By Sheelagh Caygill

The Writer's Spark Coaching Competition is designed for creative writers who need that extra push, that spark to reignite their passion and move forward with their work.

Have you ever felt stuck in your writing? Maybe you're wrestling with your first draft, or you've lost momentum on a project that once excited you. Maybe self-doubt has crept in, or life has simply gotten in the way. If any of this sounds familiar, this competition might be exactly what you need.

The competition offers one writer a prize including sessions with a writing coach, editing, a one-year free membership with Brain.fm, and a Q & A interview with On Creative Writing. This prize is about transformation. It's about getting the professional support and tools you need to move your writing forward.

If you know you have a bit of talent within you—that unique combination of observation, imagination, and perspective that only you can bring to your work—but your spark is diminished, then I want you to enter.

The prize

First, you'll receive two one-hour coaching sessions with Fiona Fenwick, a professional coach and mentor based in New Zealand who specializes in helping creative writers reconnect with their creative energy, focus, and clarity.

In your first Zoom session with Fiona, you'll discuss and explore your goals, challenges, and any obstacles getting in your way. Are there habits preventing your progress?

Fiona will help you find solutions and provide actionable recommendations.

Then, three to four months later, you'll have a follow-up session for continued support.

Plus, Fiona will be available for email support as needed throughout the process.

Fiona specializes in helping writers overcome self-doubt and build sustainable writing habits. Her coaching is truly a lifeline for anyone navigating the ups and downs of the creative process.

Listen to a simulated coaching session with Fiona in my interview with her in the episode titled How a writing coach helps creative writers become unstuck, released Sept. 23 2025.

You'll receive a free full year subscription to Brain.fm. This isn't just background music. Brain.fm's music is scientifically engineered to work with your brainwaves to help you focus, relax, sleep, or meditate.

The third component is two hours of professional editing and feedback from me. As an experienced journalist and creative writer, I'll tailor the editing to your specific needs.

You might want to divide the time into two sessions—I can review your work first, then we'll discuss my feedback over Zoom. Or you can use me as an alpha or beta reader, and I'll send you a detailed report.

Finally, you'll have the opportunity to be featured in a Writers Reveal Q&A interview here at On Creative Writing. You'll also be promoted through our newsletter and social media platforms. It's a wonderful opportunity to share your story and connect with our community of readers and writers.

To enter you need to have reached the age of majority in your country or jurisdiction.

You'll need to answer two questions. The first question asks why you deserve to win. This is the answer that Fiona and I will evaluate, based on how well it's written—we'll consider spelling and grammar, use of language, persuasiveness, and writing style.

The second question asks you to describe your project in 300 to 700 characters. Tell us about the genre, the subject, whether you've started, and if you have a deadline.

The entry fee is just $6 dollars Canadian to cover administrative costs. You can pay through our Ko-fi page when you submit your entry.

Entries, coaching, and editing sessions will be in English.

Deadline: Friday, December 19th, 2025 at eleven a.m. Mountain Standard Time.

If you're in a creative rut, dealing with writer's block, or need motivation to push through, this prize will help!

Enter here: https://www.oncreativewriting.com/writers-spark-coaching-contest