2014 Commonwealth Short Story Prize

The 2014 Commonwealth Short Story Prize aims to identify talented writers who will go on to inspire their local communities. The Prize unearths and promotes the best new writing from across the Commonwealth, developing literary connections worldwide.

The Short Story Prize enables writers to enter work from countries where there is little or no publishing industry. Authors writing in languages other than English are also able to enter stories translated into English.

The 2014 Commonwealth Short Story Prize will be chaired by Ellah Allfrey, Deputy Chair of the Council of the Caine Prize and previously Deputy Editor of Granta and Senior Editor at Jonathan Cape, Random House.

The Short Story Prize is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2000-5000 words). Regional winners will receive £2,500 and the Overall Winner will receive £5,000. Translators will receive additional prize money.

The 2014 Short Story Prize will is open for entry and will close on 30 November 2013. Entries can be made via the online application form.

Eligibility

Entrants must be citizens of a Commonwealth country – please see Section 4 of the Entry Rules for the list of Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth Foundation will request verification of citizenship before winners are selected. Writers from non-Commonwealth countries (including the Republic of Ireland and Zimbabwe) are not eligible.

There are no restrictions on setting, genre or theme for the short story. The story should be adult fiction and must not have been written for children alone.

Download the Entry Rules