Submissions are invited for The HG Wells Short Story Competition 2024. The last date of submission is July 8, 2024.

About HG Wells

Herbert George Wells (21 September 1866 – 13 August 1946) was an English writer. Prolific in many genres, he wrote more than fifty novels and dozens of short stories. His non-fiction output included works of social commentary, politics, history, popular science, satire, biography, and autobiography. Wells’ science fiction novels are so well regarded that he has been called the “father of science fiction”.

Competition Details

The annual HG Wells Fiction Short Story Competition offers a £500 Senior and £1,000 Junior prize and free publication of all shortlisted entries in a quality, professionally published paperback anthology.

Theme: The Fool.

Rules

  • Entries must be in English.
  • Double quotation marks should be used for speech and single quotation marks for other appropriate purposes.
  • The length must be 1,500 to 5,000 words.
  • Entry to the competition are online only, with entrants submitting their story (as a PDF or text document) and any fee as appropriate via our entry form.
  • All submissions should be the writer’s original work. You should not submit the work of others, either in part or in translation.
  • The story may not be published, or accepted for publication, elsewhere including for other publications by the shortlist announcement date (Saturday 21st September).
  • There are no entry fees for those aged 21 years and under on Monday 8th July 2024. Over 21s must pay an entry fee of £10 or £5 for those with student id. Details for payment are shown on the entry form. Each story must be submitted on a separate entry form and accompanied by a fee where appropriate.

How to Submit?

Interested participants can submit online via this link.

Submission Deadline

The last date of submission is July 8, 2024.

Contact

Email: hgwellscompetition[at]gmail[dot]com

Who can enter?

Anyone. HG Wells was a self-taught writer, so we warmly encourage anybody to give it a go.

What is this year’s theme?

‘The Fool’ – interpreted any way you wish.

Click here to view the official notification of The HG Wells Short Story Competition 2024.