Aesthetica is looking for the best new writing talent. The £5,000 international literary prize is open to poetry and short fiction entries on any theme, celebrating innovation in content and form. Open to writers of all ages and nationalities.
Prizes
£5,000 prize money (£2,500 for the Poetry Winner, £2,500 for the Short Fiction Winner)
Publication in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Anthology
One-year print subscription to Granta (Poetry & Fiction Winners)
One-year digital subscription to Mslexia (Poetry & Fiction Winners)
Six-week writing poetry course from Curtis Brown Creative (Poetry Winner)
Full membership to The Poetry Society (Poetry Winner)
A course from?the Poetry School (Poetry Winner)
Two Online Masterclasses from Arvon (Poetry Winner)
One 5-Day Arvon at Home online writing or evening course (Fiction Winner)
Consultation with Redhammer Management (Fiction Winner)
Six-week writing short stories course from Curtis Brown Creative (Fiction Winner)
Full membership to Litopia (Poetry & Fiction Winners)
One-year Deluxe Subscription to The London Magazine (Poetry & Fiction Winners)
Entry Fees
Dates
1 December 2025 – 31 August 2026: Poetry £12 / Short Fiction £18
1 – 6 September 2026: Poetry £18 / Short Fiction £24
Find out more
here
Deadlines:
1 December – 31 August 2026: Entries Open.
1 September – 6 September 2026: Late Entries