A cosy corner for new writers
The Coffee Fiction Challenge was created for writers who haven’t yet had their moment in the spotlight — the unpublished storytellers brewing ideas in notebooks, phone notes, and quiet corners of cafés. We believe that creativity doesn’t need grand stages or big credentials; sometimes all it needs is a warm drink, a blank page, and the gentle permission to play. This competition was born from that belief: a small, friendly space where new voices can experiment, grow, and share their stories without pressure.
We run the challenge with a simple mission — to celebrate emerging writers, encourage the joyful habit of writing, and build a cosy community where imagination is valued as much as polish. Every entry is read with care, judged anonymously, and appreciated for the spark it brings. And because good stories deserve to be shared, we publish the top five entries on our website for readers to enjoy.
Whether you’re writing your very first story or returning to a long‑lost love of words, we’re here to cheer you on, one cup and one story at a time.
Important Dates
There are four submission entry points: Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring.
Spring
Competition opens on 1st April.
Submissions close on 31st May. For 2026 only - Submission deadline extended to 30th June.
Shortlisted entrants are informed by email: 22nd July
Shortlist announced on website: 24th July
Winners are informed by email: 29th July.
Winners announced on website: 31st July.
Summer
Competition opens 1st July.
Submissions close on 31st August.
Shortlisted entrants are informed by email: 22nd October
Shortlist announced on website: 24th October
Winners are informed by email: 29th October.
Winners announced on website: 31st October.
Autumn
Competition opens 1st October.
Submissions close on 30th November.
Shortlisted entrants are informed by email: 22nd January
Shortlist announced on website: 24th January
Winners are informed by email: 29th January.
Winners announced on website: 31st January.
Winter
Competition opens 1st January.
Submissions close 28th February.
Shortlisted entrants are informed by email: 21st April
Shortlist announced on website: 23rd April
Winners are informed by email: 28th April.
Winners announced on website: 30th April.