Calling all bold storytellers and visionary voices.
Intellectual Ink Magazine is proud to announce the first-ever Intellectual Ink Debut Novel Prize, created to spotlight fresh talent and powerful prose. This is your moment to rise and be read.
Contest Timeline
- Submissions Close: August 31, 2025
- Finalists Announced: October 31, 2025
- Winner Announced: December 25, 2025 (Christmas Day)
- Feature Published: January 2026 Issue of Intellectual Ink Magazine
The Prize
- $1,000 cash award
- Full feature interview in Intellectual Ink Magazine
- First chapter excerpt published in our January 2026 issue
We’re not looking to publish your book—we’re here to champion your voice, amplify your story, and give your manuscript the shine it deserves.
What We’re Looking For
We want a completed novel manuscript that captivates, challenges, and speaks from the soul. All genres are welcome: speculative fiction, romance, historical, urban fiction, literary, contemporary, thriller, you name it. We are especially interested in stories by and about underrepresented communities.
Eligibility
- Must be 18 or older
- must follow us on social media
- This must be your first unpublished novel (self-published works are eligible if they have not had wide distribution or traditional backing)
- Open internationally
- One submission per writer
- No entry fee
Submission Guidelines
- Completed manuscript (minimum 40,000 words)
- One-page synopsis (500 words max)
- Optional:
- Short bio (150 words)
- Statement: “Why This Book?” (250 words or less)
- Manuscript must be in PDF or DOC/DOCX format
- Submissions must be in English
How to Submit
Email your submission to: submit@intellectualink.com
Use the subject line: Debut Novel Prize – [Your Full Name]
Include all submission materials as attachments. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Selection Process
All entries will be reviewed by Intellectual Ink Magazine’s editorial team. Ten finalists will be chosen and notified by October 31, 2025. One winner will be announced on December 25, 2025 and featured in our January 2026 issue.
Questions?
Contact us at moneeabney@intellectualink.com or follow us on Instagram @intellectualinkmag for updates.
We can’t wait to read your work.
