Emerging writers now have an exciting opportunity to take their manuscript to the next level with the Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize, a competition designed to discover and develop new commercial fiction and non-fiction voices. Offering not just prize recognition to writers worldwide, but also professional editorial support and the possibility of publication, the prize provides a rare pathway from finished manuscript to a potential publishing contract with Hawkeye Publishing.
From the Hawkeye Publishing website:
The Hawkeye Manuscript Development Prize has proven fertile ground for uncovering new and emerging talent, with many authors coming to our attention during the competition.
As part of our commitment to championing underrepresented voices in publishing, we are proud to introduce a second category alongside the Hawkeye Prize Open Category: The Hawkeye Prize – Own Voices.
This additional category celebrates stories that authentically reflect the author's own identity or lived experience from underrepresented or marginalised communities.
This year, two winners will be selected – one winner from the Hawkeye Prize Open Category and one winner from the Hawkeye Prize – Own Voices category.
The 2027 Hawkeye Prize is now open.
Competition closes: 6PM AEST, Tuesday 1 December, 2026
Word count: Maximum 80,000 words.
Standard entry fee: $45 AU
Enhanced entry fee: $99 AU
For an enhanced entry fee, receive 1-2 pages of constructive feedback from our panel of expert judges on your competition submission. This detailed feedback will highlight your work’s strengths, pinpoint areas for growth, and provide actionable suggestions to elevate your story.
Whether it’s insights on narrative structure, character development, or writing style, this personalised critique will guide you in refining your craft and honing your unique voice. Perfect for writers looking to take their work to the next level, the enhanced entry ensures you walk away with valuable input that supports your journey toward publication.
Hawkeye Publishing will offer the winners a trade publishing contract (terms and conditions apply) and consider short-listed entrants for an author-assisted publishing contract. Previous winners and short-listed entrants who are published by Hawkeye include Me That You See, The Woman in the Waves, Five Stages of Grace, Road to Freedom, The Ghost Train and the Scarlet Moon with more still in production.
Prizes
Both winners receive a trade publishing contract with Hawkeye (terms and conditions apply) plus an editing package valued at $3,500. Additionally, all manuscripts longlisted and shortlisted are announced on our website and in our newsletter.
The Hawkeye Prize Open Category winner receives author coaching, a structural edit and a line edit, alongside a trade contract, with the structural edit kindly sponsored by Brisbane Writers Workshop, and line editing, author coaching, and a trade contract sponsored by Hawkeye Publishing.
The Hawkeye Prize – Own Voices winner receives author coaching, a structural edit and a line edit, alongside a trade contract, with the structural edit kindly sponsored by editor Paris Thompson, and line editing, author coaching, and a trade contract sponsored by Hawkeye Publishing.
Eligibility Criteria
Authors of commercial Adult, YA, Middle-Grade, Picture Book and Non-Fiction written in English can apply.
Manuscripts submitted by applicants must be their own original, unpublished work and should be strong commercial fiction, including but not limited to contemporary women’s fiction, science fiction, romance, crime and YA, or commercial non-fiction, including but not limited to memoir, biography, history, self-help and business.
The following types of work are not eligible:
- Poetry
- Comic Books
- Graphic Novels
Manuscripts for adult fiction and non-fiction must be a maximum of 80,000 words in length. Emerging and established writers are invited to apply.
Entry to the program is open to applicants world-wide who write for an English-speaking audience. Applicants must be aged 18 years or older.
To learn more and enter, head to the Hawkeye Publishing website here.
