Terms & Conditions

The prize is awarded every two years to a single outstanding literary work — including novels, literary non-fiction, short stories, or poetry — written in English (not translated) and published in Morocco.

Eligible authors must be either Moroccan nationals or non-Moroccan residents living in Morocco at the time of submission.

The award consists of a 25,000 MAD monetary prize and an official certificate.

A shortlist of three titles will be announced approximately three months before the Marrakech English Book Festival (MEBF), with the winning title revealed at a press conference six weeks prior to the festival. The award is presented during the festival itself.

Shortlisted authors will receive official citations in recognition of their work.

Eligible books must:

• Be original works written in English (not translations)
• Be published within the two-year period preceding the submission deadline
• Be authored by a Moroccan national or a non-Moroccan resident in Morocco at the time of submission
• Be commercially available in printed form in Morocco
• Carry a valid ISBN and barcode

We regret that the following are not eligible:

• Books published exclusively online
• Anthologies
• Translations

Self-published works are eligible, provided they are commercially available in physical form through a recognised Moroccan distributor or retailer.

Only books by authors living at the time of submission will be considered.

The submission deadline is midnight on 31st July in the year preceding the next festival.

As the Marrakech English Book Festival is a biennial event held in odd-numbered years (2027, 2029, 2031…), submissions close on 31st July of the preceding even-numbered year (2026, 2028, 2030…).

Each submission must include:

• 3 physical copies of the book sent to:
  Marrakech English Book AssociationC/O Still Images SARLResidence Achraf, Apt 10Rue Ibn Atya 10Marrakech 40020, Morocco
• A digital PDF version emailed to: admin@mebookfest.com
• A completed entry form emailed to: admin@mebookfest.com

Publishers may submit multiple titles by different authors, but only one title per author will be accepted. Authors may also submit their own work, or entries may be made on their behalf with their consent.

All eligible submissions will be reviewed by an independent panel of three judges, selected for their literary expertise.

The judging process is based on literary merit, originality, and contribution to English-language writing connected to Morocco.

The judges' decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding their deliberations.

By entering the award, authors and publishers agree to participate in reasonable promotional activity if shortlisted or selected as the winner.

This may include press engagement, festival appearances, and related literary events. The winning author will be expected to:

• Attend the award announcement and ceremony at the Marrakech English Book Festival
• Participate in media activity following the announcement
• Make best efforts to attend the International Book Fair (SIEL) in Rabat
• Participate in up to three additional literary events in Morocco, if invited

Publishers of shortlisted and winning titles are expected to support promotional efforts, including the use of official award branding across print and digital editions. Future editions of the winning title must include approved award recognition on the cover.

Incomplete or ineligible submissions will not be considered. All entries are subject to verification, and eligibility will be carefully reviewed.

The Marrakech English Book Association reserves the right to accept or refuse any entry where deemed necessary, and to amend these terms or the award process in order to preserve the integrity and smooth running of the prize.

The administration of the award is overseen by the Marrakech English Book Association (MEBA), organisers of the Marrakech English Book Festival.

The Marrakech English Book Award exists to honour the craft of writing — and the voices shaping Morocco's literary future in English. We look forward to discovering your work.

For all enquiries, including questions relating to eligibility or submissions, please contact:
admin@mebookfest.com