The CityLife team and the University of East London are extremely excited to announce the launch of a brand new literary prize, the CityLife Prize for Fiction by Young Writers. It is open to all London-based writers aged 16 to 19.

The theme for this year’s competition is ‘The City’. We are looking for fiction that engages in questions about what or who London is, and how Londoners live. There are no restrictions in topic or genre. We are looking for excellence in writing and stories that will bring a fresh literary view of London by young voices.

The winner will receive £500, publication of their story on a dedicated page on this website, and will also be offered a place on the (BA) Hons Creative & Professional Writing degree at UEL (subject to interview). Ten shortlisted writers will be announced in April 2017, and the winner will be announced in May, at our annual writing festival, WRITE NOW.

Submissions open on November 1, 2016 and close on March 15, 2017. We are offering two open access and free of charge workshops (December 3, 2016 and February 18, 2017) for applicants who wish to seek editing advice before submitting their piece.

For more information including how to enter, click here.