The Book Edit Writers’ Prize 2023
Please note the competition has now closed for 2023. Check back in the new year for updates on 2024 ‘s prize
Chosen from a writing competition for British and/or UK-based, unpublished novelists from backgrounds and communities currently under-represented in UK publishing, The Book Edit Writers’ Prize, this year held in partnership with Legend Press and judged by writer Deepa Anappara, will select eight writers to read their work at a live Zoom showcase event for invited industry guests taken from The Book Edit’s wide industry network.
“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 aim of the Writers’ Prize is to help talented writers, who might not otherwise have access to the industry, get their work in front of an audience of top literary agents. After the event, an anthology of the readings will be published on The Book Edit’s website.
The winning writers will be given training on reading their work aloud with an online rehearsal one week before the showcase. The training and event hosting will be provided by Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone who has been involved in reading events for over fifteen years and who currently runs City Writes and hosts The Novel Studio Showcase at City, University of London.
As a result of our partnership with our partnership with Legend, this year’s winners will have the added bonus of submitting the first chapters of their novels to Lauren Wolff-Jones, commissioning editor at Legend, followed by an hour’s Zoom mentoring session during which she will provide feedback and guidance.
“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!”
Completely free to enter, it’s a competition you can’t lose: all entrants will be offered advice on other options including mentoring, courses and editing. All you need to submit is the first 1,000 words of your novel, a (500 word max) synopsis and a brief note on your writing experience to date. See below for the full details.
Competition Details:
For your opportunity to be one of The Book Edit’s Writers’ Prize winners, reading at The Book Edit Agent Showcase and seeing your work published in an online anthology, you will need to send the first 1,000 words of your novel, a (500-word max) synopsis and a brief note on your writing experience to date. to: writersprize@thebookedit.co.uk by midnight on the 23rd October 2023. No late submissions will be read. Please make sure you have read the rules before you submit.
Key Dates:
Competition opens 11th September 2023
Deadline for competition entries: 23rd October 2023
Shortlisted applicants informed: 29th October 2023
Final eight winners of competition informed: 8th November 2023
Zoom rehearsal for winning writers: 15th November 2023
Online showcase event: 22nd November 2023
Anthology of winners’ readings published on The Book Edit website:
6th December 2023.*
*Please note these dates are a guide to the expected timetable by are subject to change at short notice should unforeseen circumstances occur.