Publication news from The Book Edit Writers' Prize

As we prepare for our 2025 prize with submissions opening September 1st, I wanted to share some updates from our wonderful past winners, short and longlisted writers. Starting this week, let’s look at the latest publication news.

Publishing Dreams Becoming Reality

Pavan Amara has secured a two-book deal with The Borough Press following a three-way auction. Her debut novel Mirror, Mirror – the very book that won our prize – will be published in Spring 2027.

Pavan Amara

Kay Inkle has just signed with SRL Publishing for her cli-fi debut novel Overspill.

Iqbal Hussain published his debut novel Northern Boy with Unbound Firsts in 2024. His debut children’s book, The Night I Borrowed Time, will be published in early 2026 with Penguin.

Chris Bridges published his debut Sick to Death with Avon Books to rave reviews.

Emily Abdeni Holman’s poetry collection, Body Tectonic, was published by Broken Sleep Books last summer. She has also contributed her poem, Where We Find Ourselves, to the Arachne Press’ Global Majority anthology. 

Bren Gosling is publishing his debut novel The Streetsweeper with Troubador Books, due out next year.

Congratulations to all these wonderful writers!

Looking Forward

As we prepare for 2025 with the brilliant Janice Okoh as our judge, I'm excited to discover who will join our brilliant past winners, short and longlisted writers.

The stories above started with 1,000 words and a synopsis submitted to our prize. Your story could be next.

Submissions open September 1st.

The Book Edit Writers' Prize Returns for 2025 – And We Have Exciting News!

The Book Edit Writers' Prize is returning for 2025 – and this year promises to be special.

This prize has become something very special to me over the past five years. What started as a way to open doors for underrepresented writers has grown into a launchpad for writing careers, a confidence-builder for emerging voices, and most importantly, a community that lasts long after the submissions close.

Meet Our 2025 Judge: Janice Okoh

2025 Writers’ Prize Judge, Janice Okoh

I'm thrilled to announce that acclaimed author Janice Okoh will be judging our 2025 prize. Author of this year’s BBC3 hit drama, Just Act Normal (based on her award-winning play Three Birds) Janice brings exceptional skill in crafting compelling characters and narratives. Her understanding of voice, structure, and storytelling makes her an ideal judge for spotting emerging talent.

Why This Prize Continues to Matter

Over the past five years, I've watched this prize make a real difference to writers. Not just through the immediate benefits – though having your work read by literary agents and being published in our anthology certainly helps – but through the confidence it gives writers and the connections they make.

Just last year, one of our winners, Stephanie Torrance, told me: "The Book Edit Writer’s Prize was the first writing prize I ever entered, so winning gave me so much confidence that I can actually pursue writing as a career. The community aspect of the prize is also invaluable. I’m still in touch with winners and we keep up-to-date with each others’ progress and successes."

What You Need to Know

Submissions open: 1st September 2025
Deadline: 13th October 2025
Who can enter: British and/or UK-based unpublished novelists from communities currently underrepresented in UK publishing
What to submit: First 1,000 words of your novel, a synopsis (max 500 words), and a brief note about your writing experience
Entry fee: Absolutely nothing – this prize is completely free to enter.

What you win

This year's eight winners will all:

• Receive training in reading to a live audience, coached by Dr Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone

• Read their work at a live Zoom showcase event for invited industry guests curated from The Book Edit’s wide industry network.

• Have their work professionally edited and published in an anthology sent out to all UK literary agents

• Have a recording from the showcase published on The Book Edit’s website. 

If you're considering entering, please ensure you have a complete manuscript ready. Should an agent express interest following your showcase reading, you'll need to be able to send your full novel promptly. This prize works best for writers who are ready to take advantage of the opportunities it might create.

Even if you don't win, you'll receive tailored advice on next steps and become part of a community that believes in supporting each other's work.

Start Preparing Now

While submissions don't open until September 1st, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your entry. Polish those opening 1,000 words, craft a compelling synopsis, and most importantly, trust your voice and your story.

Remember, some of our most successful winners were first-time competition entrants who almost didn't submit. The difference between published and unpublished isn't always talent – sometimes it's simply courage.

