Val Wood Prize | Val Wood

THE VAL WOOD PRIZE 2025: SECRETS

This year, the Val Wood Prize invites writers to explore the powerful theme of Secrets.

The judging panel and I want to uncover the hidden truths, untold histories, private thoughts, and concealed moments that shape lives. Whether it’s a shocking revelation, a personal confession, a historical cover-up, or a truth no one dares to speak — we’re looking for stories that show the emotional weight and human impact of secrets.

Writers are free to interpret the theme in any way they choose, in any genre, as long as the idea of a secret is central to the story.

What We’re Looking For:

Authenticity and Emotion
We want stories that feel real — with characters and situations that resonate. Your entry should move us, surprise us, or make us think differently.

Creativity and Originality
We’re looking for fresh, compelling takes on the theme. Whether you write with humour, drama, suspense or subtlety, originality and strength in fictional storytelling will make your story stand out.

Strong Writing and Structure
Clear, thoughtful storytelling with attention to detail, grammar, and flow will be valued. A strong beginning, a satisfying structure, and a clear narrative voice are key.

Diverse Perspectives
Secrets exist in every culture, community, and era. We welcome stories that reflect different backgrounds, experiences, and identities.

Impact

From the first line to the last, your story should leave a lasting impression. We want entries that are thought-provoking, emotionally powerful, and memorable.

THE VAL WOOD PRIZE 2025 (Instagram Post (45)).png

Competition Guidelines

Theme: Secrets
Maximum word count: 1,500 words
Format: Typed in Arial or Times New Roman, 1.5 line spacing, black font, no background images or colours
Genre: Any (except poetry or brutality/graphic/violent content)
Eligibility: Open to writers aged 16 and over
Limit: One entry per person

Deadline for entries: 5:00pm (BST), 31 August 2025
Submit your entry to: thevalwoodprize@gmail.com
Email subject line: Val Wood Prize: Secrets
File format: Word or Pages document
Include: Your name, address, phone number, and email with your entry

Prizes

First Prize: £100 and a signed copy of Val Wood’s upcoming novel (title to be confirmed)
Two Runners-up: Each will receive a signed copy of Val Wood’s new release (Winter 2025)
Winning entry published on www.valwood.co.uk and promoted via Val Wood’s social media channels

Important Notes

Poetry and AI-generated work will not be accepted
Entries must be original, unpublished, and not submitted to other competitions
No edits can be made after submission
Entrants may win only one prize
Copyright remains with the author, but the organisers reserve the right to publish winning entries online or in print for up to one year
Previous winners may enter with a new piece
Winners will be announced on Friday 28 November 2025

We look forward to reading your stories — and discovering the secrets they hold.

THE VAL WOOD PRIZE 2024: LETTERS TO MY LOVE

A Huge Congratulations to All Entrants of The Val Wood Prize 2024: Letters to My Love!

The standard of entries this year was truly exceptional, and we were overwhelmed by the incredible response. The number of stories submitted far exceeded our expectations, and the quality made it a real challenge to select our winners.

We appreciate your patience as we carefully read through each heartfelt piece, and we’re thrilled to finally announce the winners!

And the winner is...

The winner of this year's competition is Anne Elliot with Taking the Wind from my Sails and you can read the winning entry here.

The runners up are ...

The Final Letter by Bazza J

My Dear David by Caroline McKenzie

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

This year, we are back with a brand new theme and a brand new judging panel.

We invite you to write "Letters to My Love”. Whether it's a heartfelt letter to a significant other, an expression of unspoken feelings, or a unique voice.

What We Are Looking For:

1. Authenticity and Emotion: Entries must attempt to convey genuine emotion and a deep sense of connection. Your entry should be heartfelt and resonate with the reader, capturing the essence of love in all its forms.

2. Creativity and Originality: Your submission should be original and imaginative. Surprise us with your unique perspective, innovative narrative style, or unexpected twist.

3. Strong Writing and Structure: We value well-crafted entries with clear structure and coherent flow. Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and overall readability to ensure your entry stands out.

4. Diverse Perspectives: Love comes in many forms and experiences. We encourage entries that reflect diverse backgrounds, cultures, and types of relationships, celebrating the rich tapestry of love stories.

