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2026 Unpublished Contest

Pre-register Deadline: January 30, 2026

Reviewing unpublished manuscripts across multiple categories of fiction and nonfiction. Select publishers and literary agents get first look at the winner.

Submission ID:

If you uploaded your material: your submission is confirmed and complete.

If you did not upload your material: deliver your material to entry@bookpipeline.com when you’re ready.

You'll have until the final deadline on October 15, 2026 to email or update your material. There is no extra fee to update your submission.

Reminder on guidelines: 

  • Fiction - manuscript sample (5k words) + synopsis
  • Picture Books - full manuscript + brief conceptual overview/synopsis
  • Nonfiction - full proposal
  • Memoir - manuscript sample (5k words) + synopsis
  • Comic Books - your full manuscript / script (illustrations optional)

Other details can be found on the Unpublished Contest page.

NOTE: contest results are emailed to entrants and posted publicly on the Unpublished page on December 1st, 2026 after judging is completed.

In the meantime, let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to reviewing your work!

Sincerely,

The Book Pipeline Team

Entering another Book Pipeline contest? Take $5 off any future submission with promo code EnterBP5. No limit to the number of uses, no expiration date.

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Upcoming Deadlines

2026 Adaptation Contest

Pre-register Deadline: January 30, 2026

Seeking published books, graphic novels, and short stories for film and TV adaptation. Winner receives extensive development with execs and circulation to producers.

2026 Unpublished Contest

Pre-register Deadline: January 30, 2026

Reviewing unpublished manuscripts across multiple categories of fiction and nonfiction. Select publishers and literary agents get first look at the winner.

Latest Success Stories

Runner-up Author Published by Running Wild Press

May 19, 2025

The Indispensable Lottie Hot by Mark Connelly will be published by Running Wild Press. Due for a 2026 release. Mark placed in the 2024 Unpublished competition with his literary novel Newman's Choice.

Nonfiction Finalist "Ditch Your Sh*T" Author Signed

May 6, 2025

Unpublished finalist (Nonfiction) Kate Evans was introduced by Pipeline to agent Cindy Bullard of Birch Literary in 2023, who soon after signed her. Ditch Your Sh*t!: How to Declutter the Crap Out of Your Life and Home is slated for publication in October 2025 through Turner Books.

Script Pipeline TV Finalist Signed by Stonesong

May 1, 2025

This one is best-expressed through a timeline ... A totally easy process spanning a breezy … nine years. From Laura: "The Pipeline team has been amazingly helpful since The Mother was a finalist in the Script Pipeline TV competition years ago. It's a story that has stayed close to my heart so I ended up […]

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