THE LONDON WRITERS AWARDS IS SPREAD THE WORD’S ANNUAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR TALENTED LONDON WRITERS.
Applications will open on Wednesday 25 September and close at 5pm on Thursday 31 October.
Originally launched in 2018, the London Writers Awards aims to increase the number of writers from under-represented communities being taken up by agents and publishers. It has supported 120 writers and has become the most successful writer development scheme in the UK with 50 writers agented and over 35 book deals. In 2025 a new iteration of the London Writers Awards will be returning thanks to a generous philanthropic donation by Sam and Rosie Berwick.
The Awards will focus on three genres of prose writing: literary fiction (including short stories), commercial fiction (for e.g.: crime, science fiction, romance), and YA/children’s fiction (including middle grade and Young Adult fiction but excluding picture books). Each year, there will be 24 spaces on the programme: 12 for literary fiction, 6 for commercial fiction and 6 for YA/children’s fiction.
The Awards are free to participate in. Bursaries will be available for writers on a low-income and there is also an Access Fund for disabled writers.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE LONDON WRITERS AWARDS
Applications will open on Wednesday 25 September at midday and close on Thursday 31 October at 5pm.
The London Writers Awards Application Pack gives details on eligibility, bursaries, access, FAQs and terms and conditions.
Please click here to download the Application Pack in text pdf format. You can also view it here:
Please click here to access the Application Pack information in BSL video and Audio:
Please click here to download the inclusive read version of the Application Pack.
To help you prepare you application we have created a drafting document with the questions we ask and additional information. Please click here to download the drafting document.
How to apply to the London Writers Awards
There are 3 options on how to apply for the programme:
- Online Application Form via Submittable (text only)
- Online Application Form for Audio or Video Submissions via Submittable
- Paper Form for Postal Entry (large print)
Please note that the Submittable options will be live from midday on Wednesday 25 September.
For Option 1, we ask that you apply via Submittable for the genre you are writing in:
Commercial Fiction: https://spreadtheword.submittable.com/submit/303564/london-writers-awards-2025-commercial-fiction
Literary Fiction: https://spreadtheword.submittable.com/submit/303563/london-writers-awards-2025-literary-fiction
YA/Children’s Fiction: https://spreadtheword.submittable.com/submit/303565/london-writers-awards-2025-ya-childrens-fiction
For Option 2, there is one form on Submittable, where you choose the genre group:
https://spreadtheword.submittable.com/submit/203524/london-writers-awards-2025-audio-or-video-submission
Please note that the extract from your project must still be uploaded as a text file.
For Option 3, you can download the Postal Entry Form by clicking here.
Please post your entry to:
London Writers Awards
Spread the Word,
The Albany,
Douglas Way,
London
SE8 4AG
Please ensure that you post it so we receive it before the deadline of 5pm on Thursday 31 October.
Late entries will not be considered. After you apply for the London Writers Awards, you will receive an automatic email confirming receipt of your application. Your application will be read anonymously by a team of first readers who will make recommendations to the London Writers Awards judges and the Spread the Word team.
A shortlist of applicants will be invited to an interview with the Spread the Word team on one of the following dates:
Tuesday 21 January 2025 – Literary Fiction A and YA/Children’s Fiction interviews
Wednesday 22 January 2025 – Literary Fiction B interviews
Thursday 23 January 2025 – Commercial Fiction Interviews
Spread the Word will contact everyone who submits an application by 9 January.
WHO ARE THE AWARDS FOR?
The Awards are for London-based prose writers from a background currently underrepresented in publishing. We consider these backgrounds to be:
– Black, Asian, or Global Majority*
– D/deaf and Disabled
– LGBTQIA+
– Working Class Upbringing
– On a Low Income**
*Global Majority defined as Black, Indigenous and people of colour.
**Writers whose income is through benefits or paid on or below the London Living Wage hourly rate, and whose savings do not exceed the amount needed to pay for three months of living costs (rent, gas and electricity, food etc.).
Writers are selected through a free and open application process. The programme is for writers who are committed to developing their work, their craft and their career.
WHAT HAPPENS ON THE PROGRAMME?
The programme will be delivered online and in person at accessible venues. Awardees become part of a critical feedback group meeting twice a month. Critical feedback groups are a proven way to take writing forward, and participants will receive feedback on their work at least four times. The first seven sessions will also be facilitated by an experienced writer.
There will be five craft masterclasses run by professional authors, and three career masterclasses run by industry speakers and experts. The career masterclasses will help Awardees to build industry and business knowledge and gain practical skills.
Awardees take part in two WritersLabs. The first WritersLab is an opportunity for writers get to know their peers; ask questions about the programme; be introduced to the critical feedback model through their group facilitator; meet and hear from the Judges and alumni of the programme.
The second WritersLab is where writers will get to network with invited editors, publishers and agents.
All Awardees receive 1-2-1 professional development sessions with members of the Spread the Word team to support their development, progress and wellbeing whilst on the programme. Towards the end of the programme a booklet featuring the Awardees’ projects will be distributed to over 300 agents and editors.
CALL OUT TO THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY
If you are a publisher, agent or professional writer and interested in finding out more about becoming a supporter, partner or patron to the London Writers Awards, please contact Bobby Nayyar at Spread the Word: [email protected]
The Awards are supported through a philanthropic donation by Sam and Rosie Berwick.