5. Engagement and Impact: Your entry should engage the reader from the first sentence and leave a lasting impression. We want to feel the emotions you pour into your writing and be moved by your story.

The entry isn’t limited to just romance or love and any genre can be covered as long as it is not unnecessarily violent or gruesome and the subject of the competition is included. The competition, is open to anyone over 16 years of age.

Entrants are free to write freely as long as the theme is adhered to. Poetry will NOT be considered for the prize. Strictly NO A.I.

The competition is open to anyone in the world. Your entry must adhere to an overall word-count of 1500.

The winner of the competition will receive £100 and a signed copy of a Val Wood book. Title TBC. The winning entry will be published on the website valwood.co.uk and shared via various social media outlets.

There will be two further prizes and the winners will receive signed books upon it’s release in Winter 2024.

Maximum of 1 entry per person to the maximum word count of 1500 per entry.

Conditions of Entry

All entries must be typed in the form of a story or letter (poetry will not be accepted) with a maximum word-count of 1500.

Entries must be typed on blank sheets in black font and no background images or patterns. It must be typed in Arial or Times New Roman with 1.5 line spacing. The competition is contact free and eco-friendly and ALL entries must be submitted by email

Entries should be submitted by 5.00pm (BST) 31st August 2024

Your name, address, telephone number and email address must be included with your entry.

Please submit as Word or Pages.

Email entries can be sent to thevalwoodprize@gmail.com with the subject: Val Wood Prize: Letters to my Love as the subject.

Previous entrants/winners may enter the competition again using alternative entries.

Entries that have been submitted before will be disqualified from the competition.

Entries must be the original work of the competitor, in English, and must not have been published, broadcast or have won a competition prize. No alterations can be made to a story once it has been submitted.

Entrants can win only one prize. The decision of the judge is final

and no correspondence will be entered into.

The winner of the competition and runners up will be announced Fri 29 November 2024. The winners will be announced online. Copyright remains with the author, but the organisers reserve the right to publish the winning entries online or in print for one year after winning.

The organisers reserve right to alter details of the competition if necessary.

Entrants who do not abide by the above rules will not be considered.

THE VAL WOOD PRIZE 2023: THE TIDE

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED. STAY TUNED FOR NEWS ON THE 2024 COMPETITION.

The Val Wood Prize for Creative Writing 2023: The Hungry Tide 30th Anniversary Special.

Entries are now being accepted for The Val Wood Prize for Creative Writing 2023: The Tide

This year, we are back with a brand new theme and a brand new judging panel. Having previously been associated with Hull Libraries, the competition is now solely independent and all of its entries will be received by and judged directly by the competition’s namesake, Val Wood.

This year’s competition celebrates 30 year’s since the release of Val Wood’s award-winning debut, The Hungry Tide.

We are looking to receive entries that focus on the ebb and flow of the ocean and the rivers that lead to it, as The Tide itself rolls in as the central focus of this year’s competition.

We’re looking for entries packed with originality and creativity that paint a picture and take the reader on a memorable journey. The story can cover any genre as long as it is not unnecessarily violent or gruesome. The competition, is open to anyone over 16 years of age.

Entrants are free to write freely as long as the theme is adhered to. Poetry will NOT be considered for the prize.

The competition is open to anyone in the world. Your entry must adhere to an overall word-count of 1500.

The winner of the competition will receive £100 and a signed copy of The Hungry Tide. The winning entry will be published on the website valwood.co.uk and shared via various social media outlets.

There will be two further prizes and the winners will receive signed copies of the Hungry Tide upon it’s re-release in October.

Maximum of 1 entry per person to the maximum word count of 1500 per entry.

Conditions of Entry

All entries must be typed in the form of a story (poetry will not be accepted) with a maximum word-count of 1500.

Entries should be submitted by 5.00pm (BST) 31st August 2023

Your name, address, telephone number and email address must be included with your entry.

Please submit as Word or Pages.

Email entries can be sent to thevalwoodprize@gmail.com with the subject: Val Wood Prize: The Tide as the subject.

Previous entrants/winners may enter the competition again using alternative entries.

Entries that have been submitted before will be disqualified from the competition.

