Novel Writing Competitions 2021
Last updated 6th April.
We have gathered a list of the best Novel Writing Competitions in 2021 for unpublished / unagented authors.
Each of these is handpicked, with the data checked on a regular basis (see date above for last time it was reviewed).
Many of these novel writing competitions are very prestigious, and highly 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 vary from £10 to £20, and 1st prizes average about £1000. There are some exceptional ones, with cash prizes of £20,000. Several offer 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 regularly, to add new competitions as we discover them.
Please leave your comments below and share and bookmark this page if you find it useful!
|
|
| Deadline |
1st Jan |
| Entry Fee |
£18 |
| First Prize |
£500 plus Tropy |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Authors currently without representation, whether or not they have been published. |
| Eligibility (submission) |
The competition is for the first ten thousand words (including synopsis) of a novel. |
| Genre |
All genres excluding children’s, but including Young Adult and New Adult, are acceptable. |
Click here to visit the Exeter Novel Prize website
|
|
| Deadline |
14th Jan |
| Entry Fee |
FREE |
| First Prize |
Mentorship |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Unpublished writers of young adult, middle grade, and select adult novels, about to start querying (or have only queried lightly) who are looking to find an agent and/or traditional publisher for their manuscript. |
| Eligibility (submission) |
A completed manuscript for Middle Grade, Young Adult or Adult |
| Genre |
All genres |
Click here to visit the Author Mentor Match website
|
|
| Deadline |
1st February |
| Entry Fee |
FREE |
| First Prize |
Exposure to agents |
| Eligibility (writer) |
No limitations |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Previously unpublished completed manuscripts. |
| Genre |
Crime, mystery and thriller |
Click here to visit Grindstone Literary International Novel Prize website
|
|
| Deadline |
7th Feb (extended deadline 21st Feb) |
| Entry Fee |
$20/$35 |
| First Prize |
$2,000, agent consultation and developmental editing |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Any writer worldwide over 18 years of age who is currently un-agented |
| Eligibility (submission) |
First 5 pages (1,250 words max) of a longer fiction or creative non-fiction manuscript |
| Genre |
All genres |
Click here to visit the First Pages Prize website
|
|
| Deadline |
12th February |
| Entry Fee |
£12 |
| First Prize |
£1500, networking dinner and editorial consultation |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Women over 18 resident in the UK, who have not had a full length novel previously published. |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Unpublished, and must not have been accepted for future publication or self-published. |
| Genre |
All genres except picture books |
Click here to visit the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize website
|
|
| Deadline |
18th Feb |
| Entry Fee |
FREE |
| First Prize |
Various |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Writer must be based in Northern England at the time of submission. |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Various |
| Genre |
Various |
Click here to visit the Northern Writers Awards website
|
|
| Deadline |
26th February 2020 |
| Entry Fee |
£36 |
| First Prize |
Shortlisted entries are presented to publishers and agents |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Unpublished and unagented writers |
| Eligibility (submission) |
The opening of a proposed crime novel (up to 3,000 words) and a synopsis (up to 1,500 words) outlining its further development. |
| Genre |
Crime |
Click here to visit the Crime Writers Association Debut Dagger Award website
|
|
| Deadline |
28th February 2021 |
| Entry Fee |
$20 |
| First Prize |
$3000 and agent consultation |
| Eligibility (writer) |
All writers working in English |
| Eligibility (submission) |
First chapter of a Young Adult novel (full novel does not need to be completed), and from the point-of-view of a young adult, meaning through the lens of a teen protagonist |
| Genre |
Young Adult |
Click here to visit the Voyage YA First Chapter Contest website
|
|
| Deadline |
1st March 2021 |
| Entry Fee |
$20 |
| First Prize |
$1,000 |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Over 18 |
| Eligibility (submission) |
First chapter of an Adult or Young Adult novel (full novel does not need to be completed). |
| Genre |
Adult and Young Adult |
Click here to visit the Chapter One Prize website
|
|
| Deadline |
7th March |
| Entry Fee |
£39 |
| First Prize |
£15,000 advance and publishing deal |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Unpublished and unagented writers (self pub okay) |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Adventure writing only |
| Genre |
Adventure |
Click here to visit the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize website
|
|
| Deadline |
15th March |
| Entry Fee |
$15/$30 |
| First Prize |
