Writing Retreat May 10 – 13, 2019
Spring Retreat at Asthall Manor, Burford, Oxfordshire. May 10 – 13, 2019, Contact us for bookings >
Emma is responsible for BPA’s bespoke programme of literary events and retreats as well as managing the First Novel Award and submissions to literary agents. With a background in communications and special events she has an eye for detail and a desire to give writers the best possible experience in an imaginative programme of events. Her retreats at Asthall Manor, the childhood home of the Mitford sisters with guest tutors including Tessa Hadley and Claire Fuller have set a new benchmark in literary experiences. The First Novel Award now in its third year has proved remarkably successful for writers with five of the 2018 shortlist gaining agent representation. With an up to date knowledge of what literary agents are looking for, Emma offers a reading service and advises writers with a polished manuscript which agents to approach and how best to ensure your work gets read. She also contacts agents on behalf of writers where there is a potential match.
Beth Underdown’s advice for writers entering our First Novel Award
Beth Underdown, our author judge and lecturer in creative writing at Manchester University gives writers some tips to get their entries noticed. What will you be looking for in the competition line up? Somebody who really wants to tell me a story. If it’s a story unlike any I’ve read before, even better. Any advice…
Nelle Andrew’s writers’ tips for the First Novel Award
We spoke to Nelle Andrews about what she’s looking for in this year’s BPA first novel award and this is what she had to say… When reading submissions, what is it that makes you want to read on? Strong narrative hook; good writing; plausible characterisation; clever opening What do you look for in that first…
2018 First Novel Award Winners Announced
After six months of reading through hundreds of entries in all genres from around the world, our judges Literary Agent of the Year Madeleine Milburn and author of The Maid’s Room Fiona Mitchell, have picked their winners. WINNER Jules Lampshire My Poor Deluded Girl – Commercial Fiction After a stranger dies falling from a bridge…
Shortlisted authors for First Novel Award 2018
Bluepencilagency announces the First Novel Award Shortlisted authors and titles. Our 2018 judges were Literary Agent of the Year, Madeleine Milburn and author of The Maid’s Room, Fiona Mitchell. BREEDER Mandy Robotham DOLL …
Autumn Asthall Manor Retreat
Nine writers joined Sara and Emma for our Autumn retreat. We returned to beautiful Asthall Manor, childhood home of the Mitford sisters, where the sun shone and it felt more like summer than Autumn. We were wonderfully looked after by our cook Fiona Cullinane. Writers worked on their novels during the week with one on…
Workshop on Story, Structure and Character Arcs
At this year’s Winchester Writer’s Festival we ran a one day workshop to a group of 25 writers on the tricky subject of Structure! It’s a character’s desires, fears and actions that shape story. We looked at how the protagonist’s character arc can give structure to a novel. We discussed what a central narrative is,…
2018 First Novel Award Longlist
Bluepencilagency announces the First Novel Award Longlist. Our 2018 judges are Literary Agent of the Year, Madeleine Milburn and author of The Maid’s Room, Fiona Mitchell. Prizes for the winner and runner up include an introduction to Madeleine as well as £1,250 in cash and an editorial report. The Award is given to unpublished writers…
Winchester Writers’ Festival Workshop
Thank you to everyone who attended our workshop on structure last week at the Winchester Writers’ Festival on the importance of structure. We were joined by 24 talented and enthusiastic writers and over the course of the workshop they produced a 100-word flash fiction piece inspired by a postcard, incorporating Sara and Emma’s tips and…