Overview

• The Next Big Story contest, organized by The Novelry, offers a $100,000 prize and yearlong development support for one debut novelist.
• Submissions are open until July 31, 2025, with entrants required to submit the first three pages of their novel for a £15 fee per entry.
• The contest aims to amplify diverse voices and break down barriers in the publishing industry, welcoming writers who have been historically overlooked.
• A celebrity judging panel, including Emma Roberts, Yann Martel, Julia Quinn, and Tayari Jones, will select the winner after a public voting phase on shortlisted entries starting September 28.
• The winner will be announced on October 12, 2025, and will receive mentorship from The Novelry to develop their novel into a finished book.