Call for Submissions : HLF–WWK 2027 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS

HLF–WWK 2027 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS

Announcing the International Full-Length Poetry & Fiction and Non-Fiction Book Awards

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

 

The Himalayan Literature Festival & Writers’ Workshop (HLF–WWK) 2027 invites writers from around the world to submit original manuscripts for its International Full-Length Poetry Book Award and International Fiction & Non-Fiction Book Award.

The awards seek to discover distinctive literary voices and bring exceptional new writing to a wider international readership through publication, recognition, and participation in HLF–WWK 2027. We welcome submissions from both emerging and established writers.’

 

THE AWARDS

  1. INTERNATIONAL FULL-LENGTH POETRY BOOK AWARD

The award is open to complete, unpublished full-length collections of poetry.

The winning poet will receive:

  • Publication of the winning book by Nirala Publications
  • 50 complimentary copies of the published book
  • USD 500 cash prize
  • One complimentary full registration to HLF–WWK 2027
  • The opportunity to be formally honoured and participate in a book launch at HLF–WWK 2027
  • Official recognition as the HLF–WWK 2027 Full-Length Poetry Book Award Winner
  1. INTERNATIONAL FICTION & NON-FICTION BOOK AWARD

The award is open to complete, unpublished full-length works of fiction and literary non-fiction.

The winning writer will receive:

  • Publication of the winning book by Nirala Publications
  • 50 complimentary copies of the published book
  • USD 500 cash prize
  • One complimentary full registration to HLF–WWK 2027
  • The opportunity to be formally honoured at HLF–WWK 2027
  • Official recognition as the HLF–WWK 2027 Fiction & Non-Fiction Book Award Winner
  • The Fiction & Non-Fiction Award welcomes substantial works including novels, novellas, short-story collections, memoir, literary essays, biography, cultural writing, creative non-fiction, travel writing, nature writing, and related forms.

RUNNER-UP AWARDS

  • A 50% waiver on the full HLF–WWK 2027 registration fee
  • Official recognition as an HLF–WWK 2027 Award Runner-Up

LONGLIST & SHORTLIST BENEFITS

  • The programme will recognize outstanding submissions through its longlist and shortlist.
  • The first 10 eligible longlisted writers in each category will receive 20% OFF the full HLF–WWK 2027 registration fee.
  • Shortlisted writers will receive official recognition as HLF–WWK 2027 Award Shortlisted Authors.

CATEGORIES

  1. FULL-LENGTH POETRY BOOK

The Poetry Book Award is open to complete collections of original poetry.

Eligible submissions may include:

  • Collections of contemporary poetry
  • Thematic or formally cohesive poetry collections
  • Narrative poetry collections
  • Experimental or hybrid poetry collections
  • Collections incorporating translations, provided the submission rights are held by the author or rights holder
  • Other substantial collections of original poetry
  • The manuscript should constitute a complete and coherent book, rather than a selection of individual poems.

Recommended manuscript length

Poetry manuscripts should generally contain at least 40 pages of poetry and should be presented as a complete book-length collection. There is no upper page limit, provided the manuscript is appropriate for publication as a full-length poetry book.

  1. FULL-LENGTH FICTION & NON-FICTION BOOK

This category is open to substantial, complete works of fiction and non-fiction.

Fiction may include:

  • Novels
  • Novellas
  • Short-story collections
  • Literary fiction
  • Experimental or hybrid fiction
  • Other substantial works of prose fiction
  • Non-fiction may include:
  • Memoir
  • Literary non-fiction
  • Essay collections
  • Biography
  • Autobiography
  • Cultural writing
  • Creative non-fiction
  • Travel writing
  • Nature writing
  • Personal narrative
  • Other substantial works of literary non-fiction

Recommended manuscript length

Fiction: generally, 40,000 words or more.

Non-Fiction: generally, 30,000 words or more, depending on the form and nature of the work.

Shorter manuscripts may be considered where the work is clearly conceived as a complete and substantial book.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  1. FULL-LENGTH POETRY BOOK
  2. Complete Manuscript : A complete manuscript in PDF format. The manuscript should include the complete collection of poems, be arranged in the intended reading order, include section divisions if applicable, be clearly paginated, and include the title of the collection and author’s name.
  1. Title Page : The title page should include the title of the poetry collection, author’s name, and country of residence.
  1. Table of Contents : A table of contents is recommended, particularly for collections divided into sections.
  1. Author Biography : A brief biography of 100–150 words, including relevant publications, awards, fellowships, or literary affiliations.
  1. Book Description : A brief description of the collection of approximately 150–250 words, introducing the work and its central concerns.
  1. Author Information : Full name; email address; country of residence; telephone number, if applicable; and website or professional profile, if applicable.

 

  1. FULL-LENGTH FICTION & NON-FICTION BOOK
  2. Complete Manuscript

A complete manuscript in PDF format. The manuscript should be complete and ready for consideration, presented in the intended reading order, include chapter or section divisions, be clearly paginated, and include the title of the book and author’s name. Incomplete manuscripts will not normally be considered.

  1. Title Page : The title page should include the title of the book, author’s name, category (Fiction or Non-Fiction), and country of residence.
  1. Table of Contents : Required for non-fiction and recommended for fiction where appropriate.
  1. Synopsis : For fiction submissions, provide a 500-word maximum synopsis describing the work, including its central narrative and major themes. For non-fiction submissions, provide a 500-word maximum description outlining the book’s subject, scope, central argument or narrative, and intended contribution.
  1. Author Biography : A brief biography of 100–150 words, including relevant publications, awards, fellowships, professional experience, or literary affiliations.
  1. Book Description : A brief description of approximately 150–250 words, suitable for introducing the book to readers, publishers, and the judging panel.
  1. Author Information : Full name; email address; country of residence; telephone number, if applicable; and website or professional profile, if applicable.

