The John McGivering Writing Prize

The John McGivering Writing Prize is organised by The Kipling Society, a UK literary society dedicated to preserving and promoting the work and legacy of Rudyard Kipling. This annual competition invites writers to submit original short stories exploring the supernatural, with entries tied — directly or obliquely — to Kipling’s life or writings, echoing the uncanny elements found in his work.

Submissions must be original, unpublished short stories in English with a maximum length of 2,500 words (excluding the title). Stories should engage with supernatural themes and reflect a meaningful connection to Kipling’s oeuvre or biography. Anonymous judging rules require manuscripts to be submitted without author names, with identifying details supplied separately. A separate Younger Writers category (aged 12–17) is also offered on similar thematic terms.

The Kipling Society also offers a Competition for Younger Writers aged between 12 and 17 years, for stories of supernatural, which should likewise be connected with Kipling’s writings and/or his life, for which the Kipling Society offers a prize of £75, and £25 for the runner-up.

Prizes:

• 1st Prize: £350
• 2nd Prize: £100
• 3rd Prize: £50
• The Younger Writers’ competition awards £75 for first place and £25 for runner-up. Winning and shortlisted stories may be published in the Kipling Society Journal and featured on the society’s website.

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.