Do you want to win up to £5,000? The Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2025 is now open for talented writers worldwide. This prestigious award is available to everyone, whether you are an undergraduate, graduate, or PhD holder. If you meet the eligibility requirements, don’t miss this opportunity. Be sure to read the entry rules carefully to enter the competition. This amazing chance could open new doors and bring great personal growth.
To participate, you must submit a story that has not been previously published. A team of readers and an international panel of judges will evaluate your entry. The judging panel will include a chairperson and judges from Commonwealth regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. If your story is in a language other than English, it will first be reviewed by readers fluent in that language and translated into English. If your story wins, the translator will also receive a prize.
The Commonwealth Foundation essay contest requires you to write a short story of 2,000 to 5,000 words in the fiction genre, which includes science fiction, historical fiction, speculative fiction, romance, crime, and literary fiction. You can choose any theme within these genres. Submissions are accepted in languages such as Turkish, Bengali, Chinese, Creole, French, Greek, English, Maltese, Samoan, Portuguese, Tamil, and Swahili. Out of around 20 selected stories, only five regional winners will be chosen. All regional winning stories will be published on Granta. The Commonwealth Award promotes equality, justice, and inclusion.
This contest supports active participation in governance, encourages the growth of civil societies in Commonwealth countries, and promotes the organization’s values. The Commonwealth Foundation is dedicated to upholding integrity, respect, professionalism, innovation, diversity of thought, and collaboration. It aims to strengthen public dialogue and build democratic societies worldwide.
Details
- Host Country: United Kingdom
- Host Organization: Commonwealth Foundation
Benefits
- Prize money between £2,500 and £5,000.
- Exposure to international English writing standards.
- Insight into the Commonwealth’s mission and values.
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to citizens of all Commonwealth member countries.
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Must submit a high-quality, original story between 2,000 and 5,000 words.
- The story must not have been published previously.
- No discrimination based on gender, race, or religion.
Prize Regions
- Africa: Includes Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and others.
- Asia: Includes India, Pakistan, Malaysia, and others.
- Canada and Europe: Includes Canada, the United Kingdom, Cyprus, and others.
- Caribbean: Includes Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and others.
- Pacific: Includes Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and others.
How to Apply
- Apply through the official website.
- Register and enter the competition.
- Read the entry rules carefully.
- Fill in all required details and submit your story.
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Entry Rules
- Entries must be submitted by the original author through the online form by November 1, 2024 (11:59 PM in any time zone).
- Only one entry per writer is allowed each year.
- The story must be original and unpublished (except on personal blogs or websites).
- Stories previously submitted to the competition are not eligible.
- Stories must be in English or another approved language with no English translation available.
- Translations are allowed if submitted by the original author.
- The story must be 2,000 to 5,000 words long (excluding the title).
- Upload your story as a PDF with the story title as the file name. Do not include your name or any personal details.
- Use Arial 12-point font, double-spaced, with numbered pages.
- The story must be adult fiction, not aimed solely at children.
Selection Criteria
- Strong writing skills.
- Academic excellence.
- Fulfillment of eligibility requirements.
Application Deadline: November 1, 2024.