The Nero New Writers Prize

The Nero New Writers Prize, in association with Brunel University of London, seeks to uncover the best and brightest untapped writing talent and support them as they develop into the stars of the future. The winner will receive £3,000, a scholarship for an MA in Creative Writing at Brunel, and an introduction to a literary agent. Each runner-up will receive £1,000 and a mentorship session with a member of Brunel’s Creative Writing faculty. The winner of the inaugural Nero New Writers Prize in 2025 was Erwin Joyce Canlubo, a 19-year-old student, for their work We Don’t Say I Love You In This House.

The five writers shortlisted for the Nero New Writers Prize will be announced on 22^nd October 2026, with the winner celebrated at a ceremony at Brunel University on 18^th November. The judging panel is chaired by bestselling author and Nero Gold Prize winner Paul Murray, who is joined by Bernardine Evaristo, Professor of Creative Writing at Brunel, and Helen Cullen, Reader in Creative Writing at Brunel. 

The Brunel Prize

The ceremony on 18^th November will also celebrate the winner of the inaugural Brunel Prize, specifically for students of Brunel University of London, who are currently enrolled or have graduated within the last two years. Paul Murray will separately choose an overall winner for the Brunel Prize from a selection of entries, with the winner receiving an £1,000 cash prize and a scholarship for an MA in Creative Writing at Brunel.