Entry Deadline Approaching for Creative Writing Prize

A new literary award that celebrates outstanding writing in Suffolk, is urging writers based in the county to submit their work before the 31 December 2024 deadline.

The Creative Suffolk Author Award aims to showcase the strength of diverse literary voices in Suffolk and reward the work of a writer who has made an important contribution to the literary landscape of the county.

The award is for writers who contribute to the creative output in Suffolk which can include full-length books of fiction and nonfiction, collections of short stories and collections of essays by one author and selected poems by one author.

Organised by the University of Suffolk and the Ipswich Institute, the Creative Suffolk Author Award has a prize value of £2,000. 

Commenting on the award, Dr Amanda Hodgkinson, Associate Dean, School of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Suffolk said: “Through the work of the University’s Centre for Culture and Heritage, we are excited to have developed this prize and be supporting the incredible work being produced by writers and authors across the county.

"As a Civic University, we are passionate about creativity and showcasing the talent here in Suffolk.”

In addition to the 2025 Creative Suffolk Author Award, the Ipswich Institute hosts the New Angle Prize, which recognises a recently published book of literary merit, associated with or influenced by East Anglia.

The New Angle Prize has a prize of £3,000 (£500 for the runner-up) and aims to celebrate and encourage excellence in literature across the region.

Entries for the awards must have been first published between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2024. 

Self-published books are eligible for both these awards, providing they have been commercially available in physical bookshops, and are available to buy in hard copy as well as e-book form.  

The longlist will be announced in February 2025, followed by the shortlist in March and the winners will be announced at a special awards dinner at Hintlesham Golf Course in September 2025. 

To find out more about the competition rules and entries requirements, please visit: www.ipswichinstitute.org.uk/new-angle/  or by email to library@ipswichinstitute.org.uk