The Jane Austen Literacy Foundation Writing Competition 2026 is OPEN!
This year's theme is A Story Worth Telling — an open invitation to writers everywhere to put pen to paper and share the story only they can tell. In celebration of the UK's National Year of Reading 2026, we believe great stories are the best possible reason to keep reading. Writers from over 30 countries have entered before. Whatever your experience, wherever you are writing from, you are welcome here.
The three winning stories will be recorded as an audiobook by best-selling Austen narrator Alison Larkin and published worldwide — and the overall winner will be announced at Chawton House, in the heart of Jane Austen's world.
Submissions close 28th April 2026. Find out more and enter here.
Out now!
Pride & Prejudice: A Historic Commemorative Edition
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, we are proud to launch the first publication of a Jane Austen novel since 1833 to feature and introduction by a family member.
This special edition includes:
- Introduction by Caroline Jane Knight, Jane Austen's fifth great niece
- Text from the celebrated 1894 Peacock Edition
- Personal reflections from Jane's family, Foundation ambassadors and supporters
- A beautiful wrap around cover and illustrations specially commissioned for this project
All proceeds to the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation.
NEW! Jane Austen 250 Commemorative Bookplate
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, this bookplate represents Jane’s most famous and popular novel, Pride and Prejudice.
Featuring the beautiful artwork from our commemorative publication of Pride & Prejudice, this bookplate is inspired by a page in long-time volunteer and Foundation Ambassador Julia Grantham's book Mr. Darcy's Guide to Pemberley. Julia worked with artist Lena Tarnovski to create a beautiful new cover for Pride & Prejudice, created especially for our celebration of Jane Austen's 250th birthday.
This year's Collectable Bookplate is a vibrant image based on that artwork, and we hope you will love it as much as we do.
A Jane Austen 250 Commemorative bookplate is £7.50 / US$10.50 / AU$15
Join our Community today!
Maybe you already love to read and want to share in the joy of being part of a community of readers that want to make a positive difference. Or perhaps you struggle to find time and inspiration in a busy life to read as regularly as you’d like. Our Community activities are designed to help everyone read more and connect with the Jane Austen’s family, Foundation Ambassadors and fellow book lovers who share your passion for meaningful reading.
If you are eager to share in the pure joy of reading, get ready for our exciting monthly reading challenges, cozy up with your own book at our regular Time To Read sessions, get access to our exclusive private Facebook group, and enjoy a range of events and activities where every page you turn helps support Jane Austen Literacy Foundation programs and activities.
CONNECTING THROUGH LITERACY
We connect a world-wide community of people who believe in the power of literacy and want to help those who need it.
Founded by Caroline Jane Knight, Jane Austen’s fifth great niece, the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation is a registered not for profit organisation run by volunteers. We run online literacy programs and activities that connect people across the world. We connect Literacy Mentors with schools and students to help improve literacy skills. We connect donors with the literacy programs we fund in developing communities, which in turn connect children with the world around them. 100% of donations received are spent on literacy programs and activities.
