Members' Competitions 2026 Results
Contents
The full results of the members' competitions 2026 were announced at the awards ceremony during NAWGFest 2026.
Here they are…
Open Poetry ↑
- Echoes in the Park by Robert Rayner from Northumbrian Writers.
- The Impossibility of Love Beneath an Alexander Calder Mobile by Amanda Brookfield from Holmfirth Writing Group.
- Entanglement by Sarah Dale from Burton Runaway Writers.
Highly commended: Surfing the Heatwave by David Potter from Hinckley Scribblers.
Sonnet ↑
- Life Study by Hilary Feeney from Northumbrian Writers.
Runners up:
- Taken Aback in Vienna by Jan Huntley from Holmfirth Writing Group.
- Almond Tree by Vincent Johnson from Holmfirth Writing Group.
- I Saw You, Auxo by Sheila McClure from Northumbrian Writers.
Short Story (with an included item) ↑
- Where the Dead Bloom by Emma Finlayson-Palmer from Wombourne Writers.
- The Homecoming by Yvonne Hutchinson-Ruff from Llanelli Writers' Circle.
- The Carved Angel by Sheila McClure from Northumbrian Writers.
- Luka by Fiona Bernhoeft from Northumbrian Writers.
Historical Fiction ↑
- Roses are Red, Violets are Blue by Sheila Wain from Burton Monday Writers.
- When I was Jennie by Melanie Oliver-Trotter from Northumbrian Writers.
- The Meeting Place by Sioux Bradshaw from Hastings Writing Group.
- We'll Always Have the Somme by James Edwards from Northumbrian Writers.
Ghost and Horror ↑
- The Commission by Susan Nuttall from Northumbrian Writers.
- Trick or Treat by Sue Gerrard, individual member.
- The Challenge by Janet Johnstone from Wrekin Writers.
Science Fiction & Fantasy ↑
- Bloom by Christopher Adams from Wrekin Writers.
Runners up:
- Can the Use of Government Sponsored Technology Enhance Social Cohesion by Sioux Bradshaw from Hastings Writing Group.
- Returning Home by Clare Byrne from Northumbrian Writers.
- The Professor, The Housekeeper and the Evacuees by Mark Pattison from Northumbrian Writers.
Romantic Fiction ↑
- The Colour of Love by Gillian Scholey, individual member.
- It's in the Eyes by Amelia Alice from Alnwick Playhouse Writers.
- Simple Pleasures by Yvonne Hutchinson-Ruff from Llanelli Writers' Circle.
- Stranded by Paul Mingard from Northumbrian Writers.
Runners up:
- Harvest by Penny Ellis from Ross Writers @ the Royal.
- Mafia Man by Alison Ringrose from Northumbrian Writers.
Comedy ↑
- The World According to Claudia by David Potter from Hinckley Scribblers.
- Calculating Love by Gwyneth Box, individual member.
- Penny For Them by Paul Mingard from Northumbrian Writers.
Highly commended:
- Condensed Version of the Bible by Tim Barlow from Hastings Writing Group.
- George by Karen Eaketts from Northumbrian Writers.
- Because You're Worth It by Sheila McClure from Northumbrian Writers.
- The Case of the Winter Blues by Robert Rayner from Northumbrian Writers.
- The Three F's Club by Amelia Alice from Alnwick Playhouse Writers.
Science and Nature ↑
- Robin by Brenda Cusak from Northumbrian Writers.
Runners up:
- Lavoisier and the Guinea Pig by Penny Ellis from Ross Writers @ the Royal.
- I Will Always Love Yew by Louise Courtney from Saturday Sentence.
- AI and Mankind ny Afaf G Sanders from Burton Monday Writers.
How To… ↑
- How to Spend a Weekend in Dublin on a Shoestring by Wendy White from Llanelli Writers' Circle.
Runners up:
- How to Manage Upwards by Tim Anderson from Waveney Writers Guild.
- How to be an Expert on Experts by Jan Keegan from Riverside Writers.
- How to Knit a Fair Isle Jumper by Melanie Lockey from Wombourne Writers.
Crime Fiction ↑
- Murder Most Blithe by Chris(tine) Phillips from Northumbrian Writers.
Runners up:
- The Night Walker by Ian Johnson from Tyldesley Creative Writers.
- Lights Out by Michelle Marsden from Burnley and District Writers' Group.
- Gravel by Chris Milner from Northumbrian Writers.
- The Usurper by Gillian Scholey, individual member.
- A Dutiful Wife by Lynda Turner from Burton Monday Writers.
Memoir ↑
- Fitting In by Melanie Oliver-Trotter from Northumbrian Writers.
Runners up:
- Grandad's Shed by Sandy Neville from Gorsedd Creative Writing Group.
- Who I Am by Susan Nuttall from Northumbrian Writers.
- My French Revolution by Jan Keegan from Riverside Writers.
Short Story or Poem by Sponsored Child ↑
Highly commended:
- Vikings by Sylvi Cabaniuk, sponsored by Jan Huntley.
- Mount Merapi by Anabelle Somers-Brown, sponsored by Jan Huntley.
- Tempest by Rowan Finlayson-Palmer, sponsored by Emma Finlayson-Palmer.
10 Minute Play or Monologue ↑
- Death in the Morning by Ian Johnson from Tyldesley Creative Writers.
Runner up:
- Grief and Guilt by Melanie Lockey from Wombourne Writers.
Highly commended:
- Phone Power by Lynda Turner from Burton Monday Writers.
- Black Cat by Alison Ringrose from Northumbrian Writers.
Group Anthology ↑
- Writing from Holme by Holmfirth Writers' Group.
- Silver Threads by Burton Monday Writers.
- The Lowry Anthology by SWit'CH.