Blue Pencil Agency announces the First Novel Award 2019 Longlist. Our 2019 judges are literary agent Nelle Andrew and author of The Witchfinder’s Sister, Beth Underwood. Prizes for the winner and runner up include an introduction to Nelle as well as £1,250 in cash and an editorial report. The Award is given to unpublished writers…
Gill Thompson was shortlisted for the inaugural First Novel Award in 2017. Her novel The Oceans Between Us was published by Headline Press in March on the same day as The Conviction of Cora Burns by Carolyn Kirby, our 2017 winner! “I had wanted to write a novel for as long as I can remember. But…
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…