Each of these is handpicked, with the data checked on a regular basis.
Many of these novel writing competitions are highly prestigious, and very likely to lead to agent representation and/or publication. We have not included any competitions that do not present a satisfactory level of credibility and authority.
For each competition we have collated the following information into an easy to access format:
- Name of competition, with a link to the website
- Deadline
- Entry fee
- Details of 1st Prize
- Eligibility - the writer (any limitations placed on who can enter)
- Eligibility - the submission (details about what sort of work is appropriate for this competition)
- Genre (which genres are accepted)
They are listed in date order, so you can scroll down to find the ones with deadlines coming up soon.
Please note that as these are annual competitions; those with later deadlines may not have opened for submissions yet.
Entry fees start from free, and 1st prizes average about £1000. There are some exceptional ones, with cash prizes of £20,000. Several offer mentoring, publication deals and agent representation as their first prize and even for runners up.
Most are open to entrants worldwide, but some have slightly more limited eligibility criteria, such as being only open to UK residents, people of colour, or women.
If you have a novel writing competition that you would like added to this list, please get in touch. Or, if you notice any errors in the data, please do let us know so we can correct them.
We aim to update this post several times a year, to add new competitions as we discover them.
Please share and bookmark this page if you find it useful!
Upcoming Competitions
Book Pipeline Adaptation Contest
| Deadline | 20 September 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $55 |
| First Prize | $5,000, film/TV industry circulation and extensive project development |
| Eligibility (writer) | Traditional and self-published writers over 18 |
| Eligibility (submission) | Published fiction and nonfiction, graphic novels and comics, and short stories for film and TV development |
| Genre | Any genre |
Book Pipeline Unpublished Competition
| Deadline | 20 September 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $60 |
| First Prize | $2,500 for each category winner plus a range of benefits (see website) |
| Eligibility (writer) | Any writer worldwide over 18 years of age |
| Eligibility (submission) | Unpublished manuscripts of the genres below written in English. Submission requirements vary by category (see website) |
| Genre | Literary, mystery, horror/thriller, romance, sci-fi & fantasy, general fiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books, nonfiction & memoir, comics & graphic novels |
Mslexia Children’s & YA Novel Competition
| Deadline | 23 September 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £26 |
| First Prize | £5,000 and various benefits |
| Eligibility (writer) | Unpublished women writers aged 18 and above |
| Eligibility (submission) | First 3,000 words of an unpublished manuscript (total manuscript must be at least 20,000 words) |
| Genre | Children and young adult |
The First Page Challenge (The Darling Axe)
| Deadline | 30 September 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $5 CAD |
| First Prize | $700 |
| Eligibility (writer) | No limitations |
| Eligibility (submission) | First page of an unpublished, unrepresented novel (fiction or narrative nonfiction, short stories or full-length manuscripts) |
| Genre | Any genre |
Writers of the Future Contest
| Deadline | 30 September 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | Free |
| First Prize | $1,000 (and a chance to win $5,000 as the annual grand prize winner) |
| Eligibility (writer) | New and amateur sci-fi and fantasy writers |
| Eligibility (submission) | Unpublished works of prose for adult readers up to 17,000 words in length |
| Genre | Science fiction and fantasy |
Letter Review Prize for Unpublished Books
| Deadline | 1 October 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | Free |
| First Prize | 2–4 winners are announced who share in the $1000 USD total prize pool. Winners may choose to have an extract published, and receive a letter of recommendation from the judges |
| Eligibility (writer) | Anyone in the world |
| Eligibility (submission) | First 5000 words of an unpublished prose manuscript, or first 15 pages of poetry |
| Genre | Any genre |
The Marlowe and Christie Novel Prize
| Deadline | 15 October 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £19 (early-bird), £24 (regular) |
| First Prize | £1100/$1400 |
| Eligibility (writer) | Any writer who is not conventionally published |
| Eligibility (submission) | Up to 3,000 words from the opening of your novel (you do not need to have written more) |
| Genre | Any genre |
