Now Open: The Queen's Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026
royalcwsociety.org – Thursday March 5, 2026
Theme: Common Ground: Better Together
The Commonwealth is one of the most diverse communities on earth. It stretches across continents and oceans, linking bustling cities, remote villages, small island states and vast nations. It encompasses countless languages, cultures, climates and lived experiences.
And yet, despite these differences, there is common ground.
The 2026 theme, Common Ground: Better Together, invites young writers to explore what unites us across the Commonwealth and how collaboration, understanding and shared purpose help us move forward together.
It’s about the connections that surprise us. The values that anchor us. The shared challenges that call us to act. And the hopes for the future.
CASH PRIZE Of £5,000: Apply for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2027
globalsouthopportunities.com – Saturday February 28, 2026
Writers across the Commonwealth are invited to prepare for the 2027 edition of the prestigious Commonwealth Foundation Commonwealth Short Story Prize, an annual literary award that celebrates outstanding unpublished short fiction. Recognised globally, the prize offers a powerful platform for both emerging and established writers to showcase their storytelling talent on an international stage.
With a top cash award of £5,000, publication opportunities, and worldwide recognition, the 2027 Commonwealth Short Story Prize presents a valuable opportunity for writers seeking to expand their literary careers.
About the Commonwealth Short Story Prize
The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is designed to spotlight exceptional storytelling from across the Commonwealth’s diverse member states. The competition is structured around five regional categories:
Prize worth £12k for young writers launched with Caitlin Moran mentorship
birminghammail.co.uk – Thursday February 26, 2026
The BSME Young Writers Prize is open to those aged 18-25 in the UK, offering a bursary, year-long mentorship and work experience with top editors
A budding writer aged 18-25 in the UK could be set to become the next big name in journalism, thanks to a newly launched competition offering a £12,000 bursary, a year of mentorship from celebrated author and columnist Caitlin Moran, and work experience alongside some of the country's most prominent editors.
The brand-new accolade, established in partnership with the British Society of Magazine Editors, seeks to champion those from underrepresented backgrounds who lack the financial means or industry connections to forge a career in media.
Hopeful entrants should submit original work through the BSME website, which can include a feature, review, opinion piece, column, personal essay, or a piece of creative writing drawn from a real-life experience or event.
New MeetCute Storyteller Prize will offer winner literary representation
firstwriter.com – Thursday February 26, 2026
The MeetCute Romance Book Festival and Kate Nash Literary Agency are launching a new competition for writers of romance fiction with an offer of literary representation for the winner.
"We are searching for the next big voice in romance fiction", said literary agent Kate Nash, "so we are delighted to be partnering with MeetCute for this new prize. It is different from other literary prizes in that the winner will be offered literary representation on the spot, no ifs or buts. We know from past experience we can spot the stars of the future so we will be offering representation based on one chapter. I also think it's important to say in the current climate that all the entries will be human-read by literary agents, no AI involved."
The MeetCute Festival brings together readers and writers of romance fiction in the glorious open air setting of Home Farm, Elstree in Hertfordshire. Coming into its third year in 2026, the fast-growing festival takes place on Saturday 4th of July when the competition winners will be announced.
Saffron Dodd Steps Up as Literary Agent at ASH Literary After ‘Stellar’ Performance
firstwriter.com – Tuesday February 24, 2026
Saffron Dodd’s promotion to literary agent at ASH Literary marks a significant and well‑earned step in her career, reflecting both her growing influence in children’s and YA publishing and the agency’s confidence in her editorial and client‑building instincts. The announcement, reported in The Bookseller, highlights that she has stepped up from her role as associate agent after what the agency described as “a stellar couple of years”.
A milestone in a fast‑rising career
Dodd’s trajectory at ASH Literary has been defined by a clear vision for the kinds of stories she champions. Her promotion signals not only internal recognition but also her expanding presence in the UK publishing landscape, particularly in categories where ASH Literary has built a strong reputation: inclusive, imaginative, and voice‑driven fiction for young readers.
Her work to date has focused on nurturing writers whose stories bring fresh perspectives to children’s and YA literature. The agency’s praise for her recent years suggests she has already contributed meaningfully to client development, submissions, and deal‑making – key indicators of readiness for full agent status.
