Light on a path in the forest

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Wild Muse Nature Writing Prize for Creative Dreamers

( 2024 winners )

three remarkable voices exploring the healing power of the natural world.

FIRST PLACE: ‘Imprints’ by Joanna Mary Wolfarth

SECOND PLACE: ‘Hummingbird Hymn’ by Kristy A. Belton

THIRD PLACE: ‘One Red Leaf’ by Vinitha Ramchandani

Please ensure you’re subscribed to the Wild Muse Substack to stay up to date with the prize.

We’re also sharing more of our 2024 favourites on the Wild Muse Prize Instagram account each week.

the wild muse nature writing prize 2025

( the theme )

Nature’s Wisdom and Healing

The prize invites personal stories, articles and essays that explore our relationship to the natural world. If you’ve felt a meaningful connection to the elements when you’re out walking, found solace in the arms of a tree, sudden clarity at the top of a hill, or a taste of determination while witnessing a rainstorm, we’re eager to hear your experiences, whether you’re an experienced writer or someone who loves to express their unique reflections.

Your piece might recount a personal healing journey, where nature played a pivotal role in your restoration. It could be a meditative story about the deep calm you feel in water. Alternatively, you could offer insights inspired by animals or plants, or showcase the profound lessons we can learn from observing the rhythms, patterns, and interconnectedness of the natural world.

  • The winner will receive £750

  • Second place will be awarded £300

  • Third place will receive £150

  • let’s

  • amplify

  • the

  • voice

  • of

  • nature

  • together

let’s amplify the voice of nature together

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( submission guidelines )

Gabriela Blandy during a creative writing session in nature

1.

The word limit for the prize is 2,000, which includes the title.

2.

We open for submissions on Friday 14th March at 9am (UK time) and will close on Monday 15th September at 9pm (UK time).

3.

The entry fee is £10. Note: we’re offering 10 bursaries for those who might find the entry fee prohibitive. Please email wildmuseprize@gmail.com with evidence of your financial need.

4.

Personal stories, articles and essays should be original, unpublished works, and written in English.

5.

We accept multiple applications per entrant as long as the fee is paid for each submission.

6.

Submissions can take various forms, from personal narratives to magical, philosophical reflections, provided that:

  • The entrant is the sole author;

  • The submission aligns with the theme – Nature’s Wisdom and Healing;

  • The entry is within the word limit (2,000) and is anonymous - please do NOT include your name on your entry;

  • We receive your entry before the deadline on Monday 15th September at 9pm (UK time).

meet the judges

Gabriela Blandy portrait

gabriela blandy

founder of wild muse

hello creative dreamer,

I’ve received several accolades for my own writing, which has been really encouraging. In fact, it was while collecting an award last year that I decided to establish this prize. I realised I wanted to amplify the voices of those who’ve been touched by the earth’s magic and inspire others to embark on their own journey of self-discovery in nature.

The healing power and wisdom of nature has transformed my life in many miraculous ways. I know I’m not the only one who has experienced nature’s magic, which is why I’m excited to read other people’s experiences.

I’ll be looking for essays that explore the feelings certain elements or animals can inspire within us, the lessons we can learn from the natural world, and/or the subtle ways the earth speaks to us. If I could offer one piece of advice I would say: rather than focusing on the writing (worrying about whether it’s ‘good enough’), hold your attention on the experience you want to tell us about and simply give it words.

I can’t wait to witness the profound insights and experiences that will emerge from your submissions. Let’s celebrate the healing power and wisdom of nature together!

louise buckley

Literary agent at Hannah Sheppard Literary Agency (HS-LA)

I was thrilled when Louise agreed to be my co-judge for this prize. In a recent interview I recorded with her – soon to be published – I was struck by her perspective on nature writing as a prism for exploring deeper themes like philosophy, social justice, and personal transformation.

As an Associate Literary Agent, Louise champions writers who bring fresh perspectives to the page. She believes that nature writing should not only capture the beauty of the world around us but also evoke emotions, pose meaningful questions, and reflect the writer’s internal landscape. Given that this prize invites an exploration of lived experience in the natural world – often weaving together elements of memoir, reflection, and discovery – Louise is a perfect fit.

Louise’s own connection to nature is deeply personal. After being diagnosed with MS, she found solace and healing in daily walks, reinforcing her belief in nature’s profound impact on well-being. She values writing that expands her perspective, challenges assumptions, and offers moments of wonder. Her advice? Identify the central question guiding your narrative and embrace the surprising, even magical, ways that nature reveals itself – because the best writing, like nature itself, invites us to see the world anew.

Share Your Journey of Nature’s Wisdom and Healing

( substack community )

STAY UPDATED and ENHANCE your WRITING and HEALING JOURNEY

If you’re considering entering the Wild Muse Nature Writing Prize, then joining the community on Substack will be the perfect way to ensure you don’t miss any important updates or deadlines. But that’s not all. The Wild Muse community offers valuable content designed to inspire nature lovers and creative dreamers.

New members will juicy discounts codes for my online workshops: ‘Safe Creativity’, ‘Chakra Yin Yoga: Writing from the Body’, and ‘Journaling, Breathwork & Nature Healing to transform your Creative Process’. My weekly posts and podcasts will also provide guidance on how to tap into creative flow, heal emotional blocks, and uncover your magic by fostering your relationship with nature’s elements.

