Competition: The Oxford/42 New Writing Prize
A bit of a different post than usual from me today, but I know how important competitions like this can be for aspiring writers, and so I wanted to help spread the word about this exciting new opportunity!
I was fortunate enough to be longlisted in a writing competition (a subsidiary of the Dylan Thomas Prize, but for unpublished authors) very early on in my career, and although I didn’t win, it was so encouraging and really made me determined to keep going and secure that elusive publishing deal!
Please see below for details of this new competition, open to all writers (not just novelists) who are unagented / unpublished and live in the UK.
Competition details
The Faculty of English at the University of Oxford has announced the launch of a multi-disciplinary storytelling competition in conjunction with management and production company, 42.
The Oxford/42 New Writing Prize is looking for talented new voices in storytelling, and is open to aspiring novelists, playwrights, and screenwriters. They are interested in experimental writing as well as work that would appeal to a broad audience.
The competition is open to anyone over the age of 18 living, working or studying in the UK and Ireland at the closing date for submissions.
The winner will receive £1500 along with professional representation by 42.
The judges of the competition
The expert panel of judges from the worlds of literature, stage and screen includes; Abby Ajayi, creator of “Riches” (ITVX and Amazon) and writer on Emmy nominated “Inventing Anna” (Netflix); Chris Chibnall, creator of “Broadchurch” (ITV), “Doctor Who” Showrunner, and author of DEATH AT THE WHITE HART (Penguin 2025); Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, author of METAMORPHOSIS and Professor of English Literature at the University of Oxford; and Rona Munro, award winning Scottish dramatist of “The James Plays” and “Oranges and Sunshine”.
They will select a shortlist of up to six entries by 30 May 2025.
The winner will be announced in June.
“We are thrilled to be working with the Faculty of English at Oxford and such a stellar line up of judges to launch this inclusive prize. In today’s landscape we feel it is important to encourage storytellers in whichever medium they feel drawn to. As a literary agent, little beats the excitement of discovering new talent and we hope this Prize will encourage aspiring writers to finally get started on the idea they have been dreaming about”
How to enter
To enter the competition, you need to submit a synopsis (up to 300 words) and an elevator pitch of no more than two sentences for a work of fiction, along with one of the following:
Novel – the first 10,000 to 15,000 words
Stage or radio play – a complete script of between 30 and 90 pages
Screenplays – a script of between 30 and 60 pages for episode one of a TV show or a complete feature-length film script of 90 pages.
The competition is now accepting entries.
Please email your submission to: Oxfordwritingprize@42mp.com
The closing date is 30th April 2025.
“I’m delighted to be involved in judging the Oxford/42 New Writing Prize. It isn’t always easy for new writers to make their voices heard – all too often they are ignored or made to feel like uninvited guests at a private party – but I am greatly looking forward to discovering what they have to say”
Find out more about the team behind the competition here →
Wishing you the best of luck! 🍀
FUN STUFF FOR WRITERS 🤩
