Submission Guidelines

 

Apply for the DMIP here

 

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David Miller Internship Programme

The internship programme runs September-October. The application process is managed via New Writing North and is open exclusively to candidates residing in the North of England. Updates shared on social media. 

Key dates:

• Informal session via Zoom with previous participants to find out more about the opportunity on Thursday 30 April at 6pm. 
• Deadline for applications: Friday 22 May at 5pm 
• Candidates notified of interview: w/c Monday 22 June
• Interviews: Wednesday 1 July 

Entry requirements:

• Applicants must be from in the North of England. The North of England is defined as the areas covered by Arts Council England in Yorkshire, North East and North West.  We appreciate that people may be temporarily living away from their usual residence. Please only apply for the opportunity if you are a permanent resident of the North of England. 
• Please submit a CV and a tailored cover letter (maximum three sides of A4 in total) as a single document. Applications without a tailored cover letter will not be considered. Once submitted, applications can no longer be amended, so please proof-read carefully before submitting. 
• We respect the time and energy that applicants invest in applying for opportunities and our expectation is that AI will not be used in the preparation of applications. We will ask you to confirm this when submitting your application.
• Please do not contact The Deborah Rogers Foundation directly about the opportunity. All queries should be sent to New Writing North at: skills@newwritingnorth.com 
• If you require any adjustments to the application process, please contact New Writing North directly to discuss how best to support your application. 
• We encourage people from all sections of our community to apply. We particularly welcome Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ applicants and those from lower socio-economic and working-class backgrounds, because these groups are currently under-represented in the publishing industry. 
   

 

The Deborah Rogers Award

Application process

The submission window for the 2027 Deborah Rogers Award is open from 29 September 2026  to 24 November 2026 midnight (GMT).  The longlist is published August 2027, the shortlist in September 2027 and the winner announced thereafter.  There is a link to the application form at the bottom of this page. 

Rules

The submitted work can be fiction, non-fiction, children’s or short stories. Applicants must reside in the British Commonwealth or Ireland. The winner receives £10,000 and the two shortlisted authors £3,000 each.The Deborah Rogers Award is presented every two years.

Do you accept submissions from Children’s writers?

Yes, we do accept submissions of Children’s, YA, Middle-Grade etc
 

Can I enter if I have self-published a book before?

No, we do not accept submissions from self-published writers
 

Can I enter if I have had a book of poetry published before?

Yes, we do accept submissions from writers who have published a collection of poetry

 

What are the Commonwealth countries?

A list of British Commonwealth countries can be found here

 

Can I have been published in another language?

No, unfortunately we do not accept submissions from authors who have previously been published in any language

 

Will I hear from anyone?

You will receive an automated response to your submission.

 

I have submitted to the DRF Writers Award before, can I submit again?

Yes, you can submit new work to the DRF Writers Award, but not work you have submitted in a previous year

 

Can I submit more than one work?

No, we allow only one submission per writer

 

I have an agent/representation, can I still apply?

Yes, we accept submissions from writers with agents. Writers cannot however be under option or contract to a publisher

 

Can I enter if I have translated or edited a work or anthology?

If you have translated or edited a work you may enter the prize, so long as you are not the only contributor named in the work

 

Can I enter if I have had a book published by a small academic press?

No, we do not accept submissions from writers who have previously published a book-length work

 

Can I enter if I have had a book published digitally?
No, we do not accept submissions from writers who have previously published a book-length work digitally

 

Do you accept submissions of graphic novels, picture books or cookery books?

No, we do not accept these types of submissions

 

I’m a published non-fiction/fiction writer, and this is my first work of fiction/non-fiction; am I still eligible?

No, we do not accept authors who have previously been published in a full-length prose format (with the exception of a collection of poetry)

 

Can I enter if I have had a short story or an essay published in an anthology, journal or magazine?

Yes, in this case you would be eligible

 

Can I enter if I have had a script for a play, film or TV published?

Yes, you would be eligible

Submissions originated, written or edited using Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not be accepted. This includes the use of AI in your synopsis as well as the manuscript.