Wilbur Smith New Voices Award 2026 The New Voices Award supports writers to develop an idea they've yet to commit to paper, or those in ...
Wilbur Smith New Voices Award 2026
The New Voices Award supports writers to develop an idea they've yet to commit to paper, or those in the very early stages of their work in progress. The Award provides mentorship and editorial guidance for aspiring authors and encourages entries from all writers, including those from underrepresented backgrounds with a new story to tell.
New Voices is exclusively for unpublished writers. Writers must not be represented by a literary agent, or be under an existing or future contract to any publisher. The work submitted must not have been previously self-published, or have been published in full or in part through any publisher or other media.
To participate, writers must submit their opening three chapters totalling no more than 10,000 words and a plot outline of no more than 1,000 words detailing where they imagine the story will go.
Submissions are open 9th January - 30th April 2026 (closing 23.59 BST).
How to Enter Wilbur Smith New Voices Award 2026
- Submit your first three chapters (not exceeding 10,000 words) plus a full plot outline detailing where you imagine the story will go (not exceeding 1,000 words), double-spaced, in font size 12.
- Please do not submit the first three chapters of a manuscript you have already written. This award is designed to support you in developing a fledgling idea into a manuscript, reflecting on aspects such as structure, story arc and character development as you write. The New Voices award is not for full-length drafts.
- There is an ‘early bird’ entry fee of £20 per submission, which will be available until 28th February 2026, 23.59 GMT. After this date, the entry fee will be £30 per submission.
- We are keen to encourage writers of all backgrounds and, as such, are offering fee waivers for authors who cannot make the financial commitments of entry. Each waiver will be allocated on a case-by-case basis. We do not ask for financial evidence, but instead ask you to explain why you are requesting it. Please email your request to the Prize Manager, Charlotte, via charlotte@wilbur-niso-smithfoundation.org.
- Entry closes on 30th April 2026, 23.59pm BST.
The official information page.
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