Writers Award Submissions

Submissions consisting of an extract of 15,000 - 20,000 words, synopsis and biographical note (in that order) should be in a single document, in 12-point font, double spaced in a Word Document or PDF format.

You have not previously submitted this work to the DRF Writers Award
You are not agented, under option or contract
You are a resident of the British Commonwealth or EIRE
You have not previously been published or self-published (with the exception of a collection of poetry)

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?

We do not accept submissions from writers with agents. Additionally writers cannot 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