Since the announcement of the Owned Voices Novel Award 2021, anonymous donors have come forward to contribute cash towards a cash prize for the two award winners. Donations have totalled £500 to be split between the two winners equally, leaving each winner with a £250 cash prize.

Alongside the cash prize, the two winners will attend a Routes to Getting Published Q&A panel with the shortlisted writers, and also receive one-to-one mentoring with either agent Katie Fulford or editor Leodora Darlington. The winners will be given specialised guidance on how to strengthen their manuscript and how to have the best possible chance of finding representation for their work.

Leodora Darlington, Founder of Owned Voices says, “It’s been so brilliant to see people coming forward to support the award and its eventual winners of their own volition. It’s a great reminder that there are lots of people out there who are deeply passionate about seeing a more diverse range of voices published. I’m so grateful to everyone who donated towards the prize. It means so much to be able to offer our winners some cash alongside the brilliant priceless prizes.”

The Owned Voices Novel Award 2021 is open to writers from under-represented backgrounds and is free to enter. Applications are open now and close in February 2021. Read more about the Owned Voices Novel Award 2021 at https://ownedvoices.com/novel-award.