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Novel Beginnings (NovBegin) is a creative writing contest for unrepresented and unpublished writers.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?

Submissions for Novel Beginnings have now closed. Submissions opened on February 1st, 2026, and closed 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.

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.