites young writers to step into this magical season and share their imagination with the world. Your story might be about a lantern festival glowing against the dark winter sky, a family tradition that warms the coldest night, a mysterious winter carnival, or a celebration from your own culture, or even one you invent entirely. It can be joyful, thrilling, funny, adventurous, cozy, or a little bit spooky. What matters most is your voice.

We are calling on children and young people aged 6–16 from around the world to submit their original winter festival themed stories. Whether you love writing a few paragraphs or penning epic adventures, this is your chance to shine. Stories must be no longer than 2,000 words, so choose your moments carefully and make every sentence sparkle.

Digital Dreamers Magazine - Submissions

This time, we’re focusing on STEM and Healthcare – creating an opportunity to explore your future career and share your passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in any theme you choose.

Submit essays, research, or poetry, as well as original photography and artwork. All contributors will receive a certificate for their CV!

• Can be of any form (short story, descriptive, essay, etc.)
• If it has a specific format, please ensure that it is in that format on a Google Docs when uploaded
• Cannot exceed the 3000 word limit

How to Enter - The HG Wells Short Story Competition

The 2026 theme is ‘The Cheat’ – interpreted any way you wish. Those who are 21 or under on 7th July 2026 can enter the HG Wells Short Story Competition for FREE. There is no entry fee, and the winning story will win a prize of £1,000.

The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition 2026 – The Branford Boase Award and The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition

 Deadline 29^th May

• This year’s competition theme is inspired by the book that won the Branford Boase Award in 2025, Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald. rt story or a description (no more than 600 words).
• A poem or song lyric (no more than 40 lines).
• You can write less than 600 words or 40 lines but not more.

Think about how your writing will transport our judges to the place you are describing or make them feel they know the person you are writing about. Think about how you will keep them interested too.

DH Lawrence Writing Competition 2026 - Individual | Broxtowe Borough Council

Deadline 17^th May

Entrants should submit a short story or poem, no longer than 500 words, on the theme of ‘Friendship’ to be in with a chance of winning a prize across three age categories:

• Aged 4-7
• Aged 8-11
• Aged 12-16

First prize in each category will win a Kindle, with runner-up and highly commended prizes of up to £50 in National Book Tokens. There will also be a special ‘Best of Broxtowe’ prize in each age category.

Successful entrants will be invited to an awards ceremony at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum on Victoria Street, Eastwood. The first prize in each category will have their work entered into a digital exhibition.

Quay Words at Exeter Custom House | Announcing the 2026 Young Writers’ Flash Fiction Competition!

f you’re aged between 10 and 18-years, send us your Flash Fiction, 250 or 500-word story on the theme of ‘Between the Lines.’ There are two age categories – 10-14 years and 14-18 years – with cash prizes in each category of £200, £100 and £50, plus the chance to be published and to perform your work at Exeter Custom House.

We are looking for your inventive story, with a maximum word count of 500 words in the 10-14 year age-category and 250 words in the 14-18 year age-category.

Deadline 18^th May