Terms & Conditions

1.     These prizes are open to all writers of BAME backgrounds in UK and Ireland.

2.     This call for submission is open to any book written in English and published in the UK between 1 Jan and 31 Dec of the calendar year with one important exception: books first published in another country of origin will NOT be considered.

3.     The prizes exist to support UK-based authors, publishers and agents of colour, so the book must originate in the UK and not have been published anywhere else in the world before its UK publication date. Books published simultaneously elsewhere will be considered if the author and primary agent are UK-based.

4.     There’s no age limit, the authors do not have to be British and they can have published other books before. Non-British/Irish authors who do not currently live in the UK or Ireland are not eligible.

5.     We also accept submissions from self-published authors who meet the above criteria. The only stipulation is that the book is available for sale in the UK.

6.     Please send a copy of EACH title (FOUR copies in total) by the end of the first week of December to the judges of the appropriate prize and to the prize administrator, who will provide addresses if you email info@jhalakprize.com

7.     The longlist of up to twelve books will be announced in March next year.

8.     Entrants who have made the longlist will be notified by email no later than the 31st of March.

9.     The prize is announced in May each year.

10.  The winners will receive £1,000 each and unique work of art created for the Jhalak Prose Prize and the Jhalak Poetry Prize awards by an artist of colour, and for Children’s & YA Prize by an illustrator of colour.

11.  More than one book by the same author may be submitted if they have been published in the eligible year.

12.  A book may be submitted to more than one category if they are eligible for consideration by more than one panel of judges. For example, a novel-in-verse may be submitted for both the Prose and Poetry awards; a poetry book aimed at young adults may be submitted to both the Poetry and the Children’s & YA prizes, etc. Please contact the Jhalak team at the above address in case of queries.

13.  It is the publisher’s responsibility to ensure the author is happy to be submitted for the prize.

14.  Entrants must be prepared to undertake reasonable publicity and promotional responsibilities in relation to the story and this competition, including being available for readings and other events.