Exposure to agents and editors |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Unagented, unpublished |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Unpublished, and must not have been accepted for future publication or self-published. |
| Genre |
Romantic suspense and mystery / thriller / suspense |
Click here to visit the Daphne du Maurier Awards for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense website
|
|
| Deadline |
1st April |
| Entry Fee |
$40 |
| First Prize |
Possible publication and agent representation. Networking opportunities (in the US) |
| Eligibility (writer) |
No limitations |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Unpublished novels containing elements of thriller, mystery, crime, or suspense. Self-published manuscripts are not eligible. |
| Genre |
Action, Adventure, Alternate History, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Thriller, Western. |
Click here to visit the Claymore Award website
|
|
| Deadline |
30th April |
| Entry Fee |
$35 |
| First Prize |
$1000 |
| Eligibility (writer) |
No limitations |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Novels in the genre 'Adventure' only |
| Genre |
Adventure |
Click here to visit the Adventure Writer's Competition website
|
|
| Deadline |
14th May |
| Entry Fee |
£18 |
| 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 novel for children/young adults aged between 7 and 18 years. |
| Genre |
Children's |
Click here to visit the Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition website
|
|
| Deadline |
16th May |
| Entry Fee |
£10 |
| First Prize |
1 year of Spark Mentoring (at Level 3, 5000 words a month) |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Any unagented or unpublished writer |
| Eligibility (submission) |
First 1,500 words of your novel and a 1-page synopsis |
| Genre |
Children's |
Click here to visit theWriteMentor Novel-In-Development Award website
|
|
| Deadline |
31st May |
| Entry Fee |
£25 |
| First Prize |
£1,000 |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Unpublished writers |
| Eligibility (submission) |
English, unpublished or self-published |
| Genre |
Adult fiction genres only (no children or young adult) |
Click here to visit the First Novel Prize website
|
|
| Deadline |
31st May |
| Entry Fee |
£20 |
| First Prize |
£1500 plus mentoring |
| Eligibility (writer) |
riters 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 writers living overseas. |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Full or part-written novel |
| Genre |
Any adult fiction genre including fiction for young adults (YA) providing there is a genuine crossover for adult readership. Non-fiction and fiction for children is not eligible. |
Click here to visit the Bridport Prize Novel Award website
|
|
| Deadline |
30th May |
| Entry Fee |
£30 (£20) |
| First Prize |
Various |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Over 18 |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Unpublished, complete fiction or non-fiction |
| Genre |
Any |
Click here to visit the Page Turner Awards website
|
|
| Deadline |
31st May |
| Entry Fee |
£28 |
| First Prize |
£3,000 |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Writers should be yet to accept a traditional publishing deal. |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Novels may be unpublished, self-published or independently published. At least least 50,000 words in length. |
| Genre |
Any genre for adults or young adult (13+) |
Click here to visit the Bath Novel Award website
|
|
| Deadline |
31st May |
| Entry Fee |
£20 |
| First Prize |
£1,000 and agent introduction |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Unpublished authors without an agent |
| Eligibility (submission) |
First chapter of your novel up to 5000 words along with a 300 word synopsis and cover letter |
| Genre |
Any adult fiction genre |
Click here to visit The Blue Pencil Agency First Novel Award website
|
|
| Deadline |
7th - 11th June |
| Entry Fee |
None |
| First Prize |
Editorial Meeting and Publication Offer |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Unagented and unpublished authors |
| Eligibility (submission) |
First three chapter and a synopsis |
| Genre |
Middle grade |
Click here to visit The Guppy Books Middle Grade Open Submission website
|
|
| Deadline |
30th June |
| Entry Fee |
$65 |
| First Prize |
$5,000 plus perks |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Self- published authors |
| Eligibility (submission) |
200,000 words maximum. |
| Genre |
For self-published books |
Click here to visit North Street Book Prize website
|
|
| Deadline |
"The award is taking a break for 2021" |
| Entry Fee |
FREE or £65 with feedback report |
| First Prize |
International publicity |
| Eligibility (writer) |
No limitations |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Completed novel - can be traditionally published, self-published or unpublished. |
| Genre |
A a thriller in which no woman is beaten, stalked, sexually exploited, raped or murdered |
Click here to visit Staunch Book Prize website
|
|
| Deadline |
July 31st (early bird 15th June) |
| Entry Fee |
£18 (£15) |
| First Prize |
£500 and reading by top London agent |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Previously unpublished authors. International entries welcome.
