Could you be the next Jodi Picoult, Rose Carlyle or Jacqueline Bublitz?

Is there a manuscript in your bottom drawer just waiting to be finished? Have you got a burning idea for a bestselling novel?

We are delighted to announce the inaugural annual Allen & Unwin New Zealand Commerical Fiction Prize.

The winner will be awarded a publishing contract with an advance against royalties of $NZ10,000.

The prize will be open to all unpublished full-length manuscripts in the commercial fiction genre between 70,000 and 100,000 words in length, written by citizens and residents of New Zealand.

Both debut writers and already-published authors will be eligible to enter.

Entries are open from Wednesday 1 December 2021 and close on Friday 25 March 2022.

The winner will be announced in September 2022 and their novel will published the following year.

Allen & Unwin NZ Publishing Director, Jenny Hellen, is excited to see find out what undiscovered gems the award will uncover. 

“Long recognised by the industry for the strength of our non-fiction list, we are now on a mission to find New Zealand’s best commercial fiction authors. We know there is a real appetite for quality commercial fiction and are looking forward to discovering strong New Zealand voices and new talent,” Jenny says.

Allen & Unwin NZ Publisher, Michelle Hurley, adds, “The Allen & Unwin NZ Commercial Fiction Prize is the perfect way to support New Zealand writers and give our readers fantastic, home-grown stories that resonate and we can’t wait to help foster Kiwi fiction writers.”

For details on how to enter Visit Here and follow A&U on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.