Kindle Storyteller Award 2026 is now open for entries!
Celebrating its 10th year, the Kindle Storyteller Award is a £20,000 literary prize open to any genre of self-published work!
Here, find how to submit your work to the Kindle Storytelling Award 2026, hear from previous winners, and learn more about self-publishing as a whole!
Submissions must be in English and published through Kindle Direct Publishing during the submission period (1 May – 31 August 2026)
Prizes available
Kindle Storyteller Award Winner
Prize: £20,000
Kindle Storyteller Award Finalists
Prize: A Kindle Scribe
Why submit to the Kindle Storyteller Award?
First launched in 2016 with the aim to celebrate the best self-published story of the year and champion independent writers, the Kindle Storyteller Award is an annual literary prize open to both debut and established writers across any genre – including fiction and non-fiction – with the winner receiving a £20,000 prize fund.
In celebration of the 10th anniversary, alongside the prize fund, the winner will also receive a bespoke visual campaign for their winning title placed in or around their hometown, and each of the five chosen shortlisted authors will receive a special limited-edition print edition of their book.
The Kindle Storyteller Award is open for entries until 31 August 2026. All titles must be enrolled in Kindle Select while they are in the competition. For further information, visit amazon.co.uk/storyteller.
Previous Award winners
Success in self-publishing: Pip Landers-Letts on winning the Kindle Storyteller Award
Pip Landers-Letts shares insights into the world of self-publishing, and how it benefits underrepresented writers.
Kindle Storyteller Award 2025 winning title: Pyg, a queer retelling of the classic George Bernard Shaw play Pygmalion.
Winning the Kindle Storyteller Award has given me a huge shot of validation. The prize will be a hugely helpful investment into my writing career.
Why self-publishing works: JD Kirk and Jen Barrett offer their advice and insight
JD Kirk, self-published novelist, and Jen Barrett, UK KDP Manager at Amazon, share advice and insight on the world of self-publishing.
Kindle Storyteller Award 2024 winning title: Scottish crime drama Stateside
My best advice is to be open to opportunities, experiment, track your results, and be willing to adapt your strategy as your career develops — the flexibility to make these choices is one of self-publishing’s greatest strengths.
How to submit to the Kindle Storyteller Award 2026
-
Publish during the entry period (between 1 May – 31 August 2026)
-
Add keyword “StorytellerUK2026” to the keyword metadata on KDP
-
Make your book available as both eBook and paperback through Amazon
-
Enrol your work in KDP Select
More on self-publishing
Embrace the synopsis
Novelist and tutor Megan Bradbury shares insight and practical guidance to help you craft a successful synopsis.
9 December 2025
How to be self-published AND traditionally published
Nicola May joins us on the podcast to discuss her journey through becoming a self published author, then signing with a traditional publisher.
3 December 2021
Mark Dawson on self-publishing
Self-publishing on a grand scale: how Mark Dawson succeeded in selling over 2 million books in just five years.
12 July 2018
Need help getting your draft to publication?
Preparing for Publication (eight-week course)
Take your manuscript from draft to submission with an eight‑week course that prepares you for publishing and the professional writing world.
Led by novelist and former editor Jenny Knight, starting 12 October 2026.
Over eight weeks, you will master the practicalities of the industry, from polishing your prose to crafting a cover letter that demands the attention of agents and publishers.
Get ready for next year’s Kindle Storyteller Award!
