#Merky Books opens submissions for fifth annual New Writers’ Prize

Penguin Random House UK (PRH UK) and Stormzy’s #Merky Books imprint has opened submissions for the fifth annual New Writers’ Prize for "young, under-represented and unpublished writers" from the UK and ROI.

The prize is open to un-agented fiction writers between 18 and 35, whether they have a full manuscript or an idea to submit. According to the organisers, the team is looking for "the next Yomi Adegoke, R F Kuang and Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah".

The winner of the competition will get a publishing contract with the imprint, and all shortlisted writers will be invited to #Merky Books’ Writers’ Camp, which includes writing workshops, panel talks, editorial one-to-ones and opportunities to meet the team.

Applicants should submit a 200-word synopsis and a 1,500 word extract by midnight on Monday 2nd September. The Writers’ Camp will be selected on 18th October and will be held in-person in November. After that, applicants can resubmit their extracts on 2nd December, and the winner will be announced in February 2025.

The 2024 winner was Sufiyaan Salam for Wimmy Road Boyz, which will be published by #Merky Books in spring 2026.