Our prizes target and identify talented writers from different regions of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Book Prize (CBP) is awarded for the best first book, and the Commonwealth Short Story Prize (CSSP) for the best piece of unpublished short fiction.
For each prize we award four regional winners and one overall winner. The regions are Africa; Asia; Canada & Europe; Caribbean; and the Pacific. Both prizes are open to Commonwealth citizens aged 18 or over.
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Commonwealth Book Prize
Awarded for best first book, this prize is open to writers who have had their first novel (full length work of fiction) published between 1 January and 31 December 2011. Publishers must enter the book on behalf of the author except in the case of self published authors from eligible regions who can make their own submission. Regional winners receive £2,500 and the overall winner receives £10,000.
Commonwealth Short Story Prize
Awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2000 – 5000 words). Submissions must be made by the author of the short story. Regional winners receive £1,000 and the overall winner receives £5,000.
