The Nero Book Awards has launched New Writers Prize in association with Brunel University of London. The winner will receive £3,000, a scholarship for an MA in Creative Writing at Brunel, and an introduction to a literary agent. Each runner-up will receive £1,000 and a mentorship session with a member of Brunel’s Creative Writing faculty.

Note that the prize is open to adults who are citizens of, or resident in, the UK and Ireland. African writers residing in these countries are encouraged to apply.

The Nero New Writers Prize seeks to uncover untapped writing talent and support them as they develop into the stars of the future. The Nero Book Awards, sponsored by Caffè Nero, celebrate outstanding writing by authors living in the UK and Ireland. The new partnership with Brunel University expands this mission by supporting emerging writers.

Writers interested in applying must submit an original, unpublished short story of up to 5,000 words in either fiction or non-fiction.  Submissions will be judged anonymously.

Submissions are currently open and will close at 5pm BST on 29th August 2025. Prospective applicants should review the complete terms and conditions, which are available on the Nero Book Awards website, to ensure your submissions meet all requirements. With submissions closing later this month, now is the time to begin crafting that short story that could launch a literary career.