The Bath Novel Awards

✨📚 SUBMISSIONS CALL for children's manuscripts 📚✨ The Bath Children's Novel Award 2026 is a £5,000 prize for emerging writers everywhere. Literary agent Chloe Seagar is judging and we're looking for every genre of MG, YA, CB & PBT. Closing date 30th Nov. bathnovelaward.co.uk/childrens-no...

🎉We are delighted to announce the £5,000 Bath Novel Award 2026 goes to Tracy Rickett for CHILD OF NECESSITY her impressive and complex dark thriller. Full prize announcement at: bathnovelaward.co.uk/the-bath-nov...

🎉It's USA publication day for EVERYTHING WAS BEAUTIFUL AND NOTHING HURT by Ben Reeves and to celebrate we're having a transatlantic book giveaway. Free prize draw open in the US & UK until 31 July. 'This book will change your life' - Joanna Cannon bathnovelaward.co.uk/book-giveawa...

🎉Salt Publishing have acquired @iannettleton.bsky.social's brilliant literary thriller OUT OF NOWHERE, which won the Bath Novel Award 2023. It follows Frank Neely, who is riding in a prison transit van when it is ambushed in the dark and will publish in Feb '27 www.thebookseller.com/rights/salt-...

🔏And that's a wrap for the Bath Novel Award 2026 entries! Thank you to all entrants — we can't wait to discover this year's longlist, TBA Tuesday 30 June. Good luck everyone!

🔔Last chance to enter the Bath Novel Award 2026! 🕛 Entries close TONIGHT at 23:59 British Summer Time 📤Submit: <5k words opening & one-page synopsis 🏆Prize: £5,000 🌍Open to unagented emerging authors everywhere #writingsky #booksky #writingcommunity #writersky bathnovelaward.co.uk/the-bath-nov...

Could 2026 be YOUR year? A stellar list of Bath Novel Award laureates and listees have gone on to find agents and publishing success. You next? Open to emerging writers everywhere, with a £5k prize and lit agent Amanda Harris judging. Closes 31 May #booksky bathnovelaward.co.uk/the-bath-nov...

'Tune out any doom and gloom in the industry – humans connect through stories and publishers need to publish books.' Lots of great advice in this Q&A with literary agent Amanda Harris, who is judging the Bath Novel Award 2026. bathnovelaward.co.uk/2026-judge-l...

🔔Don't miss the deadline! 🌍The Bath Novel Award 2026 is for unagented emerging authors worldwide ⏱️Deadline: 31st May 🏆Prize: £5,000 👩‍⚖️Judge: Amanda Harris of Maven Literary 📤Submit: <5k words opening & one-page synopsis of adult or YA novel manuscripts bathnovelaward.co.uk/the-bath-nov...

It's been a difficult few months, with family bereavements, rain and disturbing local elections in the UK, but there has been one good thing. Out of Nowhere, which won the @bathnovelaward.co.uk in 2023, will published by @saltpublishing.com in February 2027: www.saltpublishing.com/products/out...

What do literary agents look for in a novel synopsis? Ten agents who have judged the Bath Novel Awards offer their advice. advice/https://bathnovelaward.co.uk/the-novel-synopsis-ten-literary-agents-offer-their-advice/

🎉Happy Canadian Publication Day to @mattfoxwriter.bsky.social for THE LOVELY DARK, a beautifully moving and breathtakingly original story of bravery and second chances, for readers aged 9+. Read about his passion for magical seriousness in children's books at bathnovelaward.co.uk/2023/07/05/s...

🗡️🎉THE LOST DETECTIVE by @elspethlatimer.bsky.social is up for the CWA ILP John Creasey First Novel Dagger 2026! An earlier draft of this standout crime debut shortlisted for the Bath Novel Award 2023 and you can read more about Elspeth's path-to-publication at: bathnovelaward.co.uk/debut-novel-...

📚🏯🎁BOOK GIVEAWAY🎁🏯📚 Enter a secret wonderland in the sky where Japanese legends come to life! To celebrate the publication of Kamizen: Fortress of Lost Memories by @wydobson.bsky.social we have a signed copy to give away. UK only, draw closes 30 April👇 bathnovelaward.co.uk/book-giveawa...

'Tune out any doom and gloom in the industry – humans connect through stories and publishers need to publish books.' Meet Amanda Harris, founder of Maven Literary Management and Bath Novel Award 2026 judge. bathnovelaward.co.uk/2026-judge-l...

❤️‍🔥Huge congratulations to triple BCNA listee Beth Tomlin!

