What happens on a discovery call?

A discovery call is a thirty minute chat about what you need help with. It’s very informal, and is like having coffee with a friend.

What will we discuss on a coaching call?

We will talk about anything you like to do with your writing. I use my experience as a creative writing tutor to both offer possible solutions to issues, as well as coaching you to understand why you are experiencing the issue and how we can move forward. I also set tasks outside of our time together so that you can work toward your goals. All our conversations are confidential.

Can we meet in person?

During Covid I am happy to work with your time zone and meet you on Zoom.

Writing Competitions for 2026 – Rachel Grosvenor Author

Productivity, Publishing

Writing Competitions for 2026

Welcome to the most popular blog post I offer! It’s your chance to review all the competitions I could find for 2026. Whether you’re a novelist, a poet, or a short story writer, there should be something for you here.

Why enter competitions?

It helps you get seen and gives you a headstart in building a writing portfolio.

What does it mean to build a writing portfolio?

You might be familiar with this term if you have queried. Often, a publishing house will ask for an example of your portfolio or a ‘writing CV’. So, if you’re writing your debut novel…how do you build a writing portfolio?

Answer: By writing short stories, articles, and poetry and submitting them to anthologies, reviews, competitions, and opportunities. This shows that you are already putting yourself out there and connecting with a readership. This makes you more marketable!

Below, you will find the months corellate with the closing dates of the competitions, so look ahead, and plan your entries!

January

Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize

Bristol Short Story Prize 2026

Fiction Factory First Chapter of a Novel + Synopsis

New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2026

February

Writers’ & Artists’ Short Story Competition 2026

The Next Generation Indie Book Awards

Next Generation Short Story Awards

March

The L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest – Quarterly deadlines throughout the year

Edinburgh Novel Award

The 2026 Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize

Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest

April

Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest

The Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry

Swaledale Festival – The Four Seasons Poetry

Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition

May

The Bath Novel Award

The Bridport Prize

Frogmore Poetry Prize

June

Short Story Competition – Anthology

North Street Book Prize

July

The HG Wells Short Story Competition

Manchester Writing Competition

Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction

August

Aesthetica Creative Writing Award

The Pen to Print Award’s Book Challenge

September

The Lit Paul Cave Prize for Literature

The 2027 Commonwealth Short Story Prize

Betty Trask Prize

October

Marlow and Christie Unpublished Novel Prize

Aurora Prize for Writing

Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction

November

Kurt Vonnegut Speculative Fiction Prize

The Moth Poetry Prize

December

To be updated.

Do you want to talk about what you can enter or what to write? Get in touch today!

Note: It is up to the entering author to check any and all competitions before they enter, and to read the terms and conditions.

Rachel Grosvenor

I’m a writer, writing coach, and editor.

I know how hard it is to find the time to work on your passion project, and I know you want your novel to be the best it can be.

With a PhD, MA, and BA in Creative Writing, and as a Certified Professional Coach, I’m well poised to help you with whatever issue you are experiencing.

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