31 May 2022
Who may enter
The competition welcomes entries from writers across the globe writing in English, aged 16 years old and over at the time of the closing date.
Short description
The competition is run by the Bridport Arts Centre, an arts centre in Bridport, Dorset, England.
Founded in 1973, the Bridport Prize is the Arts Centre’s flagship project. Attracting many thousands of entries from across the world each year, it has grown to become one of the most widely respected creative writing competitions in the English language.
The competition has four categories:
• Poetry
Poems: 42 lines max. No minimum.
• Short Story
Short stories: 5000 words max. No minimum.
• Flash Fiction
Flash fiction: 250 words max. No minimum.
• Novel Award
Novel: 8,000 words max. 5,000 words minimum taken from opening chapters. PLUS 300 word synopsis. Please note: The Novel Award is now open to writers aged 16 and over living in Britain and Ireland and British writers living overseas.
Entries must not have been published, self-published, published on any website, blog or online forum, broadcast, have won or been placed (2nd, 3rd, runner up etc) in any other competition.
Entry fees
£9 per flash fiction
£10 per poem
£12 per short story
£20 per novel
Prizes
• Poetry
1st prize: £5,000
2nd prize: £1,000
3rd prize: £500
Highly Commended: 10 x £100
• Short story
1st prize: £5,000
2nd prize: £1,000
3rd prize: £500
Highly Commended: 10 x £100
• Flash fiction
1st prize: £1,000
2nd prize: £500
3rd prize: £250
Highly Commended: 5 x £100
• Novel Award
1st prize: £1,500
2nd prize: £750
3 x £150
Competition website
For further information visit the official competition website.