Competitions
Twelve competitions. Three formats. Always open.
Every competition includes developmental craft feedback grounded in writing theory, counts toward your qualification, and feeds into the Inkladder anthology. Choose your format. Enter as many as you like.
Short Story
<4,000 words
Quarterly long-form competitions with 3-month submission windows. Full narrative scope.
- FRESHJan–Mar
- COUNTERLITApr–Jun
- HOOKSJul–Sep
- THE MIXEROct–Dec
Flash Fiction
<300 words
NODU Flash Masters. Seasonal 6-week sprints. Precision storytelling under constraint.
- ICEBREAKERMid-Jan–End Feb
- REVERIEMid-Apr–End May
- INFERNOMid-Jul–End Aug
- TWILIGHTMid-Oct–End Nov
Micro Fiction
<100 words
SMALL PACKAGES. Quarterly editions. Distilled craft — every word must earn its place.
- Spring EditionFeb–Mid Mar
- Summer EditionMay–Mid Jun
- Autumn EditionSep–Mid Oct
- Winter EditionDec–Mid Jan
Annual Calendar
| Month | Short Story (<4K) | Flash Fiction (<300) | Micro Fiction (<100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | FRESH (Opens Jan 1) | — | — |
| February | — | ICEBREAKER (Opens mid-Jan) | — |
| March | (Closes Mar 31) | (Closes end Feb) | SMALL PACKAGES Spring (Opens Feb, closes mid-Mar) |
| April | COUNTERLIT (Opens Apr 1) | — | — |
| May | — | REVERIE (Opens mid-Apr) | — |
| June | (Closes Jun 30) | (Closes end May) | SMALL PACKAGES Summer (Opens May, closes mid-Jun) |
| July | HOOKS (Opens Jul 1) | — | — |
| August | — | INFERNO (Opens mid-Jul) | — |
| September | (Closes Sep 30) | (Closes end Aug) | SMALL PACKAGES Autumn (Opens Sep, closes mid-Oct) |
| October | THE MIXER (Opens Oct 1) | — | — |
| November | — | TWILIGHT (Opens mid-Oct) | — |
| December | (Closes Dec 31) | (Closes end Nov) | SMALL PACKAGES Winter (Opens Dec, closes mid-Jan) |
Annual Pass — enter every competition for £35/year
Up to 12 entries. Theory-based craft feedback on every one. Qualification pathway included.