With just over three weeks left until The Book Edit Writers’ Prize 2023 deadline, we wanted to hear from some of last year’s brilliant winners to inspire submissions to the competition…

One of 2022’s winners, Julie Rea was subsequently signed by Juliet Pickering at Blake Friedmann. On her experience, Julie said: ‘It's not an understatement to say that The Book Edit Writers' Prize was life-changing for me. It was through the showcase event - where I read an extract from my novel - which prompted one of the industry guests there to pass on my details to a literary agent who, after a chat and reading my manuscript, offered me representation. As a writer, this was a dream come true, and I have no doubt this opportunity wouldn't have arose had it not been for the chance to read to selected guests from The Book Edit's vast industry network. 

The fact that this competition is for under-represented writers, and free to enter, is another wonderful opportunity for unpublished novelists to gain access to the industry and to get their work in front of top literary agents. The advice, training and support from Emily and Rebekah - both before the showcase and afterwards - is phenomenal, and it is obvious they're committed to getting underrepresented voices out there. I am so grateful to have been a part of this amazing experience, and to have forged strong friendships with the other winners chosen.

Emily Dormand Bean is currently on submission with several agents and hard at work on her second novel. She had this to say about the competition last year: ‘Winning the Book Edit Writers' Prize made my year! It was a perfectly-timed boost to my confidence, and helped me with the motivation for taking my writing to the next stage. I now think of myself as a writer and it's so encouraging to know that other people view me this way too. It's given me the much-needed validation and impetus to continue with my novel and keep working to find it a readership.’

2022 Winner Alex J. Langtree kindly recorded this message about the prize last year.

Since winning the prize last year, F. Q. Yeoh has signed with Katie Greenstreet at Paper Literary for her adult fiction and with Hannah Sheppard Literary Agency for her children’s books.
Speaking of her win, Yeoh said ‘The Book Edit Prize was a really special experience for me. It was a real treat to meet the other writers and hear their stories at the online showcase. I'd never read my work aloud before, so having Rebecca's expert training really gave me the confidence to take part - and even to enjoy it! Being part of such a prestigious award meant that my work was shared with some incredible agents - I had a full manuscript request before we'd even finished the Zoom session!’

If you want to follow in these brilliant winners’ footsteps, submit to The Book Edit Writers’ Prize, which this year is judged by acclaimed author Deepa Anappara.

Aimed at supporting talented writers who might not otherwise have access to the industry, the prize is open to unpublished British and/or UK-based novelists from communities and backgrounds currently underrepresented in British publishing. You can see the full competition rules and details here. We can’t wait to see who will be next to join our list of writers whose work we have supported and continue to champion. The deadline for submissions is 23rd October 2023.