I truly believe there are incredible stories out there waiting to be discovered, and I can't wait to read yours.

Warmest wishes

Emily

Spotlight on Kezia Yadhav part of this year's Writers' Prize Team

This week we wanted to give space to one of our Writers’ Prize team members, Kezia Yadhav. Kezia has been helping to write the blogs promoting the prize. Read on for her unique perspective:

Blog creator Kezia Yadhav

‘Originally from India, I moved to Ireland two years ago to pursue a master's degree in English. I found that there is a lack of knowledge among people about the publishing industry in general and have always wished to pursue a career within that space to be able to read, work and create books that can be enjoyed by all. I became a freelance editor for JM Agency after completing my classes, where I proofread, copyedit, and work with authors on manuscripts. It was still very early in my career, and I had much to learn.

To reach my goal of achieving a career in the publishing industry, I applied for jobs via LinkedIn, Indeed, and other job boards, but I had no luck. After assembling my written work and creating a portfolio that includes a bit about myself and my journey, I posted it on LinkedIn, hoping to attract a larger audience. Posting on the platform, marketing and advertising what I have to offer proved to be valuable lessons that helped me establish contacts.

A LinkedIn posting of my writing portfolio began my journey with the Book Edit. Through Emily, I was able to establish a contact that resulted in the opportunity to contribute to the Writers' Prize.

Creating this connection opened up a whole new area of making publishing accessible to people who may not readily have those resources and opportunities. I was not completely aware of the different organizations that worked towards this goal specifically. Thus, finding the Book Edit, the Writers’ Prize competition and the success stories of past winners and their work was very encouraging to be a part of. 

Among the most important attributes the Book Edit has brought to the publishing space is inclusiveness. My experience working with Emily to create blog posts about the current Writers' Prize competition has been extremely valuable. This experience allowed me to gain a greater understanding of what it takes to make your written piece concise, convincing, and aligned with the overall theme. In addition, I was able to look into the experiences of other aspiring authors and learn about their journeys with the Book Edit, the competition and the success they have acquired.

A competition such as this has opened up a new arena for writers who may lack opportunities, which is encouraging for someone like me who is just beginning a publishing career. While my contribution to the competition was only small, I felt urged to enhance both my professional and personal skills and am grateful for the opportunity Emily gave me.’

Thanks so much, Kezia!

The Book Edit Writers' Prize 2024 Launches Today

We are thrilled to announce the launch today of the Book Edit Writers' Prize 2024, an initiative dedicated to discovering and promoting talented, unpublished novelists.

A Platform for Emerging Talent

The eight winners of the competition will get to present their work at an online Zoom showcase in front of invited industry guests, with an anthology of their work and a recording of the showcase featured on The Book Edit’s official website. They also will have the opportunity to train and rehearse for the showcase event, and all participants will receive guidance on other options including mentoring, editing and courses.

As an added benefit this year, we will also record and spotlight the shortlisted entries to create exposure for more writers.

“It was an honour to win last year’s Book Edit Writers’ Prize. It kickstarted my career as a writer. I’d recommend that any aspiring writer of colour apply.”

— Pavan Amara, 2023 Winner

Writers’ Prize Judge 2024 Lara Haworth

Meet our Judge, Lara Haworth

We’re delighted to welcome Lara Haworth as the judge for this year’s prize. Lara is an artist and novelist, and author of the acclaimed Monumenta.

“I am honoured to judge this year’s Book Edit Writer’s Prize. The talent of the shortlisted writers over the last four years demonstrates both the strength of the competition and the continued need to carve out a space for writers from marginalised groups to thrive on their own terms. As a queer writer, the obstacles to success have been many. It is a real privilege to be part of a prize that works to remove some of those barriers, and I can’t wait to read the submissions”

— Lara Haworth, Writers' Prize Judge

What the Prize Offers

The Book Edit Writers' Prize is more than just a competition. It's a launchpad for emerging talent, offering:

1. Industry Exposure: Eight winners will have the opportunity to showcase their work to top industry professionals.

2. Publication Opportunity: A chance to be featured in our anthology, putting your work in front of a wider audience.

3. Expert Feedback: Personalised feedback from Lauren Wolff-Jones, Commissioning Editor at Legend Press.

4. Networking: Connect with fellow writers and industry insiders.

“Winning the Writers’ Prize was a real boost to my self-belief as a writer...With the renewed confidence that I gained after winning the prize, I applied for other competitions and was long listed, shortlisted and selected as a winner in some of them. Just go for it. You never know what might happen.”

