This is for undiscovered BAME writers and illustrators, for books aimed at children. Entrants must be of black, Asian or minority ethnic background and UK- or Ireland-based. For writers, they want a maximum of 5,000 words of text (no minimum word count). Also, “There is no minimum word count and the maximum 5,000 words can be a sample of a longer work – it does not have to be a short story (though those are welcome too!)
We strongly advise you to complete your work as much as you can, even if you do not enter the whole manuscript: after the ceremony agents will request the full manuscript, so in order to get the most out of the prize, it is best to have the whole manuscript ready to go.
Please send in the complete story if the text is for a picture book. (Picture books should not be longer than 5000 words).” Entries must be text or artwork for children.
Value: £1,500 for the winner, £500 for the second place winner, and other non-cash prizes
Deadline: 21 August 2026
Open for: undiscovered BAME children’s writers in UK/Ireland
Details here. 

Deadline: August 21st, 2026