Creative writing prize: Mslexia 2023 Fiction Competitions

For 2023, Mslexia is inviting entries from women writers for the following fiction prizes:

• Novel: The first prize is £5,000. The judges are Sophie Hannah, Natasha Onwuemezi and Sophie Lambert. Finalists will receive feedback from The Literary Consultancy and other development opportunities. Enter the first 5,000 words of a novel manuscript by an unpublished novelist (at least 50,000 words). Longlisted writers will be asked to produce the full manuscript and a synopsis. The entry fee is £26.

• Short Story: The first prize is £3,000. Three additional finalists will each get £100, and the winners and three finalists will be published in Mslexia. The winners and eight shortlisted titles will be published in an ebook anthology. The judge is Deborah Moggach. Enter original, unpublished short fiction up to 3,000 words in any genre for adult or young adult readers. The entry fee is £12.

• Flash Fiction: The first prize is £500. Three additional finalists will each get £50. Winners will be published in Mslexia, and winners and eight shortlisted entries will be published in an anthology. The judge is Tania Hershman. Enter original, unpublished flash fiction up to 300 words. The entry fee is £6.

All entrants to the Mslexia contests must self-identify as a woman.

The closing date is 18 September.

For full details see the website.

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