We've used our database of publishing industry contacts to compile a free list of opportunities for under-represented writers, from prizes and awards through to events, bursaries and other related schemes.
Feel as though there's something we've missed? Contact us on AccessWA@bloomsbury.com with details and we'll come back to you as soon as we can.
And remember, keep an eye on our free writing competitions as well as our bursary opportunities page, which comes as part of our Accessible To All initiative.
Prizes and Awards
The Cheshire Novel Prize
Website: cheshirenovelprize.com
Facebook: /cheshirenovelprize
Twitter: @prize_novel
Instagram: @cheshirenovelprize
Entry fee: £25
Sponsored entries are available for low-income writers
1st prize: £1,500
2nd prize: £500
Only accepts entries from under-represented writers. Every unsuccessful entrant will receive at least one paragraph of feedback explaining why they were not longlisted. Submit a one-page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of a novel for adults or young adults (not children).
Creative Future Writers' Award
Website: Creative Future
Email: info@creativefuture.org.uk
Tel: (01273) 234780
An annual development programme for talented writers who lack opportunities due to mental health issues, disability, health or social circumstances. Includes the UK's only national writing competition for all under-represented writers, alongside a series of workshops in hubs throughout the UK. Prizes, including cash and professional writing development opportunities, are awarded for both poetry and short fiction. Winning submissions are also published in an anthology alongside work by guest authors.
The Diverse Book Awards
Website: thediversebookawards.co.uk
Email: hello@thediversebookawards.co.uk
Administered by The Author School to celebrate diversity in book publishing in the UK and Ireland. There are three fiction award categories: Adult, YA, and Children's. Entries can be traditionally or self-published but must have been published in the preceding year. The winner in each category receives a trophy as well as access to a range of opportunities including marketing workshops, inclusion in Pen&Inc magazine, panel spots, festival appearances and bookshop signings. Founded 2020.
FAB Prize for Undiscovered Talent
Website: www.fabprize.org
Email: prize@fabfaber.co.uk
Twitter: @FaberChildrens
1st prize: £1,500 for text and £1,500 for illustration.
Set up by Faber Children's and literary agent Davinia Andrew-Lynch, this is an annual competition for unagented and unpublished writers and illustrators from Black, Asian and/or non-white minority ethnic backgrounds. Now with the additional backing of BookTrust and the Association of Illustrators, the competition winners and runners up are not only offered mentoring, but also exposure to literary agents and editors alongside access to training and shadowing schemes. The prize offers a unique opportunity to kick start a writing or illustration career and get a foot in the door. Entries must be text or artwork for children aged 1-8 years. Founded 2017.
Richard Jefferies Award
Website: www.richardjefferiesaward.org
Email: award@richardjefferiessociety.org
Recognises the best nature writing of the year which reflects the heritage and spirit of Richard Jefferies' countryside books. Nominations can be made by anyone; there are no fees. Sponsored by the White Horse Bookshop, the winner receives £1,000. Founded 2015.
Jhalak Prize
Website: www.jhalakprize.com
Email: info@jhalakprize.com
Twitter: @jhalakprize
Awarded annually, this prize seeks out the best books by British/British resident BAME writers and awards one winner £1000. Entries can be for fiction, non-fiction, short story, graphic novel, poetry and all genres. Started by authors Sunny Singh and Nikesh Shukla and Media Diversified, with support from The Authors' Club and a prize donated by an anonymous benefactor, the prize exists to celebrate the achievements of writers of colour. For submission guidelines and details of key dates see the website. Founded 2016.
Joffe Books Prize for Crime Fiction Writers of Colour
Website: www.joffebooks.com/prize
Email: prize@joffebooks.com
In conjunction with writer Dorothy Koomson and literary agent Susan Yearwood, this prize launched in 2021, is for crime fiction writers of colour. The winner will receive a two-book deal contract with Joffe Books.
The London Writers' Awards
Website: www.spreadtheword.org.uk/projects/london-writers-awards
Email: bobby@spreadtheword.org.uk
Award programme set up by Spread the Word for London-based prose writers who identify as being from a background currently under-represented in publishing: disabled, LGBTQIA+, working class or writers of colour. The awards are given across four genres: literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction and YA/children's (including middle grade and YA fiction, excludes picture books.) Founded 2018.
#MerkyBooks New Writers' Prize
Website: www.penguin.co.uk/campaigns/merky-new-writers-prize
Email: merkybooks@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk
Twitter: @MerkyBooks
A prize for unpublished and unagented writers of fiction, non-fiction or poetry. One winner will receive a publishing contract: all longlisted authors are invited to a writing camp, which includes workshops, panel talks and editorial review.
