Pitch Prize 2022 Winners Announcement
_______

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BPA Pitch Prize

2022 Pitch Prize Winners

We are delighted to reveal the winners of the BPA Pitch Prize 2022. The standard of submissions was incredibly high. Our judge, literary agent Hattie Grünewald, and the team at BPA felt honoured to read so many compelling stories and promising pitches, and it was difficult to make the final selection. The nine winners will…

Read more

The BPA Pitch Prize 2022

Competition for unagented writers looking for representation for a work of fiction.

Judge: Hattie Grünewald, Literary Agent, The Blair Partnership

Prize: Up to 10 winners:

Pitch your novel to Hattie. Editorial feedback and recommendations. Industry insights and advice on next steps.

A recording of a live Q & A session with Hattie in which she talks in detail about what she’s looking for and gives tips on agent submissions may be purchased by clicking here.

Submission:

First 500 words of your opening chapter

300 word synopsis

Online entry via BPA website.

Timetable

Entries Open: August 1, 2022
Entries Close: November 6, 2022

Judging: November/December 2022

Prize: One to One Pitch Meetings with Hattie on zoom for up to 10 winners in January/February 2023.

Entry fee: £12 for each submission. Online entry only

From PayPal, you will be redirected to the submission form.

Before entering, please ensure to familiarise yourself with the Rules, Terms and Conditions, and Privacy Policies. Entering the BPA Pitch Prize is taken as your full agreement.

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 6, 2022.
  • 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 6, 2022.
  • 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 email 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 (from PayPal, you will be redirected to the submission form).
  • Upload your first 500 words plus a 300 word synopsis and a covering letter with some brief information about yourself/your career as a writer.
  • Please ensure that the file name is the title of the story.
  • 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 publication history and the genre of your novel if applicable (e.g. uplit, romance, contemporary, historical, psychological thriller, fantasy, crime, women’s, literary), as well as your pitch.
  • 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.

Assistance to writers on low incomes or from under-represented backgrounds

This year we are offering a minimum of 10 free entries for UK based writers on low incomes or from communities currently under-represented in publishing.

Applications will be reviewed and the most promising submissions will be selected by the BPA team.

Please click here to Contact BPA with your application and, if relevant, proof of financial eligibility such as: Jobseeker’s Allowance; Disability Benefit; Income Support; Working Tax Credit; Child Tax Credit; proof of being a full-time student; Housing Benefit; proof of being a full-time carer.

All details will be kept confidential.

BPA Pitch Prize
Hattie Grunewald

2022 Pitch Prize Judge

 

Hattie Grünewald

Hattie Grünewald is an agent at The Blair Partnership. She represents commercial and upmarket fiction, including women’s fiction, crime and thriller, historical and book club fiction, as well as some non-fiction in the areas of lifestyle and personal development. Before joining The Blair Partnership she spent six years at Blake Friedmann agency. In 2020 she was a Bookseller Rising Star, and won Agent of the Year for the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

 

Hattie’s Tips for Entrants 

“The first five hundred words are the hardest working in the whole novel – they are essential in hooking everyone from agent, to editor, to sales team, booksellers and book buyers. After the cover and blurb, most readers will read the first page before deciding whether to buy the book. I’m looking for a strong voice and a gripping opening, with arresting characters and a well-established setting. The synopsis should concisely outline your plot, but mostly I’ll be looking for a first page that really sings.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I meet Hattie in person If I’m a winner?

The meetings will take place on zoom or skype at a mutually convenient date in January or February 2023

Will I get representation with Hattie?

Not necessarily. The Prize offers a chance to pitch your story and get editorial feedback and industry insights. There is no obligation for Hattie 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 January, 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 January or February 2023 and can take place on zoom or by skype. It is unlikely that Hattie 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.