Calling budding poets and novelists! As part of the Knighton Literary Festival and in partnership with the Knighton Library, we are proud to present the Knighton Writing Prize for the second year. Entrants from near and far are welcome, especially amateurs and first-time writers. It’s time to bring secret authors out of the woodwork and into the limelight. Good luck to all!

There will be a winner in each category: Adult Poetry, Adult Short Story, Under 18s Poetry, Under 18s Short Story. Poetry up to 30 lines, Short Story up to 3k words. Please format clearly. No theme! Let your creativity flow. Submit entries via email to knighlib@powys.gov.uk, or via post to Knighton Library. Please include your name, age and contact details.

Judged by an unbiased panel who are looking for: imagination, flair, originality, grammar, and emotional impact. First, Second and Third places will be displayed (with author permission) in Knighton Comm for appreciation during the festival! Winners receive a cash prize and certificate at our Prize Giving Ceremony on Friday 16th October, the first day of the festival, with the option to read their work aloud to the audience. Work will also be displayed in the Knighton Comm and published online through StoriPowys (with author permission). Competition closes October 2nd. Winners will be announced on Monday 5 October.

Writing Prize Winners 2025

The winners of the inaugural Knighton Writing Prize were announced at a Prize Ceremony on Friday 10th October 2025, bringing together writers, readers, and festival-goers to enjoy an evening of congratulations at the Knighton Community Centre/Y Comm.

Congratulations to the three winners:

Adult Poetry: David Shields – The Size of Wales

The judges loved the careful wittiness of this poem, the fun wordplay, and profound final stanza. Additionally, the precise structure, professional formatting and extended, thoughtful metaphor led to a clear winner.

Adult Short Story: Carolyn Kennard – Dad’s Last Walk

An emotive and visceral short story, Carolyn’s excellent reading held the room captive at the Prize Ceremony, and her beautiful explanation of her writing journey with this piece brought it all together.

Under 18s Short Story: Nora Baumgartner – The Highly Horrific Life of Molly Davis

The judges loved the unique formatting and funny storytelling– very Tom Gates/Diary of a Wimpy Kid. This young writer has a great future ahead – keep on creating. We expect to see Molly Davis on Knighton Library shelves one day!

The competition was sponsored by the Knighton Library Friends. Each winner received a cash prize, a certificate and had the opportunity to read their work aloud during the ceremony. Our wonderful Poetry Judge, Anna Dreda, introduced and read the Adult Poetry winner. The winning works can be viewed on the StoriPowys website, Powys’s online cultural hub.

During the festival, a display of winning and runner up entries was displayed in Knighton Community Centre, showcasing the creativity of everyone who took part.