Posted on 08/06/2026 in Dorothy Says
The Sareeta Domingo Prize is now open for submissions
The Sareeta Domingo Prize is now open for submissions
Before you hit submit, ask yourself these 4 questions:
Have you read your work lately?
If you’re submitting an old piece of work, have you read it through recently? If not, read it like you’re a reader who has spent their hard-earned money on what you’re about to submit. Be honest with yourself, is this your best work? Would you read the rest of the novel if someone gave it to you? Don’t be afraid to tweak your work as necessary.
Have you rewritten the first 3 pages at least twice?
When I’ve finished a book (I’ve written 24 now), I always always go back and rewrite the first 3 pages several times. They are the most important pages of your whole novel. They are the pages that someone is going to read either in submission or on the shelf, and decide whether they will finish your book or not. Trust me. Once you’ve written your 5,000 words, go back and rewrite the first 3 pages so they are as compelling as possible.
Is this the book you really want to write?
The Sareeta Domingo Prize is for any genre of book. Want to write about sexy dragons? Go right ahead. Want to create the next great literary tome? Be our guest. Want to wow us with a killer-twist thriller? Yes please. Want to tell the next great love story? Our hearts are ready. Historical fiction your thing? Get going already. The only rule when it comes to genre is to write the story you want to write, not the one you think you should. Black and Global Majority writers are always expected to write serious stuff, don’t be afraid to step out of that and tell the story you’re longing to. We can always tell if you’re not writing from the heart, so write what you want instead of what you think you should.
Are you aiming for your best or perfection?
We want to see your best work. Yes, read it over, do a spellcheck, check how it sounds to you as a reader, but please don’t tie yourself up in knots trying to make your submission publication perfect – we want to see the best you can do right now. So write your words, write your synopsis and send your submission to us before 21st September 2026.
What Do You Need To Submit?
Entrants must be unagented and previously unpublished, aged 18 or over, resident in the UK and from a Black or Global Majority background.
Submission criteria:
The first 5,000 words of the novel in progress
A full synopsis of the novel (up to 750 words) including the ending.
What Is The Prize?
The winner will receive £2,500 prize money plus:
12 months of writing coaching from Dorothy Koomson
A place on the Goldsboro Writing Academy Write Your Novel With Us course
An offer of literary representation from literary agency David Higham Associates (with no obligation to accept)
The winner’s entry will also be taken forward to Orion’s acquisitions meeting and considered for full publication with a competitive advance against royalties. Orion does not guarantee that the winner will be offered a publishing contract and if offered an agreement there will be no obligation to accept
A copy of each of the four titles published on Sareeta’s List at Jacaranda Books
A highly commended entrant will receive £1,500 prize money plus:
A place on the Goldsboro Writing Academy Write Your Novel With Us course
A one-hour follow-up online editorial session with a senior Orion editor
A one-hour consultation with an agent at DHA
A copy of each of the four titles published on Sareeta’s List at Jacaranda Books
Shortlisted Entrants will receive:
A 1000-word piece of editorial feedback from an Orion editor
A one-hour consultation with an agent at DHA
A copy of one of the titles published on Sareeta’s List at Jacaranda Books
All longlisted entrants will receive a one-hour consultation with an agent at DHA with advice on what to do next with their writing.
Terms & Conditions here: Find out more
