Are you an unagented YA or children’s author with a standout novel for readers aged 7–18? Send us the first 3,000 words, an intriguing pitch, and a one-page synopsis that tells us what the novel is about.
If you make the shortlist, we’ll invite you to submit the full manuscript or at least 30,000 words if the novel is still a work in progress.
For chapter books aimed at 7+ readers, simply submit the complete story.
Judges
Longlist/Shortlist Agent Judging Panel: Charlotte Colwill of Colwill and Peddle / Alice Caprio of PFD / Steven Evans of Eve White Literary Agency / Joanna Moult of Skylark Literary
Final Judge: Julia Churchill of AM Heath
First Prize
£1000 cash prize / One-to-one agent call / Showcased in Searchlight’s Agent Pitch Book
Longlisted and shortlisted entries will be included in Searchlight’s Agent Pitch Book which will be sent to UK literary agents.
Entry fee: £24 per story 20 free places for writers who are in receipt of state benefits, available on a first come, first served basis.
Find out more
here
Deadline: 30th September 2026, 23.59pm UK time