An annual prize jointly presented by Morley College London and the Rachel Mills Literary Agency, awarded to a previously unpublished aspiring authors of colour.

The prize is intended to nurture and provide opportunities for aspiring novelists of colour, promote diverse fiction across the broader literary landscape of Britain and continue Morley College’s long history of educational excellence, community engagement, and support for social justice.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

To enter this prize, you will need to submit a manuscript of the first 30-50 pages of an original novel, as well as a 3-page maximum outline of the whole plot of the novel.

Manuscripts should be submitted in word doc. or PDF, in Times New Roman font, size 12, 1.5 spaced.

Filenames and title pages should include the applicant’s name and the novel title.

Non-fiction, short fiction, poetry and children’s fiction works are not eligible for entry into this prize.

Only one submission per applicant is permitted.

The submission must not, in whole or part, have been previously published, including print, ebook, self-publishing or web-publishing.

ELIGIBILITY

In accordance with its ambition to improve access and diversity in publishing and British literature this prize is intended for unpublished writers of colour, a term defined in accordance with the terminology style guide of the Office of National Statistics as being a person of Asian, Asian British / Arab / Black, African, Caribbean or Black British / Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups, or other marginalised ethnic groups.

To be eligible an applicant must:

• Be over the age of 18
• Be resident in the UK or Republic of Ireland for the duration of the prize
• Have not previously had a novel or novella published, including self-publishing and e-publishing
• Not be signed with an agent at the time of application.

Applications require a personal statement of not more than 300 words. Please explain in this statement your eligibility for this prize against the criteria above.

TIMELINE

22nd August 2021 – Applications close

12th September 2021 – Longlist announced

24th September 2021 – Shortlist announced

12th October 2021 – Prize-giving event

PRIZES

Shortlisted applications will receive a certificate, an invitation (+1) to the prize launch, a digital advice session with a literary agent, and the opportunity to exhibit an extract of their work online and as part of the Cardew Gallery exhibition

The winner will receive the above shortlist prizes, and in addition £500, an award certificate, a discount voucher for a Morley College course of their choice, and a free manuscript review and one-hour in person meeting with a professional literary agent from RML, and an appearance on Pamela R. Haynes Island Girls podcast to discuss their work

The prize does not guarantee representation for the winner or for short-listed applicants. Offers of representation will be entirely at the discretion of RML

Shortlisted authors, including the winner, are required to participate in limited promotional activities for the prize, such as contributing to a blog or podcast episode, and the prize should be acknowledged in any shortlisted works subsequently published.

APPLICATIONS

To apply, simply send a an email to morleylitprize@morleycollege.ac.uk. This email should include your name and the word “application” in the subject line. The application should include an attachment containing your manuscript pages, plot summary and a personal statement of no more than 300 words which explains your eligibility for the prize, as laid out in the Submissions Guidelines above.