Writing Competition

Clapham Writers: The McNeile Writing Competition Summary

A short story competition organised by Clapham Writers charity in honour of the late Penelope McNeile; celebrating creativity, diversity, storytelling, and emerging literary voices. Whether you are writing your first short story or have been writing for years, the McNeile Competition is an opportunity to share your voice, challenge your creativity, and be part of the vibrant writing community in South West London.

Open to unpublished writers of all levels, the competition invites you to submit an opening section of a short story inspired by the theme “Absent Friends.” Writers are encouraged to interpret the theme broadly, exploring ideas of memory, loss, distance, reunion, nostalgia, or the enduring presence of those no longer with us.

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The competition opens on 26th June and entries close on 5th September 2026. Winners will be announced at the Clapham Book Festival on 17th October.

Entry costs £5, or free with the purchase of a ticket to the Clapham Book Festival.

How to Enter

Eligibility & Theme

  • The competition is open to unpublished writers of all levels.
  • Entrants must live in the United Kingdom.
  • Entries must respond to the theme: “Absent Friends.”

Submission Requirements

  • Entries must be a maximum of 1,000 words OR two paragraphs, whichever is shortest.
  • Submissions must be original and previously unpublished in print or online.
  • Submissions must not be AI generated.
  • Writers may submit multiple unique entries.
  • Entries should be submitted as a Word document or PDF.
  • Manuscripts should use:
    • A readable 12-point font
    • The title of the story on the first page

Entry Fee

  • Entry fees are £5 per submission and are non-refundable, or
  • Free entry with proof of purchase of a Clapham Book Festival ticket.

Key Dates

  • Competition Opens: 26th June – a link to submit your entry will be available on the Clapham Writers website from this date.
  • Submission Deadline: 5th September (11:59pm)
  • Winners Announced: 17th October at the Clapham Book Festival

Prizes

  • First Prize: £200
  • Second Prize: £50
  • Third Prize: £50

Judging

Entries will be judged by a panel appointed by Clapham Writers’ published authors.

The judges’ decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.

Copyright

Entrants retain copyright of their work.

By entering the competition, authors grant Clapham Writers permission to publish or promote winning and shortlisted entries in connection with the competition, with full credit to the author.