Leicester Writes

The Leicester Writes Short Prize 2025
Judges: Kathryn Aldridge-Morris & Melanie Carvalho
2025 winner: Matt Cook
Deadline: closed
#shortstories

[Leicester Writes @LeicesterWrites]

Thanks to everyone who attended the Leicester Writes Short Story Prize Ceremony yesterday. It was such a joyous event with fantastic readings from our exceptional longlist. Loved celebrating with you all. Congratulations 👏 👏 👏

[Farhana Shaikh 🍉 @farhanashaikh]

Just over a week to go until the Short Story September Festival comes to town.

I can't wait to see my fantastic @DahliaBooks authors as we celebrate the form and this year's @LeicesterWrites winners.

Book today for a £10 discount:
https://t.co/ADtffhicOm #WritingCommunity

[Farhana Shaikh 🍉 @farhanashaikh]

Delighted to share programme highlights for our Short Story September Festival taking place in Leicester @PhoenixLeic on 20-21 September.

Join us for a jam-packed programme of events and classes on writing and publishing short stories.
https://t.co/nNAyI6yGm2

[Laura Besley @laurabesley]

I'm thrilled to be taking part in this panel discussion on developing craft. There are still tickets available for individual events as well as weekend passes (in-person & online). See link below for details.
#shortstoryseptember #shortstories #amwriting #writingcommunity

[Farha Quadri @ftquadri]

I’m thrilled to have won the second prize of the 2025 Leicester Short Story Prize @LeicesterWrites with my story Okra Bamya Lady Fingers. Thank you to the judges Kathryn Aldridge-Morris and Melanie Carvalho, and @farhanashaikh

[Leicester Writes @LeicesterWrites]

@laurabesley 👏 👏 👏

[Leicester Writes @LeicesterWrites]

@SeanMcNicholl @laurabesley Congratulations Sean!

[Seán McNicholl @SeanMcNicholl]

Absolutely delighted to have made the shortlist and then be highly commended for the
@LeicesterWrites short story prize!
Massive congratulations to the winners, shortlisters and longlisters! Cannot wait to read all the pieces in the anthology

[Leicester Writes @LeicesterWrites]

@mattcookwriter @DahliaBooks Congratulations, Matt. What an incredible story 👏 👏 👏

[Matt Cook @mattcookwriter]

I don't post often at the mo, unless it's newsworthy. Sooo...

I'm beyond delighted that my story MY TIME AT THE POISON FACTORY has WON the 2025 Leicester Writes Short Story Prize.

Thanks so much @DahliaBooks, and judges Kathryn Aldridge-Morris & Melanie Carvalho.

[Leicester Writes @LeicesterWrites]

🏆Prize Announcement

The winners of this year's prize are:

🥇My Time at the Poison Factory by Matt Cook
🥈Okra Bamya Lady Fingers by Farha Quadri
🥉We Cannot Know the Dreams of Absent Fathers by Laura Besley

Congratulations all👏

https://t.co/R83b1L9f3Y

[Farhana Shaikh 🍉 @farhanashaikh]

Thrilled to announce the Short Story September Festival returns next month.

Join us for a jam-packed weekend of talks and workshops on mastering #shortstories.

Check out the full schedule and book your early bird ticket by 26/8. https://t.co/wd3KKcD5XR

[Laura Besley @laurabesley]

I'm thrilled to be involved in this year's Short Story September Festival run by the wonderful Farhana @DahliaBooks

Do come along on Sat 20th Sept in Leics/online Sun 21st Sept. Tix can be bought per event or there's a weekend pass. Links below.
#shortstories #writingcommunity

[Leicester Writes @LeicesterWrites]

If you entered this year's Leicester Writes Short Story Prize, please check your inbox for our longlist announcement. We're thrilled with our picks and can't wait to reveal more soon. Congratulations, everyone!

Here are the titles on the longlist:
https://t.co/2ibEX98iRP

[RideLeicester @RideLeicester]

Discover Sue Townsend's Leicester - The Mole Ride - With Dr Emma Parker - https://t.co/bc2Us2hFcw @visit_leicester @LeicesterWFA @LeicesterWrites @leicesterlibrar @SueTownsendThtr @BBCLeicester

[Leicester Writes @LeicesterWrites]

@shrutidhoraPM Apologies, we were OOO from 4pm!

[Leicester Writes @LeicesterWrites]

There are now just 21 days to submit your #shortstory for this year's prize.

This is your last chance to enter the open prize as we wind down next year.

Flash fictions are welcome too!

https://t.co/faezIU4EIe

[Leicester Writes @LeicesterWrites]

Well done to everyone who submitted to the @LeicesterWrites Short Story Prize. You'll receive an acknowledgement later this morning. We're totally overwhelmed by the sheer number of entries. Thank you for trusting us with your words.

[Leicester Writes @LeicesterWrites]

@gidiurban Sorry just picked this up. Have you since solved the issue?

[ShortStoryComps @ShortStoryComps]

Leicester Writes short story prize closes July 31

[The Asian Writer @theasianwriter]

Get writing ✍️