Competition Rules

Eligibility

  • The competition is open to everyone except those judging and administering it.
  • Only one entry is allowed per person.

Entries

  • Entries must be in English. Translations are not allowed.
  • Entries must be fiction.
  • They must not exceed 1,200 words in length, excluding the title and page headings.
  • They must be the writer’s own original work.
  • AI must not have been used in their creation.
  • They must not have been previously published in print or online.
  • They must not have been awarded a prize in any other competition. Simultaneous submission to other competitions is allowed, but entries must be withdrawn if they succeed elsewhere.
  • The theme of entries must be ‘Far and Wide’.

Preferred Format

  • Entries must be in the form of Word or pdf documents.
  • The file name should be the title of the story.
  • No name or other details of the author must appear within the text.
  • We prefer 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced with numbered pages, but legible entries in other formats will not be disqualified.

Process

  • The competition is free to enter.
  • Entries must be emailed to writerscroydon@gmail.com. Emails must include the writer’s name, address, phone number and contact email (if different from the one used to send the entry), with the entry as an attachment.
  • Postal entries cannot be accepted.
  • The deadline for receipt of entries is midnight BST on 30th September 2025.
  • Once received, entries cannot be amended or replaced.
  • Prizes of £100 and £50 will be awarded for first and second place. In addition, shortlisted entrants will be offered a year’s free subscription to Croydon Writers.
  • Shortlisted entries may also be published in a planned anthology. If authors agree to publication, Croydon Writers will retain the right to a one-off publication: all other rights remain with the author.
  • Entries will be judged on three criteria:
    • the general interest of the piece,
    • the quality of characterisation and plotting
    • how well the theme ‘Far and Wide’ has been interpreted.
  • The announcement of the results and presentation of prizes will take place at the November meeting.

Enquiries may be sent to writerscroydon@gmail.com. No individual feedback will be given and we cannot discuss the merits of particular entries.