PolarI BOOK prize
Judges announced and submissions open for 2020 awards
The Polari Prize 2020 is now open for submissions.
Judges for the 2020 Polari First Book prize are author and 2019 Prize winner Angela Chadwick; writer and performer Cerys Evans; author and former Head of Literature & Spoken Word at Southbank Centre Rachel Holmes; and poet and performer Keith Jarrett.
Judges for the 2020 Polari Book Prize are CEO of the National Centre for Writing Chris Gribble; literary critic Suzi Feay; author and performer VG Lee; and poet and 2019 Prize winner Andrew McMillan.
The chair for both prizes is author and founder Paul Burston.
The Polari First Book Prize is sponsored by award-winning arts communications company FMcM Associates, with the winner receiving a cheque for £1,000. The submission fee is £15.
The Polari Prize is sponsored by D H H Literary Agency, with the winner receiving a cheque for £2,000. The submission fee is £25.
Writers must be born or based in the UK and Ireland.
Due to the disruption caused by Covid-10, the deadline for submissions has been extended until May 8.
For further details, please email
ELIGIBILITY FOR THE POLARI FIRST BOOK PRIZE
a. Any full length debut novel, novella, short story collection, memoir, book of poetry or published play text written in English by a writer born or based in the UK and Ireland is eligible. Poetry pamphlets will be accepted, provided they have an ISBN number.
b. Writers must explore LGBTQ+ themes and characters in the work submitted.
c. All entries must be submitted in print form. Where books exist only in e-book format, a bound printed copy will be accepted. E-books or PDFs will not be accepted.
d. All entries must be first published in the United Kingdom or Ireland between 2 February 2019 and 1 February 2020, but may have been previously published outside the UK. Titles with simultaneous UK and US publications within this timeframe are eligible.
e. Self-published books are eligible for the Prize. Submission must include a covering letter explaining why the work was self-published.
f. Authors / publishers are reminded that it is their responsibility to ensure that all submitted titles meet all other requirements for the prize.
ELIGIBILITY FOR THE POLARI PRIZE
a. Any full length novel, novella, short story collection, memoir, book of poetry or published play text written in English by a writer born or based in the UK and Ireland is eligible.
b. Writers must either identify as LGBTQ+ or explore LGBTQ+ themes and characters in the work submitted. Books by LGBTQ+ writers writing in all genres are actively encouraged, whether they feature LGBTQ+ characters or not.
c. All entries must be submitted in print form. Where books exist only in e-book format, a bound printed copy will be accepted. E-books or PDFs will not be accepted.
d. All entries must be first published in the United Kingdom or Ireland between 2 February 2019 and 1 February 2020, but may have been previously published outside the UK. Titles with simultaneous UK and US publications within this timeframe are eligible.
e. Self-published books are eligible for the Prize. Submission must include a covering letter explaining why the work was self-published.
f. Authors / publishers are reminded that it is their responsibility to ensure that all submitted titles meet all other requirements for the prize.
ENTRY OF BOOKS
There is no limit on the number of eligible titles entered by any one publisher / author. The following steps should be taken for titles to be considered:
a. By April 20, 2020, Publishers should contact the chair of judges via email expressing their intention to submit. The relevant submission fee of £25 per title or £15 per title (First Book Prize) will then be sent via BACS or PayPal and the judges’ addresses forwarded for submission.
b. By April 30, 2020 Publishers should ensure that all books have been received by the judges.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Any eligible book that is entered for the Prize shall not qualify unless its publisher/author agrees:
a. that in the case of The Polari Prize, the publisher/author will contribute a submission fee of £25 per title. That in the case of The Polari First Book Prize, the publisher/author will contribute a submission fee of £15 per title. This payment is to be made promptly within seven days by BACS or PayPal.
b. to provide a short bio and high resolution author photo for each book submitted – no later than June 1.
c. to invite longlisted authors to the public shortlist event on July 31 at the Southbank Centre and shortlisted authors to the award ceremony at the London Literature Festival in October, also at the Southbank Centre (date TBC). Publishers/authors will be responsible for travel costs and will do their best to ensure attendance.
d. that if an entered book should be longlisted, the publisher/author will provide a recorded interview/reading with the author to be used by the Polari Prize on either web or mobile platforms to promote the Prize.
e. that if an entered book should be shortlisted, the publisher will do their best to ensure the author’s attendance at the Prize award ceremony.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About the Polari First Book Prize
• The Polari First Book Prize was launched in 2011 and previous winners include Angela Chadwick, Fiona Mozley, Saleem Haddad, Paul McVeigh, Kirsty Logan, Diriye Osman, John McCullough, Mari Hannah and James Maker. Last year’s shortlisted books were displayed at W.H.Smiths Travel outlets nationwide and the prize supported by a Polari national tour funded by Arts Council England.
• The Polari First Book Prize is sponsored by leading literary PR consultancy, FMcM Associates. The winner will receive a cheque for £1,000. FMcM have supported the Polari Prize with pro bono media relations since 2011 and took over sponsorship of the £1,000 award in 2015.
About the Polari Prize
• The Polari Prize was established in 2019 and awards an overall Book of the Year. It is open to writers at any stage of their career (except debuts).
• The Polari Prize is sponsored by D H H Literary Agency, with the winner receiving a cheque for £2,000.
For all media enquiries please contact Ashton Bainbridge at FMcM Associates on 0207 405 7422 or email