Writing Competition: Unleash Book Prize

$1,000 advance and an optional/standard contract from Unleash Press for one winning manuscript.

Finalists will be considered for publication. Novels, poetry collections, short story collections, and creative nonfiction manuscripts are accepted. Full-length, completed manuscripts only. Reprints are welcome so long as the author maintains full rights. Submissions are $35.

Guidelines (please read before submitting):

• Submissions will be accepted until December 1, 2024.

• We accept simultaneous submissions, but please notify us immediately if you wish to withdraw it from consideration.

• Multiple submissions are accepted. Please submit each manuscript separately.

• There are no refunds if you withdraw a submission.

• Please include a cover letter with a summary. Your name and contact information may appear in the cover letter area.

• Please leave all identifying information off the manuscript as the first round of reading is blind.

• The minimum length of a manuscript is 30,000 words for prose or 70 pages for poetry.

• Genres accepted include fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and experimental/hybrid.

• If guidelines are not followed, the manuscript will be automatically rejected (e.g., including identifying information on the manuscript).

*Note: The publishing contract is optional and contingent on the author maintaining full rights to the work. Reprints are accepted for consideration.

Formatting: 

• Please include page numbers.

• Please double-space and use a 12pt font.

• Your name should not be anywhere on the manuscript. (See above.)

• Submit as a .doc, .docx, .rtf, or PDF file format.

While you wait for us to read, check out our new lit journal home at www.unleashlit.com!

*Note: This year, we will be reading and reviewing manuscripts on a rolling basis, so if we choose not to move forward, you may hear from us before the end of the contest. We have a limited number of fee waivers available. If you cannot afford tp pay the submission, please email us at:

info@unleashcreatives.com 

Submit your entry here.