|
| Eligibility (submission) |
The competition is for the first 5,000 words of a completed novel (The wordcount does not include the 1 page synopsis). If the first chapter is longer, the 5000-word point must be clearly marked. |
| Genre |
All except Children’s and YA |
Click here to visit the Fiction Factory First Chapter Competition website
|
|
| Deadline |
Open for entries between 1st May and 31st August |
| Entry Fee |
Free |
| First Prize |
£20,000 |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Over 18s |
| Eligibility (submission) |
You must publish your book through Kindle Direct Publishing on Amazon |
| Genre |
Any genre |
Click here to visit Kindle Storyteller website
|
|
| Deadline |
August 31st (early deadline May 20th) |
| Entry Fee |
$45 |
| First Prize |
$10,000 + Film/TV Industry adaptation consideration /circulation |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Self-published authors (and trad published authors) |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Published (including self-pub) books, graphic novels, short stories (trad published / produced plays also accepted) |
| Genre |
Any genre |
Click here to visit Book Pipeline Adaptation Contest website
|
|
| Deadline |
13th September |
| Entry Fee |
£25 |
| First Prize |
£500 advance plus publication by Impress Books |
| Eligibility (writer) |
16 years of age and over |
| Eligibility (submission) |
A book proposal and a sample chapter of no more than 6,000 words |
| Genre |
Fiction and non-fiction across most genres (excluding poetry and children’s fiction, however we will consider Young Adult submissions) |
Click here to visit the Impress Prize for New Writers website
|
|
| Deadline |
Awaiting announcement of 2021 comp. |
| Entry Fee |
Free |
| First Prize |
$500 |
| Eligibility (writer) |
No restrictions |
| Eligibility (submission) |
100 words blurb. The novel does NOT need to be written. |
| Genre |
Any genre |
Click here to visit The Query Letter website
|
|
| Deadline |
Awaiting announcement of 2021 comp. |
| Entry Fee |
£25 |
| First Prize |
£5,000 |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Unpublished women writers of any nationality from any country. |
| Eligibility (submission) |
All entries must be in English, not previously published and not under consideration in other fiction competitions. |
| Genre |
Childrens and Young Adult |
Click here to visit Mslexia Children's and YA Novel Competition website
|
|
| Deadline |
28th September |
| Entry Fee |
£20 |
| First Prize |
£1,000 + Full MS Request |
| Eligibility (writer) |
No limitations |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Previously unpublished completed manuscripts exceeding 70,000 words in total length. |
| Genre |
All adult genres, but not middle grade or younger. YA allowed. |
Click here to visit Grindstone Literary International Novel Prize website
|
|
| Deadline |
Opens May 2021 |
| Entry Fee |
$5 CAD |
| First Prize |
$200 |
| Eligibility (writer) |
No limitations |
| Eligibility (submission) |
First page of a novel |
| Genre |
Any genre |
Click here to visit The First Page Challenge (The Darling Axe) website
|
|
| Deadline |
Awaiting dates for 2021 |
| Entry Fee |
Free |
| First Prize |
Mentoring for your novel submission |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Unagented anywhere in the world |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Unpublished, including self-publishing |
| Genre |
Middle Grade, Young Adult, New Adult, or Adult |
Click here to visit the Pitchwars website
|
|
| Deadline |
5th October (Early deadline June 1st) |
| Entry Fee |
$45 - $60 |
| First Prize |
$2,500 for each of six winners and industry circulation |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Any writer worldwide over 18 years of age |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Unpublished, full-length manuscripts of fiction and nonfiction |
| Genre |
