A writing competition has been launched for keen writers in the town as part of the 2025 Warminster Book Festival, encouraging people to let their imagination run wild in any form of writing.
No experience is necessary for the free-to-enter competition, with cash and book token prizes up for grabs thanks to sponsorship from local businesses.
The first category is open to young writers aged 12 to 18, who have complete freedom over their choice of topic and style, with a 500-word limit. Fiction, non-fiction, prose and poetry entries are all welcome. Best-selling author LK Chapman – known for her gripping psychological thrillers – will be the head judge for this category. Three winners will receive book token prizes, which will be presented on Sunday 8th June at the Warminster Book Festival.
For the adult writing competition, entries must be based on the theme ‘The River’ and can be up to 1,000 words in length. Submissions may take the form of fiction or non-fiction, prose or poetry. Cash prizes of up to £100 and a trophy are on offer. Esteemed crime writer AA Abbot, best known for the Trail series, will judge the competition.
Warminster Book Festival is currently working with local secondary schools to promote the young writers’ competition, with Kingdown School already planning a book week in the days leading up to the festival weekend on 7th and 8th June.
A spokesperson for the Warminster Book Festival said, “If you’ve ever thought about writing for fun and would like the chance to win a significant prize, then put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and give it a go!”
For more information, visit the Warminster Book Festival website. Entries must be submitted by 1st May via email to warminsterbookfestival@gmail.com.
Pictured: Writers LK Chapman and AA Abbot will be casting their views on the competition entries