The Caledonia Novel Award
| Deadline | 15 October 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £28 |
| First Prize | £1,500 and an exclusive framed award designed by Edinburgh artist Lucy Roscoe. Writer of the best novel from the UK and Ireland also wins a free place on a writing course at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre. |
| Eligibility (writer) | Unpublished or self-published novelists over the age of 18 without agent representation |
| Eligibility (submission) | First 20 pages of a completed manuscript (at least 50,000 words) written in English, plus 200-word synopsis |
| Genre | Any genre for adults or young adults |
The Book Edit Writers’ Prize
| Deadline | 15 October 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | Free |
| First Prize | There are 8 winners selected and all have the chance to read their work at an online showcase in front of literary agents |
| Eligibility (writer) | Unpublished, unagented British and/or UK-based novelists over 18 from communities currently underrepresented in UK publishing |
| Eligibility (submission) | First 1,000 words of a completed novel and a synopsis up to 500 words |
| Genre | All except children's |
Eyelands Book Awards
| Deadline | 20 October 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $35–$45 (discount for early entries) |
| First Prize | Five-day stay in Athens (for published books/writers’ choice) or translation into Greek and publication (for unpublished books) |
| Eligibility (writer) | Writers of any nationality over 18 years |
| Eligibility (submission) | Published and unpublished manuscripts written in English |
| Genre | Any genre |
Blue Pencil Agency Pitch Prize
| Deadline | 25 October 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £12 |
| First Prize | Agent introduction, editorial feedback and recommendations |
| Eligibility (writer) | Unrepresented authors over 18 |
| Eligibility (submission) | First 500 words of opening chapter, 300 word synopsis and cover letter including pitch |
| Genre | Any adult fiction genre |
Flash 500 Novel Opening & Synopsis Competition
| Deadline | 31 October 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £10 |
| First Prize | £500 |
| Eligibility (writer) | Published, self-published or unpublished novelists (but entry must be unpublished) |
| Eligibility (submission) | Novel opening up to 3,000 words, plus a synopsis (max 750 words) |
| Genre | Any genre |
Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest
| Deadline | 1 November 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $25 |
| First Prize | $1,500 plus publication by FC2 |
| Eligibility (writer) | Writers of, from, or in the US writing in English who have not previously published with FC2 |
| Eligibility (submission) | Full manuscript plus cover letter and bio. Submissions may include a collection of short stories, one or more novellas, or a novel |
| Genre | Fiction |
Bath Children’s Novel Award
| Deadline | 30 November 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £29.99 |
| First Prize | £5,000 plus trophy |
| Eligibility (writer) | Writers should be unagented and may be unpublished, self-published or independently published |
| Eligibility (submission) | The opening 5,000 words plus one page synopsis of children’s novels, chapter books, and YA novels, or up to three picture book texts with summaries |
| Genre | Novels for children or teens, chapter books and picture book texts |
Cinnamon Literature Award
| Deadline | 30 November 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £18 |
| First Prize | Publication by Cinnamon Press |
| Eligibility (writer) | All fiction writers and poets – whether debut or established writers |
| Eligibility (submission) | First 10,000 words of a novel (or 2 stories or 15 poems of up to 50 lines) along with a synopsis and a bit about your writing |
| Genre | Adult and crossover novels only (no children's fiction) |
Betty Trask Prize
| Deadline | 30 November 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | Free |
| First Prize | £10,000 |
| Eligibility (writer) | Writers under 35 who are British nationals or residents in Great Britain/Northern Ireland/the Commonwealth |
| Eligibility (submission) | First novels (published in the last year, or unpublished – see website for more details) |
| Genre | Traditional or romantic but not experimental style |
A Woman’s Write Novel Contest
| Deadline | 30 November 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $40 ($20 resubmission fee) |
| First Prize | $500 plus certificate |
| Eligibility (writer) | Unpublished women writers aged 18 and over |
| Eligibility (submission) | First 50 pages of an unpublished novel (at least 60,000 words), a detailed synopsis (up to 2 pages) and 1 page cover letter including brief author biography |
| Genre | Fiction |
Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition
| Deadline | 15 December 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | Free |
| First Prize | An advance against future royalties of $10,000 |
| Eligibility (writer) | Unpublished authors aged 18 or older |
| Eligibility (submission) | Full manuscript (at least 65,000 words) |
| Genre | Crime, murder, and mystery |
Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence
| Deadline | 31 December 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | Free |
| First Prize | $15,000 |
| Eligibility (writer) | African-American U.S. citizens |
| Eligibility (submission) | Works of fiction (novel or collection of short stories) published between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024 |
| Genre | Fiction |
Exeter Novel Prize
| Deadline | 1 January 2025 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £20 |
| First Prize | £1000 plus trophy |
| Eligibility (writer) | All authors who are without representation by a literary agent at the closing date, whether or not they have previously been published |
| Eligibility (submission) | The first 10,000 words including synopsis of a novel that has not been accepted for publication by a traditional publishing house |
| Genre | All genres including children’s of middle grade (9-12), young adult and new adult |
Fiction Factory First Chapter + Synopsis Competition
| Deadline | 31 January 2025 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £18 |
| First Prize | £500 plus appraisal |
| Eligibility (writer) | All writers over 18 |
| Eligibility (submission) | First chapter (5,000 words max) of an unpublished novel and one-page synopsis |
| Genre | All genres except children and young adult |
Northern Writers’ Awards
| Deadline | 6 February 2025 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | Free |
| First Prize | Various |
| Eligibility (writer) | Writers based in Northern England at the time of submission |
| Eligibility (submission) | Various |
| Genre | Various |
Next Generation Indie Book Awards
| Deadline | 13 February 2025 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $75 per title for the first category entered, and $60 for each additional category entered |
| First Prize | $1,500 cash prize and trophy |
| Eligibility (writer) | All indie authors |
| Eligibility (submission) | Books independently published within the last few years (see website for full details) |
| Genre | All genres |
The Crime Writers’ Association Emerging Author Dagger Award
| Deadline | 28 February 2025 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | TBC |
| First Prize | TBC |
| Eligibility (writer) | Writers who have never had a publishing contract for a full-length novel of any kind and who don’t have a literary agent when the competition closes. Entrants must not have made this novel or any other piece of their fiction over 20,000 words available on sale to the public within five years of the closing date. |
| Eligibility (submission) | The opening of a crime novel (up to 3,000 words) and a synopsis (up to 1,500 words). |
| Genre | Crime of any subgenre for adults or young adults; including but not limited to thriller, noir, cosy mystery, suspense, police procedural; spy story and crossover of any kind. |
Gutsy Great Novelist Chapter One Prize
| Deadline | 3 March 2025 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $20 |
| First Prize | $1000 |
| Eligibility (writer) | Writers over 18 |
| Eligibility (submission) | First chapter of an unpublished adult or young adult novel (full novel does not need to be completed). |
| Genre | Adult and young adult |
IPPY Awards
| Deadline | 16 March 2025 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $79 per category |
| First Prize | Gold medal, personalised certificate and 20 foil seals, plus exposure and advertising campaign |
| Eligibility (writer) | Independent publishers, university presses, self-publishers and independent authors |
| Eligibility (submission) | Books released with 2023, 2024 or 2025 copyrights |
| Genre | All genres |
Rubery Book Award
| Deadline | 31 March 2025 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | Varies by country |
| First Prize | £2,000 plus three category winners of £200 each |
| Eligibility (writer) | Indie writers and self-published authors |
| Eligibility (submission) | Complete books of any genre that are self-published or published by an independent press |
| Genre | All genres |
Claymore Award
| Deadline | 1 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $54 |
| First Prize | Possible publication and agent representation, plus networking opportunities (in the US) |
| Eligibility (writer) | No limitations |
| Eligibility (submission) | First 50 double-spaced pages of an unpublished English-language manuscript, or appropriately formatted play or screenplay, containing elements of thriller, mystery, crime, suspense, action, and/or romance NOT currently under contract. |
