Categories

Fiction / Short Story — theme: architecture (buildings of all kinds, from homes and halls to castles and cabins)
Life Writing — about your own life

Separate adult and Under 18 categories run in both.

Key dates

Opens: 22 February 2026
Deadline: midnight, 31 July 2026
Shortlists announced from 6 September 2026
Prize-giving: 3 October 2026 at Southlands Arts Centre

Entry fees

£3 — single entry
£5 — both categories, or a parent-and-child pair submitted together

Free for Under 18s submitting via a school email

7 fee-free places for Under 18s from low-income households (kindly sponsored by Tara Hughes) — email southlandsvolunteer@btinternet.com to request one

Fees support the prize pots and Southlands Arts Centre (Registered Charity No. 1173801). Fees are non-refundable.

Prizes

Adult categories: £100 first, £50 second, £20 runners-up
Under 18 categories: £50 first, £25 second, £10 runners-up

The rules in brief

• 2,000 words max, no minimum. Title isn’t counted.
• Written in English, entirely your own work, previously unpublished, and not placed in other competitions. Simultaneous submissions aren’t allowed.
• Open to UK residents.
• Judged anonymously — put your name and contact details only on the entry form, never on the story itself, or your entry will be disqualified.
• Obtain prior approval from any third party holding rights in your story before submitting.

Formatting

Arial or Times New Roman, 12pt black, double-spaced, Word document preferred. Under 18s may submit handwritten stories. No illustrations.

How to enter

By email: southlandsvolunteer@btinternet.com
By post: Southlands Arts Centre, 75 The Green, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7PW. Mark the envelope “Writing Competition 2026”. Pay by cheque or in person at Southlands by arrangement.

Full terms & conditions →

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August Dates: Friday 7th, Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th August

November Dates: Friday 13th, Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th November

Time: 12:00 – 5:00 PM

Meet the Maker is a fantastic opportunity for local crafters and stall holders to showcase their work and connect with the community. Browse a variety of handmade goods, chat directly with the talented people who make them, and discover something unique.

With up to 8 tables available each day, spaces are limited — so if you’re a crafter or maker interested in booking a table, don’t delay!

This is the Meet the Maker stall-holder fee. But on the day it is free to visit for patrons

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Our writing group at Southlands

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Contents

A is for Apple

Freedom – by Sharon Williams

The Apple of My Eye – by Lydia Pierce

Saved by a Smidgeon of Goodness and a Large Dose of Compassion – by Linda Hibbin

An Unknown Place – by Claire Rule

Unchartered Waters – by Asisat Lamina

Through a Transient Lens – by Gemma Sharp

To the Man on the Tricycle – by Layla Abdulaziz

I’m Fighting my brain – by Molly Lavender

The Girl in the Gold Frame – by Kerenza Blake

Kick Your Kindness – by Shivadev Sekhar

The Missing Apple – by Arianna Agarwall

Penning the Elements

This Cloud Eats Sad Girls – by Thomas McEvoy

Minus One – by John Hartley

Weather, Love and the Art of Remembering – by Jaki McGurk

The Distant Sound of Thunder – by Denarii Peters

Corniche – by Joe Ronan

Entranced by Trees – by Malcolm Welshmann

Between Two Infinities – by Tim Collyer

Ease Into Epilepsy: A Walk Into the Life of a Person with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy – by Tara Edwards

The Snow Storm – by Molly Lavender

The Last Days of Winter – by Grant Salise

Lost – by Lachlan Fagan

The Hollowed Bell – by Eve Liu

Dear Diary – by Elsie Kerr

My Journey Through School – by Arianna Aggarwall

My Life Story – by Yohan Darrcy Pordes

** Update 2 – We will be making these available to purchase from Waterstone’s, Foyles, and Amazon soon, so order soon if you want to secure your copy (wrapped with wax seal while stocks last) **

**Update 1 — We’re brand new to this whole publishing adventure, and honestly? We’re giddy with excitement. If you ordered your book before today, you should now have it in your hands—or at least on its way—and we hope you enjoyed the little extra touch: wrapped in paper and sealed with wax, a small gift from us to you (there are some wrapped ones left if you hurry).

We’re still not showing the cover on this site just yet; our lovely illustrator (who we basically begged to take on this project) is a bit shy. But the book is now popping up on a few major retailer websites—technically out of stock, but still!—and we thought it might be fun to turn it into a mini scavenger hunt. Go see if you can spot the cover before we reveal it here. Maybe even pop it on your wish list… you know, if you feel like it. I’m breezy.

Teething problems aside, this whole thing is honestly flipping awesome. Update over & out**

Celebrate the spirit of creativity with the first ever LitOct Anthology from Southlands Arts — a beautifully crafted collector’s edition combining Book 1: A is for Apple and Book 2: Penning the Elements in one exclusive volume.

This limited first edition of just 100 copies showcases the imagination, talent, and passion of writers from across our creative community. Each story and poem reflects the diverse voices that make Southlands Arts such a vibrant hub for literature and the arts.

With exclusive cover artwork to be revealed soon, this anthology marks a major milestone in the LitOct journey — a tribute to storytelling, collaboration, and the enduring power of the written word.

By preordering your copy, you’re not only securing a rare collector’s item but also supporting Southlands Arts in continuing the annual Creative Writing Competition, inspiring the next generation of writers and artists.

Features:

• Collects A is for Apple and Penning the Elements in one volume
• Limited to 100 first edition copies
• Exclusive cover artwork (coming soon)
• Supports Southlands Arts’ Creative Writing Competition and literary community

Now available for preorder — don’t miss your chance to own a piece of LitOct history.

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1st Edition – Limited Edition Book

Step into a world where the familiar becomes fantastical and the tales you thought you knew take on an unexpected turn.

Note: During our LitOct Festival, Once Upon Another Time will be available at a special discounted price of £6. Proceeds go towards supporting Southlands Arts as a charity. After the festival, the book will return to its regular price of £8.99. Thank you for your continued support!

Once Upon Another Time is a beautifully crafted collection of reimagined stories and original writing from the Writers Salon @ Southlands Arts. Produced by Southlands Arts (Yiewsley and West Drayton Arts Council) in collaboration with Kite Tangle and FAS Printing, this limited-edition release celebrates creativity, storytelling, and community.
Featuring exclusive illustrations by Jacob Sandell and Luke Bryant, each copy supports the ongoing work of Southlands Arts in nurturing local talent.

Limited edition – once they’re gone, they’re gone!

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First in the running is this snazzy and stylish tote bag.

Available for a limited time only. Get it before it’s gone.

Black 8oz canvas bag with the logo new logo in turquoise.

Buy it here and collect from the community cafe at the weekend. Email admin@southlandsarts.co.uk to arrange collection. Or pay the postage and have it delivered direct to your door.

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