The Peggy Chapman-Andrews Award

My fellow Cleckheaton Writers Group member N has just let me know about the following new prize for 2014 as part of The Bridport Prize:

the Bridport Prize Newsletter - January 2014

January 2014 Newsletter     The Bridport Prize is delighted to announce a new prize for 2014! Win £1,000 plus expert mentoring and possible publication for your first novel Judge:   Alison Moore The novel is still the holy grail of writing.  Named after its founder, Peggy Chapman-Andrews, the Bridport Prize is delighted to announce a new award for talented novelists who are yet to be published or represented by a literary agent. Alongside the Bridport Prize in this terrific opportunity for the aspiring novelist, are partners The Literary Consultancy and A.M. Heath Literary Agents, offering mentoring and possible publication for the winning novel. Up-and-coming writers take note!  For the first stage, all you need to enter are the first chapters of your novel, up to 8,000 words, with a strong synopsis.  Those longlisted and later shortlisted will need to submit further chapters at the relevant stages.  Your novel does not have to be complete to win.  The Literary Consultancy will offer mentoring and feedback over a period of time whilst you finish the novel.  And should it turn out to be a riveting read, A.M. Heath Literary Agents will consider representing you and offering the novel to a publisher they recommend.  Judging the competition alongside The Literary Consultancy and A.M. Heath, will be acclaimed author, Alison Moore, shortlisted for The Booker Prize in 2012 for her novel The Lighthouse.  When looking for a winning entry Alison will be searching for “evidence of a feel for language. A story that draws me in, involves me in its world, moves me in some way, and lingers in my head long after I've finished reading.” Rebecca Swift of The Literary Consultancy says of the project: “The Bridport Prize holds a romantic place in my imagination, as it was one of the first National prizes I became aware of, and seemed a glamorous, serious and exciting initiative full of promise.   Many years later, I am extremely proud that my company, The Literary Consultancy has been asked to be involved with helping to support their new prize, aimed for the first time, at novelists. Bridport stands out in terms of its serious commitment to unearthing, and supporting writing talent, and we look forward to being part of the process of helping those involved to the best of our capabilities.” A.M. Heath’s Euan Thorneycroft says “Discovering new writers is one of the most exciting things about reading, whether you are an agent, a publisher, a bookseller or a book buyer. This is why A.M. Heath is delighted to be involved with a prize dedicated to that aim, particularly one that is founded by the much loved and highly respected Bridport Prize. I am sure we are going to find many literary stars of the future.”  The award is open to writers, resident in the UK, with a part-written or completed novel in any adult fiction genre.   The closing date is 31st May 2014 full details are on the Bridport Prize website

RULES   ENTER ONLINE   ENTER BY POST     The 2014 main competition is also now open for entries and our judges are:  Liz Lochhead for poetry, Andrew Miller for short stories and Tania Hershman for flash fiction. For full details, please see our competition rules To enter online you will need to register on the website first (if you haven’t already done so).  If you have any difficulties, please contact our web manager, Graham Shackleton: graham@bridportprize.org.uk Should you have any queries about the competition, check our frequently asked questions, or contact the competition administrator, Frances Everitt: frances@bridportprize.org.uk   Closing date - 31st May 2014   Write that prizewinning poem, short story, flash fiction now - there's £16,000 prize fund to be won!