Scottish Association of Writers
Supporting writers and writing groups in Scotland since 1969

Competition Descriptions

A Guide to SAW Competitions

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

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

AlistairWalkerTrophy

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

SilverStagTrophy

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

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

MayMarshalMemorialTrophy

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 Drama Trophy

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.

Adjudicator

Conference Dragons

Submission Date

Sunday 11th Jan 2026

Competition Fee

£15.00

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