The Nero New Writers Prize in association with Brunel University of London was announced this evening, at the 2024 Nero Book Awards ceremony in central London. The prize aims to discover emerging talent by recognising unpublished and aspiring writers and supporting them with their work.

Running in conjunction with the main Nero Book Awards, entrants will be asked to submit a piece of original, unpublished adult fiction, children’s fiction or creative non-fiction up to 5000 words. The judging panel will consist of two members of the Brunel creative writing faculty plus an author as Chair. They will be looking for outstanding writing that will appeal to a wide range of readers. 

The winner will receive a cash prize, which will be presented at that year’s Nero Book Awards gala ceremony. They will also receive a scholarship to study for an MA in Creative Writing at Brunel University of London as well as an introductory meeting with a literary agent, facilitated by Brunel.

The Prize will be open to adults based in the UK and Ireland age 18+ and further expands Caffè Nero’s support for emerging artistic talent, which already sees unsigned musical artists promoted nationwide through Caffè Nero’s in-store music programme.