| Genre | Any as long as there are elements of thriller, mystery, crime, suspense, action, and/or romance |
Adventure Writers Competition
| Deadline | 30 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $50 |
| First Prize | $1,000 plus benefits |
| Eligibility (writer) | No limitations |
| Eligibility (submission) | Complete novels in the 'Adventure' genre |
| Genre | Adventure only |
Past Competitions
Searchlight Best Novel Opening for Children or Young Adults
| Deadline | 1 September 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £16 |
| First Prize | £1000 cash, entry included in Pitch Book of winning stories and 1:1 call with agent judge |
| Eligibility (writer) | Unagented and unpublished writers only |
| Eligibility (submission) | First 1,200 words of a novel for middle-grade or young adult readers and a short pitch (up to 175 words) that says what the book’s about |
| Genre | Middle grade and young adult |
Kindle Storyteller Award
| Deadline | 31 August 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | Free |
| First Prize | £20,000 |
| Eligibility (writer) | Writers over 18 |
| Eligibility (submission) | Work must be published through Kindle Direct Publishing on Amazon |
| Genre | Any genre |
Morley Prize for Unpublished Writers of Colour
| Deadline | 19 August 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | Free |
| First Prize | £500 cash and an individual editorial consultation with an agent |
| Eligibility (writer) | Unpublished, unagented writers of colour (Asian, Asian/British/Arab/Black, African, Caribbean or Black British/mixed or multiple ethnic groups or other marginalised ethnic groups) who are over 18 and residents of the UK or Republic of Ireland |
| Eligibility (submission) | The first 30 pages of an original novel plus an outline of no more than three pages |
| Genre | Fiction for adults (young adult is not eligible) |
North Street Book Prize
| Deadline | 1 July 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $79 |
| First Prize | $10,000 plus perks |
| Eligibility (writer) | Self-published or hybrid published authors. No restriction on age |
| Eligibility (submission) | Self-published or hybrid-published books up to 200,000 words |
| Genre | Most genres for self-published/hybrid-published books (see website) |
Guppy Books Open Submission Competition
| Deadline | 21 June 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | Free |
| First Prize | Editorial meeting and publication offer |
| Eligibility (writer) | Unagented and unpublished authors |
| Eligibility (submission) | First few chapters or up to 2,000 words of a novel and a synopsis |
| Genre | Young adult |
The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing
| Deadline | 7 June 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $20 |
| First Prize | $10,000 plus publication by Restless Books |
| Eligibility (writer) | Unpublished writers who are first-generation residents of their country |
| Eligibility (submission) | Fiction manuscripts must be complete (at least 45,000 words). Nonfiction submissions must consist of either a complete manuscript, or a sample of at least 25,000 words and a detailed proposal that includes a synopsis and an annotated table of contents. |
| Genre | Fiction or nonfiction (alternates yearly) |
Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition
| Deadline | 1 June 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £20 |
| First Prize | Royalty advance of £10,000, publishing contract and agent representation |
| Eligibility (writer) | Unpublished and unagented writers over 18 |
| Eligibility (submission) | A full-length (30,000-80,000 words) novel for children/young adults |
| Genre | Any genre for children aged 7 up to YA |
Blue Pencil Agency First Novel Award
| Deadline | 31 May 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £24 (free entries for low income writers available) |
| First Prize | £1,000 and agent introduction |
| Eligibility (writer) | Unrepresented and unpublished authors |
| Eligibility (submission) | Opening chapter or chapters (up to 5000 words) of a completed novel plus a 300 word synopsis and a covering letter |
| Genre | Any adult genre (including YA) |
First Novel Prize
| Deadline | 31 May 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £25 |
| First Prize | £1,000 |
| Eligibility (writer) | Self-published or unpublished writers |
| Eligibility (submission) | First 5,000 words of an unpublished or self-published novel written in English, with a synopsis included in the wordcount |
| Genre | Adult fiction only (no children or young adult) |
Bridport Prize Novel Award
| Deadline | 31 May 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £24 |
