The Aspects of History Unpublished Novel Prize 2026
About the Prize
Submit your story
Be published and promoted
Write the next chapter in your career
Aspects of History are launching a new Unpublished Historical Novel Award.
This is the perfect opportunity to have your voice heard and raise your sales and profile as a debut, or more established, writer.
The winner will be awarded a prize of £500 and be offered a publishing contract by Holand Press, a leading UK independent publisher. The winner will also be promoted by Aspects of History through an article, author interview and book review.
Submissions should be between 50k-150k words long. Your novel should be set during a period before 1980.
As well as unpublished novels, we will also accept submissions of self-published titles published after 1st January, 2025.
Under the umbrella of Historical Fiction, we will accept submissions in the sub-genres of crime, espionage, military fiction, romance and literary fiction.
We will not accept submissions in the following genres: fantasy, erotica and sci-fi.
Entries cost £25 per submission.
Should you be a subscriber to Aspects of History or Aspects of Crime, then submissions will cost just £15.
You will need to submit your manuscript between 15th June and 1st September 2026.
Manuscripts should be sent as a Word file to history@aspectsofhistory.com.
Please avoid including any illustrations or proposed cover designs.
Payment should be sent to:
Payment Instructions – Revolut Bank:
Account Name: ASPECTS OF HISTORY LTD
Account Number: 55495813
Sort Code: 23-01-20
Account Name: ASPECTS OF HISTORY LTD
Account Number: 55495813
Sort Code: 23-01-20
Payment Instructions – International
Name: ASPECTS OF HISTORY LTD
IBAN: GB63REVO00996939695303
BIC: REVOGB21
We will send receipt of both payment and MS.
Please alert us should you be a subscriber to the magazine to obtain your discount on submissions.
We will contact the winner in September.
FAQs
Can I submit more than one entry?
Authors are allowed to submit multiple entries.
I am not a UK based author. Can I still submit an entry for the prize?
There is is barrier to entry in relation to where you are based.
Will the judges provide any feedback on submissions?
We will not be able to provide any feedback. However, Aspects of History does provide an array of publishing services, including MS appraisal, editing and cover design should you wish to get in touch and publish your book independently or improve your chances of securing an agent or publisher.
Am I obligated to accept the contract from Holand Press? Can I still submit to Holand Press and other publishers?
You will not be obligated to accept the offer to publish through Holand Press. You will be welcome to submit to other publishers or agents.
You will also be free to submit to Holand Press direct. They are currently accepting submissions from new writers. Should Holand press feel your MS fits into their list they may be in touch and offer publishing contract even if you do not win prize.
My novel has been self-published or is about to be self published. Can I still submit my ms?
Yes, so long as it was self-published after January 2025.