
CREATIVE WRITING AWARDS
2021
Call for Applications
The Bombay Review is now inviting applications for the The Annual Awards for Creative Writing, an international literary prize for both emerging and established writers. The winner(s) will be judged by an eminent panel and will receive a cash prize of $350 with total cash prizes up to $1,000 by different TBR initiatives.
Last date for entries: 31st December, 2020 unless specified otherwise. (Now Closed)
What are we looking for?
Creative Writing, simple, original and ambitious.
FINAL SHORTLIST:
Veena Patwardhan
Sudeepta Sanyal
SN Rasul
Parvathi Nayar
Anupama Spencer
Jacqueline Pereira
Architha Narayanan
The Long List




















Timescale (delayed due to pandemic)
- July 2020 – Entries open
- August to December – Submission period
- December 2020 – Entries close
- April 2021 – Longlists released (both)
- June 2021 – Final shortlist
Prizes (Up to $1,000)
Update – Nov, 2020 – In light of the trying times of the pandemic, a small portion of the award fund has been diverted to promote Dalit and LGBTQ+ writing, with payment made to all/solicited contributors of the respective special editions. Further, creative writing grants do not have a deadline, and will be awarded as applications come in.
- ₹15,000 / $200 prize money for 1st place winner – Short Fiction
- ₹5,000 / $70 prize money for 2nd and 3rd place – Short Fiction
- ₹5,000 / $70 (upto 3 awards) prize money for ‘Best of Young Writing – Under 23’ – Short Fiction
- ₹7,500 – ₹25,000 / $100 – $350 grant awards to upcoming literary ventures.
Other perks:
- Publication in The Bombay Review and/or partner magazines
- Professional consultation with a literary agent
- Selection of books from one leading publisher
- One year print subscription to The Paris Review and/or Tin House
*Conditions Apply.
Guidelines
- We are only looking for Short Fiction presently (Poetry award applications to open shortly)
- Word count should be between 2000 and 6000
- Works should be previously unpublished (personal blog included)
- You may enter the award as many times as you wish
- Each new entry should be a separate submission with fee
- English entries only, we are not looking for translations at the moment
- The Word Document should be in Times New Roman font size 12, titled – ‘Your name – TBRCWAward2021’
- A regular grammar and spell check in your word processor is strongly recommended
General requirements
- You should be at least 18 years of age at the time of submission, or above 15 for Student Writing Award
- A copy of your government issued photo ID is compulsory
- A professional bio of yourself (max 150 words) including work experience, publications, education, certifications, if any (with relevant links)
Entry Fee
(You will be required to upload payment proof in the application form)
Regular – ₹1,000 / $15 for each entry of the short fiction awards.
(CLOSED) Early bird – Fee waived till 30th November if:
- You are below the age of 23
- You have taken our Creative Writing Courses/Workshops
- You have been published in The Bombay Review in Issue 33 or later
Student fee – ₹750 / $10 for each entry made if you are below the age of 23 as of June, 2020.
If any of the above apply to you, attach a word document stating your category with relevant link or ID proof with age, at the ‘Please upload proof of fee payment’ option in the Application Form.
Not able to pay the fee? Write to us! Fee waivers available (3 left)! Mail us at contact@thebombayreview.com. There is no fee for Dalit Writing Edition, LGBTQ+ Vol II/III, and application for grants
Payment method
- For Applicants outside India: Pay via Paypal / Card
- For Indian Applicants: Pay via UPI / Card / NEFT
Note, ‘the purpose of payment’ should be ‘Your Name – TBRCWAwards2021 Fee’
Terms and conditions
- Each entrant retains the copyright in their entry. However each entrant grants to The Bombay Review, a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to publish, broadcast, communicate and make available the entry in all media and in all formats throughout the world, including but not limited to:
(i) publishing the entry in the Anthology,
(ii) publishing the entry on the Website, and
(iii) publishing the entry elsewhere online and on any other platforms (whether now known or yet to be envisaged). This licence will be deemed to include all the necessary rights and permissions to enable such use by The Bombay Review, to fulfill the prizes and to complete the administration of the Award. - Each entrant agrees that the magazine may at its sole discretion edit, adapt, abridge or modify the entry for the purpose listed in clause (a) above.
- Each entrant, warrants that the entry is original and that nothing in the entry will infringe the copyright or any other intellectual property right of any third party or defame any third party. Content found to be plagiarized will face strict action from the jury.
- The entry fee is non refundable.
- The decision of the The Bombay Review will be final and cannot be contested.
- By submitting your application you agree to let us use your bio, submitted writing, name and likeness on our platform and social media for promotional purposes.
- Please keep a copy of your submission with you. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The Bombay Review is proud to champion new writing talent and supports its writing alumni beyond the Prize, offering print and digital publicity and continued exposure across our channels.
*Conditions apply.