FIELDNOTES FOLIO PRIZE
A prize for emerging writers awarded for pioneering new work. The prize will award two writers £1000 each.
DEADLINE: 11 November 2026, 11.59 p.m. GMT
Supported by the Jan Michalski Foundation, this award will launch a new publishing imprint: FIELDNOTES Folios, a series of short books showcasing the best new writing from around the world. The winning entries to the prize will be published as the first two books in this series.
The focus of the prize is on formally innovative and ambitious new writing from unpublished authors. It aims to promote risk-taking, support new approaches and encourage hybrid forms to emerge at the intersection of genres.
Entries of prose or poetry of all forms and styles are invited – including single standalone texts; collections of short texts or poems; and works between text and image. Non-conforming submissions are welcome.
The winners will receive structured editorial development of their works prior to publication. Each winning entry will be printed as a standalone publication and distributed internationally.
The FIELDNOTES Folio series aims to extend the work of FIELDNOTES in supporting new voices and bringing audiences into contact with challenging new work.
The judging will reflect the interests of FIELDNOTES as a periodical and it is recommended that all entrants familiarise themselves with this work by purchasing a copy of the journal before submitting.
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION GUIDELINES AND MATERIALS:
FIELDNOTES FOLIO PRIZE GUIDELINES (PDF)
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FORM (LINK)
GUIDELINES
Length:
- Individual works of prose: minimum 5000 words, maximum 17500 words
- Collections of poetry or prose, or projects including images: minimum 30 pages, maximum 85 pages.
Format:
- Manuscripts should be submitted as a single PDF.
- Please title the file with your full name (example: jane_smith.pdf).
- Manuscripts must be double-spaced, 12 pt, Times New Roman.
- Please include page numbers and your name on every page of the manuscript.
- If your project involves images or artworks these should be included in the PDF.
- Although artwork can be submitted in colour, please note that we will only be able to publish works in black and white.
- The total file size should be no bigger than 5 MB.
- The file should be emailed as a single attachment, not as a link, a zipped folder or a WeTransfer.
ENTRY
Cost of entry: £6 / FREE for those without means to pay / FREE for FIELDNOTES subscribers
Pay the submission fee in our online shop and include the completed order number in the subject line of your submission email.
Send your submission as a single email attachment to folio@fieldnotes.site.
You can claim the cost of submission as a discount against the purchase of publications from our online shop using the discount code FNFP2026 at checkout.
If you are unwaged or struggle to cover basic costs of living please email info@fieldnotes.site for a submission fee waiver. Please note that this is not a student discount.
If you are a FIELDNOTES subscriber, simply send us your submission from the email address used to set up the subscription with ‘Subscriber’ in the subject line.
After submitting please complete and submit an online Equal Opportunities Form (obligatory).
ELIGIBILITY
- The competition is open to unpublished writers from anywhere in the world.
- There are no age restrictions.
- There are no educational or background requirements, we welcome submissions from those of all backgrounds including those who have followed non-traditional routes into writing.
- Those who face cultural, social, physical or economic barriers to applying for opportunities in the arts are particularly encouraged to submit.
- Writers who have existing contracts, or who have previously held contracts, with publishers are not eligible to enter.
- Writers who have previously published books with a major or independent publisher are not eligible to enter.
- Writers who have published writing in magazines and journals are eligible to enter.
- Writers who have self-published books are eligible to enter.
- Only submissions received by email by 11.59 p.m. on 11 November 2026 (GMT) will be considered.
- Only submissions which meet our formatting requirements will be considered.
- Co-authored entries are accepted as long as all authors consent to the entry.
- Works in translation are accepted as long as both the author and translator consent to the entry. All rights for the translation must be already acquired.
- All manuscripts must be submitted in English.
TIMELINE
Deadline for submissions: 11 November 2026, 11.59 p.m. GMT
Shortlist published: January 2027
Winners announced: February 2027
Publication of folios: June/July 2027