Writing festival celebrates Arts Council cash
bbc.co.uk – Tuesday February 17, 2026
An annual literary festival attracting entries from authors around the world is celebrating a grant worth almost £59,000.
The 10th Hammond House International Literary Festival, also known as LitFest, is hosting a series of events in Grimsby until 25 February.
The money from Arts Council England will be used to fund the festival over the next two years.
Jessica Johnson, the Litfest project manager, said the grant would allow them to "have the resources to work with a lot more creatives locally, pay them what they deserve and allow us to broaden our projects".
Events include workshops with the writer Paul Basset Davies, who has worked with some of the biggest names in British comedy, and award-winning illustrator Debasmita Dasgupta.
The finale, on 25 February, will include an awards ceremony at University Centre, in Grimsby, where entries shortlisted as part of a competition will be published in an anthology.
New Independent Publisher Pellerin Books Launches with Digital‑First Vision
firstwriter.com – Monday February 16, 2026
A new player has entered the UK publishing landscape as Pellerin Books, an independent publisher focused on commercial fiction, officially launches. The company is the creation of Laura Palmer, co‑founder of Head of Zeus, and Jessie Sullivan, formerly head of marketing, who bring extensive experience from both traditional and digital‑first publishing models.
According to the founders, Pellerin Books is built around a simple but ambitious premise: designing a publishing house that reflects how readers discover, buy, and engage with books today. The company will publish a curated list of immersive fiction across genres including crime, romance, historical, fantasy, and science fiction.
The Romance Writing Festival to return to Dorset
dorsetecho.co.uk – Sunday February 15, 2026
The second Romance Writing Festival will return to Bournemouth on Saturday, October 3, promising a full day of expert talks, workshops, and networking opportunities for writers at every stage of their journey.
Taking place at the Marsham Court Hotel, the festival will feature Sunday Times bestselling authors, industry professionals, and aspiring writers under one roof.
The event is part of the growing literary programme from the Bournemouth Writing Festival, and it caters to romance writers ranging from beginners to those seeking publication.
Katie Fforde, a stalwart of the romance genre, will appear in conversation with BBC South’s Edward Sault.
Sue Moorcroft, president of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, will also feature in the line-up.
After 40 Years, Romance Publisher Harlequin to End Historical Romance Line
people.com – Saturday February 14, 2026
One of the most successful romance novel publishers in the world is shutting down its historical romance line.
Harlequin Enterprises is planning to shut down its historical line in September 2027, a representative from parent company Harper Collins confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement. Retail efforts and digital publishing in the U.S. and U.K. will cease as a part of the shutdown.
"As Harlequin continues to evolve its series romance publishing program, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue publishing the Historical Romance series after September 2027 due to changing global market conditions," the statement said. "We are deeply grateful to the talented authors who have helped shape the series and shared unforgettable stories with generations of readers."
Harlequin — known for novels and series including Lynne Graham's Bond of Hatred, Maya Banks' The Tycoon's Pregnant Mistress series and other romances — will not acquire any new works for the line moving forward, the outlet reported, citing an email sent to Harlequin authors.
Andrew Hewson: The Quiet Architect of Other People’s Greatness
firstwriter.com – Wednesday February 11, 2026
When a figure like Andrew Hewson dies, the literary world tends to reach for familiar phrases – veteran agent, industry stalwart, champion of writers. All true, of course, but insufficient. Hewson, who died aged 83, was something rarer: a man who built a life’s work out of elevating other people’s voices while never clamouring for attention himself.
A Career That Began With a Curtain Call
Hewson’s path into publishing was anything but linear. He began not in an office but in a theatre foyer, working front‑of‑house at the Newcastle Playhouse. That early proximity to performance – watching audiences arrive expectant and leave transformed – seems, in retrospect, like the perfect apprenticeship for a future literary agent.
In 1969, he was hired by John Johnson, a man whose family ties to Dame Celia Johnson gave the agency a certain theatrical glamour. Hewson’s early responsibilities were a blend of the practical and the whimsical: nurturing American publishing links, expanding the playwright list, and – charmingly – unfurling the Union Jack on Royal birthdays outside the Albemarle Street office.
Get the free newsletter | Submit a news item or article | Get Writers' News for your website
