"Submissions must be for narrative non-fiction, centred around themes of displacement, identity and/or resistance. Footnote and Counterpoints welcome eclectic and expansive interpretations of displacement, identity and/or resistance and are especially interested in work that sits at intersections, or across cultures, communities and borders, moving beyond the personal to touch upon some of the key social and political themes of our times.
Anyone from a refugee or migrant background is eligible to submit an entry for the Prize if they are resident in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland, whether they have previously been published or not. Both agented and unagented submissions are welcome.
Submission Guidelines
- Submissions must consist of a sample of 8,000 to 10,000 words and a detailed proposal of c. 3,000 words, as well as a one-page cover letter.
- Your proposal must include the genre, subject matter, scope, style and structure of the proposed book and include an estimated word count for the fully written book, as well as the date by which you think you would be able to deliver the fully written book. You must be able to deliver a fully-written manuscript of 65,000-85,000 words before 30 March 2025.
- You can find Footnote’s standard book proposal guidelines here: FxC Prize Proposal Guidelines. When submitting your entry, please also include a short covering letter including your name, contact details, a brief biography of c. 200 words, including information on your refugee or migrant background, and any relevant information such as any previously published works, agent details (if relevant), any social media accounts, prizes won or nominated for etc. The covering letter should be part of the same document as your submission.
- Additionally, we will also require a 30-60 second video introduction (no need for specialist equipment, fine to just use a mobile phone or webcam) to yourself and/or your work.
- Proposals and samples must be submitted as Microsoft Word documents and preferably be double-spaced and in Times New Roman typeface of 12 point font.
- The closing date for entries is 5pm GMT on 1 October 2023, and the winners and two runners-up will be announced in March 2024. A panel of three judges will be announced this August.
- Applicants should read the full Terms and Conditions before sending in any work.
- To enter, please email your submission to: prizesubmission@footnotepress.com "
