The James Jones First Novel Fellowship was established in 1992 to “honor the spirit of unblinking honesty, determination, and insight into modern culture as exemplified by (the writings of) James Jones.” Jones was the author of the National Book Award-winning novel From Here to Eternity as well as the novels Some Came Running and The Thin Red Line.
A prize of $12,000 is given annually for a novel-in-progress by a U.S. writer who has not published a novel. First runner-up will receive $3,000, second runner-up will receive $2,000.
All selections are at the discretion of the judges. For more about James Jones and the James Jones Literary Society go to jamesjonesliterarysociety.org external website.
33rd Annual James Jones First Novel Fellowship
The 33rd Annual James Jones First Novel Fellowship awarded two winners $9,000 each:
- Julie Ries, Red Hook, NY, for her novel titled The Hunger Bride.
- Thomas Andrew Green, Kennesaw, GA, for his novel titled Soon As I Find Jake.
The competition is co-sponsored by the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing at Wilkes University and the James Jones Literary Society. A total of 627 entries were submitted this year.
The first runner-up was Anna Badkhen, Philadelphia, PA for her novel The Sound Keeps Coming awarded $3,000. The second runner-up was Jennifer Dean of Clifton, NY for her novel The Eleventh Horse, awarded $2,000.
The 34th Annual James Jones First Novel Fellowship will be awarded to an American author of a first novel-in-progress in 2025 by the James Jones Literary Society.
Submission Guidelines
Eligible writers
- Have never published a novel
- Are U.S. citizens or permanent residents of America with Green Cards
- May have published any other type of work including non-fiction articles and short stories
Non eligible writers
- Officers of the James Jones Literary Society
- Writers who have published previous novels
Eligible submissions
- Unpublished novels
- Novels in which one or more chapters have been published
Non eligible submissions
- Collections of short stories
- Linked short stories
- Self-published novels
Manuscripts may be simultaneously submitted for the First Novel Contest and to a publisher for publication. If the work is accepted by a publisher at any time up to the announcement of the First Novel winner, the Society must be notified and the selection will be withdrawn from the contest.
Please note: The James Jones First Novel Fellowship will no longer be accepting mail in submissions. Entries for the 2025 contest will be accepted beginning Oct. 1, 2024. Entries should be sent via the online submission form no later than midnight, March 15, 2025, Eastern Standard time. The winner will be notified in Sept. 2025.
The entry fee is $30 plus a $3 processing fee.
Submit Your Entry external website
For more information, please contact jamesjonesfirstnovel@wilkes.edu.
Manuscript Guidelines
A two-page (maximum) outline or synopsis of the entire novel and the first 50 pages of the novel-in-progress are to be submitted. A specific format for the outline or synopsis is not required.
The manuscript must be typed and double-spaced. Outline may be single-spaced. Entrants should include their name, address, telephone number and email address (if available) only on the cover letter, but nowhere else on the manuscript. Pages should be numbered. Please attach your cover letter in the cover letter box, and your outline/synopsis and the first 50 pages of you novel as one document under attached files. Please do not include your name in the title of your attached file.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Yes, resubmitted manuscripts are accepted.
A: We usually receive close to 600 manuscripts.
A: Yes, multiple entries from the same author are allowed, but each submission must be submitted separately. $30 for each online entry plus a $3 processing fee.
A: No. Please keep a copy of the original version you submitted to the contest. All judges will read the original version.
A: Yes. We do not accept entries from authors who have self-published.
A: No. The contest is only open to unpublished novels.