Spring Writing Retreat – May 14 – 17, 2020
Spring Writing Weekend at Templeton House, Kintbury, Berkshire. May 14 – 17, 2020, Contact us for bookings >
Author Q & A with Saskia Sarginson
How and why did you get into writing? I’ve always wanted to write. When I was little, I used to entertain my younger brother and sister with made-up stories. Despite loving writing, I didn’t believe ‘author’ was a viable career choice. I knew I needed to earn a living, so I went into journalism. I…
Pitch Prize Winners Announced
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. Each of the writers will have a one on one meeting with Nelle in the New Year. At the meeting writers will…
Over 300 submissions for Pitch Prize
Our inaugural Pitch Prize with Peters, Fraser + Dunlop agent Nelle Andrew attracted over 300 entries. Writers submitted their opening 500 words and synopsis for the chance to pitch their novel and receive feedback from Nelle. Up to 10 winners will have a one on one meeting with Nelle in February 2020. The standard was…
Announcing the winners of the First Novel Award
Kate McNair is the winner of the 2019 First Novel Award for The Price of Blood. She has been signed by agent Nelle Andrew.
Inspirational workshop, talks and editorial help at May retreat
Our May retreat at Asthall Manor in Oxfordshire took place last weekend. 10 writers spent four days in glorious sunshine in an inspiring and creative environment working on their novels and getting some help and advice from our guest tutors and BPA editors Sara and Emma. The highlight of the weekend was an afternoon workshop…
Book launch and an agent signing for Mandy Robotham
2018 First Novel Award runner up Mandy Robotham has signed with agent Broo Doherty of DHH Literary Agency. Sales of her first book A Woman of War have surpassed expectations – e.book and paperback sales in UK are now at 81,000, with the paperback edition titled The German Midwife launching in the US and Canada on…
Success for BPA client Carly Reagon
We are thrilled to announce that BPA client Carly Reagon has signed with Cathryn Summerhayes at Curtis Brown. The news followed the announcement that Carly was also shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish College Fiction Prize for her entry “I’ll Find You”. This is such a huge success, and here is what Carly had to say about…
Author Q&A with Samuel Pollen
We interviewed author Samuel Pollen about his debut novel ‘The Year I Didn’t Eat’ which is about a teenager named Max who is suffering from an eating disorder. Based on Sam’s own life experience, the novel explores an often unrepresented voice within conversations surrounding eating disorders. We found the novel both heart-warmingly funny and deeply…
From slush pile to published author. Fiona Mitchell’s debut novel out November 16
Sara writes about working with Fiona. When a literary agent called to ask if I was happy to work with Fiona I was excited. Fiona had already earned a reputation on the competition circuit. She was clearly talented but the agent felt she needed a little help. Fiona wasn’t convinced by the idea of persisting…