Short Story Writing Competition 2025

Our Short Story Competition is open to writers who are 18 years of age or older. All entries must be the original work of the entrant and must not have been published, accepted for publication, broadcast or honoured by the closing dates for entries. This includes entries published on Social media, websites or blogs.

For any issues or questions about the Festival and Competitions please contact us at: competition@mariaedgeworthcenter.com

Short Story Competition Rules:

Entry Fee covers each individual short story submitted and must accompany the entries.
Short Stories limited to 2000 words. More than one story can be submitted but must be entered separately
Ages 18 and up.
Entries in English only.
You can enter from anywhere in the world. Previous winners have been from France, the US, Britain as well as Ireland
All entries to be attached as Word Documents .
There is no theme. You choose what you wish to write about

Closing Date for entries 28th February 2025 at 5.00pm
Entries received after 5pm on 28th February 2025 will not be accepted
Prize Winners and Highly Commended will be notified by the 7th April 2025.
Do NOT include your name and email on the poems or story.
Winning Authors may consent to have their entry published on this site.
All entries must be the original work of the entrant and must not have been published, accepted for publication, broadcast or honoured by the closing date. This includes entries published on Social media, websites or blogs.
The decision of the judges and committee shall be final..
Due to administrative costs we will not process any refunds.

Step 1: Pay the entry fee

Use the button to launch the payment screen option.
Credit Card or Debit Card only.

€5 per Short Story

Once your payment has been taken you will be brought to a new page where you can submit your entry or entries.

...you will be forwarded to Step 2

A little help...

How To Enter
the Poetry and Short Story Competition

Firstly, select the ‘Pay here’ button above.

Then, on the new page that appears, you make your payment. Payment is by credit/debit card only. We use Stripe to handle payments.

Finally, once payment is made, a new page opens where you add your name and email (mandatory), then attach your poems or short story by selecting the ‘Choose Files’ button and finding them on your computer. Files must be in Microsoft Word Format (version 2007 or more recent). You can also use Open or Libre Office but files must be in the .docx format or the files will be rejected

Curious? Discover more about our

Maria Edgeworth Festival

of Literature, Arts & Movement

Christmas/ New Year Opening

The Maria Edgeworth Centre will be closed from the 21th of Dec 2024

for Walk-Ins.

However, we would be delighted to welcome you! If you wish to visit the museum during this period, please book online 24h in advance or send us an Email to enquire about a visit

We will fully OPEN again Tue 7th January 2025.

Thank you and Happy Holidays!!!