The Yeovil Community Arts Association (YCAA) has launched the 2026 international Literary Prize writing competition.
Now in its 23rd year, the Yeovil Literary Prize continues to attract entries from accomplished and aspiring wordsmiths around the world. Money raised through entry fees supports young people across south Somerset who are training for careers in the performing and creative arts.
There are five Yeovil Literary Prize categories to enter;
- Novel
- Short Story
- Poem
- Children’s and Young Adult Novel
- Writing Without Restriction
Winners will receive cash prizes and be invited to present their work at a special showcase event as part of the Yeovil Literary Festival.
This year’s judges include:
- Novelist Rafaella Barker, whose new memoir is due out this year.
- Prize-winning short story writer and novelist Rue Baldry.
- Poet John Challis, whose debut collection, The Resurrectionists, was a Guardian Book of the Month and highly commended in the Forward Prizes for Poetry. His work has appeared in many publications and been broadcast on the BBC.
- Head of the Children’s Book department at AM Heath, Julia Churchill.
- Steve Kay, whose debut novel The Evergreen in red and white was long-listed for the Historical Novel Society’s Indie Award.
The competition opened for entries on 1st January 2026 and runs until 31st May 2026. For details of entry requirements, past winners, and rules, see www.yeovilprize.co.uk. Winners are announced in the autumn.