📌 About the Event

The WriteMentor Awards are a global search for fresh voices in storytelling, welcoming everything from whimsical Picture Books and Middle Grade adventures to high concept Young Adult and Adult Fiction. It aims to foster a supportive community by removing “gatekeeping” barriers offering entry concessions for those in need and providing a professional platform for writers who haven’t yet found an agent. By entering, you are putting your work directly in front of industry gatekeepers who have the power to launch your career.

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ℹ️ Event Details

• Category: Arts and Culture / Language and Humanities / Academic
• Organizer: WriteMentor (UK based) in partnership with Darley Anderson Agency
• Judges: Clare Wallace (Adult), Lucy Irvine (Children’s), Lorna Hemingway (Picture Books)
• Eligibility: Open to unagented and unpublished writers aged 18+ worldwide.
• Fest Type: Annual Award
• Edition: 8th Edition
• Effort Level: Very High (Requires a polished manuscript or opening)
• Submission Type: Online via official portal (.doc or .docx)

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📅 Important Dates

• Registration Deadline: March 31, 2026
• Longlist/Shortlist Announced: May 2026
• Winners Announced: Late 2026
• Mode: Online
• Venue: Virtual

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🏆 Highlights and Prize Details

• Prize Pool: £500 Cash per category and Industry Consultations
• Top Category Prize: £500 + a 45 minute 1 to 1 virtual consultation with the category’s agent judge.
• Hub Membership: Winners receive a one-year free membership to “The Hub” (worth £150).
• Developmental Edit: All shortlisted writers enter a draw for a full manuscript developmental edit.
• Visibility: Shortlisted and winning entries are showcased to the wider agent community.
• Additional Perks: Success stories include previous winners landing deals with Scholastic and Little Island.

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🎯 What You Will Do

• For Novels (Adult/YA/MG/CB): Submit the first 3,000 words of your novel plus a one page synopsis in a single document.
• For Picture Books: Submit the completed manuscript (text only, no illustrations) with a short pitch at the start.
• Opt for Feedback: You can choose a “Feedback Entry” to receive written notes on your submission from experienced readers.
• Prepare for the Call: If shortlisted for a novel award, you must be ready to send the full manuscript within 7 days.

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📦 How to Register

• Standard Entry Fee: £12 (Standard) or £24 (Entry with Feedback).
• Concessions: If unable to pay, type “CONCESSION” in the box on the entry form (limited to 30 free entries globally).
• Payment: Use the link on the entry form to pay via the WriteMentor store.
• Submit: Fill out the form and upload your .doc or .docx file.