At the Awards Weekend we will be combining the showing of selected features and shorts with a writing conference, where professionals can discuss their art, we can launch new titles, hear from some of the big names in the industry and allow for networking between the writers and the attending filmmakers ... it's a Win Win situation!
We are therefore looking for titles to be submitted to us for consideration.
There are four main categories for the Sykehouse Literary Awards:
The Noose - for Best Crime Novel (Covering Thrillers and Psychological also)
The Slipknot - for Best Horror/Fantasy/Science Fiction Novel
The Silken Rope - for Best Short Story
**NEW FOR 2027** The Syko - for best Flash Fiction/Short Story of 100 words or less
However there is a fifth submission option for a COLLECTION or ANTHOLOGY, where the judges will consider ALL stories in the book for the Silken Rope Award.
For the 2027 round of voting we are looking for titles FIRST PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH in 2026.
Submission is in three stages:
1) You need to pay for your submission at the Payments page here: SUMUP PAYMENT PAGE
2) Make a note of the Payment Order Reference as you will need it to fill in the form here:
3) When you have submitted the form, you will, once it has been verified and payment made, receive an email with details of the judges and how to send materials to them.
Some may be happy with e-versions (epub/PDF) and some may request physical copies.
You need to send off the book/story to them for their consideration.
SYKEHOUSE LITERARY AWARDS Ts&Cs
1) No refunds will be given of the cost of submission. It is your responsibility to follow the three steps and to ensure that we have a) payment, b) the submission form and c) copies of the books.
2) Every effort will be made to acknowledge receipt of the materials by email. So make sure you use a valid email address.
3) Multiple submissions will make no difference to the outcome. You can only be considered once.
4) Submissions must have been FIRST PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH during 2026. If we determine that this is not the case then we will reach out to you to discuss, and a refund of the submission fee may be considered.
5) The judges' decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into about the judging process.
6) No books or ebooks will be returned after judging.
7) Individuals and Publishers are welcome to submit their books and stories for the Sykehouse Literary Awards.
AWARDS JUDGING TIMELINE
Copies should be received no later than 10th January 2027,
· Shortlists will be announced March 2027
· Winners announced in May 2027 at the Sykehouse Film and Writers' Festival Gala Awards dinner.
The Judges for the 2027 NOOSE AWARDS are:
The Noose: Best Thriller/Crime/Psychological Novel - Chair of Judges: TIM RIDEOUT with RUTH ELIZABETH LOTEN and AYO ANATADE
The Silken Rope: Best Short Story - Chair of Judges - MIKE LINANE with MARILYN PEMBERTON and MELVYN BARNES
The Slipknot: Best Horror/Fantasy/Science Fiction Novel - Chair of Judges - ADELE MADDISON with others TBC
The Syko: Best Flash Fiction - Chair of Judges - MIKE LINANE with MARILYN PEMBERTON and MELVYN BARNES