🏯Happy UK Paperback Publication Day to BCNA shortlistee William Yamaguchi Dobson! Kamizen: Fortress of Lost Memories (Scholastic) is an enchanting fantasy adventure for 9-12s and William shares the moving story behind his debut, plus his path to publication at: bathnovelaward.co.uk/debut-author...

Bath Children’s Novel Award Winner Melanie Whitmarsh describes the moment she found out, shares her writing journey, and explains how the Junior Judges are shaping her final edits. bathnovelaward.co.uk/interview-me...

💫That's a wrap for voting comments! 📚We are pleased to confirm that 2025's children's longlist is on schedule and will be signed off tomorrow, Thurs 18th Dec. 📥If you entered, look out for our email from 19:00 to let you know if you have listed. 🍀Our thanks again to all entrants and GOOD LUCK!

An original idea with a compelling hook and an excellent voice. The characters are memorable and they add different layers of humour, heart and wit. 💛GOLDEN YES. BCNA25 50/50

Delightful. Comical, pacey, original and well-built characters to both love and hate. 💛GOLDEN YES. BCNA25 49/50

Fabulous. *Ludwig* for teens. 💛GOLDEN YES. BCNA25 48/50

Excellent concept, the writing is strong and characters richly drawn. Shades of Judith Eagle. 💛GOLDEN YES. BCNA25 47/50

A very interesting, well-written story with a powerful message to share. 💛GOLDEN YES. BCNA25 46/50

Excellent set up and synopsis about a runaway teen in peril. I would love to read the full of this. 💛GOLDEN YES. BCNA25 45/50

Unique and convincing story of a siren who becomes human to find her lighthouse keeper father and must learn the ways of skeptical islanders. 💛 GOLDEN YES. BCNA25 44/50

Comical shenanigans in a magical world where MC + feline brother must track down spell ingredients for a shady witch. Synopsis promises bags of mayhem. YES. BCNA25 43/50

A fantastical and futuristic reimagining of *Peter Pan*. YES. BCNA25 42/50

Fast-paced story about twins who must prevent global disaster by solving hidden codes; synopsis promises big adventures. YES. BCNA25 41/50

Engrossing, action-packed, C21st *Cinderella*. YES. BCNA25 40/50

A fascinating tale set in the world of Victorian entertainment. YES. BCNA25 39/50

Feels like a classic story passed down generations. I think it fits well with Northern Ireland's local lore, such as the legend of Jenny Watt. YES. BCNA25 38/50

Couldn't help but get drawn in by this thrilling YA. I was engrossed within seconds! YES. BCNA25 37/50

Relatable friendship novel which could connect with many children and create conversations. YES. BCNA25 36/50

Grabby prologue about the resurrection of magic, followed by a strong set-up with a princess troubled by reoccurring dreams. Would appeal to readers of *Undercover Princess*. YES. BCNA25 35/50

Emotional depth and wonderful whimsical details that can appeal to children and an original idea. YES. BCNA25 34/50

Impressively easy read with an original setting, sparkling dialogue and entertaining storytelling pace. YES. BCNA25 33/50

Pacey, vivid and stylish Antarctic mystery with plenty of unanswered questions to keep the reader guessing. YES. BCNA25 32/50

An imaginative idea and the small town setting feels cosy and magical. YES. BCNA25 31/50

This fantasy story is imaginative and the writing is really engaging. The stakes are high and there is a a ticking clock in relation to the main conflict in the novel which draws you in. YES. BCNA25 30/50

*The Summer I Turned Pretty* meets *When Marnie Was There*. Relatable and convincing exploration of growing pains and insecure friendships when MC meets her aunt and cousin. YES. BCNA25 29/50

Sweet and charming early reader about four animal friends and a daring rescue; story and style suits the intended age group. YES. BCNA25 28/50

Crisp writing with a promising heart to this story about a child struggling to make friends. YES. BCNA25 27/50

A magical and heartwarming story, especially the relationship between the two MCs. The fairy and folklore elements are embedded really well into the story. YES. BCNA25 26/50

A creative concept with solid world-building and witty, entertaining language. YES. BCNA25 25/50

A grower that cocoons you into the world and made me want to stay. Echoes of *The Sky Over Rebecca*. YES. BCNA25 24/50

This really made me smile; I like the unusual, playful language and the synopsis promises a really good read. YES. BCNA25 23/50

Pacy writing full of wit and a great tough cookie of an MC. YES. BCNA25 22/50