The Scottish Arts Club Short Story Competition

The Scottish Arts Club Short Story Competition is open to writers worldwide.

We are seeking original and engaging stories on any topic up to 2,000 words. Our new chief judge is Andrew O’Hagan, multi-award winning author and editor-at-large of the London Review of Books. He is assisted by a team of passionate and dedicated readers in the early rounds.

2020 Prizes include:


First prize of £1,000, second prize £500, third prize £250 open to writers worldwide


£600 Isobel Lodge Award open to unpublished writers born, living or studying in Scotland.


Publication for the top twenty stories in out next anthology - published December 2020.


The Scottish Arts Club will present one year free membership of the Club to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and Isobel Lodge winners. Explore the Club and its many affiliations in other cities (Please note this offer does not apply to current or former members of the Scottish Arts Club.)


Dedicated page on our website for all finalists to promote their work and share insights about their writing life. Go to the Writers' Pages.


The Scottish Arts Club Member's Prize is awarded by our reader's panel to the top story entered by a member of the Scottish Arts Club of at least two years standing.

Long-listed stories will be announced in August 2020. Seven short-listed finalists will be contacted by phone or email in early September and invited to attend the Scottish Arts Club Short Story Awards Dinner to be held on Saturday 3 October 2020. For a limited period the stories of all seven finalists will be published on this website.


More Information Here