Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize

Queen Mary University and the Wasafiri Magazine are announcing that their 2026 New Writing Prize is now open for entries. Each year, the Prize awards the most exciting new voices in life writing, poetry, and fiction from around the world. The Chair for the 2026 Prize is Ellah Wakatama, joined by three category judges: Santanu Bhattacharya (Fiction), Jen Calleja (Life Writing), and Mona Kareem (Poetry).

The winners of each category will receive a £1,000 cash prize and publication in Wasafiri magazine; if a work in translation wins, the cash prize will be split equally between the author and translator. The prize is open to writers who have not yet published a book-length work, with no limits on age, gender, nationality or background.

Entries typically cost £12 for a single entry and £16 for double entries, however, they also offer subsidised entries for those who would not otherwise be able to enter the prize.

The deadline for entries is 30 June 2026.

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Enquiries about submissions should be directed to Wasafiri Magazine. Please always refer to their website for complete details and information. 

Please note, this call is run by Wasafiri Magazine, not the Commonwealth Foundation.