Entering writing competitions is a great way to not only get your work out there but a chance to be published and win money.

Whether you are new to writing or want to start sending off your work to see what happens competitions are a great place to start.

Writing Competitions to Enter in January 2026:

1. For writers with a manuscript ready – Discoveries 2026:

The Curtis Brown Literary agency have partnered with the Women’s Prize Trust to create a writing development programme for unpublished women writers in the UK or Ireland.

The prize is in it’s six year and happens annually. So if you are not ready yet this is something to consider next year.

How to enter:

• Submit 10,000 words of a novel and the synopsis
• Free to enter
• Must be adult fiction
• Any genre is allowed
• Writers should be unpublished and not have an agent
• For ages 18+
• Based in the UK or Ireland
• Work must be written in English

Things to note:

Your work doesn’t need to be complete, you only need to submit the first 10,000 so this could be a work in progress.

The synopsis should be up to 1000 words only.

Deadline for submissions is 12th January so you don’t have long to enter this one!

Prizes:

• Representation by the Curtis Brown Literary Agency
• Cash prize of £5,000
• Scholarship to attend a three-month writing course to help you write your novel (worth £2,000)
• 16 runners up will receive a two-week online course to aid novel writers finish their manuscript

Find out more at Curtis Brown Creative.

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2. For the Poets – The Michael Marks Award for Poetry Pamphlets 2025:

This award aims to raise the profile of poetry pamphlets. These are short publications that allow poets to share their work and allows more poetry to be put out into the world.

The Michael Marks Poetry Award recognises outstanding poetry with an environmental theme.

There will be only one winner.

How to enter:

• Submit a pamphlet – check the website for guidelines and eligibility rules
• Should be no more than 36 printed pages
• Self-published work can be submitted
• Post a hard copy of your work
• Complete the online entry form before 21st January

Prize:

• Cheque for £5,000

Deadline 21st January 2026

Find out more at Michael Marks Award.

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3. For those who write about politics – The Orwell Prizes

The Orwell Foundation has a few different writing prizes for writers who focus on politics. There are a couple closing in January for any political writers looking to submit their work:

• The Orwell Prize for Political Writing (non-fiction)
• The Orwell Prize for Political Fiction

Entries must relate to politics but this has a broad range so do check out this competition if you like to write about historical subjects, social divides and moral subjects.

For the fiction prize this includes work such as short stories, graphic novels and young adult fiction so it is quite broad to reach a lot of writers.

How to enter:

• Fill in the entry form
• Electronic copies and hard copies required
• Submissions must arrive by the deadline

Prize details:

• Prize worth £5000

Deadline for both competitions is 26th January.

Check out the Orwell Foundation for details.

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Do you know any writing competitions with a deadline soon?