Joffe Books Prize 2026 Opens for Unrepresented Crime Writers of Colour

Aspiring crime writers from Black, Asian, Indigenous, and minority ethnic backgrounds now have the chance to launch their literary careers through the Joffe Books Prize 2026, one of the UK’s largest writing prizes. The competition seeks to discover exceptional new voices in crime fiction and offers a life-changing publishing opportunity.

For writers developing their manuscripts, exploring successful writing ideas can be a great way to refine concepts, build compelling narratives, and strengthen their storytelling approach. Likewise, reflecting on experiences such as the Purple Hibiscus Creative Writing Workshop demonstrates how literary communities and mentorship can help writers grow their craft.

The Joffe Books Prize is open to writers who are not represented by a literary agent and who are either UK residents or British citizens living anywhere in the world. Applicants must identify as being from a Black, Asian, Indigenous, or minority ethnic background.

The competition welcomes all forms of crime fiction, including psychological thrillers, domestic suspense, cosy mysteries, and police procedurals. Writers can submit either a completed manuscript or a work in progress, provided they submit the first 10,000 words of an unpublished crime novel written in English.

 

Benefits of the Joffe Books Prize

The winner of the Joffe Books Prize 2026 will receive:

• A two-book publishing deal with Joffe Books.
• A £1,000 cash prize.
• A £25,000 Audible audiobook contract for the first book.
• A two-year membership to the Society of Authors.

 

 

This year’s judging panel includes bestselling author Dhonielle Clayton, literary agent Shanika Hyslop, award-winning author Adam Oyebanji, and Joffe Books Editorial Director Rachel Slatter.

 

How to Apply

Applicants should submit the following materials to prize@joffebooks.com:

• A cover letter or email including information about their writing journey, eligibility for the prize, contact details, and the word count of the completed or projected novel.
• A one-paragraph summary of the book.
• A detailed synopsis of the complete story, including spoilers.
• The first 10,000 words of the manuscript.

 

Eligibility Criteria for the Joffe Books Prize

To apply, entrants must:

• Be from a Black, Asian, Indigenous, or minority ethnic background.
• Be a British citizen (including those living abroad) or a UK resident.
• Not be represented by a literary agent for fiction or non-fiction.

Deadline

The deadline for submissions is 30 September 2026 at 23:59 GMT. Late entries will not be accepted. The shortlist will be announced in October 2026, while the winner will be revealed in November 2026.

Writers who are not eligible for the prize can still consider submitting their work through Joffe Books’ year-round open submissions programme.