Wells Festival of Literature International Writing Competitions

Wells Festival of Literature announces international writing competitions for writers and poets worldwide, including an Open Poetry International Competition, a Young Poets’ International Competition, a Short Story International Competition, and a Book for Children International Competition.

Open Poetry International Competition:

• Submission guidelines: The maximum number of lines is 35 and can be on any subject.
• Entry fee: £6.
• Prize: Top prize of £1,000. Shortlisted poems will be included in their Poetry Booklet. Poets will be invited to either read their poem in Cedars Hall or they can send a video.

Young Poets’ International Competition:

• Submission guidelines: The maximum number of lines is 35 and can be on any subject.
• Entry fee: £3.
• Prize: Top prize of £200 plus a year’s subscription to The Poetry Society. Shortlisted poems will be included in their Poetry Booklet. Poets will be invited to either read their poem in Cedars Hall or they can send a video.

Short Story International Competition:

• Submission Guidelines: submit a story between 1,000 and 2,000 words on any subject.
• Entry fee: £6.
• Prize: Top prize of £750. All those on the shortlist are invited to come to Wells, during the Festival, for the competitions’ event on Monday 20th October, when the winners will be announced.

Book for Children International Competition:

• Submission Guidelines: requires the first 30 pages or the first three chapters, whichever is the shortest on any subject.
• Entry fee: £6.
• Prize: Top prize of £750.
• All those on the shortlist are invited to come to Wells, during the Festival, for the competitions’ event on Monday 20th October, when the winners will be announced.

All competitions open for entries on 1st April 2025 and close for entries on 30th June 2025. Winners will be announced during the Festival on Monday 20th October.