The Yeovil Community Arts Association (YCAA) has launched the 2025 international Literary Prize writing competition.
Now in its 22nd year, the Yeovil Literary Prize continues to attract entries from accomplished and aspiring wordsmiths around the world. Money raised through entry fees supports young people across south Somerset who are training for careers in the performing and creative arts.
There are five Yeovil Literary Prize categories to enter;
- Novel
- Short Story
- Poem
- Children’s and Young Adult Novel
- Writing Without Restriction
Winners will receive cash prizes and be invited to present their work at a special showcase event as part of the Yeovil Literary Festival.
This year’s judges include:
- Multi-industry-award-winning book publicist Alison Barrow.
- Nikki May, author of ‘Wahala’ and ‘This Motherless Land’.
- Poet and author James Crowden, who wrote ‘Cider Country’, an exploration of the origins, culture and philosophy of Somerset’s most famous drink.
- Award-winning YA writer Ele Fountain, author of ‘Boy 87’, ‘Lost’ (A Guardian Best Book of the Year), ‘Storm Child’ and ‘Wild’ (A Financial Times Best Book of the Year).
- Short story writer Sarah Hegarty, author of the collection ‘Magpie’.
The competition opened for entries on 1st January 2025 and runs until 31st May 2025. For details of entry requirements, past winners, and rules, see www.yeovilprize.co.uk. Winners are announced in the autumn.