The annual HG Wells Fiction Short Story Competition offers a £500 Senior and £1,000 Junior prize and free publication of all shortlisted entries in a quality, professionally published paperback anthology.

Deadline: 8 July 2024

Who may enter

The competition is open to anyone. 

Short description

“ The competition is founded by the world-renowned BBC Aeronautics Correspondent Reg Turnill and his wife, Margaret, to celebrate the life and works of HG Wells and encourage creative writing, especially among the young.

This year’s theme is “The Fool”.

Your story can be set anywhere, feature any characters, and be written in any style. The length is 1,500 to 5,000 words. 

Entries must be in English.

All submissions must be previously unpublished.

Entry fees

• There are no entry fees for those aged 21 years and under.
• Over 21s must pay an entry fee of £10 or £5 for those with student id. 

Prizes

• The competition for those 21 and under has a prize of £1,000 for the winning entry.
• The competition for the over 21s has a prize of £500.
• All shortlisted entries will also be published in a quality, professionally published paperback anthology.

Competition website

For further information visit the official competition website.