WordHound Children's Writing Competition (aged 12 and under) Closing date: Last Thursday of each month Prizes: Goodie bags of sweets and stationery, publication on the blog and social media. Looking for: Under 300 words of funny, weird or otherwise unique writing, based on the topic of the month. Entry fee: Free. Other info: Monthly writing suggestions posted on the website and social channels. Website: www.wordhound.co.uk/competitions Young Writers' Short Story Competition Closing Date: 31st August 2020. Prizes: £250 1st, £100 2nd, £50 3rd. Entry Fee: None. Looking for: Short Stories: 1500 - 3000 words. Eligibility: UK based 16 - 27 (as there are cash prizes). Website: http://www.outletpublishinggroup.com/short-story- competition-2019-2020/ 'World Tales' Short Story Competition  UNESCO and the Idries Shah Foundation Closing date: 15th October 2020. Prizes: Winners will receive an iPad and have their story published in a special edition hardcover book. Looking for: Short stories by young people aged 12 - 18 years on the theme 'Once upon a time in my future' Other info: See website for more. Website: https://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-and- idries-shah-foundation-launch-world-tales-short-story- competition The Bedford International Writing Competition Opens on 1st May, 2020. Closing date: 31st October, 2020. Prizes: Poetry, Short Story and Young Writers' Prizes: £500, £150, £100.Special Seniors' Prizes of £500, £150, £100 for the best stories submitted by persons aged 70 years and over. Entry Fee: £6 or 3 for £12, students £4 or 3 for £8. Looking for: poems (40 lines) and short stories (max.3000 words). Other info: This year, proceeds will go to charities helping coronavirus victims. All shortlisted and winning entries will be published as an anthology in paperback and Kindle form. Judge: Leigh Russell Website: https://bedfordwritingcompetition.co.uk/BWC/php/ho mepage.php Bedford International Writing Competition - Students Open for entries: 1st May 2020. Closing date: 31st October 2020. Prizes: £500, £150, £100. Entry Fee: £4 or 3 for £8. Looking for: Stories and poems by students. Other info: Judge: Bestselling International author, Leigh Russell. This year, proceeds will go to charities helping Coronavirus victims. Website: https://bedfordwritingcompetition.co.uk/BWC/php/sto ry.php The Young Walter Scott Prize Closing date: 31st October 2020. Prizes: £500 travel grant and a 2-day trip to the Baillie Gifford Borders Book Festival in Melrose, Scotland where they are presented with their prizes. All winning and highly commended writers see their work published in the special YWSP anthology and runners- up in each age category receive a book token. Looking for: Stories of between 800 and 2000. Entry fee: None stated. Other info: Open to 11 to 15 years and 11-19 year olds. Website: www.ywsp.co.uk Ghost Stories Closing Date: Open All Year Round For Prizes see website. Ghost Stories - we've all heard them and we've all been scared by them at one time or another. They can be terribly scary or simply funny, but either way they have been an attention-grabbing form of storytelling for centuries and leave people wondering whether what they've heard is fact or fiction! CLICK HERE… Poetry Idol Closing Date: Open All Year Round Who do you idolise? Is it your mum or dad? Your best friend? Your brother or sister? Perhaps there is a famous person, from a sports or film star to an author or musician that you admire and aspire to be like. Why are they your favourite person and why do they inspire you? CLICK HERE… Teen Poets Closing Date: Open All Year Round Teen Poets invites young adults aged 13+ to write a poem. If you're a teen, your voice needs to be heard and this is the place to get your message across! CLICK HERE… Pet Poetry Closing Date: Open All Year Round Write about your pet, your favourite animal or create a creature! Perhaps you'd like to write from an animal's point of view or about conservation? We can't wait to read your animal-inspired poems! Open to young writers aged 4-18 years old. CLICK HERE…