What better way to spend the long summer evenings than taking a walk with your notebook and pen to work on the plot of that short story you’ve been meaning to finish or re-write the poem that you know is nearly there, but needs a bit more tweaking?
Some folk hate a deadline whereas others (me included) find that having an external goal that must be met is what provides the kick up the butt to get the words flowing. I guess it depends on what your writing life has been to date. Mine has been full of maximum word counts and fixed, non-negotiable deadlines and I experience a sudden burst of writerly energy when I’m up to the wire. There’s no right way. The main thing is, find inspiration and motivation where and when you can.
With that in mind, this short round-up of competitions with summer deadlines might just help. Whether you’re having a staycation or vacation this year, carve out some time for yourself, get writing and enter a competition or two.
Good luck!
| National Literary Trust Short Story Competition | June 25th, 2017 | 1st £200 Publication |
£30 | 4000 words |
| Mere Literary Festival Biennial Poetry Competition |
June 26th, 2017 | 1st £200 2nd £100 3rd £50 Publication |
£3.50 | 40 lines |
| Grindstone Literary Poetry Competition |
June 28th, 2017 | 1st £100 2nd £50 3rd £25 |
£4 | 40 lines |
| The Brighton Prize | June 30th, 2017 | 1st £1,000 2nd £100 3rd £100 Publication |
£8 | 2,000 |
| Bath Spa University Novel in 25 Words |
June 30th, 2017 | £500 Publication |
Free | 25 words |
| Mslexia Womens’ Poetry Competition | June 19th 2017 | 1st £2,000 2nd £400 3rd £200 Publication |
£7 | Any length |
| Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2017 | July 14, 2017 | £300
Publication |
£6 | 3,000 or 5 poems |
| Dragonfly Tea Short Story Competition |
July 31, 2017 | 1st £1500 2nd £750 3rd £500 |
Free | 3,000 |
| Grindstone Literary Summer Novel Opening Competition |
August 28th, 2017 | 1st £250 2nd £100 3rd £50 |
£6 | 1,000 |
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