Courses & Competitions: Mslexia & Granta 2026
I’m delighted to be bringing you details of the latest competitions and courses.
Are you a writer looking to submit your work for competition? Is it something you’ve thought about but you’re not sure where to look? Well, I have just the suggestion for you.
Mslexia are currently running their women’s fiction competitions for 2026.
There are three categories to choose from: Short Story, Flash Fiction and Novel. The closing date for all of the choices below is 23.59 (GMT) on 21st September 2026.
Short Story –
This is your opportunity to submit an unpublished complete short fiction piece of up to 3,000 words.
The entry fee is £14.
Get this, the first prize is £3,000. Three additional finalists will receive £150. Plus, the winning entry and three finalists will feature in the December 2026 edition of Mslexia as well as Mslexia’s eBook anthology due to be published in December 2026.
Eight additional short-listees will receive £75 and be included in the 2026 edition of Mslexia and the anthology.
The judge will be Ingrid Persaud.
For more information on how to enter along with all the rules and such, visit Mslexia.co.uk.
Flash Fiction –
Alternatively, maybe flash fiction is more your thing.
This is for unpublished complete short fiction of up to 300 words.
Entry costs £8.00.
The winner will receive £1,000 with three additional finalists winning £100 each. Eight short-listees will each get £50.
Like with the short story option, the winner, three finalists and the eight short-listees will feature in the December 2026 edition of Mslexia as well as Mslexia’s eBook anthology due to be published in 2026.
The judge will be Sherrie Flick.
For more details on how to enter and to see all the rules, visit Mslexia.co.uk.
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Courses and Competitions: Writers & Artists Evening Masterclasses
Writers & Artists are partnering with Book Aid International for the fourth year to bring a small series of evening masterclasses.
On 15th, 22nd and 24th May between 6.30pm and 8.30pm, each masterclass brings something slightly different.
On 15th May, Debut author, Stuart Turton will be in discussion with Joe Haddow on the creative process of writing his first murder-mystery.
On 22nd May, award-winning author, Abi Elphinstone will be in conversation with Writers & Artists editor, Alysaun Owen about the essential elements of writing children’s fiction.
Finally, on 24th May, award-winning journalist and best-selling author Tony Parsons will be talking about his writing career and sharing top writing tips.
by Courses and Competitions: Unicorn Writers’ Conference
Writing conferences are great for new and established writers alike. They are a chance to spend time with like-minded people and to gain inspiration for writing.
If you find yourself near Purchase, NY on 25th March, the seventh annual Unicorn Writers’ Conference is being held at Reid Castle (Manhattanville College.)
Starting at 7am and ending at 8pm, the conference runs all day with various panels and workshops.
These include sessions on opening scenes, social media, self publishing vs. traditional publishing, dialogue, marketing, plots, setting and outline as well as media training and book publicity.
Speakers on the day include Beatriz Williams, Jason Matthews, Michael Sullivan and Nancy Kress.
Conference registration is $325 for one person with the option of purchasing addition review sessions on varying topics including genre networking and query letters.
You can register online or via post. For more information on the conference and how to attend, visit, http://www.unicornwritersconference.com
by Courses and Competitions: From First Draft to Final Draft
Writers & Artists and William Ryan have joined together to present a ten-week course called ‘From First Draft to Final Draft.’
Through this course, essential elements of the writing craft and how you can apply it to your own manuscript will be discussed. It also includes exercises that will directly involve your novel-in-progress.
The course consists of evening sessions which take place on Wednesdays for ten weeks (this excludes two reading weeks.) The sessions run from 6pm until 8.30pm.
Held at Bloomsbury in Bedford Square in London, it runs from 15th march 2017 until 31st May 2017 and it is £1250.00.
The course features feedback on your novel’s premise and sample chapters by William and a literary agent, practical sessions based around your own writing, three critiques and twenty-five hours of advice from a combination of authors and publishing professionals. You will also get a copy of The Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook which is essential for any writer.
For a more detailed course breakdown, details of who will be speaking and details of how to book (including how you could potentially pay in instalments,) visit: https://www.writersandartists.co.uk
by Courses and Competitions: Mslexia Short Fiction Competition 2017
Back for its ninth year, the Mslexia short fiction competition is now open for 2017.
The competition is open to women of any nationality and from any country.
All genres are welcome.
The entries should be between 300 and 3,000 words (excluding the title.)
The first prize is £2,000. There are also two optional extras of a writing retreat at Gladstone Library and a day with an editor from Virago Press for the person who wins. Three other finalists will receive £100. All four entries will be published in the June edition of Mslexia.
The judge this year is Deborah Levy.
The closing date is 20th March 2017. The entry fee per story is £10 and they ask that you include a cover sheet with your entry.
For more information on this competition and also the new flash fiction competition, click on this link: https://mslexia.co.uk
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