What is Novel Beginnings?

Novel Beginnings (NovBegin) is a creative writing contest for unrepresented and unpublished writers. It offers a $50,000 grand prize for one winning writer and $5,000 runner-up prizes for nine shortlisted writers.

When is Novel Beginnings?

Novel Beginnings opens for submissions on February 1st, 2026, and closes on March 31st, 2026. The winner of the grand prize will be announced in May.

Why is ProWritingAid hosting Novel Beginnings?

We want to give aspiring writers the support and space they need to create their stories. Many writers’ dreams are sidelined or sacrificed due to financial constraints. This is especially true at a time when hundreds of arts organizations have had their grants slashed.

With Novel Beginnings, we are investing in writers before they have been published. The prizes in our contest offer far more than just a substantial sum of money. They give writers the belief to dream big at the very beginning of their story’s journey.

How does Novel Beginnings work?

As long you have a Free, Premium, or Premium Pro plan, you can enter Novel Beginnings right now. If you have a Free plan, you will need to pay a $20 entrance fee. If you have a Premium or Premium Pro plan your entrance is free.

You will then be able to submit your 5,000-word sample of your novel for your entry. You cannot exceed 5,000 words for your entry, but you can write up to 10% (500 words) under this amount to end your sample at the ideal place. During the contest, you can also track your progress toward 5,000 words, earn badges, and take part in our Novel Beginnings Bootcamp, live workshops, writing sprints, and group critique sessions in our Community.

ProWritingAid is more than just an editing assistant; we’re here to help you bring your story to life. Unlock your story’s full potential with our in-depth writing reports, actionable feedback, and more.