Morley Prize for Unpublished Writers of Colour
Website: www.morleygallery.com/morley-lit-prize-2022
Email: morleylitprize@morleycollege.ac.uk
Facebook: /MorleyGallery
Twitter: @MorleyGallery
Instagram: @morleygallery
Celebrates Britain's history of diverse literature and supports new voices within it. Open to all unpublished writers of colour regardless of genre or subject matter. Submit the first 30-50 pages of your MS, a plot outline (maximum three pages) and a personal statement (maximum 300 words). All shortlisted writers will receive individual consultations with a literary agent and the winner will receive £500.
The Nature Writing Prize for Working Class Writers
Email: workingclassnatureprize@gmail.com
Twitter: @ClassNature
For writers who self-identify as working class, this prize includes editorial feedback from a publisher, a stay with National Trust Holidays worth £500 along with a nature writing commission based on it, publication in the Countryman magazine, and a book bundle. Founded 2020.
Owned Voices
Website: www.ownedvoices.com/novel-award
Facebook: /OwnedVoices
Twitter: @OwnedVoices
Rewarded to two writers who receive £250 plus one-to-one mentoring and feedback with an agent or editor on heir novel. Writers must be from an under-represented background, be unagented and their novel must fall into one of the following categories: crime, thriller and mystery; contemporary romance; historical fiction; contemporary women's fiction; and book club fiction. Entries open in December, with submission through the website. Founded 2020.
Polari Book Prize
Website: www.polarisalon.com
Email: paulburston@btinternet.com
Facebook: /Polari
Twitter: @polarisalon
Recognises emerging and established LGBTQ+ literary talent in three categories: the Polari Book Prize, the Polari First Book Prize and the Polari Children's and YA Prize. Any full length novel, novella, short story collection, memoir, book of poetry or published play text written in English by a writer born or based in the UK or Ireland is eligible. Writers must identify as LGBTQ+ or explore LGBTQ+ characters in the work submitted. The winners of the First Book Prize and the Children's and YA Prize receive £1,000 each and the winner of the Book Prize receives £2,000. Full eligibility and submission guidelines can be found on the website.
RSL Christopher Bland Prize
Website: www.rsliterature.org
Email: info@rsliterature.org
This £10,000 prize encourages and celebrates older writers. First awarded in 2019, the prize is given annually to a debut novelist or popular non-fiction writer, first published at the age of 50 or over. The writer must be a citizen of, or resident in, the UK or Republic of Ireland.
The Nan Shepherd Prize
Website: www.nanshepherdprize.com
Email: contact@nanshepherdprize.com
Twitter: @NanPrize
Instagram: @NanPrize
The only nature writing prize for writers from under-represented backgrounds. The Prize runs every two years, seeks works of narrative non-fiction that explore nature or the environment, and invites entrants who are under-represented due to ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability or class. Entrants should not have published a full-length work of adult fiction or non-fiction (self-published authors are eligible). Submit a sample of up to 7,000 words, a synopsis, chapter outline and biography. The winner receives a publishing deal with Canongate and a £10,000 advance. Founded 2019.
Mo Siewcharran Prize
Website: www.thefuturebookshelf.co.uk/landing-page/the-mo-siewcharran-prize-2023
Email: mosiewcharranprize@hachette.co.uk
Twitter: @MoPrize
The initiative aims to nurture talent from Black, Asian and Marginalised Ethnic backgrounds, writing in English. Run by Hachette UK's Changing the Story diversity and inclusivity initiative, the winner will receive £2,500 prize money plus the offer of a publishing deal, subject to contract, with Little, Brown and Abacus. The prize is for a full-length unpublished novel. They are open to all adult literary fiction genres, but will not accept sci-fi, fantasy, poetry, short story collections, non-fiction or books for young adults.
The Harvill Secker-Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Award
Email: vintagepublicity@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk
Twitter: @HarvillSecker
Launched to find the best new crime writers of colour. Submit a plot outline and the first 5,000 words of a crime novel. The winner will receive a publishing deal with PRH imprint Harvill Secker, a panel appearance at Bloody Scotland Festival and a place on an Arvon creative writing course.
Writers' & Artists' Working-Class Writers' Prize
Email: writersandartists@bloomsbury.com
Website: www.writersandartists.co.uk/competitions
Open to unpublished writers who consider themselves to be from a working-class background. The winner will receive mentoring support, a £200 cash prize, one year's subscription to The Society of Authors, free admission to any W&A event and a writing guide bundle including the latest editions of the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook or the Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook. See website for full submission guidelines and application process.
Events, Bursaries & Other Schemes
The Malorie Blackman Scholarships for Unheard Voices
Website: www.citylit.ac.uk/malorie-blackman-scholarships
Three annual awards worth up to £1,000 each to fund one year's study within the Creative Writing department at City Lit. Writers are welcome from under-represented groups, including (but not exclusive to) people with disabilities, from minority backgrounds and communities, who are members of the LGBTQ+ community, who are from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and who are from BAME backgrounds.
