PUB: Prizes - Commonwealth Writers

Our prizes target and identify talented writers from different regions of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Book Prize (CBP) is awarded for the best first book, and the Commonwealth Short Story Prize (CSSP) for the best piece of unpublished short fiction.

For each prize we award four regional winners and one overall winner. The regions are Africa; Asia; Canada & Europe; Caribbean; and the Pacific.

The prizes are open to Commonwealth citizens aged 18 or over.

The 2013 prizes are now open for entry via the online entry form.


Commonwealth Book Prize Logo

Commonwealth Book Prize

Awarded for best first book, this prize is open to writers who have had their first novel (full length work of fiction) published between 1 January and 31 December 2012. Self-published authors are eligible to enter. Regional winners receive £2,500 and the overall winner receives £10,000.


Commonwealth Short Story Prize Logo

Commonwealth Short Story Prize

Awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2000 – 5000 words). Submissions must be made by the author of the short story. Regional winners receive £1,000 and the overall winner receives £5,000.