Second Call for Entries: Shueisha Orange Bunko Emotional Youth Novel Award!

Shueisha Orange Bunko Emotional Youth Novel Award 2026

Exciting news for aspiring writers! Due to the overwhelming success of last year's inaugural event, Shueisha and Ebirista are thrilled to announce the second round of the Shueisha Orange Bunko Emotional Youth Novel Award. This contest aims to discover new talent and encourage the creation of moving, heartfelt stories focused on teenagers—specifically in the genres of youth and romance.

Contest Overview

The second edition of the award invites submissions from August 3, 2026, to November 3, 2026. The objective is straightforward: present stories that evoke genuine emotions and resonate with youth experiences. We had an incredible response last year, exceeding our expectations with numerous submissions that resulted in outstanding long and short-form narratives. This year, we are again eager to uncover new voices within the world of youth literature.

Application Period: 2026/08/03 (Mon) 12:00 - 2026/11/03 (Tue) 27:59

You can find all contest details on the special competition page: Contest Page

Award Categories and Prizes

Grand Prize

1. Publication Consideration: Winning works will have the opportunity more likely for potential publication by Shueisha's Orange Bunko department, by having the support of their editing team.
2. Cash Prize: Winners in the long-form category will receive 100,000 yen (with a maximum cap of 500,000 yen), while winners in the short-form category will receive 20,000 yen (with a maximum cap of 100,000 yen).

Honorable Mentions

Honorable mention writers will receive feedback from the editing team, although no monetary award will accompany these recognitions.

Submission Requirements

Long-Form Novel Category

- Word Count: Between 50,000 and 80,000 words
- Original work must be completed
- Protagonist must be a teenager

Short-Form Novel Category

- Word Count: Between 10,000 and 50,000 words
- Original work must be completed
- Protagonist must be a teenager

For detailed requirements, check the contest's official page on Ebirista.

Editorial Note

Shueisha Orange Bunko celebrates its 11th anniversary as a light literature label dedicated to creating captivating stories featuring engaging protagonists. The genres span various themes, including work-related narratives, fantasy, romance, and mystery. Notable works that have gained popularity include titles such as The Mystery of Mr. Richard the Jeweler, This Cannot Be Written Off as Business Expenses, and The Raven of the Imperial Palace, along with upcoming youth novels scheduled for film adaptations.
In the previous year, the contest rewarded one grand prize winner and several honorable mentions for both the long and short stories. This year's submissions should have the same freshness, capturing the essence of youth emotions.

Ebirista continues its commitment to support new authors in a community centered around creative freedom. By enhancing their platforms and services to facilitate publishing and media partnerships, they aim to empower every storyteller's journey.

About Ebirista

Founded in 2010, Ebirista is a novel creation platform where a diverse range of genres such as romance, fantasy, horror, and nonfiction are explored. Strong collaborations with over 40 publishing companies, Ebirista aims to provide creators with the opportunity to see their stories published and come to life.

Explore more about Ebirista and the exciting opportunities it offers to writers and readers alike through its official website: Ebirista and Twitter page: Ebirista Twitter.

Company Overview

- Company Name: Ebirista Inc.
- Representative: President Masaki Yamashita
- Location: 8F Front Place Kanda Jimbocho, 1-1-1 Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan
- Established: April 1, 2010
- Business Focus: Operates a novel posting site, managing publication and media development, as well as electronic publishing among other publishing-related ventures.
- Related Company: Mecha Comic Co., Ltd.
- Corporate Site: Ebirista Corporate