Each week, we release a new creative writing prompt.

To view this week’s prompt, visit and subscribe to Writers' Hour Magazine.

Contest Guidelines

1. Eligibility

• The contest is open to writers of all backgrounds and experience levels.
• Submissions must be previously unpublished and original works.
• We accept international, English-language submissions. 
• Entrants must be eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry.
• You must be subscribed to Writers’ Hour Magazine to be considered. 
• Only one submission per person is allowed per weekly contest. 
• We do not accept simultaneous submissions for this contest. (This means that the piece you submit should not be under consideration by any other publication, literary magazine or contest while we are reviewing it.)
• Writers do not need to be present at Writers’ Hour to submit to the contest. (But if you’d like a quiet, focused place to work on your submission in the company of other writers, please join us!)

2. Categories

• The genre and word count limits will change with the weekly contest prompt. 

3. Weekly Prompt

• The weekly contest prompt will be released every Sunday 9pm BST / 4pm ET / 1pm PT via Writers Hour Magazine and shared with subscribers. 
• Each week will feature a different prompt and genre, providing a fresh challenge for participants. Be sure to check in each week to see what creative direction we’ll be taking.

4. Submission Period

• Each week’s submission period opens on Sunday at 9pm BST / 4pm ET / 1pm PT and closes on the following Friday at 5pm BST / 12pm ET / 9am PT. Submissions received outside this window will not be considered.

5. Submission Guidelines

• Submissions should be made through our online submission platform Submittable, formatted as a Word document.
• Work should be submitted in a standard format: use a readable font like Times New Roman or Arial, size 12, with double spacing and 1-inch margins
• We only accept submissions in the English language. 
• All submissions should be anonymized—do not include your name or any identifying information within the manuscript you upload.
• There is no entry fee for the contest.

6. Judging

• Entries will be judged by a panel of writers and editors.
• The judging process is blind, and decisions will be based on originality, craft, and impact.
• All decisions are final, and feedback will not be provided on individual submissions unless the writer has paid for editorial feedback.

7. Prizes

• First Prize: $100 USD + publication in Writers’ Hour Magazine + 3-Months Complimentary London Writers’ Salon Silver Membership (~$100 USD) + Trophy Mug
• Second Prize: Special Mention in Writers’ Hour Magazine + 1-Month Complimentary London Writers’ Salon Silver Membership.
• Third Prize: Special Mention in Writers’ Hour Magazine

8. Publication Rights

• By entering the contest, you grant the London Writers’ Salon first digital rights to your work if selected for publication. After publication, all rights revert to the author, but we ask for acknowledgement in any future publications.
• Portions of selected works may also be featured on our publications, website and social media channels.

9. Notification

• Winners will be notified via Submittable before publication, and announced and published in Writers’ Hour Magazine.
• Non-winning entries will be notified of their status via Submittable.

10. Additional Terms

• Submissions that do not adhere to the guidelines may be disqualified.
• The London Writers’ Salon reserves the right to extend the contest deadline, modify the contest guidelines, or cancel the contest at its discretion.

11. What We Don’t Accept 

• Plagiarism: All work must be your own. Submissions found to be plagiarized or generated by Artificial Intelligence, in whole or in part, will be disqualified.
• Hate Speech or Discrimination: We do not accept content that promotes hate, violence, or discrimination against any group or individual based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, or any other identity.
• Explicit or Graphic Content: Submissions containing excessive violence or graphic depictions that serve no artistic or narrative purpose will not be considered.