Jhalak Prize 2025

SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED

First awarded in March 2017, the Jhalak Prize awards seek to celebrate books by writers of colour in the UK and Ireland. In 2020, the single award was bifurcated to create a dedicated Jhalak Children’s YA Prize. From 2024, the Jhalak Poetry Prize has been added to the awards portfolio.

Entries include (but are not limited to) fiction, non-fiction, short stories, graphic novels, poetry and all other genres. The Jhalak Children’s and YA Prize accepts books for children, teens and young adults including picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, poetry, non-fiction, and all other genres by writers of colour and aimed at young readers. The newly inaugurated Jhalak Poetry Prize accepts entries of poetry aimed at adults as well as children and young adults.

The prizes are also open to self-published writers. Each winner is awarded £1000 along with a unique work of art created by artists chosen for the annual Jhalak Art Residency. 

View 2025 Prose Prize Longlist    View 2025 Poetry Prize Longlist    View 2025 Children's & YA Prize Longlist