The WestWords Prize is a new publishing Prize that welcomes submissions from writers of fiction and narrative non-fiction who have a completed, previously unpublished manuscript, and who have a connection to Western Sydney.
The winner of the Prize will receive a publication deal with WestWords’ Books, WestWords’ adult trade imprint.
Dates …
- The WestWords Prize opens August 26th, 2024
- The WestWords Prize closes October 8th, 2024
- The Winner of the Prize will be announced late November, 2024
Connection to Western Sydney …
For the purposes of this Prize, we define a connection to Western Sydney as one of these three:
- have been born and raised in Greater Western Sydney
- have lived in Greater Western Sydney for more than 2 years
- have worked in the region for a substantial length of time and within the past 5 years
The manuscript …
- must be completed, and not previously published (including self-published)
- can be any genre of fiction or narrative non-fiction, intended for an adult readership
- must be between 60k and 90k words
- must not be entered into any other prizes, or under consideration at any other publisher
- must be submitted in 12pt font, Times New Roman, double spaces, with default margins
FAQ & Terms and Conditions
Click here to read the full terms and conditions of entry.
I am a published author, can I still enter?
Yes, the Prize welcomes submissions from authors who have previously published both traditionally and self-published. It is the manuscript that must be completed and previously unpublished.
My manuscript is for a YA and adult audience, can I enter?
We recommend manuscripts be intended for an adult readership.
My manuscript is over 90k, can I still enter?
Manuscripts must be between the 60k-90k range (with minor allowance either side). Manuscripts over 90.9k will not be read.
I have a poetry collection, or a short story collection, may I enter?
No, this is a call for novel-length works of fiction and narrative non-fiction prose.
Which LGAs are considered “Western Sydney”?
Western Sydney is defined as these LGAs:
- Blacktown City
- Blue Mountains City
- Camden Council
- Campbelltown City
- Cumberland Council
- Fairfield City
- The City of Canterbury-Bankstown
- Hawkesbury City
- Liverpool City
- The City of Parramatta
- Penrith City
- The Hills Shire
- Wollondilly Shire
I am not sure about my connection to Western Sydney, should I still enter?
If you are unsure if you meet the requirements of entry, or have any questions at all, please email admin@westwords.com.au
Click here to learn more about WestWords Books publication imprint