Enter this new creative writing competition – tell us what Barnsley is now and what it could be.
This creative writing competition invites 18–30-year-olds who live, work, or study in Barnsley to imagine, reflect on, or re-invent Barnsley town centre through a short piece of creative writing.
Entries can take the form of a short story, poem, prose, script, or personal reflection. Whatever the format, your writing should explore the town centre’s amenities, atmosphere, and your experience of your everyday life connected to it.
The competition is part of a wider creative consultation project that seeks to understand what Barnsley means to its residents and how diverse voices and perspectives can be heard.
Submission Details
- Word limit: Up to 500 words.
- Who can enter: 18-30 year olds who live, work or study in Barnsley
- Style: Any creative writing style
- Setting: Must be set in or inspired by Barnsley town centre
- Format: PDF via email to gemmageldart@barnsleycivic.co.uk
- Closing date for entries: Sunday 1st March
Prize: Entries will be judged by a panel and winners will be announced: Monday 9th March
- First prize: £200 Barnsley Gift Card
- 2 x Runner-up prizes: £50 Barnsley Gift Card
All entries may be showcased publicly and used to help shape future ideas for the town centre.
Conditions: By entering, participants grant Barnsley Civic the right to publish or display the work (with credit) for promotional or non-commercial purposes. Participants retain copyright.