BookTrust Represents
Website: www.booktrust.org.uk/booktrustrepresents
Email: booktrust.represents@booktrust.org.uk
Twitter: @Booktrust
A project to support and promote authors and illustrators of colour and to reach more readers through school visits, special events and festivals. The project also supports aspiring and new authors and illustrators of colour with training, mentoring, events and an online community. Find out more about the project and the associated research into the ethnicity of authors and illustrators in the UK on the website. Aspiring and established authors and illustrators of colour are encouraged to get in touch and join the group via email, at the above address.
Carole Blake Open Doors Project
Website: www.blakefriedmann.co.uk/carole-blake-open-doors-project
Email: sian@blakefriedmann.co.uk
Twitter: @BlakeFriedmann
The Carole Blake Open Doors Project is a programme specifically aimed at encouraging candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds to enter the publishing industry. The programme offers ten days of work shadowing to a selected applicant over a two-week period, including funding for travel and up to twelve nights' accommodation in London. The programme runs twice a year, includes close mentorship with Blake Friedmann agents, the opportunity to attend meeting with editors and clients and the chance to be involved in the day-to-day life of a literary agent. For full details of candidate specifications, how to apply and terms and conditions, see the website.
Breakthrough Writers’ Programme
Website: https://www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/breakthrough-writers-programme
Email: help@curtisbrowncreative.co.uk
Twitter/X: @cbcreative
Launched in 2021 by Curtis Brown Creative, the Breakthrough Writers’ Programme provides free course places and mentoring for under-represented writers working across a range of adult fiction genres, memoir, short stories, YA and children’s fiction. The programme is funded by the Curtis Brown Group alongside individual authors and corporate scholarship sponsors. Includes opportunities for writers with low income, writers of colour, disabled writers and other writers facing barriers to entry.
Creative Access
Website: www.creativeaccess.org.uk
Email: info@creativeaccess.org.uk
Twitter: @_CreativeAccess
A social enterprise and one of the UK's leading diversity organisations which helps those from under-represented communities to secure paid training opportunities and full-time jobs in the creative industries and support them to progress into leadership roles. Working with leading creative organisations across the UK, Creative Access provides a range of services to help support employer partners create inclusive workplaces; including recruitment of trainees and permanent staff, mentoring programmes and employer training. Founded 2012.
Elevate Mentoring Scheme
Website: www.cornerstones.co.uk/elevate
Email: helen@cornerstones.co.uk
An Arts Council funded scheme that pairs low-income and/or under-represented writers with specialist editors best suited to help them develop their craft.
Emerging Writers Programme
Website: www.londonlibrary.co.uk/about-us/ll-emerging-writers
Email: emergingwriters@londonlibrary.co.uk
Open to all writers above the age of 16, the Programme offers writers, in all genres, one year's free membership of The London Library and includes writing development masterclasses, literary networking opportunities, peer support and guidance in use of the Library's resources. The Virago Participation Bursary (founded by Virago Books) is awarded as part of the Programme for black female and black non-binary writers to assist with any financial issues that might prevent them from accessing the full Programme.
The Future Bookshelf
Website: www.thefuturebookshelf.co.uk
Twitter: @FutureBookshelf
Part of Hachette UK's 'Changing the Story' programme, this free creative writing resource is for under-represented writers, providing tips and exercises on writing a book and inspiring content from authors, agents and experienced editors.
The Greene Door Project
Website: www.greeneheaton.co.uk/the-greene-door/the-greene-door-project
Twitter: @greeneandheaton
Greene & Heaton Literary Agency offer mentoring and MS feedback sessions to writers who are under-represented in publishing in terms of ethnicity, gender, disability or socio-economic background. Applicants should submit a cover letter, a synopsis of their work and no more than the first 5,000 words of a novel. See website for details of submission windows and genres being accepted. Founded 2021.
Grow Your Story
Website: www.hachette.co.uk/landing-page/thrive-grow-your-story-22/
Email: growyourstory@hachette.co.uk
A writing development programme for writers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds run in collaboration between Hachette UK's BAME network THRIVE, David Higham Associates and the Future Bookshelf. 10 writers will receive access to online workshops with publishing professionals, one-to-one mentoring with an agent and an editor, meet-ups with the other writers in the scheme and guest speakers, a package of writing resources, feedback on their submitted work, and the opportunity for a sample to be published. Applicants must be unagented and unpublished; they should submit a 5,000-word sample and one-page synopsis of a complete novel and a statement of no more than 500 words explaining how they would benefit from the scheme.
