Terms & Conditions

  • The Prize is open to both published and unpublished writers.
  • The manuscript must be a complete work of fiction or narrative non-fiction, between 60,000 and 90,000 words, aimed at an adult readership.
  • The manuscript must be written in English and an entirely original work, written by the entrant.
  • Any works created by, or its creation assisted by, the use of generative AI will not be accepted.
  • No more than 10% of the manuscript can be previously published in any form, including self-publishing.
  • The submitted manuscript cannot be under consideration to any other publisher or entered in any other award.
  • Entrants to the prize must not be a current employee of WestWords.
  • Manuscripts must be double spaced, to include the title and page number on every page, and to be written in a simple, clear font. Time News Roman preferred. The manuscript must be submitted as either a PDF or Word document.
  • Entrants must demonstrate their connection to Western Sydney.
  • Entrants must include a short synopsis (no more than 600 words) and a short bio (no more than 300 words) of the entrant.
  • Entrants must be citizens or full-time residents of Australia.
  • All entries must be submitted via the entry form on the WestWords website by October 8th, 5pm, 2024. Hard copy or emailed submissions will not be accepted.
  • Entries will be judged on the manuscript’s literary merit and commercial potential.
  • The judging panel will include a representative from WestWords & external assessors. 
  • The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into either during or after the judging process.
  • The winner and shortlistees will be notified by phone and/or email. The winner will be announced in late November 2024, and on the WestWords website. 
  • The winner of the WestWords Prize receives a publication deal with WestWords Books, which constitutes an advance against royalties from sales, and a contract to publish the winning book with WestWords Books. Only one prize will be awarded. The offer of publication will be made in good faith and based on competitive commercial terms for the work.
  • WestWords Books will make an offer for worldwide publications rights in the winning entry, under the terms of a publishing agreement, which shall be negotiated with the winner in good faith and in line with industry norms. The winner of the WestWordsPrize agrees to negotiate those terms in good faith.
  • WestWords Books reserves the right to make a good faith offer based on competitive commercial terms for worldwide publication rights to any manuscript submitted to the competition, until the winner has been announced. Work submitted to the prize must not be offered for publication elsewhere until after the winner has been announced.
  • The winner and shortlistees grant WestWords the right to use all or any part of their entry for the purpose of announcing or promoting the author as a winning entrant, or to promote the prize itself.
  • The winner and shortlistees agree to take part in events and media activities to promote the prize.
  • WestWords reserves the right not to offer a prize if in its reasonable opinion no entry is received which is of an acceptable standard to warrant publication.
  • By entering the WestWords Prize you accept the conditions of entry and give your consent for your manuscript to be considered for the prize.

In entering the competition you warrant that: 

  • Publication of your manuscript by WestWords Books will in no way whatsoever infringe on any existing copyright or licence or any other right of any third person. (This includes the use of generative AI).
  • The work contains no defamatory matter, or any matter which invades any individual’s right of privacy.
  • All statements in the work purporting to be facts are true.