The Bodley Head/ FT Essay Prize competition/How To Submit (Prize: £1600)

Annually, the Financial Times and The Bodley Head, one of Britain’s leading publishers of non-fiction, team up to find the best young essay-writing talent from around the world. Now in its eighth year, The Bodley Head/FT Essay Prize competition has been a stepping stone for many exciting writers. This year the regular judging panel is joined by the award-winning writer Yiyun Li and leading literary agent, Emma Paterson. The deadline for submission is 24th September 2020.

 

 Who Is Eligible for Bodley Head/ FT Essay Contest 2020.

 

• The Bodley Head/FT Essay competition is open to anyone between 18 and 35 years old.
• Entrants can be from any country.
• Application is entirely free.
• Applicants who have any kind of working and/or professional relations with any of the judges is not eligible.

 

Submission Guidelines

• The judges are looking for a dynamic, and lively essay that is able to control its own narrative.
• The essay should not bemore than 3,500 words.
• They must be written in English, and can be on any subject.
• The winner will receive: £1,000 cash and an e-publication with The Bodley Head, publication in the FT of their winning essay and a mentoring session with The Bodley Head.
• Two runners-up will win £300 cash each and an e-publication with The Bodley Head.
• Simultaneous submission are unacceptable. Only one essay per author will be accepted.
• Please enter your details In the APPLICATION FORM, then paste your essay into the box provided.
• The competition closes on Thursday September 24 2020.
• The winning entrant and runners-up will be notified by the Promoter by telephone in the week beginning November 2 2020.
• The winner and two runners-up will be announced in the Financial Times by November 14 2020.
• If the prize is declined or unclaimed by the winner, or if the winner cannot be contacted from the details supplied within 30 business days (“business day” meaning Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays) of notification, a replacement winner may be chosen at the Promoter’s discretion and will be notified by the Promoter.
• The original entry that was chosen will then be disqualified.
• You can find tips on how to write a winning entry HERE.
• If you have any questions about your entry, email weekend.readers@ft.com

Good Luck!