FEBRUARY 18, 2025 — The Azhar Writing Prize, which aims “to increase the representation of Arab voices in English literature,” is open to submissions from Arab writers who “have not had a novel or a collection of short stories published.”
Submissions are open through March 27, 2025.
The awards for first, second and third prizes are: £1,500, £1,200 and £1,000. There will be an additional award of £200 for translators of winning entries.
Submissions must be 1,000 words or less of prose, not including the title. They must be in English, although the prize welcomes submissions in translation. These submissions can be unpublished fictional prose, a short story, an extract of a longer piece or manuscript, or creative non-fiction/memoir on any subject. Poetry will not be considered.
Prize administrator Emma Fullerton said that they’re looking for fewer than 1,000 words because, “The idea is for the prize to be accessible for new and unpublished writers, including people who can’t spend hours a day writing. That’s also why it’s free to enter.”
Submissions must be pasted into the body of an email and sent to: azharwriting@gmail.com.
The Azhar Writing Prize is set to announce their winners in August 2025. Authors and translators interested in submitting can find out more at The Azhar Writing Prize instagram.