Wells Festival of Literature has opened its 2026 international competitions, with writers invited to submit work in four categories over the next three months.

The Wells-based festival said entries are now open for Open Poetry, Short Story, Book for Children and Young Poets. The Open Poetry, Short Story and Book for Children categories close at midnight on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, while Young Poets closes a month later at midnight on Friday, 31 July 2026.

Organisers said the later Young Poets deadline is intended to give extra time to students who may be sitting exams in schools and colleges.

Writers from the UK and abroad are expected to enter, competing for a share of a £5,000 prize fund. The festival said there are also special prizes for local winners.

This year's judges are Clare Shaw for Open Poetry, Carole Burns for Short Story, Catherine Bruton for Book for Children and Julia Webb for Young Poets. The festival describes all four as published, award-winning authors.

A celebratory event of readings will be held at Cedars Hall in Wells on Monday, 19 October 2026, when the winners in each of the four categories will be announced.

Full details of the categories, competition rules and entry information are available on the festival's Competitions page.

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