The Moth Nature Writing Prize 2026

The Moth Nature Writing Prize is an international competition run by The Moth Magazine that aims to encourage and celebrate nature writing. The prize is awarded annually to an unpublished piece of prose or poetry that combines literary merit with an exploration of the writer’s relationship with the natural world. Entries are judged anonymously by a single judge each year. Previous judges have included Richard Mabey, Helen Macdonald, Max Porter, Kathleen Jamie and Cal Flyn.

The competition is open to writers worldwide aged 16 and over. Entries may consist of either a single poem of any length or a single prose piece, fiction or non-fiction, of up to 4,000 words. Work must be original, unpublished, written in English, and not previously self-published, published online or broadcast. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but AI-generated work is not eligible. There is no limit on the number of entries.

Although entries may be on any subject, they should reflect concerns about or appreciation for the natural world.

Submissions close on 30 September 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (Ireland time). The entry fee is €16 per poem or prose piece.

Prizes:

• 1st place: €1,000 and a one-week stay at The Moth Retreat in rural Ireland.
• 2nd place: €500.
• 3rd place: €250.

The winning entries are also published online by The Irish Times. Winners are expected to be notified by the end of November, with results announced in December.

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.