Aesthetica Creative Writing Award 2025 (total prize fund £5,000)

Aesthetica Creative Writing Award 2025

The Aesthetica Creative Writing Award, hosted by Aesthetica Magazine, is an annual international literary competition celebrating innovative writing in two categories: Poetry and Short Fiction (Aesthetica Magazine). Since its inception (over 15 years ago), the prize has become a respected platform for emerging and established voices worldwide (Reddit, Aesthetica Magazine).

Submission Categories & Guidelines

• Poetry: maximum 40 lines
• Short Fiction: up to 2,000 words
• Submissions in English, on any theme — whether published before or not (Aesthetica Magazine, فرصة, infodesigners.eu).
• Entrants may submit multiple works (each requires a separate entry form and fee) (Aesthetica Magazine).

Entry Fees & Deadlines (2025 edition)

• Poetry: £12 up to August 31; Late entry £16 (up to early September)
• Short Fiction: £18 up to August 31; Late entry £22 (until the first week of September) (Aesthetica Magazine)
• Open: December 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
• Late entries accepted September 1–5, 2025 (Aesthetica Magazine)

Judging Timeline & Publication

• September – November 2025: judging period and shortlist selection
• November 2025: shortlisted writers are contacted and proofs dispatched
• December 2025: winners announced and Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual 2026 is published, featuring winners and shortlisted entries (€60 works) (Aesthetica Magazine)

Prizes

Each category winner receives:

• £2,500 (total prize fund £5,000)
• Publication in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual

• Additional literary and educational perks including:

  Poetry: six-week Curtis Brown Creative course, full membership to The Poetry Society, course from The Poetry School, two Arvon masterclasses, and more
• Short Fiction: five-day Arvon at Home course, short story course from Curtis Brown Creative, consultation with Redhammer Management, etc.
• All winners (Poetry & Fiction): one-year print subscription to Granta, digital subscription to Mslexia, full membership to Litopia, and Deluxe Subscription to The London Magazine (infodesigners.eu, Aesthetica Magazine)

Why It Matters

• The anthology showcases around 60 remarkable short stories and poems, amplifying voices that push literary boundaries and reflect on global and personal themes (Aesthetica Magazine).
• Aesthetica champions creativity across disciplines, and its writing award stands alongside their art prize and film festival as a gateway for emerging talent on a global stage (Aesthetica Magazine).

 Timeline at a Glance

Phase	Dates
Entries open	December 1, 2024
Regular entry deadline	August 31, 2025
Late entry period	September 1–5, 2025
Judging and shortlist	September–November 2025
Shortlist notified	November 2025
Winners announced & Annual published	December 2025

Bonus Tips for Applicants

• Keep to the line and word limits: ≤ 40 lines for poetry, ≤ 2,000 words for fiction (Aesthetica Magazine).
• Submit your best, polished versions — previously published works are welcome (just credit original publication) (Aesthetica Magazine, فرصة).
• Payment and submission are handled via an online portal accepting PayPal or card, with automatic confirmation within 48 hours (Aesthetica Magazine, Aesthetica Magazine).