The prestigious HG Wells Short Story competition began in 2009 with a bequest of £20,000 by the world-renowned BBC Aeronautics Correspondent Reg Turnill and his wife, Margaret, to celebrate the life and works of H G Wells and encourage creative writing, especially among the young. Now approaching 20 years old, it attracts entries from across the world, as well as from its original home here in Sandgate and Folkestone.

The annual HG Wells Fiction Short Story Competition offers a £500 Senior and £1,000 Junior prize and free publication of all shortlisted entries in a quality, professionally published paperback anthology.