New £15,000 Prize for Fiction Celebrating Refugee and Migrant Voices

Footnote Press and Counterpoints Arts have introduced a new fiction award aimed at celebrating writers from refugee and migrant backgrounds. The Footnote x Counterpoints prize, which launches on Thursday, offers a £15,000 prize package, including a £7,500 cash award and a £7,500 advance for publication with Footnote Press. This initiative marks a shift from the previous year's focus on narrative nonfiction to fiction, reflecting a commitment to uncovering new literary voices that resonate with the experiences of migration.

The Guardian

The prize is open to writers residing in the UK or Ireland and seeks to highlight narratives centered around themes of displacement, courage, and belonging. The Southbank Centre in London will support the initiative by hosting a public event in May, where shortlisted writers will present and discuss their work. The judging panel for this inaugural fiction prize includes notable figures such as Dina Nayeri, author of *The Ungrateful Refugee*, and Bea Carvalho, head of books at Waterstones.

The Guardian

Almir Koldzic, director and co-founder of Counterpoints Arts, emphasized the urgency of the prize in today's socio-political climate, stating, “In a time marked by deepening divisions and intolerance, the prize feels especially necessary and urgent.” Koldzic expressed hope that the award would amplify remarkable literary voices and provide fresh perspectives on societal issues related to displacement.

The Guardian

Serena Arthur, commissioning editor at Footnote Press, also shared her enthusiasm for the shift to fiction, noting that the prize continues to align with the core themes of Footnote’s ethos. The first Footnote x Counterpoints prize, awarded for nonfiction, was won by Sabrin Hasbun in 2024 for her memoir *Crossing: A Love Story Between Italy and Palestine*, which explores her parents' cross-cultural love story.

The Guardian

Submissions for the prize are currently open and will close on February 13, 2025. Entrants must submit an 8,000–10,000-word sample of their work along with a synopsis of at least 1,500 words. A shortlist of candidates will be announced in May, with the winner revealed during Refugee Week in June.

The Guardian

While the prize aims to celebrate diverse voices, some critics may question the effectiveness of such initiatives in addressing broader systemic issues faced by refugees and migrants. Concerns may arise regarding whether literary awards can significantly impact the lived experiences of these communities or merely serve as symbolic gestures.

The Guardian

• “In a time marked by deepening divisions and intolerance, the prize feels especially necessary and urgent,” — Almir Koldzic, Director and Co-founder of Counterpoints Arts

The Guardian

• “The prize is still centred around themes that are core to both Footnote’s ethos and list, but I’m especially excited to be turning to fiction this time around,” — Serena Arthur, Commissioning Editor at Footnote Press

The Guardian