Goldsmiths Prize

ごーるどすみすしょう

Annual literary prize awarded to innovative or experimental novels that expand the formal possibilities of the novel form, targeting UK and Irish writers and publishers.

Innovative fictionNovelBritish and Irish literature

Established: 2013
Organizer: Goldsmiths, University of London; New Statesman
Category: General Fiction and Popular Fiction
Selection Method: Recommendation
Target: Professional
Frequency: 1 per year
Application Deadline: around June
Announcement Period: around November
Status: Active

Description

The Goldsmiths Prize was established in 2013 by Goldsmiths, University of London in collaboration with New Statesman. It targets 'mould-breaking' novels by UK or Irish citizens/residents that extend the possibilities of the novel form. The winner receives £10,000. Eligible works are limited to novels published by publishers based in the UK or Ireland. The official purpose uses the phrase 'breaks the mould or extends the possibilities of the novel form.'

Prize

Main Prize: Winner receives a cash prize of £10,000
Cash Prize: 10,000 GBP

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Nomination/Entry	Accepts nominations from publishers etc., handled and managed by organizers	Unknown	Application information and procedures are provided on the official website (no detailed deadline specified in materials)
Shortlist Selection	Annually composed judging panel (external writers, critics, etc.)	Unknown	Shortlist is typically announced in early October on the official website etc.
Winner Selection	The same judging panel selects the winner from the shortlist	Unknown	Winner is typically announced in early to mid-November on the official website and New Statesman etc.

Nomination/Entry

Judges Accepts nominations from publishers etc., handled and managed by organizers

Pass Rate Unknown

Announcement Application information and procedures are provided on the official website (no detailed deadline specified in materials)

Shortlist Selection

Judges Annually composed judging panel (external writers, critics, etc.)

Pass Rate Unknown

Announcement Shortlist is typically announced in early October on the official website etc.

Winner Selection

Judges The same judging panel selects the winner from the shortlist

Pass Rate Unknown

Announcement Winner is typically announced in early to mid-November on the official website and New Statesman etc.

Criteria

Extends the form or narrative possibilities of the novel (innovation)
Literary quality and practical effect of the work
Author is a citizen or resident of the UK or Ireland
Work is published by a publisher based in the UK or Ireland

Application Tips

Dos

Confirm in advance that eligibility criteria (author's residence/citizenship, publisher's location) are met
Specifically explain the formal and content innovation of the work (demonstrate why it 'breaks the mould')
Follow formal nomination/entry procedures through the publisher
Prepare supporting materials such as publication info (release date, publisher location etc.), reviews, and recommendations

Don''ts

Do not apply with works not published by UK/Irish publishers
Do not merely describe it as 'experimental' without detailed explanation
Do not apply with ineligible formats (unpublished works etc.)

From Judges

Clearly demonstrate how the work extends the possibilities of the novel
Explain the formal adventure and its effect on readers (why it matters)
Convey the work's unique attempts and effects specifically, without relying on the term 'experimental fiction'
Supplement how editing or translation contributes to the work's innovation