Established in 2023 by Tim Saunders Publications, The Paul Cave Prize for Literature is an excellent platform for writers and poets to get their work read by a professional editor and published in a book. Winners receive feedback, cash prizes and copies of the book featuring their work.
What we are looking for
All forms of poetry: haiku, free verse, sonnet, acrostic, villanelle, ballad, limerick, ode, elegy, flash fiction, short stories and novellas in any genre except erotic. Work must be new and unpublished. International submissions welcome. The rights to any works published remain with the author. The publisher reserves the right to edit submissions.
Guidelines
Poems
should not exceed 30 lines
Micro fiction
should not exceed 100 words
Flash fiction
should not exceed 300 words
Short stories
should not exceed 1,000 words
Novelettes
should not exceed 7,500 words
Novellas
should not exceed 10,000 words
should not exceed 30 lines
Micro fiction
should not exceed 100 words
Flash fiction
should not exceed 300 words
Short stories
should not exceed 1,000 words
Novelettes
should not exceed 7,500 words
Novellas
should not exceed 10,000 words
Judge
Publisher Tim Saunders reads every single submission and provides feedback to the winners, which is useful for personal development. Unlike other contests, no AI is used whatsoever!
Prizes
Best Novella - £200
Best Novelette - £100
Best Short Story - £75
Best Flash Fiction - £35
Best Micro Fiction - £20
Best Poem - £35
Winners of each category receive feedback, have extracts of their work published on this web page and receive a complimentary copy of The Paul Cave Prize for Literature 2025 book to be published by the end of 2025.
All approved submissions will feature in The Paul Cave Prize for Literature 2025. Each writer who submits a piece of approved work is guaranteed to have it published in the book.
Best Novelette - £100
Best Short Story - £75
Best Flash Fiction - £35
Best Micro Fiction - £20
Best Poem - £35
Winners of each category receive feedback, have extracts of their work published on this web page and receive a complimentary copy of The Paul Cave Prize for Literature 2025 book to be published by the end of 2025.
All approved submissions will feature in The Paul Cave Prize for Literature 2025. Each writer who submits a piece of approved work is guaranteed to have it published in the book.
How to enter
1. email your submission(s) to [email protected]
2. send payment by Paypal to [email protected]
or a cheque made payable to Creative Coverage and posted to 49 Church Close, Locks Heath, Southampton SO31 6LR. England. (Make sure the correct postage is paid otherwise it will not be delivered).
2. send payment by Paypal to [email protected]
or a cheque made payable to Creative Coverage and posted to 49 Church Close, Locks Heath, Southampton SO31 6LR. England. (Make sure the correct postage is paid otherwise it will not be delivered).
Submissions will be accepted on receipt of fee outlined below:
One short story - £15
Two short stories - £25
One novella - £30
Two novellas - £50
Up to 3 poems/flash fiction - £15
Up to 8 poems/flash fiction - £25
One short story - £15
Two short stories - £25
One novella - £30
Two novellas - £50
Up to 3 poems/flash fiction - £15
Up to 8 poems/flash fiction - £25
Entries open
March 30, 2025
Entries close
midnight on September 30, 2025
Winners announced
by November 30, 2025
Winners of 2024
Best Flash Fiction
Berlin 1935 by Julia Cooper
Extract
It was in Berlin, before the war. Ray was fifteen. He was on a cultural exchange trip with his German tutor. One evening there was a drinks party organised by their German hosts, some senior Nazis...
Best Poem
Above and beyond and away by Iain Curr
Extract
For the pain that is caused.
As you answer the door.
And your mind screams out her name...
Best Short Story
Husband Rob's Henhouse Looking For Wife by Zachary Ryan
Extract
“Any reason why that chicken is wearing a seatbelt?”
“Because,” the man stutters, “she’s my wife.”
Quiet nights.
“Sir, have you been drinking? Taking any illegal substances?”
Best Novella
What happens at the end by Tracy Fahey
Extract
The main door opens. It’s an older woman, hesitant.
‘Irene Doherty,’ I read off the file title, give her a little wave.
The two women exchange glances.
‘Mrs Doherty,’ says Mrs McCarthy, the merest hint of an emphasis on the courtesy title.
I’m already off to a bad start. It gets worse. Mrs Doherty, who has come in with a suspected chest infection, sits on the edge of her chair throughout the appointment, a vast handbag clutched to her bosom.
I quickly verify the basics of her case history. She treats me as if I’m a policewoman checking an alibi; short, curt answers, an incredulous air of how dare you rising like a nimbus around her....
