Frequently Asked Questions

  • Darlington Literary is an organisation focused on helping nurture the talent of writers from typically underrepresented backgrounds (i.e. ethnically diverse, working class, LGBTQ+ writers, or writers with disabilities).

    The Alice Darlington Novel Award is our way of hearing from those voices and perspectives, and giving them a platform and the potential for further training, mentorship and insight into the publishing industry.

  • Any author who is currently unrepresented by an agent and is from an underrepresented background (applicants from ethnically diverse backgrounds, working class, LGBTQ+ writers, or writers with disabilities and access needs).

    • Writers must be from an under-represented background

    • Writers must be unagented

    • Writers may only submit one novel for consideration

    • At point of submission, writers must have at least 40,000 words of a manuscript available

    • Submissions must fall into one of the following categories:

      • Crime, Thrillers and Mystery

      • Contemporary Romance

      • Historical Fiction

      • Contemporary Family Life Fiction

      • Book Club Fiction

  • For the application, please provide:

    • A submission letter (detailing why you are right for the award and why you are applying).

    • 10,000 words of your manuscript (not a PDF file please)

    • Any supporting materials you think are appropriate.

    Shortlisted authors will be required to send a further 10,000 words of their manuscript.

  • Submissions open on 23rd October 2026.

    Submissions close on 15th January 2027.

    The shortlist will be announced by the end of February and the two winners will be announced in April.

  • The 10 shortlisted authors will gain access to a 6 month, fortnightly writers course. The course will run on Zoom so that is accessible to all from any location, with video catch up available. This course is created to help further shortlisted authors writing skills so they can continue to develop their manuscripts. All shortlisted authors will also gain access to on our online Intro to Publishing anytime access video course.

    The two winners will win a cash prize of £500 each and will be given one-to-one mentorship with one of our industry mentors.