1. Pick your best three — not your most recent

Every writing, photography and publication category asks for three examples. It's tempting to go with the latest, but the judges want to see your range, your voice and what you're capable of at your best. Think breadth and variety — a body of work that tells a fuller story than any single piece could.

2. Show you know your audience

This comes up in almost every category. It's not just about tone — it's about the choices you make. The stories you chase, the angles you take, the way you frame information for the people reading, watching or listening. Work that feels made for its audience always stands out.

3. Play to the strengths of your format

Video entries are rewarded for doing things only video can do. Audio wins when it makes full use of sound. Photography is judged as a body of work — five images that together tell a story. Publications are considered in their entirety, not just the cover feature. Whatever you're entering, think about what your format does better than any other — and make sure that comes through.

4. Write the supporting statement

Most categories offer an optional 100-word supporting statement, and a handful make it compulsory. If yours is optional, write it anyway. It's where you put your work in context — your specialism, your thinking, what makes your contribution distinct. Judges read them, and a good one can make a real difference.

5. Be original. Be specific.

Originality is the word that appears more than any other across the judging criteria. Not just an unusual destination — but writing and content that gives a genuine sense of place, engages the senses and tells a story that couldn't have come from anyone else. The entries that win are specific, well-researched and surprising. Trust your instincts and your expertise — and let that show.

Entry is free. All 24 categories are open. Work published between 1 May 2025 and 30 April 2026 is eligible.

Key dates
16 May: Entries close
9 September: Finalists announced
26 October: Awards ceremony, The Savoy, London