Learn all about the KDP Amazon Storyteller Contest 2026

A perfect platform for unpublished writers & aspiring Authors to earn £20,000 in awards.

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Most writers & Authors know about KDP & Amazon. Amazon is a top publishing platform. Many popular Authors have found their Author journey through Amazon. Although the competition on Amazon is humongous, there is still scope for unpublished & aspiring Authors.

First things first, it is absolutely free to publish your books (either eBook or Paperback) on Amazon. You don’t even have to spend a dollar to publish your book or books. If you are a designer or at least know how to design your book cover, then this is the perfect platform for you to try out.

Yes, I understand that Amazon is extremely competitive, as a vast number of Authors have been publishing on it every hour of the day. According to an estimate, around 150 to 170 new titles are published every hour. This should give you an indication of the competition. Typically, around 4000 books are published in a day.

The publishing rate has increased drastically due to AI. Many unseasoned or new writers use AI and publish books. Although Amazon accepts AI-written books, Authors must disclose the use of AI in the writing and on the cover page.

What is the KDP Amazon Storyteller contest?

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On May 1st 2026, Amazon announced that the Storyteller contest is open and is accepting submissions from Authors. This is an international writing contest in which authors can publish their books between 1st May and 31st August. The great thing is that Amazon UK is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. This means they have been conducting the Storyteller contest for 10 years now.

Things to remember:

You should publish your book between May 1st and 31st August to be able to consider.

You should publish your book in both versions. One, a Kindle (eBook), and another, a paperback version.

Your eBook should be enrolled in the KDP Select program. Please note that during those 90 days, you can’t publish your book on other platforms.

Your book should not have been published before on any platform, even on the KDP Amazon. Meaning it should be an unpublished story or book.

Your books must be in the English Language.

Your story or book must have at least 24 pages. Longer books are most encouraged. Please note that KDP Amazon doesn’t accept paperbacks below 24 pages.

An Author can submit multiple entries or books.

There is absolutely no submission fee. Everything you do, including publishing and submitting for the KDP Amazon storyteller 2026 contest, does not cost you anything financially.

The winner of the contest or Award will receive £20,000.

Below is the link to the contest page:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/b?ie=UTF8&node=12061299031

For the complete FAQ, you can check out the page below on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/b?ie=UTF8&node=77998573031

The Judges and the criteria they use:

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The winner (Just one) is decided using a two-stage process. Once you publish your book (both Kindle & Paperback), the platform analyses the data such as sales, page reads, and customer reviews. Based on these criteria, your book will be shortlisted if it is on their top list.

If your book or books are shortlisted, then it is sent to an esteemed panel of literary authorities and Amazon experts. These experts read the shortlisted books and work together to choose a unanimous final winner. Please note that the judges evaluate your book or books on your overall writing style and quality. Importantly, they look for originality, creativity, and story engagement in your book or books.

How to enter the KDP Amazon Storyteller 2026 contest:

First things first. All you have to do is publish your original story or book on KDP Amazon, just as other authors do while publishing on KDP Amazon. However, you should publish your book or books between May 1st and August 31st.

While publishing the book, you will be asked to enter seven keywords on the Amazon submission page. Among those seven keywords or metadata, make sure to enter Storyteller UK2026 as one keyword. This is the only way to submit your book to the contest.

Once you publish your book on both versions (Kindle & Paperback), use your social media or ads to highlight your book to readers. The more engagement you make, the more chances your book has of getting shortlisted. Promote your books as much as you can (again, use multiple social media posts across various platforms such as Instagram, FB, Threads, Reddit, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and others). If you wish and can afford, you can use paid ads as well.

How will Amazon get in touch with you?

If you have a great story to write, then go ahead and craft one. Subsequently, if you have a great unpublished story, then make sure you publish it between 1st May and 31st August. Additionally, enter the keyword StorytellerUK2026 in one of your seven keyword slots provided by Amazon while you publish your book.

You never know, you could come out a winner and earn 20000. Personally, I have decided to enter three stories (two short stories) and one novel for this year, i.e., 2026. I have already published two of my short stories on Amazon. I am yet to submit my original novel.

Check out the links to my two books on Amazon to get an idea. Please read, buy, and review if you like my story or novel.

Book 1:

I Understand Human: An Emotional Story of a Spiritual Dog.

[embed]I Understand Human: An Emotional Story of a Spiritual Dog Living her younger days as a stray dog on the street, she narrates about her abandonment and earlier lonely life. In the…www.amazon.co.uk

Book 2:

He fathered fifty-two wards: An Emotional & Dramatic Story of a Warden.

[embed]He fathered fifty-two wards: An Emotional & Dramatic Story of a Warden This is a touching story that follows a dedicated warden who shoulders the extraordinary responsibility of fifty-two…www.amazon.co.uk

I wish you all the best.