The 2026 Yeovil Literary Prize International Writing Competition opens on 1st January 2026 and closes on 31st May 2026. Winners will be announced on the website on 30th September 2026.
Our competition is recognised by writers and publishers as prestigious in the international literary world.
Imagine! Literary Agents seeing your work…
Let your curiosity loose. Start exploring with those two little words… What if?
We actively encourage all forms of writing by offering you five categories to enter. You can enter as many as you wish each having its own entry form. Fees can be combined in one payment to make it easier for you.
The Novel for a long time was not catered for in writing competitions but the Yeovil Literary Prize was one of the earliest to offer an opportunity to submit a synopsis of 500 words and the first 10,000 words of the opening chapters for judging. Winning or rising high in this competition has spurred writers on to sending their work to literary agents. Our judge for Novels this year is Raffaella Barker. So, start editing your work to make it the best possible for judging.
The Short Story is a fascinating piece of writing and a craft worth mastering. Constructing a plot, a setting and time into a plausible narrative driven by believable characters with something meaningful to say and ending with a satisfying dénouement is rewarding. Not all short stories have 'happy-ever-after' conclusions so use your imagination to write an enjoyable story. Our judge is Rue Baldry.
Poetry blends skill and artistry, binding our subconscious and expressing the feelings that shape daily life—from ordinary routines to nature's awe-inspiring beauty. Whether through sonnets or blank verse, poetry channels emotions from deep sorrow to pure innocence, revealing the enduring influence of words across generations. Our judge is John Challis.
The category Children’s/Young Adult Novel has historically been unrepresented on the writing competition scene. Finding story ideas can be tough with a blank page, so seek inspiration in everyday life—your commute, news stories, overheard conversations, TV shows, or even from simply daydreaming. We look forward to your entries. Our judge is Julia Churchill.
Our Writing Without Restrictions category requires an exceptional individual to serve as judge, given the diverse nature of the submissions it attracts. We value writers' dedication to their craft, and it is our privilege to review work in which authors take pride. Our judge is Steve Kay.
Last year some excellent work was eliminated from the short list judging as it exceeded the word count, so please check the Rules for each category. Even if you end your novel entry in mid-sentence, that will be better than not being judged properly.
Enter the competition online using PayPal, BACS or IBAN. We look forward to your entries when our writing contest opens on 1st January 2026. The last date for entries is 31st May 2026, so enter as soon as you are ready without waiting for the final week.