The Peggy Chapman-Andrews Award for a First Novel                

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 winning writer must be unpublished, nor signed with a literary agent, (although they may have self published or have published for other genres such as poetry, short stories, non fiction).  It will be judged anonymously and the entry fee is £20 for each submission.

The first prize is £1000, plus a personal critique from Alison Moore and one to one appraisal and mentoring from The Literary Consultancy to assist with the completion of the novel.  In addition, meetings will be arranged with A.M. Heath Literary Agents to discuss the progress of the work.

The runner-up will receive £500 and written professional feedback from The Literary Consultancy.

The closing date is 31st May 2014 and full details are on the Bridport Prize website:  www.bridportprize.org.uk