The 26 Emerging Writer Award, supported by Quietroom, is for someone who began commercial writing in the last five years. You might be young and just starting out, or you might have switched careers later in life. There’s no age limit. And you don’t have to be a 26 member to enter.
You can nominate yourself or recommend someone else whose work deserves recognition. Winners get a beautifully designed trophy and highly commended writers receive hand-printed certificates, all created by master typographer Dr Phil Cleaver.
Anushka Shah writes:
One of the best parts of winning Emerging Writer 2024 is the community I’ve found through 26. As part of the award, I was granted 1 year of membership to 26, through which I’ve been lucky to have had the chance to engage in regular writing projects, meet other members, and participate in Wordstock — an annual event hosted as part of Bloomsbury Festival — where I was invited to sit on the panel discussion ‘A Writing Life’. The feedback from the competition judges came at a great time for me, encouraging me to continue developing my writing project, Pantoscope (www.pantoscope.co.uk). My project has, in turn, led to further fruitful and exciting collaborations over the past year. I’m excited for what the next year of writing will bring and I’m grateful to 26 for the support.
And Poppy Booth adds:
As a copywriter still growing my experience and honing my skills, I never thought an award like this would be in my reach. However, I was nominated by someone I hugely respect, and was so honoured to be named one of the highly commended writers in last year’s 26 Emerging Writer award. This was a huge surprise – and a very validating one! Earning this has boosted my confidence massively, given me a new sense of energy towards my work, and allowed me to grow enough that I ended this year going full-time freelance. All of this to say, if you’re unsure whether you stand a chance being recognised for your work, apply anyway. You never know what might happen.
How to enter
Send examples of your work (or someone else’s) to 26writersgroup@gmail.com along with two or three paragraphs explaining why you or they should be considered. The work should ideally be published online or in print, but unpublished portfolio work is fine too. Entry is free.
The deadline is Thursday 26th February. We’ll run the awards ceremony online in late March or mid-April.
We’d love to see what you’re working on.
Andy Hayes