Commonwealth Writers' Prize
こもんうぇるす・らいたーずしょう
An international literary award established by the Commonwealth Foundation in 1987. Regional winners were selected, and the Pan-Commonwealth best work was determined from among the regional winners. In 2011, the traditional award was discontinued, and since then, the short story award has continued under the Commonwealth Writers program.
- Established
- 1987
- Organizer
- Commonwealth Foundation (Commonwealth Writers)
- Category
- Literature and General Literary Arts
- Selection Method
- Open call
- Target
- Newcomer
- Frequency
- Once a year
- Status
- Ended
Description
The Commonwealth Writers' Prize was established in 1987 by the Commonwealth Foundation, with Best Book (1987–2011) and Best First Book (1989–2011) selected across four regions (Africa, Canada & Caribbean, Europe & South Asia, South East Asia & Pacific). The winning works from each region competed for the Pan-Commonwealth best at that year's public program. From 1996–2011, the Commonwealth Short Story Competition ran in parallel, with winning works broadcast on radio. In 2012, the format was revised, and a new Commonwealth Writers program was launched. In 2012–2013, the Commonwealth Book Prize (Best First Book: regional winner £2,500, overall winner £10,000) and Commonwealth Short Story Prize (regional winner £1,000, overall winner £5,000) were established, but the Book Prize was discontinued after 2013, with only the short story prize continuing.
Prize
- Main Prize
- Regional winners (4 regions) and the Pan-Commonwealth Best Book and Best First Book selected from regional winners
- 2012–2013 Commonwealth Book Prize (Best First Book): regional winner £2,500, overall winner £10,000
- 2012– Commonwealth Short Story Prize: regional winner £1,000, overall winner £5,000
- 1996–2011 Commonwealth Short Story Competition: overall winner £2,000, each regional award £500, highly commended £100
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regional selection | Regional judging panels (regional committees) | — | Regional awards are often announced in spring (around May) |
| Pan-Commonwealth final selection | International judging panel selected from regional winners | — | Pan-Commonwealth winning works announced at the annual public program |
| Short Story Prize (2012 onwards) | Two-stage judging by regional and international judges | — | Official announcement of regional and overall prizes (regional announcements + overall announcement) |
| Short Story Competition (1996–2011) | Judges from the Commonwealth Foundation and related organizations | — | Winning works broadcast on radio and announced on official website etc. |
Criteria
- Literary quality (style and expression)
- Narrative structure and storytelling strength
- Originality
- Expression of universal themes and regional characteristics
- Compliance with eligibility (e.g., Best First Book is debut publication, Short Story Prize is unpublished work, Commonwealth citizen etc.)
- Compliance with submission requirements such as word count and format
Application Tips
Dos
- Prioritize checking the official entry requirements (word count, format, submission method)
- Confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria (Commonwealth citizen etc., age, debut or unpublished)
- Proofread before submission and correct typos or format errors
- Keep cover letters or synopses concise and clearly convey the work's strengths
- Ensure short story entries are unpublished (Short Story Prize)
Don''ts
- Do not submit already published works as unpublished
- Do not ignore entry rules (word count, format, deadline)
- Do not plagiarize or infringe on others' copyrights
- Do not submit after the deadline
From Judges
- Value your unique voice (original narrative style)
- Short stories should hook readers with a clear opening
- Keep the story's focus (theme) clear
- Pay attention to details (descriptions, character settings) and ensure consistency
- Leveraging regional elements while demonstrating universal appeal leads to higher evaluation
Related Awards
- Commonwealth Short Story Prize
- Commonwealth Book Prize (2012–2013)
- Commonwealth Short Story Competition (1996–2011)
- Commonwealth Foundation's cultural programs and grants