Entrants can win only one prize. The decision of the judge is final

and no correspondence will be entered into.

The winner of the competition and runners up will be announced Weds 29 November 2023. The winners will be announced online. Copyright remains with the author, but the organisers reserve the right to publish the winning entries online or in print for one year after winning.

The organisers reserve right to alter details of the competition if necessary.

Entrants who do not abide by the above rules will not be considered.

WINNERS OF THE VAL WOOD PRIZE 2023: The Tide

Huge congratulations to everyone who entered The Val Wood Prize 2023: The Tide. The standard, as usual was excellent, which made it incredibly hard to choose the eventual winners from the hundreds of stories we received.

The winner of The Val Wood Prize 2023 is Justin Ho Duo Shun (Philippines) and you can read his prize winning story here.

Runner up 1 is Kate Foot (U.K) with her story Lonely Seagull. Read it here.

Runner up 2 is Corrin Westwood (U.K) and you can read her entry here.

The Val Wood Prize 2022: Storytelling

Here are the winning stories of The Val Wood Prize 2022: Storytelling you to enjoy. Another year full of fantastic entries and, as usual the standard was so high that it was very difficult to decide on the winners.

Huge congratulations to all who entered for your remarkable talent and thank you so much for your patience in waiting for the results. if you entered and didn't get shortlisted please don't hesitate to enter The Val Wood Prize 2023: The Tide

The winners of the International Open Prize 2022

1. Saving Lovely Lady: Linda Whitehouse

2. The One: Rishika Srivastava

3. The Brook’s Lullaby: Zary Fekete

The Winners of the Yorkshire Prize 2022

1. Time to Stand & Stare: Anne Woodward

2. The Brothers: Julie Noble

3. What Can You Do?: Louise Wilford

The Val Wood Prize 2021: Now and Then

The Val Wood Prize for Creative Writing 2021: Now & Then

Here are the winning stories for you to enjoy. Yet again, it was a fantastic year for entries and very difficult to judge as the standard was so high.

Huge congratulations to the winners and if you entered and didn't get shortlisted please don't hesitate to enter again when the competition details are announced in the next couple of months.

INTERNATIONAL OPEN PRIZE WINNERS

Winner: All this Time by Jess Amy Dixon

Highly Commended: August by Tadhg McCullogh

Highly Commended: The Last Time by Jonathan Neil Smith.

YORKSHIRE PRIZE WINNERS

Winner: One Simple Word by Peter Collins

Highly Commended: Down by the Grand Hotel by Hannah Fox Fernley

Highly Commended: A Shadow in a Brave Light by Esther Byrne

The Val Wood Prize 2020: The Next Chapter

The Val Wood Prize 2020: The Next Chapter is now closed.

It has been a long time coming but I am thrilled to tell you that the winners of The Val Wood Prize 2020 are now announced below.

We had hundreds of brilliant entries last year but unfortunately the competition results were severely delayed due to the Covid restrictions and lockdowns that interfered with both the coming together of the judging panel and complications regarding a winner's ceremony.

Unfortunately, due to restrictions still being in place, no ceremony will take place for the 2020 prize but rest assured the winning entrants will be contacted by Hull Library and receive their well deserved prizes.

Again, thank you so much to all who entered during such a strange year and I hope you won't be disheartened if you didn't make the shortlist. The 2021 prize will be announced shortly and I do hope you will all enter again. As always, I look forward to reading your entries.

Val Wood.

Val Wood announces the winners in the recorded message (Left. Click sound on in the bar at the bottom of the video screen).

Congratulations to all of the winners of The Val Wood Prize 2020. Click on the entries below to read the stories in full.

The Winners - Yorkshire Prize

FIRST PRIZE - 199 Steps by Glenn Malkin from Hornsea
RUNNER UP Shifting Sands by Belinda Crowther from Cottingham
RUNNER UP Coastal Surprise by Leonie Jordan from Driffield

The Winners - Open Prize

FIRST PRIZE The Boom by Millie Mockford from Bamford, Derbyshire
RUNNER UP Boleyn by Rosalind Adler from London
RUNNER UP The Face in the Blue and White Bowl by Joanne Shone from Flintshire, Wales