Cheshire Novel Prize 2026

Entry confirmation

Dear Mo Fanning,

Thank you for entering Cheshire Novel Prize 2026. We cannot wait to read your work.

Your entry ID is CFKKKYPD. Please keep this for your records.

Important Dates Entries opened: 15th April 2026.
Entries close: 1st July 2026.
Longlist announced: September 2026 (dates TBC)
Top 100 announced: Shortly after the longlist in September.
Shortlist announced: November 2026
Winner announced: December 2026

Sponsored places We know times are tough, but unfortunately the general rise in the cost of living doesn’t qualify for a sponsored entry. Each year, we offer over 300 sponsored places for writers who meet our criteria, helping under-represented voices enter free of charge. Around 1% of these places are funded by writers themselves, with the remainder supported personally by Sara Naidine Cox and through our summer school courses. To check if you’re eligible, please visit the criteria on our website: www.cheshirenovelprize.com The sponsored entry portal closes at 9am on 20th June 2026. Applications submitted after this time won’t be considered, so please make sure you apply well in advance.

Feedback Every entry receives at least one paragraph of personalised feedback at no extra cost, along with clearly labelled generic feedback. Your entry fee is for entering the competition. Feedback is sent out after the winner is announced in December 2026, and will continue to be distributed until 28th February 2027. We aim to send it as soon as possible, but due to the volume of entries and the care taken with each response, it can take up to 62 days.All feedback is written by hand—no automated systems—so we really appreciate your patience. Please don’t email us to ask about feedback before the winner has been announced; we promise it’s on its way.If you haven’t received your feedback by 28th February 2027:

First, please check your junk folder it often ends up there
If it’s not there, email us with the name of your novel

Please note

The dashboard is cleared on 28th March 2027
After this date, we won’t be able to retrieve your feedback
All entries are deleted in line with GDPR to ensure we don’t store your data longer than necessary

Thank you so much for entering the prize. Wishing you the very best of luck, and thank you for trusting us with your work.Kind regards,
Sara Cox Founder, Cheshire Novel Prize
www.cheshirenovelprize.com

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