The Book Edit Writers' Prize 2026 is aimed at talented writers who might not otherwise have access to the industry. The prize is open to all unpublished British and/or UK-based novelists from backgrounds and communities under-represented in UK publishing. Completely free to enter.
This year's judge is acclaimed author Emily Midorikawa.
The competition will select eight writers to read their work at a live Zoom showcase event for invited industry guests taken from The Book Edit’s wide industry network. After the event, an anthology of the readings and recordings from the showcase will be published on The Book Edit’s website.
The winning writers will also be given training on reading their work aloud with an online rehearsal one week before the showcase. The training and event hosting will be provided by Dr Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone who has been involved in reading events for over fifteen years and who currently runs City Writes and hosts The Novel Studio Showcase at City, University of London.
All you need to submit is the first 1,000 words of your novel, a (500 word max) synopsis and a brief note on your writing experience to date.
Find out more here
Deadline: 17:00 on the 16th October 2026