Writing for young adults is a whole new ball game. And one that is continually evolving, it seems. This audience, hugely affected and influenced by smartphones, the internet and a crass in yer face world where nothing seems to be off limits, has, unsurprisingly, a shorter attention span. This TikTok generation often resorts to text speak and when reading books will opt for an ebook over a physical one. However, this sweeping generalisation does not apply to some, such as judges Harriett Saunders (15) and Heidi Saunders (13), who enjoy the paperback experience.
This is not an area that Paul Cave ventured into but if he had, I am sure he would have been enthusiastic about such an award and would certainly have wanted to publish books about cricket and football from a teenager's perspective.
Winners receive feedback, cash prizes and copies of the book featuring their work.
This is not an area that Paul Cave ventured into but if he had, I am sure he would have been enthusiastic about such an award and would certainly have wanted to publish books about cricket and football from a teenager's perspective.
Winners receive feedback, cash prizes and copies of the book featuring their work.
What we are looking for
Short stories of up to 5,000 words
Short stories of up to 1,500 words
Flash fiction of up to 750 words
Micro fiction of up to 300 words
Subjects could include murder mystery, romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror, sport, technology, western, war, history.
Writers of all ages can enter.
Short stories of up to 1,500 words
Flash fiction of up to 750 words
Micro fiction of up to 300 words
Subjects could include murder mystery, romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror, sport, technology, western, war, history.
Writers of all ages can enter.
Judges
Harriett Saunders
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We read every single submission and provide feedback to the winners, which is useful for personal development. Unlike other contests, no AI is used whatsoever!
Prizes
Short stories of up to 5,000 words - £100
Short stories of up to 1,500 words - £40
Flash fiction of up to 750 words - £30
Micro fiction of up to 300 words - £20
Short stories of up to 1,500 words - £40
Flash fiction of up to 750 words - £30
Micro fiction of up to 300 words - £20
Winners will have extracts of their work published on this web page and will receive a complimentary copy of The Paul Cave Prize for Teenage Fiction 2024 book to be published by the end of 2024.
All approved submissions will feature in The Paul Cave Prize for Teenage Fiction 2024. Each writer who submits a piece of approved work is guaranteed to have it published in the book.
All approved submissions will feature in The Paul Cave Prize for Teenage Fiction 2024. 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)
International submissions accepted.
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)
International submissions accepted.
Submissions will be accepted on receipt of fee outlined below:
One 5,000 word short story - £25
Two 5,000 word short stories - £35
One 1,500 word short story - £15
Two 1,500 word short stories - £20
One 750 word flash fiction - £8
Two 750 word flash fiction - £12
One 300 word micro fiction - £5
Two 300 word micro fiction - £8
One 5,000 word short story - £25
Two 5,000 word short stories - £35
One 1,500 word short story - £15
Two 1,500 word short stories - £20
One 750 word flash fiction - £8
Two 750 word flash fiction - £12
One 300 word micro fiction - £5
Two 300 word micro fiction - £8
Entries open
May 1, 2027
Entries close
September 15, 2027
Winners announced
October 15, 2027
Winners of 2024
1st prize £100:
Daan Spijer, It's An Ill Wind
Extract:
Elizabeth went about the chores she had set herself. She enjoyed these rare times when she was home on her own. After tidying her bedroom she set about cleaning the bathroom. It seemed that, no matter how often she did this, there was always a new film of red dust on every horizontal surface and even on the tiled walls. The wind outside was picking up. She expected her parents and little brother back by lunchtime.
2nd prize £50:
Nathaniel Tok, Silent Love
Extract:
Hale was a portrait of a man drained by life’s relentless gray. Every day felt the same as the last, an endless loop of unremarkable events and unfulfilled dreams.
3rd prize £25:
Thomas Patel, The Spirit Train
Extract:
I cursed myself as I missed the train. How could I be so stupid? Looking at the display board, I had at least an hour before the next one arrived and that was already delayed. Plus, I wasn’t sure whether my ticket would let me catch a later train and even if it did, I’d have a two-hour journey to Yorkshire and no seat reservation. Fun times. Mum and Dad will be pleased.
Highly commended: Linda Liddicoat, Baby
Extract:
The cottage was built in 1863. The Wilson family lived there until 1890, having brought it as a young couple having their first baby. That was three sons ago. Now they were well settled into life in the town.
Daan Spijer, It's An Ill Wind
Extract:
Elizabeth went about the chores she had set herself. She enjoyed these rare times when she was home on her own. After tidying her bedroom she set about cleaning the bathroom. It seemed that, no matter how often she did this, there was always a new film of red dust on every horizontal surface and even on the tiled walls. The wind outside was picking up. She expected her parents and little brother back by lunchtime.
2nd prize £50:
Nathaniel Tok, Silent Love
Extract:
Hale was a portrait of a man drained by life’s relentless gray. Every day felt the same as the last, an endless loop of unremarkable events and unfulfilled dreams.
3rd prize £25:
Thomas Patel, The Spirit Train
Extract:
I cursed myself as I missed the train. How could I be so stupid? Looking at the display board, I had at least an hour before the next one arrived and that was already delayed. Plus, I wasn’t sure whether my ticket would let me catch a later train and even if it did, I’d have a two-hour journey to Yorkshire and no seat reservation. Fun times. Mum and Dad will be pleased.
Highly commended: Linda Liddicoat, Baby
Extract:
The cottage was built in 1863. The Wilson family lived there until 1890, having brought it as a young couple having their first baby. That was three sons ago. Now they were well settled into life in the town.
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