Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature

The OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature is a major award for literary books by Caribbean writers. Books may be entered in three categories: poetry, fiction, and literary nonfiction. The prize includes an award of US$10,000, sponsored by One Caribbean Media. The other category winners receive US$3,000. The winner is announced at the annual Bocas Lit Fest at the end of April every year.

The OCM Bocas Prize has two stages. First, panels of distinguished judges select the best book in each of the three genre categories. Next, the chairs of the poetry, fiction, and nonfiction panels, joined by the overall chair and vice-chair of the prize, form a final prize jury to select the overall winner from the three genre winners.

To be eligible for the prize, a book must have been published in the past calendar year, and written by an author born in the Caribbean or holding Caribbean citizenship. Books must also have been originally written in English. The entry fee is $45.

The deadline for submissions is 7 November 2025.

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Enquiries about submissions should be directed to the Bocas Literature Festival. Please always refer to their website for complete details and information. 

Please note, this call is run by the Bocas Literature Festival, not the Commonwealth Foundation.