The Witty Wicklow Writers Contest invites writers of all sort to submit a short original piece for consideration in Witty Wicklow Writers Magazine – Issue #1.

Wit, originality, and sharp thinking are encouraged. The wittier, the better.
 

What You Can Submit

• Genre: Free (flash fiction, short essay, memoir, poetry, hybrid forms welcome)

• Length:

  • 1 to 2 pages

  • Maximum: 1,000 words

• Language: English

• Original work only (not previously published)​

Prizes

• Top 4 selected writers will:

  • Be published in Witty Wicklow Writers Magazine – Issue #1

  • Receive a free e-book copy of the magazine

• The “Witty Winner” (1st place) will additionally receive:

  • One physical copy of the magazine (posted)

  • An invitation  to join one online Witty Wicklow Writers Workshop in 2026

Submission Fees

• Early Bird: €5 per submission

• Standard Fee: €9 per submission​​

Deadline

31 March 2026,  12:00 noon (Irish time)

Late submissions will not be considered.​

Jury

The jury is composed by the Witty Wicklow Writers:

• Vitor Vicente

• Jeroen Vandommele

• Maria Stavropoulou

All decisions are final.​​​

Judging Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated based on:

• Wit and originality

• Voice and style

• Clarity and structure

• Impact within short form

• Overall literary quality​

Rights & Conditions

• Authors retain full copyright of their work

• By submitting, authors grant one-time, non-exclusive rights for publication in the magazine (print & digital)

• Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please notify us if your work is accepted elsewhere​

Eligibility

• Open internationally

• Writers must be 18 years or older

• Multiple submissions allowed (each requires a separate fee)

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