Submissions are now invited for our annual Fiction Competition, The Frances Copping Memorial Prize 2026, named in fond remembrance of our Lifetime President who sadly passed away in 2020.
The competition is open to everyone, members of Hay Writers’ Circle and non-members too. Pieces of 500-1250 words on any fiction theme are accepted. Closing date for entries is Tuesday 2nd November, 2026. Prizes are awarded for first, second and third place.
This year we are thrilled to announce that our judge this year is the wonderful Kathy Biggs.
“Kathy’s first novel, The Luck, was published by Honno Press in October 2022.
Her second novel, Scrap, was published by Honno Press in June 2023. It was Welsh Books Council book of the month in July ’23. It is currently being optioned for film.
Her third novel, Attention All Shipping, was published in hardback on May 8th 2025 by The Borough Press/Harper Collins and also in Germany by DTV Verlag. It was released in paperback on May 21st 2026.
She has recently finished a fourth novel and half way through a fifth novel.
In addition to writing:
Kathy has been married for over forty years and has two children – her son lives locally and works as a gardener. Her daughter lives in Yorkshire and is a nurse.
She is a keen, but often overwhelmed, gardener; loves river and sea swimming; Kathys play Samba with Llanwrtyd based Small Town Samba; Kathy and her husband have recently bought a Fiat Ducato van and have converted it into a camper van.
Please follow the guidelines listed on our COMPETITIONS page if you would like to enter.
You can contact writers4haycomp@gmail.com if you have any questions or queries.
Click on the link below to download the entry form :
HWC AGM 2026
How quickly our writing year is up and running again! Our Annual General Meeting on 1st September in Clyro village Hall, enjoyed not only many positive reports from its Committee, but also a number of exciting plans and adaptations for the coming year ahead.
We are delighted that the following Committee Members and President have been re-appointed.
President – Ange Grunsell
Treasurer – Nick Thomas
Competition Secretary – Margaret Blake
Social Media & Website Manager – Emma van Woerkom
Newly appointed this year were candidates for the positions of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary . We are happy to confirm that Emma van Woerkom, Catherine Smedley and Tammy Allen have kindly accepted these busy undertakings and joined our committee. Welcome aboard all.
Full HWC Committee :
Bon Voyage!
It’s never goodbye from the Hay Writers’ Circle, just a “bon voyage” for the continuing journey of life and writing. We understand that as writers develop and move away from Hay, they cannot always stay with our group, and so this year a couple of members have left our intimate writing circle for pastures further afield. More over, we are delighted that they will all continue to stay in touch with us.
We sincerely thank them for their many years with us, plus the words and publications they have shared and we have loved. We all wish them the very best for the future, with resounding chants of good luck! May their wonderful writings find large, happy audiences, and willing, rich publishers!
New Members Welcome
Over the coming weeks we will have new members joining our writing group, and we are delighted to welcome them. This does mean that we still have a few spare places available. If you are interested, please head over to our Joining Us page for further information and who to contact next.
Write On!
Some HWC members will be at the first Write On! session in Hay-on-Wye library on Friday 25th September, 2pm-4pm. Do drop in for a chat, and have a go at our writing prompt too. Whether you write for pleasure, publication, enjoy journalling, or simply wish to have a go at creative writing in the company of others, all adult writers of all abilities are welcome to join in these sessions for FREE. We ask that you bring along your own pens and paper etc. and the willingness to have a go.
If you want to read about all our up and coming news, events and competitions, don’t forget to subscribe with your email address in the box below.