Young Adult, Sci-Fi / Fantasy, Mystery / Thriller, Literary, Outsider / Experimental, and Nonfiction |
Click here to visit the Book Pipeline Unpublished Competition website
|
|
| Deadline |
31st October |
| Entry Fee |
£10 |
| First Prize |
£500 |
| Eligibility (writer) |
No limitations |
| Eligibility (submission) |
The only stipulation is that the entry must be unpublished. |
| Genre |
Any genre |
Click here to visit the Flash 500 Novel Opening Chapter & Synopsis Competition website
|
|
| Deadline |
Opens late Spring 2021 |
| Entry Fee |
£16 |
| First Prize |
Book published by Cinnamon Press |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Open to those who have not had a novel or full-length short story collection previously published through a press. (Those who have self-published novels or collections may enter.) |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Unpublished |
| Genre |
Adult and crossover novels only (no children's fiction) |
Click here to visit the Cinnamon Press Annual Debut Fiction Prize website
|
|
| Deadline |
Awaiting announcement of 2021 dates. |
| Entry Fee |
£25 |
| First Prize |
£1,500 |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Open to unpublished and self-published novelists over 18 |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Original work at least 50,000 words |
| Genre |
Any genre for adults or young adults |
Click here to visit The Caledonia Novel Award website
|
|
| Deadline |
Awaiting announcement of 2021 dates. |
| Entry Fee |
$45 |
| First Prize |
$7,500 |
| Eligibility (writer) |
No limitations |
| Eligibility (submission) |
An original novel, previously unpublished |
| Genre |
Adults or Young Adults |
Click here to visit The William Faulkner – William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition website
QuoScript NaNoWriMo Challenge
|
| Deadline |
Awaiting announcement of 2021 dates. |
| Entry Fee |
£30 |
| First Prize |
Publication Contract (all entrants receive a critique) |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Writers in UK and USA |
| Eligibility (submission) |
10,000 words plus synopsis |
| Genre |
Crime Fiction and Young Adult Fiction |
Click here to visit The QuoScript NaNoWriMo Challenge website
|
|
| Deadline |
Awaiting announcement of 2021 dates. |
| Entry Fee |
£25 |
| First Prize |
£2,500 |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Unpublished and independently published novelists |
| Eligibility (submission) |
Novel written for children aged 7 to 17. |
| Genre |
Children's |
Click here to visit The Bath Children's Novel website
|
|
| Deadline |
Awaiting announcement of 2021 dates. |
| Entry Fee |
Free (as far as we can tell) |
| First Prize |
£10,000 |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Under 35. British National or resident (see comp page for more details) |
| Eligibility (submission) |
First novels (published in the last year, or unpublished (see comp for more details) |
| Genre |
Traditional or romantic but not experimental style |
Click here to visit The Betty Trask Prize website
|
|
| Deadline |
TBC |
| Entry Fee |
Free |
| First Prize |
Attendance at an Open Day meeting industry experts and receiving tailored feedback. |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Any un-agented writer living in the UK from an under-represented background (see website for details). |
| Eligibility (submission) |
None |
| Genre |
Any |
Click here to visit the David Higham Open Day for Under Represented Writers website
|
|
| Deadline |
Awaiting announcement of 2021 dates. |
| Entry Fee |
$0-25-45 (sliding income waivers) |
| First Prize |
$1,000 plus a month-long free residency in the Daisy Pettles' Writer's House |
| Eligibility (writer) |
Women writers, aged 40+, published OR unpublished |
| Eligibility (submission) |
20 pages of sample writing |
| Genre |
Fiction or non-fiction. Not poetry. |
Click here to visit the Daisy Pettles Writing Contest for Women website