| First Prize | £1,500, publication in anthology and mentoring |
| Eligibility (writer) | Unagented writers aged 16 and over living in Britain (including the Channel Islands and Isle Of Man) and Ireland (Northern Ireland and Republic Of Ireland) and British/Irish writers living overseas |
| Eligibility (submission) | Initial submission requires 5,000–8,000 words of an unpublished full or partial novel plus a 300 word synopsis (up to 30,000 words may be required if long/shortlisted) |
| Genre | Any adult fiction genre including fiction for young adults (YA) providing there is a genuine crossover for adult readership |
Bath Novel Award
| Deadline | 31 May 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £29.99 |
| First Prize | £5,000 plus trophy |
| Eligibility (writer) | Writers should be unagented and may be unpublished, self-published or independently published |
| Eligibility (submission) | The first 5,000 words of a completed novel which is at least 50,000 words, plus a one page synopsis |
| Genre | Any genre for adults or young adults (13+) |
Yeovil Literary Prize
| Deadline | 31 May 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £14.50 |
| First Prize | £1,250 |
| Eligibility (writer) | Unpublished authors over 16 |
| Eligibility (submission) | Up to 10,000 words from the opening of a novel including a synopsis (up to 500 words) |
| Genre | Fiction |
SI Leeds Literary Prize
| Deadline | 13 May 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £10 |
| First Prize | £4,000 |
| Eligibility (writer) | Black and Asian women writers aged 18 or over, based in the UK |
| Eligibility (submission) | Full manuscript plus 500 word synopsis |
| Genre | Fiction |
Cheshire Novel Prize
| Deadline | 1 May 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £29 |
| First Prize | £1500 plus perks |
| Eligibility (writer) | Unagented writers over 18 who are unpublished or self-published |
| Eligibility (submission) | First 5,000 words of a completed novel (which is at least 60,000 words) plus 500 word synopsis |
| Genre | Any except children’s (YA allowed) |
First Pages Prize
| Deadline | 10 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $20 ($35 for extended entry) |
| First Prize | $2,000, agent consultation and developmental editing |
| Eligibility (writer) | Any writer worldwide over 18 years of age who is currently unagented |
| Eligibility (submission) | First five pages (up to 1,250 words) of an unpublished longer fiction or creative non-fiction manuscript |
| Genre | All genres |
Orison Prizes In Poetry & Fiction
| Deadline | 1 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $25, publication and a standard royalties contract |
| First Prize | $1,500 plus publication |
| Eligibility (writer) | Open to all unpublished writers |
| Eligibility (submission) | Full-length poetry (50–100 pages) or fiction (minimum 30,000 words) manuscripts |
| Genre | All genres |
Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense
| Deadline | 15 March 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $15 (for members) $30 (for non-members) |
| First Prize | Exposure to agents and editors |
| Eligibility (writer) | Published and unpublished authors |
| Eligibility (submission) | Varies depending on category |
| Genre | Mystery, suspense, and thrillers with or without romantic subplots |
Spotlight First Novel Award
| Deadline | 14 February 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £16 |
| First Prize | Mentoring package worth up to £1950, and a page featuring your work on their website |
| Eligibility (writer) | Unpublished authors of all genres (self-published writers are eligible) |
| Eligibility (submission) | First page of a completed novel and a one-page synopsis |
| Genre | All genres |
Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize
| Deadline | 9 February 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £12 |
| First Prize | £1500 |
| Eligibility (writer) | Women over 18 resident in the UK, who have not had a full length novel previously published |
| Eligibility (submission) | The first 10 pages of your novel, a one-paragraph pitch and a one-page synopsis |
| Genre | All genres except picture books |
WriteMentor Novel and Picture Book Awards
| Deadline | 1 February 2024 |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | £12 |
| First Prize | £250 plus 1-year membership to the WriteMentor Hub |
| Eligibility (writer) | All unpublished and unagented authors aged 18 and above |
| Eligibility (submission) | For Picture Books, please submit a completed manuscript in a single Word document. For novels (Chapter Book, Middle Grade, Young Adult), please submit the first 3,000 words for your novel and a one-page synopsis in a single Word document. |
| Genre | Any genre of picture books, chapter books, middle grade, or young adult fiction |