The BPA Pitch Prize 2019

A new competition for unagented writers looking for representation for a work of fiction.

Judge: Nelle Andrew leading literary agent at Peters Fraser + Dunlop

Prize: Up to 10 writers
Pitch your novel to Nelle Andrew. Editorial feedback and recommendations. Industry insights and advice on next steps.

The team at Blue Pencil Agency will oversee all submissions.

Entries: The first 500 words and a 300 word synopsis. You need to have written at least the first 10,000 words of the novel although we only require the first 500 words.

Entry fee: £10 for each submission. Online entry only

Timetable:

Submission deadline: November 24 2019

Winners Announcement: December 2019

The winners will be notified by email and announced on our website

One on one meetings with Nelle in person or skype: February 2020

The BPA Pitch Prize 2019

Christmas has come early for eight lucky winners of our inaugural Pitch Prize.
Super agent Nelle Andrew of Peters, Fraser & Dunlop has selected her winners from over 300 entries across all genres.
Congratulations to our eight winners:
Carly Pluckrose-Gates – Never Mine To Take
DL Florez – Denial
Elliot Sweeney – Tracks
Ella King – Black Feathers & Oranges
Elissa Soave –  Ginger + Me
Julianne Corrigan – Parallelogram
Kat Romero – Try A Little Tinderness 
Shane Begg – Happy Birthday Raymond Blake 
Thanks to everyone that entered.

What we’re looking for:

• any genre with the exception of children’s fiction and non-fiction. YA is permitted provided there is an adult crossover.
• a strong voice.
• the makings of an original and compelling story.
• an attention grabbing first paragraph.

Eligibility
_______

  • Authors must be over 18 years old at the time of entry.
  • The Prize is open to unrepresented authors of fiction at the closing date of November 24, 2019.
  • Clients of BPA who have had full manuscript reviews are not eligible to enter however those who have been to a retreat or workshop are still eligible providing they did not follow up with an editorial service.
  • Writers must advise the organisers if they accept representation during the judging period.
  • Published authors are accepted as long as they don’t have an agent.
  • The first 10,000 words must have been completed at the closing date of November 24, 2019.
  • Entrants may submit more than one pitch but as separate entries.
  • Entries must be written in English.
  • Entries can only be submitted electronically via this site and payment made via PayPal.
  • Entrants may withdraw entries but fees cannot be refunded.
  • Judge’s decision is final. Judge is unable to comment on individual entries.
  • Copyright remains with the author, however we reserve the right to publish extracts of up to 300 words on our website as well as the opening lines on twitter.
  • By submitting, entrants are agreeing for BPA to keep a record of their e-mail address for marketing purposes only. This information will not be shared with third parties. Entrants can unsubscribe from all communication at any time.

How to submit
_______

  • Please enter through the link on our website
  • Upload your first 500 word plus a 300 word synopsis and a covering letter with some brief information about yourself/career as a writer.
  • Please ensure that the file name is the title of the story and ensure that this is also in the subject line of your email.
  • Entries must be in either a doc., docx, or pdf. No other formats will be accepted.
  • Entries must be double spaced in a clear font (Times New Roman or similar) and pages numbered.
  • The novel’s title must be on every page but your name should not appear anywhere on the story.
  • The covering letter should include the following details: your name, the title of your novel, your email address and telephone number, a brief CV or publication history and the genre of your novel if applicable (e.g. uplit, romance, contemporary, historical, psychological thriller, fantasy, crime, women’s, literary)
  • Go to the Shop page and click on the paypal button to pay the fee.
  • If payment is made using a different name, it is essential you include that name in the email you send with the story.
Nelle Andrew - BluePencilAgency - BPA

Nelle Andrew | Literary Agent

Author and Agent representing some of the UK’s best-selling and award-winning authors alongside rising new talent.

2019 BPA Pitch Prize
Nelle Andrew is a primary agent at Peters, Fraser and Dunlop (PFD). She was nominated for Literary Agent of the Year at The British Book Awards 2018, and was a Bookseller Rising Star in 2016. Her career includes discovering and agenting Sunday Times, and New York Times bestsellers; award winning novelists as well as several Richard and Judy Book Club picks. Nelle has a particular affinity for debuts of any age as she is a published novelist in her own right and personally knows the struggle to get published. As such, she is keen to find those voices who she can champion into long and productive careers. She judged the 2019 BPA First Novel Award and is on the board for the Lucy Cavendish Prize for unpublished writers. She also judged the 2019 Sunday Times/PFD Young Writer’s Award.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I’m a winner and I can’t get to London can I still meet Nelle?

Yes, she is happy to meet you on skype.

Will I get representation with Nelle?

Not necessarily. The Prize offers a chance to pitch your story and get editorial feedback and industry insights. There is no obligation for Nelle to take on any of the winners, although she might invite you to submit directly to her once the novel is finished.

I’ve had a novel published, am I still eligible to enter?

Yes, as long as you don’t have an agent.

I’ve only just started writing the novel, can I still enter?

Yes, as long as you’ve written the first 10,000 words and you have a clear synopsis so you know where the story is heading.

I’m away for the whole of February, if I’m a winner can the meeting take place another time?

The one on one sessions will be arranged at a mutually convenient time during February 2020 and can be done by skype if not in person. It is unlikely that Nelle will be able to commit outside of this timeframe.

I’ve got several ideas. Can I pitch them all?

You may submit more than one entry but they need to be submitted and paid for individually.

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Links

Nelle Andrew

Historical Writers Association

University of Manchester – Centre for New Writing