Berlin 1935 by Julia Cooper
Extract
It was in Berlin, before the war. Ray was fifteen. He was on a cultural exchange trip with his German tutor. One evening there was a drinks party organised by their German hosts, some senior Nazis...
Best Poem
Above and beyond and away by Iain Curr
Extract
For the pain that is caused.
As you answer the door.
And your mind screams out her name...
Best Short Story
Husband Rob's Henhouse Looking For Wife by Zachary Ryan
Extract
“Any reason why that chicken is wearing a seatbelt?”
“Because,” the man stutters, “she’s my wife.”
Quiet nights.
“Sir, have you been drinking? Taking any illegal substances?”
Best Novella
What happens at the end by Tracy Fahey
Extract
The main door opens. It’s an older woman, hesitant.
‘Irene Doherty,’ I read off the file title, give her a little wave.
The two women exchange glances.
‘Mrs Doherty,’ says Mrs McCarthy, the merest hint of an emphasis on the courtesy title.
I’m already off to a bad start. It gets worse. Mrs Doherty, who has come in with a suspected chest infection, sits on the edge of her chair throughout the appointment, a vast handbag clutched to her bosom.
I quickly verify the basics of her case history. She treats me as if I’m a policewoman checking an alibi; short, curt answers, an incredulous air of how dare you rising like a nimbus around her....
Winners of 2023
Best Novella
That's all she wrote by Marion Desmond
Extract
I was taught that every story has a beginning, middle and an end. Every math problem has one right answer and an infinite number of wrong answers. Geography was a web of random black lines delineating countries and peoples transected by blue veins of rivers and brown smudges of mountains. In our Boston neighborhood there were Jews and everyone else. I walked the Blue Hill Avenue gauntlet from home to school and back again, not venturing into a shop or down a side street without permission. My father, who crossed a hostile ocean to escape his burning village in Russia tolerated the land of the free and the home of the brave with suspicion and Old World condescension, like an elderly parent forced to move in with an adult child, muttering criticism of their housekeeping and cooking, but never too loudly for fear of being thrown out on the street...
Best Short Story
Those things will kill you by David S. Joseph
Extract
It wasn't long after Ray died that I started having pains in my side. It was understandable. After all, Ray had been my best friend, and the cancer came on so fast. He thought it was just a side ache until he started losing weight. Then he started to worry. Losing weight makes everyone worry. At least when you aren't trying to lose it. That'll make you nervous, when the weight just starts falling off for no reason...
Best Poem
British Knees by Neil Browning
Extract
British Knees
This poem is deliberately written in the style of Spike Milligan (who has always been my comedy hero) but I hereby certify that nothing has been plagiarised or copied from any of his work, it is 100% my own effort.
Rise up British people! We should celebrate
the wonders of the British knee before it is too late.
Stout knees, British knees, these knees won the war!
Knees atop stout British shins that go down to the floor.
Strong knees, wiry knees, knees with sinews many.
That's why the Germans lost the war, their knees hadn't any!...
Best Flash Fiction
Empty Bottles by Pi James
Extract
She burst in every Friday afternoon with the most open smile he'd seen since moving to the city. Her grey eyes twinkled with possibility as she handed over empty bottles, asking about his dog and his day...
That's all she wrote by Marion Desmond
Extract
I was taught that every story has a beginning, middle and an end. Every math problem has one right answer and an infinite number of wrong answers. Geography was a web of random black lines delineating countries and peoples transected by blue veins of rivers and brown smudges of mountains. In our Boston neighborhood there were Jews and everyone else. I walked the Blue Hill Avenue gauntlet from home to school and back again, not venturing into a shop or down a side street without permission. My father, who crossed a hostile ocean to escape his burning village in Russia tolerated the land of the free and the home of the brave with suspicion and Old World condescension, like an elderly parent forced to move in with an adult child, muttering criticism of their housekeeping and cooking, but never too loudly for fear of being thrown out on the street...
Best Short Story
Those things will kill you by David S. Joseph
Extract
It wasn't long after Ray died that I started having pains in my side. It was understandable. After all, Ray had been my best friend, and the cancer came on so fast. He thought it was just a side ache until he started losing weight. Then he started to worry. Losing weight makes everyone worry. At least when you aren't trying to lose it. That'll make you nervous, when the weight just starts falling off for no reason...
Best Poem
British Knees by Neil Browning
Extract
British Knees
This poem is deliberately written in the style of Spike Milligan (who has always been my comedy hero) but I hereby certify that nothing has been plagiarised or copied from any of his work, it is 100% my own effort.
