The Solstice Prize 2026
For Young WritersThe Solstice Nature Prize is now OPEN until 10th October 2026.
A nature-themed creative writing prize for 7- to 25-year-olds
Four age categories: 7-11, 12-14, 15-17 and 18-25s
ABOUT THE SOLSTICE WRITING PRIZE
The Solstice Nature Prize is a national, annual writing competition for young writers, which invites young people to take a closer look at the natural world, explore their relationship with it, or examine the challenges it faces, and write short stories, poems, and thought-provoking blogs in response.
In 2026, we’re looking for entries about any aspect of nature and offered prizes for winners in four age groups: 7-11, 12-14, 15-17 and 18-25 years. With regional prizes available in each age group for young writers who live in the East Midlands.
The Solstice Nature Prize 2026 is now OPEN! Click the buttons below to enter. Scroll down for the full entry requirements for this year’s competition, for last year’s anthology and for a Teacher’s Pack with prompts and exercises to use in your lessons.
Please note: We’re using a new entry system called Duotrope. You need to set up an account to enter. If you have any issues submitting your young writer’s work, or if you’re a teacher submitting on behalf of a group of students, please contact: info@writingeastmidlands.co.uk
Solstice Prize for Young Writers Anthology 2025
Solstice Prize for Young Writers Teacher's Pack
Nature Writing Inspiration
From poet and WEM Programme Manager Sophie Sparham
The Prizes
First-place winners in each age category will receive £100 and have their work published in the 2025 Solstice Anthology.
Five Highly Commended runners up per age category will receive goody bags and also have their work published in the online anthology.
There are also regional prizes for the best pieces in each age group for young writers living in the East Midlands.
How to Enter the Solstice Prize
Your Entry
Must relate (as loosely as you like) to nature, the environment, or issues related to climate change.
Must be your own work.
Must be 500 words (for short stories and blogs) or 40 lines (for poems).
Eligibility
There are three age categories:
(7-11 years) – you will need permission to enter.
(12-14 years) – you will need permission to enter.
(15-17 years) – you will need permission to enter.
(18-25 years) – you will not need permission to enter.
You should enter the category according to your age on 31st October 2025.
The competition is open to UK residents (including all pupils at school in the UK) Sadly, we are unable to accept entries from UK residents currently living overseas.
Your entry must not have been entered or placed in any other national writing competition.
You must have permission to enter from a parent or guardian if you are aged under 18.
Dates
You must submit your entry by midnight on 31st October 2025 at the latest. We cannot accept entries after that date. Nor can we consider changes made subsequently, so please make sure that the entry you submit is your final version.
When you submit, it is understood that you have read and agreed to the entry requirements, eligibility conditions, and rules for the competition.
To read these, please click the entry requirements below.
For Schools and Teachers
If you are submitting entries on behalf of multiple students, please contact comms@writingeastmidlands.co.uk or hello@writingeastmidlands.co.uk
Please ensure each entry is anonymised with the title clearly shown at the top of the page. A separate spreadsheet should be emailed alongside the entries with each title shown next to the author of that piece and the contact details of their guardians, to ensure that we can get in touch with them in the event that they win.
