The Book Edit Writers' Prize: Spotlight on last year's winners

As submissions for The Book Edit Writers’ Prize are now fully under way, we wanted to highlight how previous winners have benefited from the competition.

Clare Ramsaran

Since winning the Book Edit Writers’ Prize last year, Clare went on to be shortlisted for the Unbound Firsts Prize and longlisted for the Leeds Literary Prize.

In Clare's own words:

"Being a winner of the Book Edit Writers Prize was a huge confidence boost to me... It gave me the opportunity to share my work with a number of agents, a mentoring session with a Commissioning Editor from Legend Press and introduced me to a cohort of talented and nurturing writers (we're still in touch). The Book Edit team could not have been more supportive. If you're thinking of applying, don't hesitate!"

Winner Pavan Amara

Winner Clare Ramsaran

Pavan Amara:

“It was an honour to win last year's Book Edit Writers' Prize. It kickstarted my career as a writer. I'd recommend that any aspiring writer of colour apply."

The prize has also contributed to a sense of community among the winners.

Stephanie Torrance:

Winner Stephanie Torrance

"The Book Edit Writer's Prize was the very first writing prize I ever entered, so winning gave me so much confidence that I can actually pursue writing as a career. The community aspect of the prize, I feel, is also invaluable. I'm still in touch with the girls who also won and we keep up to date with each other's progress and successes. Since winning the prize, I received a scholarship to the Faber Academy for one of their novel writing courses so I've spent most of this year deconstructing my novel draft while doing the course with a view to begin querying agents early next year. This time last year, my draft was really rough. It's improved a lot in the last twelve months, in no small part due to the confidence and validation from winning the prize.”

After being picked as one of the original winners for 2023 Nicola Fieldsend went on to sign with a top literary agency.  In her words,

"I was delighted to discover I was one of the original eight winners of The Book Edit Writers' Prize 2023. Shortly after the news, I stepped down to sign with Hayley Steed at Janklow & Nesbit... The Book Edit Writers' Prize has been an important part of my writing journey ever since I was longlisted in 2022. Congratulations to the winners, and if you submitted in 2023, try again in 2024! You never know what might happen!"

There's no doubt that the contest has given the winners not only an introduction to the publishing world, but also increased confidence in their writing and a sense of community.

Thinking of applying this year?

We’re thrilled that our 2024 prize judge will be acclaimed author Lara Haworth. Lara will choose eight winners from a writing competition for British and/ or UK-based unpublished novelists from backgrounds and communities currently underrepresented in UK publishing.

Legend Press’s Commissioning Editor, Lauren Wolff-Jones, will read the winners’ first chapters and provide individual advice and feedback via Zoom.

The deadline for the submissions is the 15th October 2024 and you can see the full details and rules here. It’s a competition no one can lose that’s completely free to enter! For full competition details, dates and submission guidelines follow this link or click the button below to enter straight away. 

The Book Edit Writers' Prize 2024 Launches Today

We are thrilled to announce the launch today of the Book Edit Writers' Prize 2024, an initiative dedicated to discovering and promoting talented, unpublished novelists.

A Platform for Emerging Talent

The eight winners of the competition will get to present their work at an online Zoom showcase in front of invited industry guests, with an anthology of their work and a recording of the showcase featured on The Book Edit’s official website. They also will have the opportunity to train and rehearse for the showcase event, and all participants will receive guidance on other options including mentoring, editing and courses.

As an added benefit this year, we will also record and spotlight the shortlisted entries to create exposure for more writers.

“It was an honour to win last year’s Book Edit Writers’ Prize. It kickstarted my career as a writer. I’d recommend that any aspiring writer of colour apply.”
— Pavan Amara, 2023 Winner

Writers’ Prize Judge 2024 Lara Haworth

Meet our Judge, Lara Haworth

We’re delighted to welcome Lara Haworth as the judge for this year’s prize. Lara is an artist and novelist, and author of the acclaimed Monumenta.

