Ever thought that you could write an opinion piece? To celebrate The Independent turning 40, we want to hear from you – if you’ve always wanted to write, now is your chance to submit an opinion piece for our award-winning Voices section.
Prizes – including publication in The Independent – will go to the entries that stand out from the crowd and make us think differently. Send your piece of 600-800 words to newvoices@independent.co.uk by 23:59 GMT on 13 November 2026. The winner will also receive £500.
Simply take a topic in the news and write about it with the intent to make us think differently. Your article can be funny, serious, observational, personal or political. You might be dissecting a trend no one is talking about or taking a familiar story somewhere fresh and original. A good entry will be timely, fair and forward-thinking, with plenty of strong opinion and independent thought.
This is for new writers who have not previously been published elsewhere. We think everyone has a writer in them – you just need the chance to show it.
Entry is free, and articles will be judged on the quality of writing and their ability to make us think differently. Get your entries in by the end of the day on 13 November.
Competition rules
- How to enter: Email your 600–800 word piece to newvoices@independent.co.uk by 23:59 GMT on 13 November 2026.
- Who can enter: UK residents aged 18 or over, who have not previously had an opinion column published by a national UK newspaper (print or digital). One entry per person.
- How winners are chosen: Entries are shortlisted by The Independent's Voices editor and judged by a panel of former editors, current editors and experts in non-fiction writing from outside the company, based on originality, quality of writing and strength of argument. The judges' decision is final.
- Prizes: The winner receives a cash prize of £500 plus £5,000 of advertising inventory donated to a UK-registered charity of their choice. Four runners-up each receive £2,500 of advertising inventory donated to a UK-registered charity of their choice.
- Publication: The winning entry may be published in The Independent and you accept our standard contributor terms (independent.co.uk/terms). Please note that entries must be your own original work and not have been published before.
- Promoter: Independent Digital News and Media Limited, Alphabeta Building, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London, England, EC2A 1AH
- Rules: This competition is run in accordance with The Independent's usual competition rules: independent.co.uk/rules
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