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University of Oxford and production company 42 launch new storytelling competition
The Faculty of English at the University of Oxford is launching a new storytelling competition along with management and production company, 42. The competition is open to anyone over the age of 18 living, working or studying in the UK and Ireland at the closing date for submissions. The winner will receive £1,500 along with professional representation by 42.
It is open to aspiring novelists, playwrights and screenwriters, and is accepting both experimental writing as well as work that would appeal to a broad audience.
The judging panel includes Abby Ajayi, creator of “Riches” (ITVX and Amazon) and writer on Emmy-nominated “Inventing Anna” (Netflix); Chris Chibnall, creator of “Broadchurch” (ITV), “Doctor Who” Showrunner, and author of Death at the White Hart (Penguin 2025); Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, author of Metamorphosis and professor of English Literature at the University of Oxford; and Rona Munro, Scottish dramatist of “The James Plays” and “Oranges and Sunshine”.
The judges will select a shortlist of up to six entries by 30th May 2025. The winner will be announced in June.
Entrants must submit a synopsis (up to 300 words) and an elevator pitch of no more than two sentences for a work of fiction, along with one of the following:
- Novel – the first 10,000 to 15,000 words
- Stage or radio play – a complete script of between 30 and 90 pages
- Screenplays – a script of between 30 and 60 pages for episode one of a TV show or a complete feature-length film script of 90 pages.
Robert Douglas-Fairhurst said: “I’m delighted to be involved in judging the Oxford/42 New Writing Prize. It isn’t always easy for new writers to make their voices heard – all too often they are ignored or made to feel like uninvited guests at a private party – but I am greatly looking forward to discovering what they have to say.”
Eugenie Furniss, literary agent at 42, said: “In today’s landscape we feel it is important to encourage storytellers in whichever medium they feel drawn to. As a literary agent, little beats the excitement of discovering new talent and we hope this prize will encourage aspiring writers to finally get started on the idea they have been dreaming about”.
Entries should be emailed to: oxfordwritingprize@42mp.com. The closing date is 30th April 2025.
