Aurora Prize for Writing 2023

Writing East Midlands and the Society of Authors are seeking complete short stories (of up to 2,000 words) and poetry (of up to 60 lines) in any genre from adults aged 18 and above.

Winners in each category receive a cash prize of up to £500, feedback on a piece of work of their choice from a leading literary agent (or Editor as appropriate), a year’s free membership to the Society of Authors, and a free session with Society of Authors staff, including an introduction on how the Society can support them in their career.

Second place, third place, and the regional winner in each category will win £150, a one-day Writing School East Midlands course, and £100 cash, respectively.

Longlisted (25 per category) and shortlisted (10 per category) writers will have their entries published on our website. New to 2023 is the chance for longlisted and shortlisted writers to win a free ticket to one of two masterclasses hosted by this year’s judges.

We are excited to announce that our judges for 2023 will be bestselling author Joanna Cannon, reading for fiction, and writer, poet, performer and Birmingham Poet Laurate in 2022, Casey Bailey, reading for poetry.

The prize is now open for submissions and will close on Wednesday 19th July 2023 at 11.59 pm.