Please subscribe to the supportive and informative Wild Muse Community and take the first step towards sharing your voice with the world.

( UNLOCKING NATURE’S WISDOM AND HEALING )

CRAFT your PRIZE-WINNING ESSAY

Need inspiration for your healing and writing journey?

Check out the Podcast interviews with last years winners, and a selection of the longlisted entries on the Wild Muse Substack to help with your submissions and provide deeper insight into the ways that nature can both inspire and heal us. 

Watch my clip with Joanna Wolfarth our 2024 winner on the right.

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( competition rules )

  • By entering this Competition you agree to accept and be bound by these terms and conditions and acknowledge that failure to comply with them may result in disqualification. The Competition shall be void where prohibited by local law. All national and local laws and regulations shall apply.

  • This Competition is open to anyone except for employees and trustees of Wild Muse (‘Promoter’), their families and any other company connected with the Competition. The Promoter will accept multiple entries per entrant. Incomplete entries will be deemed invalid.

  • The Prize will open for submissions at 9am (UK time) on Friday March 14th 2025. Entries will be accepted until 9pm (UK time) Monday September 15th, 2025 (‘closing date’). The longlisted entrants will be announced via Substack on November 3rd, 2025. The shortlisted entrants will be announced via Substack on November 17th, 2025 and the name of the three winning entrants will be announced via the Wild Muse Substack community on December 1st, 2025. If the prize is declined or unclaimed by the three winning entrants, or if the winners cannot be contacted from the details supplied within 5 business days of notification, a replacement winner may be selected at the Promoter’s discretion and will be notified by the Promoter. The original entry that was selected will then be forfeited.

  • The following prizes shall be provided by the Promoter: £750 (seven hundred and fifty pounds Sterling) to the winning entrant, £300 (three hundred pounds Sterling) for second place, and £150 (one hundred and fifty pounds Sterling) for third place.

  • Copyright in the works submitted remains with the authors, but the Promoter reserves the right to publish the winning entries in the Wild Muse Substack Community.

  • Entrants are advised to retain a copy of entries as the Promoter will be unable to return any submitted entry.

    Each entry must be:

    • Written in the English language;

    • Be no longer than 2,000 words in length (including the title;

    • An original work of which the entrant is the sole author;

    • Entries must not have been published, self-published or accepted for publication in print or online.

    • Essays, standalone extracts from unpublished books, and diaries may all be submitted. If the work is planned for publication this must not be before January 2026.

    • Submitted via the Wild Muse website (http://www.gabrielablandy.org): double-spaced, set in Times Roman 12-point type, with numbered pages. Save as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx) with the essay title as the file name.

    • No English translation of an entry written originally in any other language is eligible.

    • The author’s name must not appear anywhere on the work itself.

    • The entry fee must be paid, unless Entrants are one of the 10 bursaries offered.

  • Entries received after the closing date and/or which are not in accordance with the entry requirements set out at clause 6 will not be accepted.

horses in nature buy sunset

  • By submitting an entry, you warrant to the Promoter that your entry is original to you, does not infringe copyright or any other intellectual property right and does not defame or invade the privacy rights of any third party, or infringe any other legal rights, regulations or laws.

  • Events may occur which render the awarding of the prizes impossible due to reasons beyond the control of the Promoter and the Promoter may, at its absolute discretion, vary, amend, suspend or withdraw the prizes or amend these Terms and Conditions with or without notice.

  • The judges’ decisions will be final and no correspondence will be entered into in relation to their decisions or the Competition. Experienced readers assist the judges in selecting the “long list”.

  • The winning entrant and runners-up also agree to the Promoter’s use of his/her name and photograph in relation to publicity material.

  • Personal details will only be retained and used by the Promoter for the purposes of this Competition and will be deleted thereafter, unless Entrants have subscribed to the Wild Muse Substack Community, in which case personal details will be retained as indicated. Personal details will not be passed on to third parties.

  • 13.1 The result of the Competition is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

    13.2 The Promoter cannot accept responsibility for or liability arising from participants taking part in the Competition or for taking up the Prizes. The Promoter gives no warranty or guarantee in relation to the Prize and accepts no responsibility or liability for the Prize being amended by the Promoter. To the fullest extent permissible by law, the Promoter excludes liability for all loss, damage or claim arising as a result of the participant’s entry into the Competition or use of the Prize.

    13.3 These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law. Disputes arising in connection with this Competition shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

  • The Promoter’s contact details are: Upper Woodford Farmhouse, Upper Woodford, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 6PA

    Any enquiries relating to the prize should be emailed to: wildmuseprize@gmail.com

man sitting alone in the forest and writing

A Call to Connect:

Share your Journey of Nature’s Wisdom and Healing

If you’re ready to submit your entry, please click on the payment button below. Once you’ve provided the entrance fee, you’ll be redirected to our online form where you can upload your submission.

Do remember we’re offering 10 bursaries for those who might find the entry charge prohibitive. Please email wildmuseprize@gmail.com with evidence of your financial need.

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