Your novel doesn’t have to be finished. We only need the opening 5,000 to 8,000 words and a 300 word synopsis. If you’re long listed, your submission moves into the final twenty. Shortlisted? Then we’ll need the first 30,000 words including your original entry. It all adds up to an incredible opportunity.
The story I wrote for the competition was the first time I felt I found that elusive thing – my ‘voice’. Without the Bridport Prize I would probably not have found my agent and quite possibly wouldn’t have written Behind the Scenes at the Museum so I have a lot to be thankful to it for.
An extract of your novel will be published in our anthology and you will also receive advice from our partners including mentoring by The Literary Consultancy, consultation with London literary agent A.M. Heath and publisher Headline. Appearing in our anthology means you are published and opens up further opportunities. You will also have the chance to be part of our awards celebrations. Finally, we will continue to champion you as part of the Bridport Prize family.
Your novel extract will be in our anthology so you are published, which opens up further opportunities. Your manuscript will be assessed by The Literary Consultancy with invaluable editorial advice. It’s the start of a whole new beginning.
You also receive a 15,000 word appraisal from The Literary Consultancy. Your novel extract is featured in our anthology which means you are published and allows you to enter other competitions not open to the public.
You’ll have a chance to take part in an online Ask Me Anything session with our award partners, A M Heath Literary Agency, The Literary Consultancy and Headline Fiction.
The Novel is open to writers of any nationality writing in English aged 16 and over at the time of the closing date.
Discover details of the novel results timetable here.
Please read the Rules and Eligibility sections carefully before entering the competition. Entry implies acceptance of all the rules and failure to comply may result in disqualification.
IMPORTANT: All entries are judged anonymously. Please do not include your name, address, phone number, email, website, social media handle etc on the document or in the file name or it will be disqualified.
We disqualify entries if they are named, over the word limit or have no synopsis. If you forget to add the title or word count your entry will NOT be disqualified.
8,000 words max, 5,000 minimum taken from the opening chapter/s and a 300 word synopsis, which should form the first page/s of your entry. (Please note, the 300 word limit for the Synopsis is in addition to the 5 – 8,000 words.)
£26 per novel.
The first page/s of your entry must be a synopsis of 300 words maximum. Begin with a brief summary paragraph, followed by the rest of the synopsis. The 300 word limit is for the entire synopsis. How To Write A Synopsis
Entries must be submitted online or by post. No email submissions.
Entries must be typed in Arial 12 pt font, double-spaced with numbered pages and the novel’s title on every page. Save as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx) or PDF file with the novel title as the file name. Please do not include your name in the file name as this will lead to disqualification. Max 2MB file. Include the word count for the synopsis and submission on the top right first page.
Postal entry forms can be downloaded from the website. Please send one copy of your manuscript and a completed form. Amendments or substitutions cannot be made after submission. If you wish to correct errors, you must submit a new entry marked FINAL VERSION on the first page, enter again and pay the fee. No correspondence about amendments will be entered into. Entries cannot be returned. Please keep a copy. If you want to know your entry has arrived safely, please include a stamped self-addressed postcard with ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in the top left hand corner.
It is not possible to confirm receipt of entries by phone or email.
The judges’ decision is final and no individual correspondence can be entered into. Judges are unable to comment on individual entries. The Bridport Prize reserves the right to change the judge without notice.
Worldwide copyright remains with the author but the Bridport Prize has the unrestricted right to publish extracts from the twenty long listed novels in our anthology and any relevant promotional material.
The Bridport Prize reserves the right to amend these rules where it deems necessary. Any changes to the rules will be posted on our website.
A prize-giving event will be held at Bridport Arts Centre, Dorset for the winner, runner-up and three Highly Commended winners on Saturday 17th October 2026.
Full results and the Judges’ Report will be published on the website from 9am that day.
Any entrant found to be in contravention of the terms and conditions will be disqualified.
If you have a query about eligibility, please contact [email protected]
Q: Can I make changes after submission?
A: No. If you want to submit an updated version you have to enter again and pay the fee. You can withdraw your original entry by logging into your Submittable account. To see how to withdraw, please click here. To withdraw postal entries, please email [email protected]
Q: Do you accept email attachments?
A: No. You can only submit online or by post.
Q: An earlier version of my work was shortlisted in another competition but I’ve changed it. Can I submit it?
A: If you did not receive a cash prize and it has been updated, then it is eligible.
Q: My work was long listed in another competition and published in an online anthology. Can I submit it?
A: Yes as long as fewer than 8,000 words were published.
Q: Are simultaneous submissions to other competitions allowed?
A: Yes, on the understanding you will immediately withdraw from the Bridport Prize if it wins elsewhere. Equally, if you win with us you should withdraw from any other competitions.
Q: How many pieces can I enter?
A: You can enter any number of pieces in each category.
Q: What about copyright?
A: Worldwide copyright remains with the author but we have unrestricted rights to first publish extracts from the long listed novels in the Novel Long List Anthology. Plus we may use extracts for promotional material.
Q: Must entries be unpublished?
A: Novels that have previously been self-published in book or ebook form are eligible. Novels that have been traditionally published are ineligible.
Q: Does the novel on my blog count as publication?
A: No.
Q: Are translations allowed?
A: An author’s translation of their own work into English is eligible but someone else’s or an AI translation of the work is not.
Q: My novel was previously published in another language. Can I submit it in translation?
A: Yes, providing you made the translation yourself and it has not been published in the UK.
Q: How do you sort entries if they’re anonymous?
A: Postal entries are coded then matched to an entry form once the judges have made their decision. Online entries are automatically tagged with a number connected to personal details.
Q: Can I use a pen name?
A: Yes. But please submit your piece in your real name. When winners are selected, we check what name you want to use.
Q: Can I re-submit the same novel I entered in last year’s competition?
A: Yes.
Q: I accidentally included my details on the novel. Will it be disqualified?
A: Yes. You need to start over.
Q: Are entries returned after judging?
A: No. They are deleted or shredded.
Q: When are winners notified?
A: A long-list of twenty titles will be published on the website on 24th July 2026. The shortlist will be published on 27th August. The winner and runner-up will be contacted by email in early October.
Q: How do I get a postal entry form?
A: Download and print it from our website or email [email protected] to get one posted.
Q: What happens if I send my postal entry close to the deadline?
A: Entries postmarked on 31 May deadline date but arriving later will be accepted. Late entries are not.
Q: What if I forget to add a word count?
A: Don’t worry. We check if the work is long listed.
The Bridport Prize is a way into the publishing industry. But more than that it’s a real confidence boost. Just being on the shortlist is a great achievement.