HarperCollins Author Academy
Website: www.harpercollinsacademy.co.uk
Email: enquiries@harpercollins.co.uk
Twitter: @harpercollinsuk
A training programme for writers from BAME backgrounds who are under-represented in publishing. Courses run twice a year for six weeks and are available in three genres: Fiction, Non-Fiction and Writing for Children. All successful applicants also receive publishing masterclasses and support from a mentor. Applicants must not be represented by a literary agent and should apply online to one of the three courses. Founded 2021.
Inscribe
Website: www.peepaltreepress.com/inscribe
Twitter: @INSCRIBEwriters
Supporting writers of colour in England to professionally advance their creative work and their careers through coaching, mentoring, workshops, residentials, training, newsletters, publications and general advice.
Megaphone Writer Development Scheme
Website: www.megaphonewrite.com
Email: megaphone.write@gmail.com
Twitter: @MegaphoneWrite
An Arts Council England funded project which offers a year of one-to-one mentoring and masterclasses for writers of colour based in England who are writing a novel for children or teenagers.
The Octopus Scheme
Website: www.thenovelry.com/scholarships
Email: hello@thenovelry.com
Established by the Novelry to offer fully-funded scholarships for places on their Ninety Day Novel course for under-represented writers. Applicants can include writers from a low-income background, primary carers, ex-offenders, writers with a disability, writers of colour and writers from the LGBTQIA+ community. Successful applicants will also receive on year's Novelry membership and one-to-one membership with a tutor. Applicants should email a 500-word sample of their writing and a personal statement explaining how they are under-represented, why they are applying and how they think they will benefit from the course. Scholarships are sponsored by authors including Sophie Kinsella, Rachel Joyce and Ajay Chowdhury.
Palavaro
Website: https://palavro.org/
Email: info@palavro.org
Palavro is a non-profit organisation based in Scotland and Portugal, with over 5 years' experience in publishing books by a diverse range of authors. Typically, those we publish come from varied backgrounds, with both fiction and non-fiction genres focusing on important social and environmental topics.
Palavro is an imprint of the Arkbound Foundation, a UK literary charity that supports authors from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds in developing their writing and getting published. Started in 2015, the Foundation has published a growing portfolio of works, from books on climate change to poetry anthologies addressing homelessness. The purpose of Palavro, aside from acting as a distinct imprint for the charity, is to bridge the barriers created by Brexit and allow for more cross-border distribution of books across Europe.
(Re)presenting Romance
Website: www.harpercollins.co.uk/pages/representing-romance
Email: representingromance@harpercollins.co.uk
A mentoring scheme organised by HarperFiction and The Good Literary Agency for under-represented romance writers. One writer will be awarded a £1,000 writing grant and a year of mentoring from either an editor or a literary agent; two more writers will receive a year of mentoring. All types of adult romance are accepted except for fantasy and sci-fi. Applicants do not need to have completed a novel; submissions should include the first 5,000-8,000 words of a romance novel, a synopsis and a paragraph about the applicant.
Storymix
Website: Storymix
Storymix is a multi award-winning inclusive fiction studio founded by Jasmine Richards in 2019. Storymix offers a springboard to racially-minoritized creators, and incubates talent by working collaboratively to produce fiction for children and teenagers to be sold directly to publishers.
TLC/Arts Council England Free Reads Scheme
Website: www.literaryconsultancy.co.uk/editorial/ace-free-reads-scheme
Email: info@literaryconsultancy.co.uk
In 2001, TLC received funding from Arts Council England to enable the provision of bursaried manuscript assessments for writers from low-income households. The scheme is known as the Free Reads Scheme and offers access to TLC's core services to writers who might not be able to afford them. Free Reads are selected by a range of literature development bodies from across the UK, and there are currently seventeen organisations benefiting from the scheme. For detailed submission guidelines and eligibility information, see the website.
WriteNow Programme
Website: www.penguin.co.uk/company/social-impact/writenow
Email: writenow@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk
A programme by PRH which aims to nurture and publish new, unpublished writers from under-represented communities. Its workshops provide the aspiring writer with tools, contacts, information and access to getting published. Opportunities include publishing workshops; mentoring and feedback from Penguin editors; and advice from authors, literary agents and publishing professionals. 18 of the programme's writers have been published by Penguin, and a further 25% of shortlisted writers have since signed a deal with another publisher. The programme is open to writers of adult fiction or fiction for children aged 0-12 (picture books, chapter books and middle grade).
Writers & Artists
Website: www.writersandartists.co.uk/accessible-to-all
Email: AccessWA@bloomsbury.com
Bursary places with a combined total of £4,000 are available to help ensure that everything W&A offers - events, writing courses and editing services - is accessible to all. See the website for more details and eligibility.