SAW Conference 2026 Competitions and Trophies
Every year, the Scottish Association of Writers celebrates creativity and excellence through a wide range of competitions open to our members. From novels and short stories to poetry, plays, and articles, each award recognises a unique aspect of the writer’s craft. Whether you’re a seasoned author or a first-time entrant, these competitions offer the chance to shine, gain feedback from professional adjudicators, and see your name among Scotland’s finest writers.
You’ll find below details of every competition — including word and line limits, and whether they’re for novel-length, short-form, or open categories. Don’t miss our ever-popular Dragon’s Pen, judged live at the conference by a panel of industry experts — a thrilling opportunity to pitch your work directly to the pros!
Scroll down to explore all our competitions and discover which one (or more!) is calling your name.
SAW SILVER THISTLE
Novel Aimed at Teens
The SAW Silver Thistle Trophy
BOOK LENGTH COMPETITION
SAW SILVER THISTLE First 7000 words of a novel aimed at teens. We also require a synopsis — maximum 2 pages. Synopsis is not to be a separate document. Please add onto the end of your entry.
Adjudicator
Caroline Logan.
Submission Date
Sunday 30th Nov 2025
Competition Fee
£15.00
JANETTA BOWIE CHALICE
Non Fiction
Janetta Bowie Chalice
BOOK LENGTH COMPETITION (OPEN)
JANETTA BOWIE CHALICE First 10,000 to 15,000 words of a non- fiction book. We also require a synopsis — maximum 2 pages. PLEASE NOTE: You can now enter if you have already published a non-fiction book in the same genre.
Adjudicator
Catherine Czerkawska.
Submission Date
Sunday 30th Nov 2025
Competition Fee
£15.00
HELENSBURGH SHIELD
Short Stage Play
Helensburgh Shield
OPEN COMPETITION
HELENSBURGH SHIELD Short Stage Play – Must have a beginning, middle and end. On any theme Maximum 20 Pages.
Adjudicator
John Binnie
Submission Date
Sunday 30th November 2025
Competition Fee
£10.00
PITLOCHRY QUAICH
Speculative Fiction
Pitlochry Quaich
BOOK LENGTH COMPETITION (OPEN)
PITLOCHRY QUAICH First 10,000 to 15,000 words of a speculative fiction novel under the umbrella term for fiction that explores ideas and concepts beyond everyday reality, including genres like science fiction, fantasy, Dystopian fiction and alternate history, often asking “what if?” questions. We also require a synopsis — maximum of 2 pages. All synopsis should be added to the end of your entry in the same document.
Adjudicator
Conner McAleese.
Submission Date
Sunday 30th Nov 2025
Competition Fee
£15.00
ALISTAIR WALKER ‘OSCAR’ TROPHY
General Article
Alistair Walker ‘Oscar’ Trophy
SHORTER COMPETITION
ALASTAIR WALKER ‘OSCAR’ TROPHY General article of your choice maximum word count of 1500 words.
Adjudicator
Gill Sherry.
Submission Date
Sun 11th Jan 2026
Competition Fee
£10.00
CONSTABLE SILVER STAG
General Novel
Constable Silver Stag
BOOK LENGTH COMPETITION (OPEN)
CONSTABLE SILVER STAG – General Novel (any genre except Teen or Speculative Fiction) First 10,000 to 15,000 words We also require a synopsis — maximum 2 pages. Please add your synopsis to the end of your entry – only one document.
Adjudicator
Anne Hamilton.
Submission Date
Sunday 30th Nov 2025
Competition Fee
£15.00
BARBARA HAMMOND TROPHY
Self-published Book
Barbara Hammond Trophy
BOOK LENGTH COMPETITION
BARBARA HAMMOND TROPHY Self-published books in any genre, including both fiction and non-fiction. Only one entry per person is allowed. Entries will be evaluated based on the quality of the book, editing, and cover design. Please submit a web address where the book can be purchased. Email an ePub file to Malcolm Chisholm adjudicator at malcolmchisholm@gmail.com or send a print copy to him. For the mailing address to send the print copy, please contact Janice Johnston competitions@scottishassociationofwriters.com
Adjudicator
Malcolm Chisholm.
Submission Date
Sunday 30th Nov 2025
Competition Fee
£15.00
UNDER 7s TROPHY
Story aimed at children Under 7 years of Age
Under 7s Trophy
SHORTER COMPETITION
UNDER 7s TROPHY Story aimed at children under 7 years of age.
750 Words
Any subject.
Adjudicator
Emily Dodd.
Submission Date
Sunday 11th Jan 2026
Competition Fee
£10.00
JOHN SEVERN INKWELL TROPHY
General Short Story
John Severn Inkwell Trophy
SHORTER COMPETITION (OPEN)
JOHN SEVERN INKWELL TROPHY All types of stories are welcomed in this category — 2000 to 2500 words.
Adjudicator
Margaret Skea
Submission Date
Sunday 11th Jan 2026
Competition Fee
£10.00
DOROTHY DUNBAR ROSE BOWL
Poetry
Dorothy Dunbar Rose Bowl
SHORTER COMPETITION
DOROTHY DUNBAR ROSE BOWL Poem – Maximum of 40 lines.
Adjudicator
Alison Chisholm
Submission Date
Sunday 11th Jan 2026
Competition Fee
£10.00
SAW COUNCIL TROPHY
Flash Fiction
SAW Council Trophy
SHORTER COMPETITION
SAW COUNCIL TROPHY Maximum of 250 words.
Adjudicator
Erskine Writers.
Submission Date
Sunday 11th Jan 2026
Competition Fee
£10.00
MARGARET MCCONNELL TROPHY
Humorous Short Story
Margaret McConnell Trophy
SHORTER COMPETITION
MARGARET MCCONNELL TROPHY 1000 to 2000 words.
Adjudicator
David McVey.
Submission Date
Sunday 11th Jan 2026
Competition Fee
£10.00
MAY MARSHALL SILVER BOOK TROPHY
Book Review
May Marshall Silver Book Trophy
SHORTER COMPETITION
MAY MARSHALL SILVER BOOK TROPHY Review a book of your choice, giving full details including the ISBN (Books published after January 2022) 350 to 500 words.
Adjudicator
Greenock Writers
Submission Date
Sunday 11th Jan 2026
Competition Fee
£10.00
LARGS SHIELD
3-5 minute Sketch
Largs Shield
SHORTER COMPETITION
LARGS SHIELD Sketch can be humorous or non-humorous The top 3 entrants will be informed in advance. Winning entry will be performed during the conference.
Adjudicator
Ayr Writers
Submission Date
Sunday 11th Jan 2026
Competition Fee
£10.00
DRAGONS' PEN
Pitch Your Story
Dragons’ Pen Trophy
SPECIAL COMPETITION
Got a brilliant idea, work-in-progress, or even a finished masterpiece? Here’s your chance to step into the lair and pitch your project to our fire-breathing dragons! Upload your synopsis (no more than 500 words) to our Dragon’s Pen Competition. The entries will be shortlisted as we only have space for six fearless presenters, so make it your very best. The chosen few will be notified in plenty of time to prepare and invited to deliver a three-minute pitch designed to wow our dragons and convince them your project is pure gold. Important: Your submitted piece cannot be seen by any adjudicator at the conference. If you’ve already entered it into another competition, or are discussing it in a one-to-one, you’ll need to pitch something else. Non-compliance with these rules will result in disqualification. Sharpen your swords, polish your armour, and get ready for the Dragons’ Pen. Good luck – may your pitch be smokin’ hot and not roasted to a crisp. Conditions: No Published work may be entered but previously unrealised projects may be submitted.