— Rosalind Yarde, 2023 Winner

Key Dates

• Submissions Open: September 1, 2024

• Submission Deadline: October 15, 2024

• Rehearsal for winning writers: 13th November 2024

• Online showcase event: 20th November 2024

• Anthology of winners’ readings published on The Book Edit website:

  27th November 2024

How to Apply

For full details on submission guidelines and to apply, please visit our website.

“Winning the Book Edit Writers’ Prize winner was a real affirmation that Tapha (now At the Pine House) was interesting to others and might be able to make it as a book and not just my own project...the Prize opens something that continues; it isn’t just a one-off event. It’s easy with writing (for me at least) to sit on a project for years on end and not propel it out into the world, and the Book Edit Writers’ Prize has been important in invigorating me to believe in the possible wider resonance of my work. So I’m very thankful and will definitely be following this year’s Prize.”

— Emily Abdeni-Holman, 2023 Winner

The Book Edit Writers' Prize 2023 launches soon!

The Book Edit Writers’ Prize 2023 opens for applications on September 11 and this year we are delighted to announce that the prize will be judged by the writer Deepa Anappara.

Deepa was born in Kerala, southern India, and worked as a journalist in India for eleven years. Her reports on the impact of poverty and religious violence on the education of children won the Developing Asia Journalism Awards, the Every Human has Rights Media Awards, and the Sanskriti-Prabha Dutt Fellowship in Journalism. 

Her debut novel Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line was named as one of the best books of the year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time and NPR. It won the Edgar Award for Best Novel, was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2020, and shortlisted for the JCB Prize for Indian Literature. It is being translated into 23 languages.

Deepa is also the co-editor of Letters to a Writer of Colour, a collection of personal essays on fiction, race, and culture, published by Random House (US) and Vintage (UK) in March 2023.

“I am thrilled to judge the Book Edit Writer’s Prize, which was set up only three years ago and has already had tremendous success,’ writes Deepa. ‘Despite recent initiatives, access to publishing remains difficult for those in marginalised groups, and the Book Edit prize aims to highlight the incredible diversity of talent in this country. To be part of the prize is a real privilege, and I am looking forward to reading the submissions.

”

— Deepa Anappara

Aiming to support talented writers who might not otherwise have access to the industry, The Book Edit’s Writers’ Prize is a writing competition for unpublished British and/or UK-based novelists from backgrounds and communities currently under-represented in UK publishing.

“Winning the Writer’s Prize was the first time I’d had any external validation for my work and the showcase led to interest from a literary agent. This gave my confidence a massive boost and answered the question that I’d been asking myself for a long time which was “Am I capable of writing something with the potential to get published?”. The whole experience has spurred me on and I’m now more focussed than ever on that goal. Emily and the team at The Book Edit were so supportive through the whole process and am truly grateful for them running the prize.”

— Alexander McPhail, 2022 winner

Eight lucky winners will have the chance to read their work at a live Zoom showcase event in front of industry guests and The Book Edit contacts. After the event, an anthology of the readings will be published online. 

Winners will have the opportunity to rehearse and train for the showcase event with writer, editor and Novel Studio tutor, Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone.

As if all that wasn’t enough, this year we have partnered with the brilliant Legend Press who will be offering a unique opportunity for each of our winners to submit their first chapters to Legend’s Commissioning Editor, Lauren Wolff-Jones, followed by an hour’s Zoom mentoring session, during which Lauren will provide expert feedback and guidance.

And even if you aren’t one of the lucky winners, it’s a competition you can’t lose: completely free to enter, all entrants will receive advice on other options including courses, mentoring and editing.

All you need to submit is the first 1,000 words of your novel. For full competition details, judges, dates and submission guidelines follow this link.

The competition opens on Monday 11th September 2023, with a deadline of midnight on the 23rd October 2023. The Book Edit can’t wait to read your submissions and share your talent!