Your chance to win an agent and a publishing deal!
Walker Books, PaperCuts Literary Consultancy Ltd and the Sunday Independent have teamed up to create a brand-new writing prize, exclusively open to writers of Irish nationality and those resident in the island of Ireland. The award is now open to submissions via this website, and will close on Sunday 16th July 2023. The longlist, shortlist and winner will be announced in October 2023.
What Are We Looking For?
An unpublished, completed work of fiction (25,000 - 70,000 words) written in English and aimed at readers aged 7 to 13 years of age.
A one-page synopsis of the work, plus a brief covering letter.
What Will You Win?
Winner
One winner will receive a publishing deal – including an advance and royalties – with Walker Books, representation by Polly Nolan of PaperCuts Literary Consultancy Ltd and coverage in the Sunday Independent.
Runners-up
Two runners-up will receive a one-year mentorship from Gráinne Clear, Senior Commissioning Editor at Walker Books and Polly Nolan, founder and MD of PaperCuts Literary Consultancy Ltd. The mentorship will help them further develop their work.
Who Is Eligible?
Writers aged 18 or older with Irish nationality and/or resident on the island of Ireland.
Unpublished authors who are not represented by an agent.
Self-published authors, as long as the novel they enter for the competition hasn’t been published anywhere previously, including online.
Published authors of non-fiction, poetry or fiction for adults who do not have an agent.
How Do I Enter?
Using the form below (available from noon on 1 May 2023), please submit the following:
An unpublished, completed work of fiction (25,000 – 70,000 words) in English aimed at readers between 7 and 13 years of age.
A one-page synopsis and a brief covering letter. Please be sure to include your email address.
Closing Date For Entries:
Midnight on Sunday 16 July 2023. Entries received after this will not be considered.