Sophie Hannah (best-selling novelist), Natasha Onwuemezi (Associate Editor of the Bookseller) and Sophie Lambert (literary agent and MD of the C&W Literary Agency) will be deciding the winner of our 2023 Novel Competition, with best-selling novelist Deborah Moggach selecting the best short story; and editor, poet and fiction writer Tania Hershman choosing the best 300 word flash fiction.

Women's Fiction Competition 2023 - Adult Novel
1st prize £5,000. Finalists receive manuscript feedback from The Literary Consultancy and personal introductions to literary agents arranged in partnership with New Writing North. For novels of at least 50,000 words in any genre adult, or young adult, readers. Submit first 5,000 words only in the first instance. Longlisted entrants will be asked to submit their finished manuscripts along with a synopsis later in the judging process. Entry fee: £26.

Women's Fiction Competition - Flash Fiction
1st prize £500. Three additional finalists each receive £50 and all four winning entries are published in Mslexia. Winning entries plus eight more shortlisted entries will be published in Mslexia's ebook anthology Best Women's Short Fiction 2023. Entry fee: £6. Closing date: 18 September.

Women's Fiction Competition 2023 - Short Story
1st prize £3,000. Three additional finalists will each receive £100 and all four winning entries are published in Mslexia. Winning entries plus eight more shortlisted entries will be published in Mslexia's ebook anthology Best Women's Short Fiction 2023. Entry fee: £12.

Find out more here

Deadline: 18 September 2023