The Bath Novel Award 2026 is a £5,000 international prize for adult and YA novels of every genre. The prize is open to unagented writers, who are unpublished, self-published or independently published without advance. Submissions are invited from 1st December 2025 to 31st May 2026 and we welcome writers of every age, gender, nationality and residency.

BNA Laureates include: Abi Daré for the manuscript of New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller The Girl with the Louding Voice, official James Bond author Kim Sherwood for the manuscript of Testament and AP Firdaus for the BBC’s Between the Covers pick Remember, Mr Sharma.

2026’s winning manuscript will be judged by literary agent of the year AMANDA HARRIS. The winner will be announced in September 2026 and awarded £5,000 along with our beautiful Minerva trophy, inspired by the iconic sculpture in Bath’s Roman Baths.

Shortlisted writers win a compilation of award readers’ comments on their full manuscripts. Longlisted writers win a compilation of award readers’ comments on their extract and synopsis.

One longlisted writer will also win a place worth £1,980 on the 18 week virtual course Edit Your Novel the Professional Way courtesy of Cornerstones Literary Consultancy and the Professional Writing Academy.

Initial submissions are the opening of your novel up to a maximum of 5,000 words, plus a one-page synopsis.

The Bath Novel Award 2026 entry fee is £33 per novel, with sponsored places available for writers on a low income.

You may enter as many times as you wish and we can’t wait to read your work.