Wild Atlantic Writing Awards (WAWA)
'We Knew This Day Would Come'
The beauty of this phrase is that it is open to so many interpretations. It can be about Extraterrestrials taking over the Earth. It can be about love or loss. It can be about a tragedy.
A diagnosis, a goodbye, a decision finally made, a storm on the horizon.
The last day of something — a job, a marriage, a way of life. A departure you rehearsed for years before it happened — emigration, a child leaving, a death long foretold. The morning after a warning finally came true — a flood, a fire, a war. A secret finally surfacing.
It can even be about the end of a place as you knew it — a shop, a factory or a favorite cinema closing.
Or about Nature that is rapidly changing, letting us know it is time to act and save it. Before it is too late.
We’re asking you to write a maximum 500-word story (title is not included in the word count), for either our flash fiction or creative nonfiction categories encapsulating the phrase - ‘We/I knew this day would come.’ The phrase must be used in the body of your story (not in the headline) and, of course, have strong significance.
Do not use AI. You are better than that.
Winners in each category will receive 500 euro in cash, or 1,000 euro off any of our writing retreats in 2027. Winners and the finalists will receive award certificates and the chance to have their stories published on our News portal, with biographical information and photo.
Deadline for submissions: Monday, November 30, 2026.
Flash Fiction Award
We feel the phrase 'We/I knew this day would come,' with all its dimensions and connotations, will appeal to you as it spans so many genres – sci-fi, crime, romance, horror, humour, thriller, mystery, whatever tickles you and your Muse’s fancy.
As you write your story, remember to keep in mind three important guidelines:
-
the maximum length of your story should be 500 words, not including the title (please be mindful of this requirement, even one word over the limit can disqualify your entry);
-
judges should be left in no doubt that the core theme in your story is linked to the phrase;
-
the phrase must be used in the story but not in the title;
-
multiple entries accepted.
Let your imagination be your guide.
PRIZE
The winner selected by a judging panel consisting of IWR tutors will receive 500 euro in cash or a voucher worth 1,000 euro redeemable towards any one of our retreats in 2027.
And more.
With the writer’s permission, the top ten stories in each category will be published on the ‘Ireland Writing Retreat’ website, with a short bio and photograph of the writer.
Writers retain all copyrights to their work.
Creative Nonfiction Award
As for our creative nonfiction competition, we offer you a similar challenge: to write about a true story in not more than 500 words, with the phrase ‘We/I knew this day would come’ as a key element.
Your story can be in the form of memoir, profile, literary journalism, personal essay, culture, travel, food, or any creative nonfiction category you prefer.
As you write your story, remember to keep in mind three important guidelines:
-
the maximum length of your story should be 500 words, not including the title (please be mindful of this requirement, even one word over the limit can disqualify your entry);
-
judges should be left in no doubt that the story is true and the core theme in your story is linked to the phrase;
-
the phrase must be used in the story but not in the titile;
-
multiple entries accepted.
Let your imagination be your guide.
PRIZE
The winner selected by a judging panel consisting of IWR tutors will receive 500 euro in cash or a voucher worth 1,000 euro redeemable towards any one of our retreats in 2027.
And more.
With the writer’s permission, the top ten stories in each category will be published on the ‘Ireland Writing Retreat’ website, with a short bio and photograph of the writer. Writers retain all copyrights to their work.