 

TRANSLATED WORKS

Works translated into English from other languages are eligible for submission.

HLF–WWK welcomes high-quality literary translations that bring significant writing from different languages and literary traditions to an English-language readership.

Translated submissions may include:

  • Full-length poetry collections
  • Novels and novellas
  • Short-story collections
  • Memoir and literary non-fiction
  • Essay collections
  • Biography and cultural writing
  • Other substantial works of literary writin

The submission must identify both the original author and the English translator. The person submitting the work must have the necessary permission or rights to submit the translated work for consideration.

For translated works, the submission should additionally include:

  • Name of the original author
  • Name of the English translator
  • Title of the original work
  • Original language
  • Brief information about the original publication, if applicable
  • Confirmation that the necessary translation and submission rights have been secured
  • Where the winning manuscript is a translation, publication by Nirala Publications will be subject to the publisher obtaining or confirming the necessary rights from the copyright holder and/or translator.
  • Recognition of Translators

HLF–WWK recognizes the translator as an essential literary creator in bringing a work into English. Where a translated work wins an award, the award announcement and publication will credit both the original author and the English translator.

 

MANUSCRIPT FORMAT

  • All manuscripts should be submitted electronically as PDF files.
  • A clear, readable font
  • Standard page size
  • Page numbers
  • Reasonable margins
  • Consistent formatting
  • The author’s name and title on the first page
  • For prose manuscripts, double spacing is recommended.
  • Poetry manuscripts may use formatting appropriate to the poems, including deliberate spacing and page breaks.

ORIGINALITY & RIGHTS

  • By submitting a manuscript, the author confirms that:
  • The work is original and written by the submitting author, or is a duly authorized translation.
  • The author or submitting rights holder has the necessary rights to submit the manuscript.
  • The submission does not knowingly infringe the copyright or intellectual property rights of another person.
  • The author has provided accurate contact and submission information.
  • Authors and rights holders remain responsible for ensuring that their submissions comply with applicable copyright and intellectual-property laws.

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED WORK

The competition is primarily intended for new and unpublished full-length manuscripts. Previously published individual poems, stories, essays, or excerpts may be included in a manuscript, provided that the author retains the necessary rights and the complete book itself is eligible for submission.

[HLF–WWK/Nirala Publications may add its final policy regarding previously published books, self-published books, and books under consideration by another publisher.]

SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS

Simultaneous submissions to other competitions and publishers are permitted, provided the author immediately informs HLF–WWK if the manuscript becomes unavailable for consideration.

If a manuscript is withdrawn, the submission fee is non-refundable.

MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS

Authors may submit more than one manuscript, provided that:

  • Each manuscript is submitted separately.
  • Each submission is accompanied by the applicable submission fee.
  • Each manuscript independently meets the eligibility and submission requirements.

INTERNATIONAL JUDGING PANEL

HLF–WWK 2027 will assemble a distinguished international judging panel.

Manuscripts will be judged by distinguished writers and literary professionals from around the world and/or former visiting writers and faculty members of HLF–WWK.

The panel may include internationally published poets, novelists, essayists, translators, editors, academics, publishers, and other established literary figures.

The judges will assess submissions independently according to literary merit.

  • Judging Criteria
  • Literary quality
  • Originality and distinctive voice
  • Craft and language
  • Structure and coherence
  • Artistic vision
  • Depth and originality of thought
  • Emotional and intellectual resonance
  • Strength and integrity of the manuscript as a complete book
  • Overall contribution to contemporary literature
  • For translated works, the judges will also consider the literary quality, faithfulness, creativity, and effectiveness of the English translation.
  • The judges’ decision will be final.

HONOURING THE AWARDEES

The winners of the HLF–WWK 2027 Full-Length Poetry Book and Fiction & Non-Fiction Book Awards will be honoured at the Himalayan Literature Festival & Writers’ Workshop 2027.

Where possible, winners will be invited to read from their winning works and participate in the festival’s literary programme alongside writers, readers, publishers, editors, translators, academics, and literary professionals from Nepal and around the world.

PUBLICATION BY NIRALA PUBLICATIONS

  • The winning manuscripts in both categories will be selected for publication by Nirala Publications, subject to editorial review and a mutually agreed publishing contract.
  • The publication agreement will set out the applicable terms concerning copyright and publishing rights, editorial preparation, production and design, print publication, distribution, author copies, royalties, and other contractual matters.
  • Publication is conditional upon the execution of the publisher’s standard agreement and completion of the editorial and production process.
  • https://niralapublications.com/

 

ELIGIBILITY

  • The competition is open internationally to writers of all nationalities and backgrounds, subject to the submission requirements.
  • Submissions must be the writer’s original work, or an authorized translation into English.
  • Submissions must be in English, including works originally written in another language and translated into English.
  • Submissions must be entered in the appropriate category.
  • Manuscripts must meet the required length or be demonstrably substantial book-length works.
  • Submissions must include the required author, translator (where applicable), and contact information.
  • All submissions must comply with the deadline and technical requirements.

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Submission Opens: November 10, 2026
  • Submission Deadline: February 10, 2027
  • Longlist Announced: March 10, 2027
  • Shortlist Announced: March 30, 2027
  • Winners Announced: April 5, 2027
  • HLF–WWK 2027: May 29–June 5, 2027

SUBMIT YOUR MANUSCRIPT

  • Submission Fee: USD 25
  • PayPal
    me/yuyus166
  • Submit Online: https://hlf.whitelotusbookshop.com/
  • Enquiries: hlfwwk2026@gmail.com

Submit your work. Be published. Be honoured.

HLF–WWK 2027 : Himalayan Literature Festival & Writers’ Workshop

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