For free entry, apply for a bursary by 31 December 2025. 

Paid entry deadlines: 28 February 2026 for short stories and 10 March 2026 for everything else.

Edinburgh Short Story Award

First Prize £3,000. Stories may be on any topic up to 2,000 words
Other prizes include: The First Write Award £300 for the top story entered in the short story competition by an unpublished writer living anywhere in the world. The Isobel Lodge Award £750 for the top story entered by an unpublished writer living in Scotland. The Write Mango Short Story Award £300 for the most amusing, bizarre story. Publication is offered to top 15 short stories in the Edinburgh Anthology. Entry fee £11. Deadline 28 February 2026

Edinburgh Novel Award

First Prize £1,500. The judges are looking for novels in all genres - literary, historic, crime, romance, contemporary, humour and more. Initial submission: up to 5,000 words plus 300-word synopsis. At no stage are writers asked to submit an entire novel. Partially completed work is accepted. All longlisted works will be reviewed by Donald Winchester from the Watson Little Literary Agency and Julie Ferguson from the North Literary Agency. Entry fee £19. Deadline 10 March 2026

Edinburgh Young Adult Novel Award

First Prize £1,500. We are looking for the most engaging novels and graphic novels on any topic, in any style – suitable for readers aged 12 and older. We want comedy, romance, drama, horror, queer, contemporary, realist, speculative fiction and more. Initial submission: up to 5,000 words or 8 pages of a graphic novel plus 300-word synopsis. At no stage are writers asked to submit an entire novel. Partially completed work is accepted. The judges are Louise Lamont (LBA Literary Agency) and Lina Langlee (North Literary Agency). All shortlisted authors will have a one-hour online personal consultation with the judges. Entry fee £19. Deadline 10 March 2026

Edinburgh Essay Award 

First Prize £1,000. A non-fiction prize for essays on any topic. We are interested in engaging writing on arts and culture, memoirs, travelogues, philosophical reflections and insightful analyses of historic or contemporary issues. Entry Fee £10. Deadline 10 March 2026

Find out more here