MinK #6 Creative Writing Awards and Anthology Launch

Join us as we announce the prize-winners of our 2026 Creative Writing Competition, and launch the sixth issue of our fabulous #MinK anthology of the best local creative writing.

For this year’s competition, we set the theme of The Trees, knowing this could be interpreted widely and with strength of emotion. As ever, local writers – aged from 14 to 83 – surprised us with the eloquence, wit and imagination. We received poems and stories that brought as trees as protectors, fond memories, companions, threats and omens – and even as metaphors.

We’ll be announcing the winners and highly commended entries in six categories, before we launch the anthology that features all these pieces alongside the other thirty-five shortlisted entries. Whether you love trees, books or both, the anthology has something for you to enjoy.

About MinK #6

Issue #6 of Lit Fest’s MinK anthology, The Trees, includes the winning, highly commended and shortlisted entries in three genres (poetry, flash fiction and creative non-fiction) and two age categories (14-19 and 20+), chosen from the entries in our 2025 Creative Writing Competition. Available as an e-book (PDF) or in printed form, MinK #6 features fifty-two examples of the finest original writing from across our region.

More about #MinK 

• Web: https://www.mklitfest.org/mink-anthologies

About MK Lit Fest

Milton Keynes Literary Festival (MK Lit Fest) began in 2017, since when over 250 authors - ranging from international bestsellers to debut novelists, and including all kinds of fiction and non-fiction - have appeared at our in-person and online events. We also host children's events, literary walks, writing workshops, submission-based events for local writers, an annual writing competition and anthology, and more. Our next in-person festival is happening between 22 and 26 April 2026 in Central Milton Keynes, but our programme extends year round. Visit us online at  www.mklitfest.org or follow us as @MKLitFest on most social channels.