Writers in later life often struggle to be seen despite a wealth of experience, creativity and stories to tell.

The £500 Never Too Late Award unlocks the hidden talent of older writers.It will go to the highest placed writer in Novel, Short Story, Poetry or Flash Fiction across The Bridport Prize, deadline 31 May 2025.

Championed by best selling author Kit de Waal (aged 64) and London Literary Agent, AM Heath (in business for over a century), this award aims to recognise success over sixty and a ‘never give up’ resilience that is the mainstay of writers.

‘My first novel was published when I was 56, something I never imagined possible. There again, at 56 I was just getting my second wind (or possibly my third …) and even now at 64 I consider myself mid-career with a lot more to do and say.  Thanks to The Bridport Prize and the Never Too Late Award, we can recognise the unique voice and hard work of older writers who are just getting started. Hoorah for us!’Kit is a highly acclaimed writer of novel, memoir and TV drama. Her best selling novel, My Name Is Leon is on the English Literature GCSE school curriculum while her latest novel The Best Of Everything is published in April 2025.She is a former Bridport Prize winner - twice for flash fiction-  and the competition’s honorary patron.

Carole was a London Library Emerging Writer and her novel The Silence Project was Corvus’ lead debut. It was a #1 Kindle bestseller, Radio 2 Book Club Pick, Welsh Waterstones Book of the Month and Booksellers Association Indie Book of the Month. Before all of this, it was shortlisted for the Bridport Prize Novel Award 2020 and highly commended by the judges

Nicholas’ first fiction piece appeared when he had just turned 60. He has come first in both Short Story and Flash Fiction with The Bridport Prize. In Canada he has won multiple awards for short fiction and has also published three novels, most recently Last Hummingbird West of Chile. His collection of stories Planet Earth is published in 2025.

Run by international creative writing competition The Bridport Prize. Previous winners include Kate Atkinson and Kit de Waal. Discover more at www.bridportprize.org.uk

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Why it’s never too late to get writing! New award for 60+