The Ideas Prize

The submissions window for the Profile Books and Aitken Alexander Ideas Prize for the best debut trade non-fiction proposal from an academic, is now open.

The prize, now in its fourth year, is an advance of £25,000 and a publication agreement with Profile Books. Submissions selected for the shortlist will receive editorial development and support from agents at Aitken Alexander Associates.

The competition is open to those with a PhD or an equivalent qualification, graduate-level lecturers in a University or College, and senior researchers at an institute or think-tank. The submission must be for an author’s first trade non-fiction book and must be focused on an area in which the entrant holds a post-graduate qualification. Submissions must be written in English and take the form of a 3,000–4,000 word outline or essay setting out the intended subject, argument and approach for a non-fiction trade book. The submissions window for entries will run from 8 June to midnight on 31 December, 2023 and the winner will be selected by a panel of judges to be named.

To enter, please email your proposal in Word format to: ideasprize@profilebooks.com

Full terms and conditions of the prize

1) Eligibility

  1. The competition is only open to those with a PhD or an equivalent qualification, graduate-level lecturers in a University or College, and senior researchers at an institute or think tank.
  2. Though the prize is UK-based, it is open to international applications.
  3. Submissions must be focused on a subject in which the submitter holds a post-graduate qualification.
  4. The submission must be for the author’s first trade non-fiction book. Submitters who have been previously published trade non-fiction in their field will not be eligible.
  5. The author must not already be represented by a literary agent.
  6. The decision of the Prize Judges as to whether a work is eligible shall be final and binding.

2) Submission Format

  1. The submission should take the form of a 3,000–4,000 word outline or essay setting out the intended subject, argument and approach for a non-fiction trade book.
  2. Once the submissions window has closed, the judging panel will determine a shortlist of up to five of the best submissions by the end of the year. The shortlisted authors will receive guidance from agents at Aitken Alexander, either in person in London or by phone, to produce an expanded book proposal.
  3. The best proposal as determined by the judges will receive a £25,000 advance and a publishing agreement with Profile Books, care of Aitken Alexander Associates.

3) Rules of Entry (how to submit a proposal)

  • Email ideasprize@profilebooks.com.
  • Submissions must be written in the English language.
  • Submissions must be sent in directly by the author.
  • Only one submission may be entered by each author.
  • Submissions may have no more than two authors.
  • Proposals must be submitted by midnight on 31 December, 2023.

4) Conditions of the Prize

  • Profile Books retains the right of first refusal to publish every submission, which persists until the announcement of the winner.
  • Any publication agreement entered into as a result of the prize may only be cancelled in accordance with normal warranties as set out in the contract.
  • Any offers of publication will include all rights including audio, eBook, and translation.