The Oxford Centre for Fantasy and Pushkin Children's Books launch new prize for fantasy authors

The Oxford Centre for Fantasy and Pushkin Children’s Books have launched The Oxford / Pushkin Children’s Fantasy Prize for fantasy novelists.

Announced to mark the 50th anniversary of J R R Tolkien’s death, the prize aims to promote "fresh ideas and new voices in the fantasy genre", for those writing for a middle-grade and young adult audience. 

Submissions will open on 31st March and will close on 31st May with the shortlist announcement planned for 7th September and a "special" winner ceremony October.

The winner will receive a £2,000 prize as well as mentorship with an editor at Pushkin Children’s Books. Runners-up will also receive prizes to help them develop their writing skills.

The Oxford Centre for Fantasy was set up to honour Tolkien and his "Inklings" – a literary group associated with Tolkien and C S Lewis.