Wild Atlantic Writing Awards (WAWA)
11th edition
Secrets mean many things to many people but one thing is certain, they are hard to keep and always can have intriguing consequences.
Benjamin Franklin summed it up best when he said, ‘Three people may keep a secret, but only if two of them are dead.”
Put another way, ‘A secret remains a secret until you make someone promise never to reveal it.’
Even Buddha got in on the act on secrets, saying, “Three things cannot long stay hidden: the sun, the moon and secrets.”
Depending on their nature, secrets can be both helpful or destructive, but people love secrets in story telling. They love them because they love the pleasure of uncovering them. Or knowing them when some characters don’t.
Secrets in literature, whether an unspoken past, a love affair, or a long-buried family issue, serve as a powerful narrative tool, creating intrigue, driving plot, and enhancing character development. Weaving them into the fabric of characters illuminates their identities and motivations, their fears, their loves. They add layers of complexity to a story. The anticipation of a secret's revelation, the consequences of its discovery, and the ways characters react to it all help strengthen story plots.
As for suspense, that comes from wondering whether or not characters will be caught out with their secrets and what the consequences might be if they are. Or if they are not.
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Secrets, the new theme of our WAWA competition.
Stories should be no more than 500 words and the word ‘secrets’ cannot be used in your story title or in the story itself.
Winners in each category will receive 500 euro in cash, or 1,000 euro off any of our writing retreats in 2025 or 2026. ​​
Deadline for submissions: Sunday, August 31, 2025. ​​​​​​
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Flash Fiction Award
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We feel the theme of ‘Secrets’ 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:
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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);
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judges should be left in no doubt that the core theme in your story is linked to ‘Secrets;’
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the word ‘secrets’ (or any derivation) cannot be used in stories or in the titles of stories submitted for the competition, but judges should be in no doubt that the theme of 'secrets' is reflected clearly in your stories;
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multiple entries accepted.
Let your imagination be your guide.
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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 of your choice in 2025 or 2026.
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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 ‘secrets’ as a key element. Your story can be in the form of memoir, profile, literary journalism, personal essay, travel (and remember, award-winning travel articles don't have to be about exotic destinations, it could be about your own hometown), 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 ‘secrets;’
-
the word ‘secrets’ (or any derivation) cannot be used in stories or in the headlines of stories submitted for the competition, but judges should be in no doubt that the theme of 'secrets' is reflected clearly in your stories;
-
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 of your choice in 2025 or 2026.
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.