2025 Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize | How to Apply (£3000)
The 2025 Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize is now open for submissions! This prestigious global competition seeks to discover and support emerging voices in life writing, poetry, and fiction.
Over the past 15 years, this prize has helped launch the careers of literary talents such as Akwaeke Emezi, Caleb Femi, and Louise Kennedy, many of whom have gone on to secure major publishing deals and win international awards.
New for 2025: Translations Now Accepted
This year introduces an exciting expansion—entries in translation are now eligible in all three categories. Writers can submit unpublished English translations of works up to 3,000 words from any language (excluding modern English). Translators may also include an optional Translator’s Note (max 300 words).
Meet the Judges
The 2025 Chair is Romesh Gunesekera, a Booker Prize-shortlisted author, who will lead the panel alongside three category judges:
- Anton Hur (Fiction)
- Noreen Masud (Life Writing)
- Yasmine Seale (Poetry)
Prizes & Opportunities
- £1,000 cash prize for the winner in each category (Fiction, Life Writing, and Poetry).
- Publication in Wasafiri magazine.
- Shortlisted writers will receive mentoring through the Chapter and Verse or Free Reads scheme (eligibility dependent).
- One-year print subscription to Wasafiri magazine.
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to writers worldwide who have not published or signed a contract for a full-length work of fiction, life writing, or poetry (self-published works and poetry chapbooks are exceptions).
- Entries must be unpublished and written in English.
- Translations must be accompanied by the original text and must be the translator’s own work.
- Self-translations are accepted.
- AI-generated translations or entries produced solely through machine translation are not permitted.
- If a translated work wins, the £1,000 prize is split 50/50 between the translator and the original writer (or the writer’s estate if deceased).
- Entries must remain unpublished until the competition results are announced. If an entry is published elsewhere before the shortlist is announced, it becomes ineligible.
Some writing advice from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Submission Guidelines
- Maximum word count: 3,000 words (for fiction, life writing, and translations).
- Poetry submissions: Up to three poems per entry, totaling no more than 3,000 words.
- Formatting: Typed, 12-point font, double-spaced, A4 size, and submitted as a .doc, .docx, or .pdf file.
- Anonymous Submissions: Do not include your name or any identifying details on the manuscript.
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Entry Fees & Subsidized Submissions
- £12 per single entry
- £16 per double entry
- £6 for subsidized entries (available for writers facing financial hardship)
Furthermore, all successful submissions receive an acknowledgment email. If you do not receive one, check your spam folder or contact wasafirinewwritingprize@qmul.ac.uk.
How to Submit
All entries must be submitted via the official submission form by 11:59 PM BST on June 30, 2025.
Find the complete guidelines and submission form here.
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About the Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize
The Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize is committed to amplifying new voices and fostering literary talent across borders. The competition is run in partnership with Queen Mary University of London and Wasafiri magazine, a leading publication in global contemporary literature.
For inquiries, contact wasafirinewwritingprize@qmul.ac.uk.
Deadline: June 30, 2025
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