Derby Poetry Festival’s 50-word Flash Fiction Writing competition is now open!

Each year we choose a different theme – one that can be broadly interpreted – and ask you to write an original story of up to 50 words.  This year we are delighted that the competition will be sponsored by Derby-based company, Derventio Education, who create education software solutions which are used by schools, colleges and universities across the world. 

You must enter the competition using our online form, which you will be able to find on our website.

On the same page, you’ll also be able to view creative writing tips and tricks and the terms and conditions for the competition. It also explains more about the prizes we are offering!

There are three age categories:
•              11 and under
•              12-17
•              18 and over.

We also have categories for HMP Foston Hall and HMP Sudbury.

There will be one winner in each category and a prize for each winner (more on that below!).

A panel, including creative writing specialists, will judge the entries and the winning stories will be:

• illustrated by a Creative Communications student from the University of Derby in a competition for second-year students
• printed on Festival bookmarks, which will be used to promote our next Festivals
• published on our website.

The winners will be notified in early March by email, so please make sure you provide us with your email.

• This year’s theme is ‘Hope’
• The challenge is to write up to 50 words on the theme (as measured by our online entry form)
• There will be one winner from each age category (under 11s, 12-17, over 18s) and each winner will receive a £50 book token plus their winning story will be printed on a bookmark to promote our next Festivals – and the story will be published on the Derby Book Festival website
• A Creative Communications student at the University of Derby will design an illustration for each winning story as part of a separate competition for the students
• The set of bookmarks containing the illustrated stories will be available at the start of our 2026 Summer Festival.

It’s FREE to enter the Flash Fiction Writing Competition and you can enter as many times as you’d like.