Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize
くいーん・めありー・わさふぃり しんじん らいてぃんぐしょう
An annual international prize for emerging writers who have not yet published a book, established in 2009 to mark Wasafiri magazine's 25th anniversary. Open to entries in Fiction, Poetry, and Life Writing; since 2025, submissions in translation are accepted across all categories.
- Established
- 2009
- Organizer
- Wasafiri (Wasafiri magazine)
- Category
- Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
- Selection Method
- Open call
- Target
- Newcomer
- Frequency
- 1 per year
- Application Deadline
- around June
- Announcement Period
- around September
- Status
- Active
Description
The Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize is an annual literary prize for new writers hosted by Wasafiri magazine, founded in 2009. No restrictions on age, gender, nationality, or background; targets writers who have not yet published a completed book. Judging in three categories: Fiction, Poetry (poetry), and Life Writing, with winning works published in print and online editions of Wasafiri magazine. Winners are typically announced in October, often at an event in a London venue.
Prize
- Main Prize
- Winning works from each category are published in Wasafiri magazine (print and online). Increased recognition and publication opportunities expected from winning.
- Publication of winning work in Wasafiri magazine
- Announcement at award event
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application reception and format check | Administrative reception check by Wasafiri editorial team (eligibility verification) | — | — |
| First round (longlist) | Written review by editorial team and guest judges (varies by year) | — | — |
| Final selection and winner determination | Final panel including chair (guest judges announced annually) | — | Winners are announced on Wasafiri's official site and at the announcement event, usually in October. |
Criteria
- Entrants must not have published a completed book (targets unpublished writers)
- Work must match the submission category (Fiction / Poetry / Life Writing)
- Originality (uniqueness) and technical proficiency of the prose
- Thematic depth, expressive power, and impact on readers
Application Tips
Dos
- Always check the official site for the latest guidelines and deadlines
- Proofread entries meticulously and submit adhering to the category (Fiction / Poetry / Life Writing)
- Confirm unpublished status (ineligible if a completed book has been published)
- Follow submission requirements (format, word count, etc.)
Don''ts
- Do not apply if you have already published a book
- Do not ignore guidelines by exceeding format or word count
- Do not submit plagiarized or unsourced works
From Judges
- 2023 judges praised winners' 'urgency, maturity, technical strength'. Focus on thematic weight and technique.
- Emphasize clear voice (unique voice) and structure to show originality.
- Follow guidelines and carefully finish your work when applying.