The Gaelic Literature Awards 2026

Each submission must be accompanied by the relevant entry form. Download the entry form for published books and unpublished manuscripts.

• At least 50% of the text for entries to the Gaelic Literature Awards must be in Scottish Gaelic.
• Entries for unpublished manuscripts must be in Word format with 12-point font and double-spaced. All pages must be numbered and include the title of the piece. The author’s name must not appear on any page of the submission (except on the entry form) as those categories will be judged anonymously.
• Before the deadline, four (4) copies of published books, with an accompanying entry form, should be sent to: The Gaelic Literature Awards, The Gaelic Books Council, 32 Mansfield Street, Glasgow G11 5QP
• Before the deadline, entries for unpublished manuscripts should be sent by email, with an accompanying entry form, to: [email protected].
• Applicants will be sent an acknowledgement of receipt by email when their entry has been received.
• Friday 1st May 2026 at 5.00pm is the final deadline for entries. Any entries received after the deadline will not be considered.
• Entries will be judged by an independent panel. The panel’s decision will be final.

Are the Gaelic Literature Awards open to entries available only in e-book or audiobook format?
Not this year. We hope to extend the Gaelic Literature Awards in future years to include additional categories.

Are the Gaelic Literature Awards open to books that have been self-published?
Yes, on the condition that they have been published to a professional standard and have individual ISBNs. If a self-published book wins, it will receive only one cash prize; the same self-published book will not receive separate prizes for the writer and for the publisher.

Are the Gaelic Literature Awards open to entries translated from another language into Scottish Gaelic?
The competitions for published books are open to entries translated into Scottish Gaelic from another language. The competitions for unpublished manuscripts are not open to entries translated into Scottish Gaelic from another language – the work should be new and original.

Are the Gaelic Literature Awards open to reprints or only to books first published during the year of competition?
Entries for reprints will not be accepted – the competition aims to encourage new writing. If a new edition of a book is published with significant changes or substantial additional text, it will be accepted for entry at the judges’ discretion.

Are the Gaelic Literature Awards open to entries written in other languages on Scottish Gaelic-related subjects, but which contain very little Scottish Gaelic text?
At least 50% of a submitted text should be written in Scottish Gaelic to be eligible for the competition.

Is a piece of work that was previously entered for the Donald Meek Award (2010-19) or for previous Gaelic Literature Awards (2020-25) eligible for entry?
A published book that was previously entered as an unpublished manuscript for the Donald Meek Award (2010-19) or in the unpublished manuscript categories of the Gaelic Literature Awards is eligible for entry into the published book categories this year.
An unpublished manuscript that was previously entered for the Donald Meek Award (2010-19) or for the Gaelic Literature Awards cannot be entered into the unpublished manuscript categories this year.