Writers Award Submissions

Submissions to the Writers Award have closed.

 

All submissions have been read and the longlist drawn up. Successful entrants will be notified by email if their submission has been chosen for the longlist.

The shortlist will be announced November 2023. The winner of the Award will be announced at a ceremony in London later that month.

The judges for the 2023 Award are Abdulrazak Gurnah (Chair), Claire Adam and Annalena McAfee.

FAQs

 

Do you accept submissions from Children’s writers?

Yes, we do accept submissions of Children’s, YA, Middle-Grade etc

 

Can I enter if I have self-published a book before?

No, we do not accept submissions from self-published writers

 

Can I enter if I have had a book of poetry published before?

Yes, we do accept submissions from writers who have published a collection of poetry

 

What are the Commonwealth countries?

A list of British Commonwealth countries can be found here

 

Can I have been published in another language?

No, unfortunately we do not accept submissions from authors who have previously been published in any language

 

Will I hear from anyone?

You will receive an automated response to your submission, but please note we are unable to respond to queries

 

I have submitted to the DRF Writers Award before, can I submit again?

Yes, you can submit new work to the DRF Writers Award, but not work you have submitted in a previous year

 

Can I submit more than one work?

No, we allow only one submission per writer

 

I have an agent/representation, can I still apply?

Yes, we do accept submissions from writers with agents. Writers cannot however be under option or contract to a publisher

 

Can I enter if I have translated or edited a work or anthology?

If you have translated or edited a work you may enter the prize, so long as you are not the only contributor named in the work

 

Can I enter if I have had a book published by a small academic press?

No, we do not accept submissions from writers who have previously published a book-length work

 

Do you accept submissions of graphic novels, picture books or cookery books?

No, we do not accept these types of submissions

 

I’m a published non-fiction/fiction writer, and this is my first work of fiction/non-fiction; am I still eligible?

No, we do not accept authors who have previously been published in a full-length prose format (with the exception of a collection of poetry)

 

Can I enter if I have had a short story or an essay published in an anthology, journal or magazine?

Yes, in this case you would be eligible

 

Can I enter if I have had a script for a play, film or TV published?

Yes, you would be eligible