Got some time to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) over the festive season? We’ve complied a list of writing competitions coming up over the next few months – and there’s something or everyone.

Megaphone

A new writer development scheme specifically aimed at Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic writers who would like sustained support to write their first novel for children or teenagers.

Closing date: Thursday 24 December 2015

Fenland Poet Laureate

Do you live, work or study in Fenland? Enter this free competition for a chance to win the coveted title of Fenland Poet Laureate, and share your passion for poetry.

Closing date: Friday 29 January 2016

The New Poets Prize

Entrants are invited to submit short collections of 12 pages of poems, with four outstanding collections going on to receive a year of support and mentoring.

Closing date: Friday 29 January 2016

25th International Radio Playwriting Competition 2016

Brought to you by the BBC World Service and British Council. Open to anyone over the age of 18, living outside the UK, whether you’re a new or established writer.

Closing date: Sunday 31 January 2016

International Rubery Book Award

The longest established book award based in the UK for independent and self published books. Overall cash prize of £1,000 to be won.

Closing date: Thursday 31 March 2016

Aurora Poetry & Short Fiction Open Competition

Submit as many poems and short stories as you want. Judges are renowned poet Pascale Petit and short fiction writer and novelist Paul McVeigh.

Closing date: Monday 1 February 2016

Coming soon…Escalator

Coming soon in the New Year, Escalator is WCN’s popular talent development scheme open to all prose fiction writers in the Eastern Region of England. Stay tuned for application details and further details in January.