Our quarterly Short Story Competition in now OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS.
NB: This competition has just re-opened (April 2026). The next DEADLINE will be July 31st
The deadline for this prize is midnight (UK time) on the last day of:
January
April
July
October
Your story/stories can be any theme or genre, and must be within the range of
501 – 1500 words (not including the title).
You can enter up to THREE stories in each quarter.
Entry fees: £5 for 1 story | £8 for two | £10 for three.
You can also request a critique/feedback for your entries
Short Story Prizes
First
£100 Cash Prize
Publication online
Guaranteed inclusion in a future digital anthology
Professional Audio Recording, broadcast on a UK radio station and around the world online
1st Place Winners Laurel to display online/on socials
Second
£30 Cash Prize
Publication online
Guaranteed inclusion in a future digital anthology
Professional Audio Recording, broadcast on a UK radio station and around the world online
2nd Place Winners Laurel to display online/on socials
Special Mention
Publication online
Guaranteed inclusion in a future digital anthology
Professional Audio Recording, broadcast on a UK radio station and around the world online
Special Mention Laurel to display online/on socials
Short Story Short List
A selection of short-listed entries will be considered for:
~ Inclusion in a future digital anthology
~ Professional Audio Recording, broadcast on UK radio and around the world online
(Authors will be contacted prior to any inclusion or recording taking place. Any story being placed on our short list does not guarantee any of the above.)
The results will be announced here (and in our social media) within twelve weeks of the deadline date. Please ensure you read our rules for condition of entry. Go to our entry page to pay your entry fee and enter. Good luck! – We look forward to reading your stories. In the meantime, you can read previous winning stories here.
We have teamed up with UK radio station RADIO NORTHUMBERLAND for our short story competition.
Winning entries will be professionally produced and recorded by us, and BROADCAST ON RADIO in Northumberland (the largest county in the UK, with a population of over 330,000) as well being broadcast online AROUND THE WORLD.
They will also be available here on our website, for anyone to listen ON DEMAND whenever they like.
Cranked Anvil 