The Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation is seeking submissions for the 2026 New Voices Award, a development programme designed to support aspiring writers working an adventure novel.<\/p>\n
Each year, five unpublished and unrepresented writers are selected to take part in a one-to-one mentoring and editorial development programme. Over the course of nine months, writers receive guidance from an experienced editor to help shape their idea and develop it into a completed first draft.<\/p>\n
Writers follow a structured timeline with regular submission points, receiving detailed editorial feedback and online mentoring sessions to discuss progress, challenges and craft. Writers also receive feedback on their finished manuscript from a publisher and receive advice from a literary agent to learn more about the querying process.<\/p>\n
The award is open to unpublished and unrepresented writers anywhere in the world who are developing a work of adult narrative fiction set in the real world, whether contemporary or historical. We are looking for distinctive, transportive stories that take readers on a compelling journey.<\/p>\n
To apply, writers must submit:<\/p>\n
\u2022 The opening three chapters of their novel (up to 10,000 words)
\n\u2022 A plot outline of up to 1,000 words describing where they imagine their story may go<\/p>\n
The New Voices Award is about potential rather than polish – we’re looking for fledgling ideas and understand that your submission will be in the early stages of writing. We particularly encourage submissions from writers whose voices are underrepresented in publishing.<\/p>\n
Deadline: 30th April 2026<\/p>\n