Young Writer
A 1,000-word short fiction competition for creative writers and storytellers.
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The 2025 Young Writer Competition is now open.
What should I write about?
Your story can be about anything you like, but it must include a set of elements that will be revealed to you once you've registered. These could be a title, line of dialogue, or object.
Your story should be no more than 1,000 words and must be a completely original work of fiction.
Eligibility
The Young Writer competition is for people aged 16–18. Applicants should be currently studying at a school or college in the UK. For a full list of entry criteria, please see our terms and conditions.
Judging
Once the closing date for submissions has passed, all entries will be read by our judging panel and a shortlist will be drawn up. From this shortlist, we will select one winner and two runners-up. The chair of the judging panel is Dr Livia Franchini and the judging panel will be made up of published alumni from the English and Creative Writing department.
Prize
All shortlisted entries will win a small prize. Two runners-up will receive £50 each. The winner of Young Writer 2024 will receive £1,000 and an invitation to the prestigious Goldsmiths Prize ceremony.
Do you need some inspiration on what to write about? Take a look at our previous winners' entries.