First Chapter Competition And Other Services
FIRST CHAPTER & PITCHING COMPETITION 2010
Crocus Books in association with Manchester Literature Festival present
IS THERE A NOVELIST IN THE HOUSE?
Win £250 & have your fledgling novel 'hothoused' by Crocus Books
The search is on to find the best budding novelist in the North of England in our latest competition for long fiction writers.
This time we are searching for the best opening chapter and best pitch from a previously unpublished novelist.
The winner will get £250 and their own writing mentor to help them get their novel completed.
Six other promising novelists identified through the competition will be provided with significant assistance with their novel.
The competition welcomes submissions in any genre except children's fiction, from all writers living or working in the North of England. It's very difficult for new writers to get their first novel published - this competition provides a rare break for fledgling writers.
By running this competition, Commonword hopes to assist new novelists in avoiding the frustration and pitfalls that come with developing a first novel.
Crocus Books has launched the careers of several North West based authors, including Cath Staincliffe, Sherry Ashworth, Mike Duff and Brigid Rose.
Final
Is There A Novelist In The House? will be on Saturday 23rd October as part of the Manchester Literature Festival. Five of the seven shortlisted will be invited to take part.
Finalists will need to prepare a five minute pitch to be delivered to a panel of expert judges.
It is not necessary that you take part in the final in order to enter the competition. If shortlisted you will still receive feedback on your work and assistance with developing your novel.
How the Competition Works
Novels can be on any theme and in any genre except children’s fiction.
Entrants should send the following:
• A two page synopsis - comprising a story outline and details of main characters and themes.
• The first chapter or 2500 words (whichever is the shorter) of your novel.
Judging Process
Initial longlisting will be done by Crocus editors. Shortlisting and selection of finalists will be by Jane Rogers (Professor of Writing at Sheffield Hallam University).
The final will have a panel of three judges from the writing industry.
Prizes
The winner will receive £250, detailed feedback on their work and the chance to work on their novel with the assistance of a writing mentor/editor.
Everyone shortlisted will receive detailed feedback on their work and assistance.
Deadline for entries: 30 June 2010
How to enter
It costs £10 (waged) or £5 (unwaged) to enter the competition. For further details and an entry form either:
send an SAE to:
Crocus First Chapter Competition, Commonword, 6 Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NS.
or email us at crocus@cultureword.org.uk, with 'Crocus First Chapter Competition' as the subject of the email before submission. Further details and an electronic entry form will be provided.
Rules of Entry
1. You must live or work in the North of England to enter this Competition
2. You must not have had a novel published before.
3. All work must be your own original work and must be previously unpublished.
4. You should submit the first chapter or 2500 words (whichever is the shorter) of your novel.
5. You should include a two page synopsis - comprising a story outline and details of main characters and themes.
6. Each submission should be accompanied by an entry fee of £10/5.
7. Closing date for receipt of entries is 30 June 2010.
Postal Entries
8. All entries should be typed and printed in black ink on one side only of A4 paper. Pages should be securely fastened together.
9. Do NOT print your name anywhere on the chapters
10. Give your novel a working title
11. Place your name and address, post code, contact telephone number and email address on a covering page or use the entry form.
Email Entries
1. Email us at crocus@cultureword.org.uk before submission, for an electronic entry form.
2. A request for electronic payment will be emailed once submission is received
3. Email submission will only be entered into the competition once payment is received.
Make sure you keep copies of all work submitted. We will NOT return work.
If you would like us to acknowledge receipt of your entry please send a SAE marked ‘Receipt’, or provide us with an email address. To know the names of the winners, please enclose a SAE marked ‘Results’.
Copyright in the chapters remains with individual entrants.
The judges’ decision is final. Entry in the competition will be deemed to be unqualified acceptance of these rules.
Previous winners of Crocus’s ‘First Three Chapters’ competition are not eligible to apply.
Entry Form For Printing Out:
I wish to enter the Crocus First Chapter Competition 2010
Working Title of Novel:
I enclose a fee of £10(waged) £5 (unwaged)
Name:
Address:
Postcode:
Tel No.:
Email
I enclose a synopsis and the first chapter of my novel
I confirm that this is my own work and previously unpublished
If shortlisted I would like to pitch my novel in the final
Please notify me of receipt by email
I enclose an SAE marked ‘Receipt’
I enclose an SAE marked ‘Results’
I enclose a cheque/postal order for £ made payable to Commonword
Please return to: Commonword, 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS
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Commonword provides a range of other services for north west writers including:
Advice and Information
Manuscript Reading Service
Free Read Scheme
Writers Agency
Please ring us on 0161 832 3777 or send us an e-mail: admin@cultureword.org.uk
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