Are you an aspiring playwright, screenwriter or novelist? 42 are delighted to announce the launch of a multi-disciplinary storytelling competition in conjunction with The Faculty of English at the University of Oxford.
The Oxford/42 New Writing Prize is open to anyone aged 18 or over living, working or studying in the UK at the closing date for submissions. The winner will receive £1500 along with professional representation by 42.
The expert panel of judges from the worlds of literature, stage and screen includes; Abby Ajayi, creator of “Riches” (ITVX and Amazon) and writer on Emmy nominated “Inventing Anna” (Netflix); Chris Chibnall, creator of “Broadchurch” (ITV), “Doctor Who” Showrunner, and author of DEATH AT THE WHITE HART (Penguin 2025); Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, author of METAMORPHOSIS and Professor of English Literature at the University of Oxford; and Rona Munro, award-winning dramatist of “The James Plays” and “Oranges and Sunshine”.
They will select a shortlist of up to six entries by 30 May 2025. The winner will be announced in June.
To enter the competition, you need to submit a synopsis (up to 300 words) and an elevator pitch of no more than two sentences for a work of fiction, along with one of the following (in Word format):
- Stage or radio play – a complete script of between 30 and 90 pages
- Screenplays – a script of between 30 and 60 pages for episode one of a TV show or a complete feature-length film script of 90 pages.
- Novel – the first 10,000 to 15,000 words
Please email them to: Oxfordwritingprize@42mp.com
The closing date is 30 April 2025.
See more detailed Terms and Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions here.
This is a non-BBC scheme
Please note that these schemes are listed here for your convenience. However, they are run by external organisations and unless otherwise noted the BBC has no involvement with them.
Therefore the BBC cannot respond to any queries in connection to those and accepts no liability for the accuracy of third party websites and the information contained on them.