Caledonia Novel Award 2026

The Caledonia Novel Award is an Edinburgh-based, international writing competition for unpublished and self-published novelists, in all genres for adults and YA. The organizer’s mission is to discover, encourage and celebrate new writers from all backgrounds and walks of life, and to inspire them and give them the confidence to put their work out into the world.

The Caledonia Novel Award is open to unpublished or self-published novelists only. The competition is open to writers over the age of eighteen of any nationality and resident in any country. Entrants must be unagented at the time of submission.

Novels can be in any genre for adults or young adults and must be at least 50,000 words in length

Top prize: £1,500 and an exclusive framed award designed by Edinburgh artist Lucy Roscoe.

The writer of the best novel from the British Isles and Ireland will receive a free place on a writing course at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre. The winner will be able to choose from a selection of week-long residential or online courses taking place in 2026. The prize includes accommodation, food and tuition, but does not cover travel costs.

Is this competition legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any event, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work.