The Manasa Lit Prize
A Novel Competition for
New Women Writers
Manasa Publications began this initiative in 2025 to encourage and amplify the voices of women storytellers across India — uncovering powerful, diverse narratives that reflect the richness of women's perspectives.
2025 Winners
🏆
Young Adult Winner
Mandodari — Queen of Oceans
Vibha Sangita Krishnakumar
🏆
Adult Winner
The Outtakes playing on a Jellyfish Night
Sudha Padmaja Francis
✦
Jury Pick — Selected for Publishing
Like Mother
Abirami M Krishnan
2025 Shortlist
Mandodari — Queen of Oceans
Vibha Sangita Krishnakumar
Young Adult
Clocked Out
Poornima Murali
Young Adult
She Who Devours
Muskaan Shokeen
Young Adult
Like Mother
Abhirami M Krishnan
Adult
The Game beyond Mountains
Anamika Nath
Adult
The Redemption of Daniel Ruskin
Nandhini Bhattacharya
Adult
The Outtakes playing on a Jellyfish Night
Sudha Padmaja Francis
Adult
Why Participate?
At Manasa, our mission is to create a vibrant space for women authors to share their unique narratives. This competition is a celebration of women's creativity and literary brilliance. If you are an emerging writer we invite you to step forward and share your voice.
We can't wait to read your stories and showcase the incredible talent of women writers across India.
Competition Categories
Submission Guidelines
Eligibility
- ●Open to Indian / Indian-origin women writers only
- ●Original, unpublished works of fiction only
- ●Writers with more than 1 published book not eligible
- ●40,000 to 80,000 words
- ●English language only
- ●One manuscript per participant
- ●Co-authored works not accepted
How to Submit
1
Send manuscript in Word format to connect@manasapublications.com with subject: "Submission – Manasa Lit Prize – [Your Name]"
2
Attach cover page: full name, age category, email, phone, short bio (max 200 words)
3
Open: 1st March 2025 — Close: 31st October 2025
Terms & Conditions
- —Manuscripts must be original and not under consideration by any other publisher.
- —Winners and selected novels will grant publication rights to Manasa Publications.
- —The editorial team reserves the right to suggest edits before final publication.
- —Decisions by the judging panel are final and binding.
- —Cash prizes will be distributed upon announcement of winners.
- —Plagiarized entries will be disqualified immediately.
Warm regards, Team Manasa · connect@manasapublications.com