Rise up British people! We should celebrate
the wonders of the British knee before it is too late.
Stout knees, British knees, these knees won the war!
Knees atop stout British shins that go down to the floor.
Strong knees, wiry knees, knees with sinews many.
That's why the Germans lost the war, their knees hadn't any!...
Best Flash Fiction
Empty Bottles by Pi James
Extract
She burst in every Friday afternoon with the most open smile he'd seen since moving to the city. Her grey eyes twinkled with possibility as she handed over empty bottles, asking about his dog and his day...
Testimonials
I'm so excited by this news! Thanks so much for the notification, and I will be publicising this (if that's ok) on social media and a small press release.
Tracy Fahey - novella winner 2024
Outstanding! That is definitely some news that’s puts a hop of pep in today’s step. I’ll be on the lookout for the book, and am very excited to see the story in print! I’m very glad you enjoyed it, and thank you so much for sponsoring this literary award, and supporting my work. It’s been an encouraging experience. Until our literary paths collide again.
Zachary Ryan - short story winner 2024
Thank you so much for this award. I actually think it may well be the best poem I've ever written. While I would do anything to have my sister back she has given my incentive and has acted as a catalyst for my poetry. If my poetry can bring understanding, relief, reflection and peace then it will have almost all been worthwhile.
Iain Curr - poetry winner 2024
What a lovely surprise, thank you Tim ... You've made my day!
Julia Cooper - flash fiction winner 2024
Wow, thank you very much! I'm extremely pleased, all the more so that you enjoyed my story and wrote such a pithy, perceptive review of it. I have received the book, thank you. I have been reading some of the stories, and I find myself in some excellent company indeed. Congratulations for a job well done.
Marion Desmond - novella winner 2023
I am incredibly honored to receive the Paul Cave Prize for Literature in the Short Story category! This is such exciting news for me, and I am so pleased you enjoyed the submissions I sent. Many thanks too for the exceptionally kind words regarding my writing. I’m really flattered.
David S. Joseph - short story winner 2023
Wow, thank you so much Tim, really appreciate it and all your support for fiction!
Pi James - flash fiction winner 2023
Thank you so much for this recognition, I shall look forward to receiving the book.
Neil Browning - poetry winner 2023
I must thank you for the wonderful job you do in encouraging writers through this competition and your many other projects. Your work is appreciated by us all. I send my thanks and best wishes from Australia.
Pauline Cleary
I am writing to express my gratitude for the opportunity to have my poetry published in your book.
Erdeni Iles
Thank you for all the work you put into this Tim (it must have been a lot) and for providing me the opportunity to see something I've written in print!
Robert Schatz
Tracy Fahey - novella winner 2024
Outstanding! That is definitely some news that’s puts a hop of pep in today’s step. I’ll be on the lookout for the book, and am very excited to see the story in print! I’m very glad you enjoyed it, and thank you so much for sponsoring this literary award, and supporting my work. It’s been an encouraging experience. Until our literary paths collide again.
Zachary Ryan - short story winner 2024
Thank you so much for this award. I actually think it may well be the best poem I've ever written. While I would do anything to have my sister back she has given my incentive and has acted as a catalyst for my poetry. If my poetry can bring understanding, relief, reflection and peace then it will have almost all been worthwhile.
Iain Curr - poetry winner 2024
What a lovely surprise, thank you Tim ... You've made my day!
Julia Cooper - flash fiction winner 2024
Wow, thank you very much! I'm extremely pleased, all the more so that you enjoyed my story and wrote such a pithy, perceptive review of it. I have received the book, thank you. I have been reading some of the stories, and I find myself in some excellent company indeed. Congratulations for a job well done.
Marion Desmond - novella winner 2023
I am incredibly honored to receive the Paul Cave Prize for Literature in the Short Story category! This is such exciting news for me, and I am so pleased you enjoyed the submissions I sent. Many thanks too for the exceptionally kind words regarding my writing. I’m really flattered.
David S. Joseph - short story winner 2023
Wow, thank you so much Tim, really appreciate it and all your support for fiction!
Pi James - flash fiction winner 2023
Thank you so much for this recognition, I shall look forward to receiving the book.
Neil Browning - poetry winner 2023
I must thank you for the wonderful job you do in encouraging writers through this competition and your many other projects. Your work is appreciated by us all. I send my thanks and best wishes from Australia.
Pauline Cleary
I am writing to express my gratitude for the opportunity to have my poetry published in your book.
Erdeni Iles
Thank you for all the work you put into this Tim (it must have been a lot) and for providing me the opportunity to see something I've written in print!
Robert Schatz
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