Precocious Prize for Fantasy

The Precocious Prize for Fantasy is run by Precocious Press, an independent publishing imprint based in Brighton, UK. The competition invites writers to submit original, unpublished short fiction in the fantasy genre,  including urban, dark, contemporary, and romantic fantasy, with no set theme or prompt.

Precocious Press is looking for bold, character-led work with a strong sense of voice, tension, and emotional stakes. Stories that explore desire or feature romance — including explicit content between adult characters — are welcome. The press notes a particular interest in stories by and about LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent writers, though this is not a requirement. Entries must be complete, standalone stories rather than excerpts from longer work.

The winner receives £100 and publication in the inaugural Precocious Prize for Fantasy anthology, due for release in autumn 2026 in paperback and e-book. Up to ten shortlisted writers will also be published in the anthology, and all published contributors will receive a complimentary copy in their preferred format. The competition is open internationally to writers aged 16 and over.

Is this competition legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any event, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work.

FAQ
If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it’s your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.