Time is running out for aspiring and established writers across Cheshire to submit their work for the region's most prestigious literary competition. The 2025/26 Cheshire Prize for Literature, administered by the University of Chester, has entered its final fortnight for entries, with the closing date firmly set for Saturday, 31st January 2026.
A Celebration of Regional Literary Talent
This free-to-enter competition, established in 2003 through a partnership between the University of Chester and the then High Sheriff of Cheshire, has grown into a cornerstone of the county's cultural landscape. It uniquely champions writers of all ages and experience levels, offering a vital platform for creative expression without financial barrier.
Open Categories and Entry Guidelines
The competition is structured across three distinct age groups, each with specific categories:
- Primary Age Group (4-11 years): Entrants can submit short stories or poetry.
- Secondary Age Group (11-18 years): Entrants can submit short stories or poetry.
- Adult Age Group (18+): Entrants can submit work in short stories, children's literature, poetry, scriptwriting, or flash fiction.
Eligibility is broad, open to anyone with a connection to the historic or contemporary counties of Cheshire. Each participant may submit up to two entries, provided they are in different categories, allowing writers to showcase versatility in their craft.
Prestigious Rewards and Recognition
As one of the few remaining major literary competitions without an entry fee, the Cheshire Prize offers significant rewards. Winners in the adult category receive cash prizes, while younger champions are awarded book vouchers. Perhaps most notably, the best entries earn the opportunity for publication by the University of Chester Press, providing a tangible launchpad for literary careers.
Dr Harry Parkin, Senior Lecturer in English Language and programme leader for the Master's in Storytelling at the University of Chester, who also serves as a competition judge, expressed his enthusiasm:
"We look forward with much enthusiasm to reading and shortlisting the entries; it's a pleasure and a privilege to be part of this competition and have the opportunity to celebrate the talented writers of our region. Our thanks go to everyone who has submitted work so far for this year's competition, and we encourage any writers yet to enter who are eager to showcase their skills, to do so before the end of the month."
The Journey from Submission to Publication
The competition culminates in a summer awards evening, where winners, runners-up, and shortlisted authors will be celebrated. Following this, an anthology featuring their work will be published later in the year, continuing a tradition exemplified by the previous year's collection, Kaleidoscope: Creative Writing from the Cheshire Prize for Literature 2024.
This initiative not only rewards individual talent but actively fosters the literary ecosystem of Cheshire, supporting both emerging voices and established authors in equal measure.
