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 Work must be new and unpublished.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 - £225
Best Novelette - £125
Best Short Story - £85
Best Flash Fiction - £35
Best Micro Fiction - £35
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 - £125
Best Short Story - £85
Best Flash Fiction - £35
Best Micro Fiction - £35
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 (with any fees paid for by the sender) 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 (with any fees paid for by the sender) 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 - £17
Two short stories - £27
One novelette - £27
Two novelettes - £42
One novella - £32
Two novellas - £52
Up to 3 poems/flash fiction/micro fiction - £17
Up to 8 poems/flash fiction/micro fiction - £27
One short story - £17
Two short stories - £27
One novelette - £27
Two novelettes - £42
One novella - £32
Two novellas - £52
Up to 3 poems/flash fiction/micro fiction - £17
Up to 8 poems/flash fiction/micro fiction - £27
Entries open
March 30, 2026
Entries close
midnight on September 30, 2026
Winners announced
by November 30, 2026
Winners of 2025
Best novella
Come Back Shane by Robert Weinberger
Extract
The woman was waiting for him at the entrance to the playground wearing a replica of the dress, the original outfit that would sell for over $1 million more than four decades later, a black Italian satin, sleeveless gown designed by Hubert de Givenchy for Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. A jeweled tiara complemented her perfectly coiffed updo and a pearl necklace with a flower pendant effortlessly caressed the cut-out décolleté. Long black satin gloves covered her arms, one of which held an extended cigarette holder, a technicolor image that remained frozen in his mind forever.
Best novelette
Make me be true by Jane Tipping
Extract
She remembered a feeling she’d had when she was first at college after she had finished practising Schumann’s ‘Arabeske’, a piece depicting longing for love that was absent. She had closed the music book and leaned out of the window, looking out on to the London streets and saw people walking alone and she knew she would never be, because she had the piano.
Best short story
Jacob’s girls by Erica Sharlette
Extract
His innocent young daughter went berry picking for a pie she was going to bake him with her mother's help for Christmas, but she had been seen by hunters and, although she lost them the way Jacob had taught her, the sighting was enough to send all the townsmen by the sounds from above, deep into the woods to find the girl and where she lived.
Best poem
Circumcision by Garry Davidson
Extract
Billy came back in half an hour
his face etched with emotion,
he took his seat at the back of the class
and there followed quite a commotion...
Best flash fiction
Boat Race by Alfred Johnson
Extract
I could see that her soul was too big for her five-foot frame. That was why I could never understand her, much less predict her next move. She was a mystery that flitted faster than the most elusive swift, so I had to chase her.
Best micro fiction
Boys’ Toys by Nicola Daley
Extract
I need to bury her. Fast. Before somebody finds me. Yes! He’s left his bright yellow digger next to a big hole.
Come Back Shane by Robert Weinberger
Extract
The woman was waiting for him at the entrance to the playground wearing a replica of the dress, the original outfit that would sell for over $1 million more than four decades later, a black Italian satin, sleeveless gown designed by Hubert de Givenchy for Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. A jeweled tiara complemented her perfectly coiffed updo and a pearl necklace with a flower pendant effortlessly caressed the cut-out décolleté. Long black satin gloves covered her arms, one of which held an extended cigarette holder, a technicolor image that remained frozen in his mind forever.
Best novelette
Make me be true by Jane Tipping
Extract
She remembered a feeling she’d had when she was first at college after she had finished practising Schumann’s ‘Arabeske’, a piece depicting longing for love that was absent. She had closed the music book and leaned out of the window, looking out on to the London streets and saw people walking alone and she knew she would never be, because she had the piano.
Best short story
Jacob’s girls by Erica Sharlette
Extract
His innocent young daughter went berry picking for a pie she was going to bake him with her mother's help for Christmas, but she had been seen by hunters and, although she lost them the way Jacob had taught her, the sighting was enough to send all the townsmen by the sounds from above, deep into the woods to find the girl and where she lived.
Best poem
Circumcision by Garry Davidson
Extract
Billy came back in half an hour
his face etched with emotion,
he took his seat at the back of the class
and there followed quite a commotion...
Best flash fiction
Boat Race by Alfred Johnson
Extract
I could see that her soul was too big for her five-foot frame. That was why I could never understand her, much less predict her next move. She was a mystery that flitted faster than the most elusive swift, so I had to chase her.
Best micro fiction
Boys’ Toys by Nicola Daley
Extract
I need to bury her. Fast. Before somebody finds me. Yes! He’s left his bright yellow digger next to a big hole.
