We are delighted to announce that we are again running the Jenny Brown Associates Debut Writers Over 50 Award in 2025.
This is the second Award, established to address the few literary opportunities which help older writers break into the publishing industry. The Award was first run in 2023 and won by Glennis Virgo, selected from over 1700 entries. Glennis Virgo’s debut novel City of Silk is published in November by Allison & Busby.
We want to celebrate the diversity of writers over the age of 50 and to value their collected, distilled wisdom, their lifetime of reading and experience. The vast majority of books are bought by older readers, a hugely important demographic, and increasingly they want to see themselves represented in books.
Debut novelists based in the UK are invited to submit the first 5000 words of their novel during the month of February 2025 – deadline February 28 – a shortlist will be announced on 27 July and the winner revealed during the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August 2025.
The winner will receive £1000 cash prize, and a week’s course at Moniack Mhor Scotland’s Creative Writing Centre. Runners up will be offered tailored mentoring. Full details of the Award and how to enter can be found below.
You can read the full details HERE