“I am honoured to judge this year’s Book Edit Writer’s Prize. The talent of the shortlisted writers over the last four years demonstrates both the strength of the competition and the continued need to carve out a space for writers from marginalised groups to thrive on their own terms. As a queer writer, the obstacles to success have been many. It is a real privilege to be part of a prize that works to remove some of those barriers, and I can’t wait to read the submissions”
— Lara Haworth, Writers' Prize Judge

What the Prize Offers

The Book Edit Writers' Prize is more than just a competition. It's a launchpad for emerging talent, offering:

  1. Industry Exposure: Eight winners will have the opportunity to showcase their work to top industry professionals.

  2. Publication Opportunity: A chance to be featured in our anthology, putting your work in front of a wider audience.

  3. Expert Feedback: Personalised feedback from Lauren Wolff-Jones, Commissioning Editor at Legend Press.

  4. Networking: Connect with fellow writers and industry insiders.

“Winning the Writers’ Prize was a real boost to my self-belief as a writer...With the renewed confidence that I gained after winning the prize, I applied for other competitions and was long listed, shortlisted and selected as a winner in some of them. Just go for it. You never know what might happen.”
— Rosalind Yarde, 2023 Winner

Key Dates

  • Submissions Open: September 1, 2024

  • Submission Deadline: October 15, 2024

  • Rehearsal for winning writers: 13th November 2024

  • Online showcase event: 20th November 2024

  • Anthology of winners’ readings published on The Book Edit website:

    27th November 2024

How to Apply

For full details on submission guidelines and to apply, please visit our website.

“Winning the Book Edit Writers’ Prize winner was a real affirmation that Tapha (now At the Pine House) was interesting to others and might be able to make it as a book and not just my own project...the Prize opens something that continues; it isn’t just a one-off event. It’s easy with writing (for me at least) to sit on a project for years on end and not propel it out into the world, and the Book Edit Writers’ Prize has been important in invigorating me to believe in the possible wider resonance of my work. So I’m very thankful and will definitely be following this year’s Prize.”
— Emily Abdeni-Holman, 2023 Winner

Minimum Effort, Maximum Output, the debut memoir by Bhavini Kalaria

Bhavini Kalaria published her debut memoir, Minimum Effort, Maximum Output, earlier this year. A contemplation on grief and loss, the book tells the story of the year after her husband died, and how she survived. We were privileged to find out more about her remarkable journey.


1. Can you tell readers a bit about yourself and what you do for a living?

I am a solicitor, specialising in resolving disputes. My professional life revolves around helping clients navigate the legal system and it’s often demanding processes. It often requires both analytical thinking and empathy.

2. How did you come to write this book?

After my husband passed away in 2022, I found that the process of writing helped me immensely in processing my grief and making sense of what had happened. I wanted to find a way to record his memory and give voice to my own experience. The book started organically and evolved, sometimes with and sometimes outside of my own grief. It became a channel through which I could both feel and examine my emotions and keep his memory alive.

3. What was the process of writing the book like?

The process was cathartic and sometimes demanding. It required me to take a step back from it, especially when it became a piece of work designed to allow others to consider their own grief and loss. Writing served as both a healing tool and a way of learning to carry my grief.

4. What were the challenges you faced in writing the book?

The biggest challenge I faced was how to order the book so that it had a coherent flow. Structuring the narrative in a way that made sense to readers while still honouring my personal journey through grief was a delicate balance to achieve. It was a pleasure working with The Book Edit team to structure the book, and to ensure that there was still a creative and narrative arc to the story telling. I found their help and advice invaluable.

5. How has the process of getting the book published been for you?

I have loved the process of publishing—figuring out how the book will look and how to make it beautiful and accessible. It was important to me that the book was something my husband would have appreciated. The entire experience of bringing the book to life was fulfilling and exciting.

6. What advice would you give to others who are looking to self-publish their work?

I found a very helpful website, Publish Yourself, which guided me through the essentials of self-publishing. Before starting, I had no idea about the need to register the book, send it to the British Library, or how to market it. My book is a limited run, and I chose to share it in intimate settings with people and communities for whom the subject of loss and grief is relevant. My advice to others is to thoroughly research the self-publishing process and understand the various steps involved to avoid being overwhelmed.

7. How does it feel to know you have completed this project and you have a book to show for it?

It feels amazing. There is something truly exciting about holding a finished book in your hands, knowing it encapsulates a part of your journey and can potentially touch others who read it.

8. What are you working on now?

I am currently working on a thriller, which is very different from my previous book. It’s a fictional piece, much longer, with a complicated plot. This new project comes with its own set of challenges, particularly regarding structure, which has always been a tough part for me.

9. Anything else you'd like us to know about your writing process and future ambitions?

I feel like I am just beginning to understand my process and learning what works for me. I often take long breaks and come back to my writing with renewed energy, leading to intense periods of activity. Looking ahead, I hope to continue exploring different genres and refining my craft, always aiming to create works that resonate deeply with readers.

Author. Bhavini Kalaria

Thank you, Bhavini. For more about Bhavini and her work, visit her website here. And to buy a copy of her beautiful book, visit here.