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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....
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PAPERBACK
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HARDBACK
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EBOOK, PAPERBACK AND HARDBACK
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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...
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Testimonials
Thank you very much for sending me a free copy of The Paul Cave Prize for Literature 2025 book. (I've ordered extra copies). I was thrilled to read your thoughts, analysis and perception of my novelette. I am so enjoying reading all the superb creative works. Congratulations for organising a wonderful writing opportunity.
Jane Tipping - novelette winner 2025
I received my copy of the Novellas anthology and wanted to thank you again for highlighting my work, Come Back, Shane. Your recognition acknowledged my love of movies and the impact that cinema has had on my life as a child and into adulthood, and I believe readers will recognize and identify with that sentiment. Who of us hasn’t remembered a favorite film (or films) and recalled the emotion that accompanied the experience?
Full disclosure: I live in Southern California (for the weather), but like the protagonist in Come Back, Shane, I was raised in Brooklyn, New York. I suppose you could say that in my heart and soul I am a “true New Yorker.”
I visited your country for the first time in 2019 and was charmed. I spent time in London, a city I described to friends as “a cleaner, friendlier, more welcoming version of New York.” One day, I hope to make my way to a faraway locale called Locks Heath and thank you in person.
Robert Weinberger - novella winner 2025
I am honored to receive this prize for my novella and thrilled that you enjoyed it! Ecstatic is more appropriate. I did receive the prize money (another thrill), and I look forward to reading the anthology. Warm regards from the US.
Robert Weinberger - novella winner 2025
Wonderful news I won the novelette competition. Thank you so much for reading and accepting it. It's great that you organised the competition. I so look forward to reading your publication.
Jane Tipping - novelette winner 2025
Thank you so much for the great news! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it. I have received the £75, thank you very much, and I look forward to receiving the anthology.
Erica Sharlette - short story winner 2025
Thank you so much! I am delighted you enjoyed my piece! And thank you so much for continuing to provide these opportunities for fledgling writers.
Nicola Daley - micro fiction winner 2025
I am so pleased you liked my contributions and absolutely delighted you crowned my poem as winner of the poetry prize.
Garry Davidson - poetry winner 2025
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. Just to let you know I received the cheque and the book. The only other thing I ever won was a bottle of rum for the letter of the month in the Wisden Cricketer nearly 20 years ago. Who would have thought?! I'm going to photocopy the cheque and put it on my wall opposite my writing table.
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 ttory 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
Jane Tipping - novelette winner 2025
I received my copy of the Novellas anthology and wanted to thank you again for highlighting my work, Come Back, Shane. Your recognition acknowledged my love of movies and the impact that cinema has had on my life as a child and into adulthood, and I believe readers will recognize and identify with that sentiment. Who of us hasn’t remembered a favorite film (or films) and recalled the emotion that accompanied the experience?
Full disclosure: I live in Southern California (for the weather), but like the protagonist in Come Back, Shane, I was raised in Brooklyn, New York. I suppose you could say that in my heart and soul I am a “true New Yorker.”
I visited your country for the first time in 2019 and was charmed. I spent time in London, a city I described to friends as “a cleaner, friendlier, more welcoming version of New York.” One day, I hope to make my way to a faraway locale called Locks Heath and thank you in person.
Robert Weinberger - novella winner 2025
I am honored to receive this prize for my novella and thrilled that you enjoyed it! Ecstatic is more appropriate. I did receive the prize money (another thrill), and I look forward to reading the anthology. Warm regards from the US.
Robert Weinberger - novella winner 2025
Wonderful news I won the novelette competition. Thank you so much for reading and accepting it. It's great that you organised the competition. I so look forward to reading your publication.
Jane Tipping - novelette winner 2025
Thank you so much for the great news! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it. I have received the £75, thank you very much, and I look forward to receiving the anthology.
Erica Sharlette - short story winner 2025
Thank you so much! I am delighted you enjoyed my piece! And thank you so much for continuing to provide these opportunities for fledgling writers.
Nicola Daley - micro fiction winner 2025
I am so pleased you liked my contributions and absolutely delighted you crowned my poem as winner of the poetry prize.
Garry Davidson - poetry winner 2025
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. Just to let you know I received the cheque and the book. The only other thing I ever won was a bottle of rum for the letter of the month in the Wisden Cricketer nearly 20 years ago. Who would have thought?! I'm going to photocopy the cheque and put it on my wall opposite my writing table.
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 ttory 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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