New2theScene

Competitions

Novel Competition

Opening

January 1, 2026

Closing

April 5, 2026

Entry fee

Topic

Any great idea for any genre!

Word count

First 3000 words and one page synopsis



First Prize

Line edit; interviews; workshop; vouchers; promotion, introduction... helping you reach your dream!

The winning entrant will receive:

A professional line edit on the first 3000 words of their submission, ready for submitting to agents/publishers (value £100).
A developmental workshop to structure their novel (£50)
A podcast interview, discussing their story, their journey and their ambitions – a great selling point to potential agents/publishers.
The first 3000 words published in an anthology – introducing characters; another great selling point to agents/publishers.
Help with their synopsis and submission to a literary professional, with a letter of support for their project, helping to bypass the slush pile
An 'Origins' blog, introducing them to an audience.
A relationship with New2theScene – supporting any publication, introducing you to a community, and potential future projects.
£50 N2tS vouchers for our bookstore.



First Prize

Line edit; interviews; workshop; vouchers; promotion, introduction... helping you reach your dream!

The winning entrant will receive:

A professional line edit on the first 3000 words of their submission, ready for submitting to agents/publishers (value £100).
A developmental workshop to structure their novel (£50)
A podcast interview, discussing their story, their journey and their ambitions – a great selling point to potential agents/publishers.
The first 3000 words published in an anthology – introducing characters; another great selling point to agents/publishers.
Help with their synopsis and submission to a literary professional, with a letter of support for their project, helping to bypass the slush pile
An 'Origins' blog, introducing them to an audience.
A relationship with New2theScene – supporting any publication, introducing you to a community, and potential future projects.
£50 N2tS vouchers for our bookstore.



Notable Mentions

Feedback, workshop, vouchers, discount... helping you hone your craft.

Longlisted entrants will receive:

Feedback on their submission.
Discount on future writing workshops.

‍

Shortlisted entrants will receive:

A developmental workshop to structure their novel (£50).
Feedback on their submission.
Discount on future writing workshops.
A relationship with New2theScene – supporting any publication, introducing you to a community, and potential future projects.
£15 N2tS vouchers for our bookstore.

This competition is not yet open. Please check back soon.

How to enter

Carefully read the rules, entry requirements and eligibility before submission.
Check you’re sending the final, best version of your submission.
Follow the format requirements for the competition (found in ‘Rules of entry’).
Pay your entry fee.
Check your emails and click the 'submit your story' button, remembering to copy your submission number.
Upload your entry, using your submission number as reference.
Good luck!

This competition is only open to members

£3 / month

Membership



Entry to all competitions (Novel, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Poetry… 6 in total)



Entry to exclusive member’s competitions (only for members, with publication as a prize)



Feedback on submissions (a paragraph of constructive criticism from judges)



Access to members only content (e.g. novella project)



10% off books and workshops

As a member, you receive one free entry. Additional entries should be purchased in the usual manner.

This competition is now closed

Please ensure you read the rules carefully before entering the competition.

Entry implies acceptance of all rules, and failure to comply may result in disqualification.

Disqualification:

We disqualify submissions if they are published elsewhere, over the word limit, or do not meet the criteria specified in the ‘eligibility’ section.

General:

Submissions can be of any genre, in any style or form. Children, sci-fi, war, erotic: let your imagination free! You can enter any number of submissions, but each will be subject to the full entry fee. If you submit in error and want to withdraw or exchange your story, please email submissions@new2thescene.co.uk with ‘exchange’ or ‘withdraw’ as the subject. This must be done before the deadline.

Entry fees will not be refunded.

Deadline:

The deadline date for submissions is 23:59 (UK time) on the date stated in the details section on the website. Submissions after this time will not be accepted.

Submission:

Word count: first 3000 words of a novel. Title not included in the word count.

Synopsis: one page, single line spaced, written in 12pt font, outlining the plot of the novel, including ending.

Format:

Add the word count to the top right of the first page. The title is not included in the word count but if you include a glossary of terms, this is included.
Do not add a front cover or title pages.
Use any font in 12pt.
Double line spaced.
Number the pages in the centre at the bottom of the page.
Save the file as a Microsoft Word document –.doc or .docx.
The file name should be the title of the novel followed by the entrant’s name e.g. Northern Lights by Philip Pullman.
The synopsis should be included at the end of the submission - in the same document.
Accompanying emails and/or extra information will not be read.

Cost:

£18 per submission. There is no limit to the number of submissions, however each will require payment in full.

Judging:

The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence can be entered into. Judges are unable to comment on individual submissions. Judging is fair and unbiased. Feedback will be given to longlisted and shortlisted entrants only. New2theScene reserves the right to change the panel of judges without notice.

Copyright:

Worldwide copyright of each submission remains with the author, but New2theScene has unrestricted rights to publish the winning submission (3000 words only) in an anthology, anywhere on its website, and on any relevant promotional material.

Results & prize:

Updates on judging will be given throughout the process. Winners will be notified by email within three weeks of the competition closure. Prizes and timelines for delivery will be emailed at the same time. If entrants have not had correspondence by this date, they have not been successful.

New2theScene

Competitions

Novel Competition

Opening

Closing

Entry fee

Topic

Word count

First Prize

First Prize

Notable Mentions

How to enter

FAQs

New2theScene Ltd.

Community

Content

Contact

New2theScene

Competitions

Novel Competition

Opening

Closing

Entry fee

Topic

Word count

First Prize

First Prize

Notable Mentions

How to enter

Rules of entry

FAQs

New2theScene Ltd.

Community

Content

Contact