The Barbellion Prize (£1,000)
The Barbellion Prize 2026: £1,000 Total Prize for Books on Disability and Chronic Illness
Writers and publishers working on books that engage deeply with disability, chronic illness, and lived experiences of the body should pay close attention to The Barbellion Prize 2026, one of the most important international literary prizes centering disability discourse.
The prize honors full-length fiction and non-fiction books that make a significant contribution to conversations around illness, disability, and embodiment. If your work aligns with these themes, this is a major opportunity worth considering.
For writers preparing a strong submission package, these resources may help: 10 Tips on How to Apply for Writing Contests and Recommended Short Stories You Can Read Online.
Key Details
- Prize: £500 for each shortlisted author + an additional £500 for the overall winner
- Category: Full-length fiction or non-fiction
- Excludes: Poetry collections
- Eligibility Window: Books published between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026
- Open Date: April 2, 2026
- Deadline: September 1, 2026
- File Types: PDF or EPUB
- Submission Platform: Olasubs
- Response Time: Approximately 9 months
- Multiple submissions: Allowed for publishers
- One entry per author
- Self-published books: Eligible
Eligibility Requirements for the Barbellion Prize
The prize is open to writers who are chronically ill, disabled, or have dealt personally and directly with illness or disability.
Eligible works include:
- novels
- memoirs
- essay collections
- graphic novels
- ebooks
- translated books originally written in another language
Both traditionally published and self-published titles are welcome, provided the work is the first published edition.
Important Rules
Before submitting, note these dealbreakers:
- No poetry collections
- Only first editions qualify
- Paperback reissues of previously published hardbacks are not eligible
- The author must be living
- Only one title per author
- Books must be originally written in English or translated into English
Publishers may submit multiple eligible titles.
Judging Structure
The judges will select:
- a longlist of 8 titles
- a shortlist of 4 titles
- one overall winner
Each shortlisted writer receives £500, while the final winner receives an extra £500 and a unique trophy.
If your book is eligible, make sure your bio, cover letter, and manuscript file are polished before uploading. A careful submission can make all the difference.
