London Writers Awards 2026: Thinking of Applying?

A group of people engage in a lively discussion at an event, with a focus on a woman wearing a green scarf and black beret as she speaks animatedly. The setting features large windows and a casual networking atmosphere.

Thinking of applying to the 2026 London Writers Awards? Join Spread the Word for an online information session about the programme.

Book your ticket via Ticket Tailor

The London Writers Awards will open for applications from 23 September to 30 October 2025, with the programme starting in February 2026.

In this free seminar, Spread the Word’s director Ruth Harrison will cover what writers will do over the course of the London Writers Awards; including the structure and successes of the programme, who it’s aimed for and how to approach drafting your application. There will be time for you to ask questions too.

We will be joined by two alumni of the London Writers Awards, who will share their experiences of the programme.

Funded by a generous philanthropic donation by Sam and Rosie Berwick, this new iteration of the UK’s most successful writer development programme will support 24 writers of literary, commercial and YA/Children’s fiction.

For more information on the London Writers Awards please visit: https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/projects/london-writers-awards/

Who is the session for? 

Writers of literary, commercial and children’s/YA fiction living in London who are unpublished and unagented, who are interested in taking their work forward and applying for the 2026 London Writers Awards programme.

The programme is for writers from the following communities: Black, Asian, Global Majority, deaf and disabled, LGBTQI+, working class up-bringing and/ or on a low-income.

Access 

  • BSL interpreted
  • Auto-captioned
  • Relaxed
  • Recorded and made available to participants for two weeks after the event

If you have access needs or questions, please email us at [email protected]