Each year, the BCSA runs a writing competition. Fact or fiction – both are welcome. A first prize of £400 and a second prize of £150 are awarded to the best 1,500 to 2,000-word pieces of original writing in English on the links between Britain and the Czech/Slovak Republics (at any stage in their history), or describing society in transition in the Republics since 1989. Topics can include history, politics, the sciences, economics, the arts or literature. Submissions are invited from individuals of any age, nationality or educational background. Entrants do not need to be members of the BCSA. Entry is free. Entries should be received by the end of June each year. The competition is judged by a panel of experts.

In the publicity for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 competitions we gave a strong hint that entries dealing with particular topics would be welcome. In 2015 this was migration, in 2016 the European Union and in 2017 Brexit. The suggested theme for 2018 was anniversary, it being the centenary of the creation of Czechoslovakia in 1918, but there were many other anniversaries to choose from in the history of the Slovak and Czech peoples: 1618, 1848, 1938, 1948 and 1968. These themes were suggestions, and were not compulsory.