#Merky Books is looking for unpublished and agentless writers with manuscripts or ideas to be put on paper! The application will require authors to write a 200 word synopsis and 1,500 word extract for works of fiction.

The annual prize aims to discover unpublished and under-represented writers aged 16-30 from the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Writers can submit fiction, non-fiction and poetry – with the winner receiving a publishing contract with #Merky Books, an imprint within Penguin Random House UK.

With the aim of scouting stories from the new generation of writers and readers for better representation across the whole of the UK within the pages of the book, #Merky Books’ ‘New Writer’s Prize’ offers writers a boot camp, writing workshop, editorial one-to-one and a chance to meet the Merky Books Team.

The prize represents the heart of what #Merky does, publishing bold voices from untraditional spaces, and providing a platform and literary home for new talent. Those on the shortlist will be invited to a writers’ camp where they will learn more about the publishing process through workshops and panel talks as well as receiving one-to-one feedback from Penguin Random House UK editors and the #Merky Books team.

Commenting on the New Writer’s Prize, Stormzy states,

“I know too many talented writers that don’t always have an outlet or a means to get their work seen and hopefully #Merky Books can now be a reference point for them to say “I can be an author” and for that to be a realistic and achievable goal. Reading and writing as a kid were integral to where I am today and I from the bottom of my heart cannot wait to hear your stories and get them out into the big wide world”

Last year, more than 2,000 submissions were received before Jyoti Patel was crowned the winner for her coming-of-age novel The Things That We Lost – which was published in January 2023.

Deadline for submissions: 29th August 2023.

For more information and to enter visit https://www.penguin.co.uk/merky-new-writers-prize