Since 2009, the Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize has been one of the most internationally minded literary prizes for emerging writers anywhere in the world, and it is now open for entries for its 2026 edition. The deadline is 11.59pm BST on 30 June 2026.

The prize accepts work in three categories: fiction, poetry, and life writing. This year, for the first time across all three categories, it also welcomes entries in translation, with the cash prize split equally between author and translator if a translated work wins. There are no restrictions on age, gender, nationality, or background. The one condition is that entrants must not have published a book-length work. Winners in each category receive £1,000 and publication in Wasafiri magazine; all winners and shortlisted writers are also offered a mentoring scheme in partnership with The Literary Consultancy, along with a one-year print subscription to the magazine.

The judges this year are Ellah Wakatama OBE, also chair of the Caine Prize for African Writing, who leads the panel, with Santanu Bhattacharya judging fiction, Jen Calleja judging life writing, and Mona Kareem judging poetry. Wakatama has said she is looking for stories of hope, resistance, love, and joy. Calleja, whose own work straddles memoir and translation, says she appreciates life writing that places the reader beside the writer as events unfold. Bhattacharya is looking for fiction that enlightens, engages, and entertains in ways we do not often see.

The prize’s alumni speak for themselves. Akwaeke Emezi received a special commendation in 2016, before going on to publish Freshwater with Grove Atlantic and become one of the most celebrated voices of their generation. Caleb Femi was shortlisted before his debut collection Poor won the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award. Louise Kennedy, Momtaza Mehri, and many others passed through this prize before major publishing deals, prize shortlists, and the Forward Prizes followed.

The entry fee is £12 for a single entry and £16 for a double entry. Subsidised entries are available at £6 for those who would not otherwise be able to enter, no proof of eligibility required. Entries must not exceed 3,000 words, and works submitted must stand alone as complete pieces, not as novel or memoir extracts unless they are self-contained. Submit at wasafiri.org.