Write the World

Write the World

Personal Essay Competition 2026: ESSAY: Build a bridge.

Competition Opens: Mon, Jun 1, 2026

Competition Closes: Mon, Jun 22, 2026

Overview

Who’s Eligible:Young Writers (13-19) Piece Length:400-1000 words

“When I write about something that may have happened in my life, I'm building a tiny bridge to the greater experiences of other humans,” writes memoirist and former Guest Judge Lidia Yuknavitch. “I am of the mind that this is how we keep each other from going under. This is how we extend love and mutual aid, to weave our stories together.”

 This month, dear writers, share a story from your own life. Make sure to include characters, rich descriptions, and narrative details. Who knows, it might just resonate with a stranger on the other side of the world.

 

Ink of Ages Fiction Prize. Historical & Mythological Short Fiction

Enter the Contest

If you write historical or mythology-inspired short fiction, you can enter a story under 2,000 words to win some great prizes from World History Encyclopedia and Oxford University Press!

Our contest is free to enter and we accept submissions in English from anywhere in the world. 

Enter 14 July – 22 August 2026 

 

Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize

Enter the 2026 Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize

Representing more of the globe than any other prize of its kind, the prize supports writers who have not published book-length works, with no limits on age, gender, nationality, or background. The winners of each category will receive a £1,000 cash prize and publication in Wasafiri. All winners and shortlisted writers will be offered the Chapter and Verse or Free Reads mentoring scheme in partnership with The Literary Consultancy (dependent on eligibility), and a one-year print subscription to Wasafiri.

 

Young Wild Writers Competition

Young Wild Writers Competition | Hen Harrier Action

Our theme this year is: Our Shared Planet - living alongside nature

We’re looking for original writing on the theme of the natural world and its inhabitants having to share the space. This could involve humans and any other aspect of nature such as animals, plants, or habitats where nature lives.

Writing could express human interaction with nature, or where humans haven’t shared well with nature, or where two animals are fighting for space or food. For example, plants growing through a brick wall, animals at a watering hole, birds visiting a bird feeder near houses, or humans building over the habitats of many important animals and plants. These are examples of “our shared planet” and are interesting or important to recognise.

 

Stories of the Future

Stories of the Future creative challenge - Earth4All

What could our future look like?

We hear about climate change, inequality, and injustice every day, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But the future isn’t fixed. It’s shaped by what we do next.

That’s where you come in.

We’re inviting young people around the world to imagine new stories about the future – and share them in a creative challenge. When we tell better stories, we create space for change. 

Learn more about the challenge on this page and submit your entry by 19 July 2026!

 

Scribblebibble

Scribblebibble writing competition - Scribblebibble

• Who Can Enter: Children aged 11-18 years old.
  • Categories: Ages 11-13 or Ages 14-18
• Word Count: 50-500 words, based on one of the Scribblebibble writing prompts, which can be viewed here.
• Submission Period: Annually: February 1st – June 30th. If you have missed the submission period, why not have a look at our other writing resources and competitions?
• How to Enter: Email to competition@scribblebibble.com. Full details are in the rules below.
• Prizes: A $20 or £20 or €20 online voucher for each age group winner. Please indicate your preferred currency. (Other currencies may or may not be available).
• Judging Criteria: Originality, imagination, language, and adherence to the prompt.
• This is a privacy-first competition open to 7-18-year-olds worldwide. In line with rapidly changing global and local guidelines and laws regarding internet safety and data protection,  for this competition, we celebrate the writing without publishing the author’s name.

 

Story Glory

Story Glory | Enter Writing Contests Today Competition | Enter Now, Share Your Story — Story Glory

£20 Amazon Voucher for the winner + publication
Next best also published in the Story Glory Booklet
PLEASE READ:
* Fiction only, no poetry 
* Previously unpublished
* Entries to be typed in English
​* Free from AI generated content
​* Entries must carry a title with a byline
​* Opens: 1st Monthly  Closes: Last day of the month
* Min word count 300 - Max word count 1200

 

HG Wells Short Story Competition

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.

Entries for the 2026 HG Wells Short Story Competition will close on Tuesday 7th July 2026 at 11pm, BST.

 

CAAB Publishing

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.