Members' Competitions 2026 Information
Contents
The NAWG Members' Creative Writing Competitions 2026
Win an elegant engraved trophy and see your work published on the website and in our 2026 anthology.
- Competitions open on 1st December 2025.
- Closing date: midnight 31st March 2026.
- Free entry.
- Winners receive trophies.
- Winners, runners-up, highly commended and commended receive certificates.
Open only to members of the National Association of Writers' & Groups. Both individual members, and from groups affiliated to NAWG.
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, which will be on the Saturday of NAWGFest 2026.
Competition Categories
Open Poetry
Any form or style.
40 lines maximum. Lines single spaced.
Formal Poem – A Sonnet
For those who may not already know it, there's a definition on Wikipedia.
Single spaced.
Short Story with Included Object
The object is a rusty chisel.
Up to 2,000 words. The object must be referred to in the text. Lines double spaced.
Historical Fiction
Entry should be based on actual historic events or set in a particular historical era.
Up to 1,500 words. Lines double spaced.
Ghost / Horror Story
Up to 1,500 words. Lines double spaced.
Science Fiction / Fantasy
Up to 1,500 words. Lines double spaced.
Romantic Fiction
Up to 1,500 words. Lines double spaced.
Comedy Writing
Up to 1,500 words. Any form. Lines double spaced.
Science & Nature Article
Any subject suitable for a general readership.
Up to 1,000 words. Lines double spaced.
A “How to…” Guide
May be serious (how to write a blockbuster novel), satirical (how to trash the economy in one mini budget) or comic (how to murder your husband).
Up to 1,200 words. Lines double spaced.
Crime Fiction
Up to 1,500 words. Lines double spaced.
Memoir
An actual happening.
Up to 1,500 words. Lines double spaced.
10 Minute Play or Monologue
One page equals one minute of a play.
Lines double spaced.
Short Story or Poem by Sponsored Child
Up to 1,500 word story or up to 40 line poem.
The age of the child must be included and will be taken into consideration by the judge. Please put the sponsor's relationship after the child's name ("friend" or "teacher" is acceptable). Up to 3 children may be sponsored by one member, but please fill in a separate form for each child.
Group Anthology
Two copies required.
Minimum presentation standards are that it is in book form, or, suitable for presentation to a publisher in a binder.
Judging will be on content alone and not presentation. In addition send a Word or PDF version to assist the judges.
Nothing in the anthology must have been published in any publication outside the confines of the group. The winning group must agree to judge the competition in 2027.
Entry Form ↑
The competition is now closed. Entry forms are no longer available.
Competition Rules ↑
The competition rules are detailed in a separate article. They're also available as a document which can be read or downloaded.
Judging Procedure ↑
One copy of your two submissions is sent to the judge, who has no way of knowing the creator of that entry. Submissions are numbered and the judge chooses the winner by the title and number only. The administrator then tallies that number with a writer. No-one but the administrator can know who has won any category until the winners are announced at the festival.
It would be useful to have your work ready, in electronic form, should you be a winner. This helps when preparing work for publication.
Copyright remains with the author.
Results ↑
The competition results will be made available:
- Here on the website.
- In Link magazine.