J.E.K.A. Nexus Publishing Youth Writing Competition
(2026–2027)
From Draft to Global Stage: Tell Your Story, Shape the Future.
[ Submit Your Manuscript ] | [ Download the 30-Day Prep Guide: PDF ]
Nurturing the Next Generation of Storytellers
At J.E.K.A. Nexus Publishing, we believe that everyone has a story, and that storytellers shape the future. Our core mission is to discover, cultivate, and elevate emerging literary talent, providing young writers with a dedicated bridge from raw manuscript to global readership.
This competition offers bold, fresh voices an unbiased platform to refine their craft, build writing discipline, and launch a professional publishing journey. Whether you are crafting your first narrative or polishing an established project, J.E.K.A. Nexus Publishing is here to amplify your voice.
J.E.K.A. Nexus Publishing Competition at a Glance
| Parameters | Specifications |
| Eligibility | Open to writers up to 25 years of age |
| Word Count Target | 20,000 words benchmark (15,000 – 30,000 word acceptable range) |
| Categories | Standalone Novella OR Short Story Collection |
| Entry Fee | Free to Enter |
| Competition Begins | 1st November 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | 1st February 2027 (11:59 PM GMT) |
| Accepted Formats | .doc or .docx only (PDFs strictly not accepted) |
Categories & Word Count
Submissions must fit into one of the following two tracks:
- Category A: Standalone Novella: A complete, single narrative arc with sustained character development and thematic depth.
- Category B: Short Story Collection: An interconnected collection of short stories bound by a common theme, setting, or stylistic thread.
Word Count Guidelines:
- Target Benchmark: 20,000 words (approximately 80 double-spaced manuscript pages).
- Acceptable Range: 15,000 – 30,000 words (approximately 60 – 120 double-spaced pages).
Prepare Your Draft: The 30-Day Writing Challenge Workbook
Developing a 20,000-word manuscript requires steady discipline and structure. To support writers through this process, we strongly encourage participants to utilize the J.E.K.A. Nexus Publishing 30-Day Writing Challenge Workbook. This workbook will be available at the 2026 Ghana International Book Fair (hard copy) or can be downloaded.