New Voices Award 2026: Mentorship & Editorial Support for Emerging Writers
The Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation is proud to present the New Voices Award, an exciting opportunity for unpublished writers to bring their ideas to life. This award is designed for authors who are in the earliest stages of their work-in-progress — those with a story to tell but not yet committed to a full manuscript. Through mentorship, editorial guidance, and structured support, the New Voices Award helps emerging writers develop their fledgling ideas into compelling narratives.
This programme is especially committed to diverse and underrepresented voices, welcoming submissions from writers of all backgrounds. Whether you identify as Black, Asian, minority ethnic, LGBTQ+, socio-economically marginalized, disabled, or have a long-term health condition, the Foundation encourages you to submit your unique story.
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CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION
✨ About the Award
The New Voices Award was inspired by the legacy of Wilbur Smith, whose first novel opened a window into African history and culture and launched a career spanning decades and over 140 million book sales worldwide. The programme seeks to unearth fresh literary talent and support these writers from the very start of their journey.
Selected writers gain one-to-one mentoring and editorial development, helping them complete a first draft of their manuscript over nine months. Every two months, participants receive editorial feedback and participate in online mentoring calls to discuss structure, story arc, and character development.
While the programme does not guarantee publication, it is a fast-track to finishing a draft and refining a manuscript into the strongest version of itself.
📚 What We Are Looking For
Entries must be:
Intended for an adult readership
Set in our world — either contemporary or historical
Narrative fiction, commercially viable, and early-stage works only
Submissions should be:
• Distinctive, immersive, and unputdownable
• Centered on characters that inspire or challenge readers
• Capable of broadening horizons through cultural or geographical exploration
• Written in a style that keeps readers turning pages
Important: The New Voices Award is not for full-length drafts. It is for fresh ideas or early works-in-progress — a starting point, not a finished manuscript.
CHECK OUT THIS WRITING COMPETITION
📝 How to Enter
To participate, writers must submit:
The opening three chapters of their manuscript (maximum 10,000 words)
A plot outline (maximum 1,000 words) describing where the story will go
Submissions should be double-spaced, in font size 12, and reflect original, unpublished work. Manuscripts that have been previously published in part or full, self-published, or under a publishing contract are not eligible.
Entry Fee
Early bird: £20 per submission (until February 28, 2026, 23:59 GMT)
Standard: £30 per submission (after February 28, 2026)
Fee waivers are available for writers unable to meet the financial requirement. Requests are considered individually and can be sent to charlotte@wilbur-niso-smithfoundation.org.
📅 Submission Period
Open: January 9, 2026
Close: April 30, 2026, 23:59 BST
Early submissions are encouraged to maximize mentoring opportunities and guidance throughout the programme.
APPLY HERE
🌟 Why Enter?
Being selected as one of five New Voices provides:
Tailored editorial guidance
• Mentorship calls with experienced editors and industry professionals
• Insight into the publishing and querying process
• Structured support to complete a draft while balancing real-life commitments
• This is a rare chance to receive expert advice at the start of your writing journey, helping turn your ideas into a polished manuscript ready for the literary world.
💬 Join the Next Generation of Storytellers
If you have a fresh story, a unique voice, and the ambition to develop your manuscript with professional guidance, the New Voices Award 2026 is your opportunity to draft, develop, and deliver.
For full details, terms, and guidance, visit the official website and review the Terms & Conditions before submitting.
✨ Submit your story, start your journey, and let your voice be heard.
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Your story could be the one that inspires a new beginning—for you and for someone else.
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