Organised by the Yeovil Community Arts Association, this is your opportunity to enter four very different categories of writing. Aspiring writers throughout the world should enter this prestigious writing competition.

All genres are welcome.

Agents and Publishers regularly search our winner lists for new talent.

See what happened to previous entrants after being placed in the Yeovil Literary Prize! Click on the SUCCESSES tab.

Category 1 Novel Requirement: Synopsis and Opening Chapters (combined maximum 15,000 words) Professional Judge: Paul Blezard, who is regarded as one of the most influential people in the world of literature and broadcasting. Prizes: 1st £1000 2nd £250 3rd £100 Entry Fee: £12

Category 2 Short Story Requirement: Maximum 2,000 words Professional Judge: Susan Sandon, Managing Director of Cornerstone, a division of Penguin Random House, and a Trustee of the Appledore Book Festival. Prizes: 1st £500 2nd £200 3rd £100 Entry Fee: £7

Category 3 Poetry Requirement: Maximum of 40 Lines Professional Judge: Caroline Gilfillan, winner of the 2019 Poetry category and renowned creative writer. Prizes: 1st £500 2nd £200 3rd £100 Entry Fee: £7 one poem; £10 for two; £12 for three

Category 4 Writing Without Restrictions Requirement: You write it – we’ll read it. Details are at end of General Rules Professional Judge: Jessica Axe, from Yeovil, who is Publisher at White Lion Publishing, part of The Quarto Group. Prizes: 1st £200 2nd £100 3rd £50 Entry Fee: £5

Local Prize Western Gazette Best Local Writer Award Requirement: for a short-listed entry by author living in Western Gazette distribution area. Professional Judge: The Yeovil Community Arts Association committee Prize: £100

The writing competition runs from 1st January and closes on 31st May each year.