The international writing competition is open to unrepresented and unpublished authors for a novel in any adult fiction genre.
Winner: £1,500 + Agent Introduction
Runner up: £500 + Agent Introduction
NEW! BPA Most Promising Talent Award
Literary Agent Judges: Olivia Maidment from Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency.
Author Judge: Freya Bromley
The team at Blue Pencil Agency will oversee all submissions.
Submission: Opening chapter or chapters up to 5000 words plus a 300 word synopsis and a covering letter.
Entry fee: £25 for each submission. Online entry only.
Closing date: May 31, 2026.
Favourite Lines: we will post our favourite lines on social media from April until the Longlist announcement in July.
· Any genre with the exception of children’s fiction and non-fiction. YA is permitted provided there is an adult crossover.
· A strong voice.
· An original and unforgettable story that grips the reader.
· An attention grabbing first paragraph.
. The manuscript should be completed or close to completion (60,000 words minimum completed).
Timetable:
The longlisted writers will be contacted by email, with announcements of the titles on the website in July.
Shortlisted writers will be asked to submit 20,000 words (includes the initial entry).
The winners will be notified by email and announced in October 2026.
- Authors must be over 18 years old at the time of entry.
- The writing competition is open to unrepresented and unpublished authors of fiction at the closing date of May 31, 2026.
- Writers must advise the organisers if they accept representation during the judging period or win any other prizes. They may still be eligible for the Award.
- Self-published authors are accepted. Entrants who have had other types of books published such as non fiction, memoir or poetry are also eligible.
- The novel must be completed or close to completion at the closing date of May 31, 2026. If you have written less than 60k words you might want to consider entering our Pitch Prize later in the year.
- Long-listed or short-listed entries in other writing competitions are eligible.
- Entrants may submit more than one novel but as separate entries.
- We are based in the UK but the competitions are international. Entries must be written in English.
- Entries can only be submitted electronically online via this site and payment made via Paypal.
- Entrants may withdraw entries but fees cannot be refunded.
- Judges’ decision is final. Judges are unable to comment on individual entries.