The HG Wells Short Story Competition

Competition Rules

Write

  • 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  • The story may not be published, or accepted for publication, elsewhere including for other publications by the shortlist announcement date (Saturday 21st September).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 is a template available below to make ensure your story is formatted correctly. You do not have to use it, but if it helps, please do so. However, whether you use the template or not, the pages should be numbered but the entrant’s name should not appear on any page except on the entry form

Check

  • Please ensure you DO NOT have your name or address ANYWHERE in your uploaded document: we judge all entries “blind” and including your name or address will invalidate your entry. To be safe, do not even use your own name as a character name.
  • All submissions must be made online, with all required fields completed.

  • Stories should be the sole work of the one submitted author. Co-authored stories are not accepted.

  • The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into.

  • Entry implies permission for your story to be published in the annual HG Wells Short Story Competition Anthology, and used for Competition publicity purposes.

  • The closing date is Monday 8th July 2024 and entries will be accepted up to 11pm (BST) on that date.

Note

  • The closing date is Monday 8th July 2024 and entries will be accepted up to 11pm (BST) on that date.

  • The story may not be published, or accepted for publication, elsewhere including for other publications by the shortlist announcement date (Saturday 21st September 2024).

  • Copyright remains with the author.

  • 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.

  • Judges reserve the right not to award a prize.

  • Proof of age and / or student id may be required for any entry entered in the Under 22 or at the reduced student price. This proof may be requested by email after the close of entries and prior to the publication of a short list.

Contacting You

  • We will ONLY contact you about the H G Wells Short Story Competition in future years if you specifically agree to us doing so by giving us your consent to do so when entering.
  • We will not share the contact details of entrants with any other organisation without the consent of the entrant.

By entering the competition and providing your details, you are consenting to us contacting you by email, post or phone about the 2024 competition and related events.

We may do so to give more information, update you on shortlisted entries, let you know about available training courses, invite you to the November awards ceremony or even let you know if you have been shortlisted.

Download Template
Entry Form

Submission & Payment

You should attach your story as a Word, ODF, PDF or text document to your online entry. Only one entry / story per form: if you wish to enter multiple stories, complete the online form for each story.

Payment of fees (for those entering the competition for those aged 22 and over) will be by PayPal or debit / credit card at the time of submission.

Please note that if entering the Under 22 competition, we may ask you to confirm your supplied date of birth with evidence of your age. If you enter the 22+ competition at the reduced student rate, we may ask for proof of your student status. If you cannot provide evidence of your age / student status, your entry may be disqualified, and any entry fee paid retained, at the sole discretion of the judges.

Fees

  • Aged over 21 on 8th July 2024: £10 per entry (£5 students accompanied with copy of student ID)
  • Under 21 on 8th July 2024: no entry fee

You can if you wish enter more than one story: please complete a separate entry for each story entered.

HGWSSC is a non-profit making organisation. The entry fees go towards the running costs of the Competition.