University Centre Grimsby Writing Competition 2026 

1. The Competition

1.1. The University Centre Grimsby Writing Competition 2026 (“the Competition”) is organised by University Centre Grimsby.

1.2. The Competition is open from 21 September 2026 until 11:59pm on 14 December 2026.

1.3. The Competition is open to eligible Post-16 students studying at sixth forms, Further Education colleges or other eligible education providers in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and the surrounding area.

1.4. University Centre Grimsby reserves the right to determine whether an entrant meets the eligibility requirements.

2. Categories

2.1. Entrants may submit work in one or more of the following categories:

• Prose Fiction
• Non-Fiction / Journalism
• Scriptwriting

2.2. Entrants may enter more than one category, but each entry must be submitted separately.

3. Entry Requirements

3.1. All entries must be the entrant’s original work.

3.2. Entries must be submitted in English.

3.3. Entries must not have been generated, wholly or substantially, by artificial intelligence (AI) or generative AI tools.

3.4. Entrants may use standard spelling, grammar or accessibility tools to support their writing, but the submitted work must remain the entrant’s own original work.

3.5. University Centre Grimsby reserves the right to reject or disqualify an entry if there are reasonable grounds to believe that it is not the entrant’s original work or that it has been generated by AI.

4. Submission Requirements

Prose Fiction

4.1. Entries must be original short fiction of no more than 2,000 words.

4.2. Entries should be submitted as a Microsoft Word document, using:

• 12pt Arial font
• 1.5 line spacing

Non-Fiction / Journalism

4.3. Entries must be original non-fiction writing of no more than 2,000 words.

4.4. Entries should be submitted as a Microsoft Word document, using:

• 12pt Arial font
• 1.5 line spacing

Scriptwriting

4.5. Entries must be an original script of 10–15 pages.

4.6. Scripts should follow standard script/screenplay formatting appropriate to the intended medium.

5. Submitting an Entry

5.1. Entries must be submitted by email to pendredl@grimsby.ac.uk.

5.2. Each submission must include the following in the email only:

• Entrant’s full name
• Category
• Title of submission

5.3 Each submission must include:

• Category
• Title of submission

5.4 Participants must not include their name in their submission attachment.

5.5 Entries must be received by 11:59pm on 14 December 2026.

5.6 Entries received after the closing date may not be considered.

5.7 University Centre Grimsby accepts no responsibility for entries that are lost, corrupted, incomplete or not successfully received.

5.8 Entrants are responsible for ensuring that their submission has been successfully sent and is attached in the correct format.

5.9 By submitting an entry, you are agreeing to the Writing Competition terms and conditions.

6. Judging

6.1. Entries will be judged by specialists associated with the BA (Hons) Writing: Fiction, Non-Fiction and Scriptwriting programme at University Centre Grimsby, together with professional writers.

6.2. The judging panel is expected to include:

• Paul A. J. Lewis – Non-Fiction Specialist
• Peter True – Prose Fiction Specialist
• Scriptwriting Specialist – TBC
• Tina Hall – Local Author and UCG Alumni

6.3. Entries will be judged against the criteria published for each category.

6.4. The judges’ decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding individual judging decisions.

6.5. University Centre Grimsby reserves the right not to award a prize if, in the judges’ opinion, entries do not meet the required standard.

7. Prizes

7.1. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each category.

7.2. The prizes are:

• 1st place – £50 gift voucher
• 2nd place – £25 gift voucher
• 3rd place – £10 gift voucher

7.3. Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.

7.4. Winners will be invited to University Centre Grimsby in January 2027 to receive their prizes.

7.5. If a winner is unable to attend the prize presentation, alternative arrangements may be made at the discretion of University Centre Grimsby.

8. Shortlisting and Publication

8.1. Shortlisted entries will be considered for inclusion in a published anthology produced by University Centre Grimsby.

8.2. Being shortlisted does not guarantee inclusion in the anthology.

8.3. University Centre Grimsby will contact shortlisted entrants regarding publication and will obtain the appropriate permission before publishing their work.

8.4. Entrants retain ownership and copyright of their submitted work.

8.5. By entering the Competition, entrants agree that University Centre Grimsby may contact them if their work is shortlisted and may request permission to reproduce their work for the purposes of the Competition and associated anthology.

9. Publicity

9.1. University Centre Grimsby may publicise the Competition, winners and shortlisted entrants through its website, social media channels, publications and other promotional materials.

9.2. Where publicity involving an individual entrant is proposed, University Centre Grimsby will seek appropriate permission before using their name, image or details in promotional activity, particularly where the entrant is under 18.

9.3. Winners and shortlisted entrants may be invited to provide a short biography or photograph for promotional and anthology purposes.

10. Data Protection and Marketing

10.1. Personal information provided as part of an entry will be used for the administration and management of the Competition.

10.2. Personal information will be handled in accordance with University Centre Grimsby’s applicable privacy policies and data protection obligations.

10.3. By entering the Competition, entrants acknowledge that University Centre Grimsby may need to contact them regarding their entry, the Competition, judging, prizes and, where applicable, publication.

10.4. Any separate marketing communications about courses, events or opportunities will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection and electronic marketing requirements.

11. Disqualification

11.1. University Centre Grimsby reserves the right to disqualify an entry if:

• The entrant is not eligible to enter
• The entry is submitted after the closing date
• The work exceeds the relevant word or page limit
• The work is not original
• The work has been generated by AI
• The entrant has provided false or misleading information
• The entry otherwise fails to comply with these terms and conditions

11.2. University Centre Grimsby reserves the right to make reasonable amendments to the Competition or these terms and conditions where necessary.

12. General

12.1. Entry into the Competition constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.

12.2. University Centre Grimsby’s decision on all matters relating to the Competition will be final.

12.3. The Competition is subject to the laws of England and Wales.

13. Contact

For further information about the competition, please contact:

Lorna Pendred
 University Centre Grimsby
 pendredl@grimsby.ac.uk