Friday 1 July 2011

The Irish Writers’ Centre Novel Fair

This sounds very innovative and original but read the conditions carefully and then make up your mind if this opportunity is for you and your book.


The inaugural Irish Writers’ Centre Novel Fair for first-time novelists will take place on March 10th 2012. The Novel Fair aims to introduce up-and-coming writers to top Irish publishers and literary agents, giving novelists the opportunity to bypass the slush pile, pitch their ideas and place their synopsis and sample chapters directly into the hands of publishers and agents.

A judging panel of experienced industry professionals will be asked to select a shortlist of successful entries, presented to them anonymously. There is no limitation on style, genre, or target market, the only requirement being that the writer has not published a novel before.

Publishers and agents will be invited to come along on the day to the Irish Writers’ Centre and meet these writers in person. Each writer in attendance will have a stand at the Fair with copies of the synopsis of their novel, the finished novel itself and biographical material. Popcorn, candy floss and at least one merry-go-round.

Representatives from Penguin Ireland, Transworld, O’ Brien Press, Lilliput Press, Hachette Books, Liberties Press, Little Island and Arlen House will be present on the day. Literary agents such as Marianne Gunn O’ Connor, Yvonne Kinsella, Emma Walsh, Ger Nichol and Paul Feldstein will also be present.

Conditions
Send a synopsis of maximum 300 words and the first three chapters of their novel which should be no longer than 10,000 words. Please send two copies of each.

Fee €35

The competition is limited to unpublished novelists. Applicants who have already had work accepted by a publisher or have been previously published will be disqualified.

Deadline: November 11th 2011.

Applicants must have a finished novel ready for publication by January 13th 2012. If not, they will be disqualified.
 
All submissions should be posted to Novel Fair Competition, The Irish Writers’ Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, Ireland.

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