The Bedford Competition is a not-for-profit profit organisation aimed at promoting literacy in the skill of short story and poetry writing by encouraging anyone aged 17 years or older to submit their work in open competition. The stories and poems can be on any theme, but must be original and works of fiction. Entries which come from around the world are judged impartially by leading literary individuals and prizes are awarded. The anthology enables each winning and shortlisted entrant to have their work published.