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Whether you enjoy writing sci-fi, fantasy or fiction, join our Creative Writing forum to meet others who love to write.

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Whether you enjoy writing sci-fi, fantasy or fiction, join our Creative Writing forum to meet others who love to write.

Creative writing

Curtis Brown First Novel Competition

32 replies

HollowTalk · 14/09/2019 12:01

Did anyone submit to this? Have you heard anything? I know someone who sent in an entry who's wondering whether the shortlist has been made yet.

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IndefatigableMouse · 14/09/2019 16:25

I entered this. However as it was free to enter I expect everyone in the world with a trunk novel or just 10k of a novel sent something in, so I also expect the competition to be fierce! I also write genre (fantasy) and am anticipating the majority of the shortlist to be either beautifully written or high concept so don't expect to have a chance! In fact I usually don't enter novel competitions at all because the judges are usually comtemporary/literary fiction writers. Curtis Brown reps all kinds though, so I thought it was worth a go regardless.

Still looking out for the shortlist to be announced though... :)

HollowTalk · 14/09/2019 20:52

Best of luck! I think the competition will be fierce but I really hope you get shortlisted. Will you let me know when you hear?

OP posts:

Zilla1 · 17/09/2019 09:56

Yes, I entered. I vaguely recall a shortlist or announcement was expected around 10 September though haven't seen anything yet, nor been approached by CB to discuss my ground-breaking yet commercially attractive proposition with a clear place on the bookshop next to bestsellers though different enough to stand out...

Zilla1 · 17/09/2019 12:12

As an aside, did anyone see the result of the first sentence competition run through mumsnet, possibly last year? Was that Curtis Brown as well?

IndefatigableMouse · 17/09/2019 15:46

I think they announce the winner and order of the rest on Oct 10th, and the 'shortlist' is supposed to be announced 'in September'. If the shortlist is made up of the various winners (winner, runner up and four others who win something) I'm guessing the hard work is actually in choosing those six and then getting the main judge to pick the order can be done quite quickly. So I'd guess late Sep. Maybe next week?

I don't think they've revealed how many entries they've had but the Lucy Cavendish prize (which you have to pay for and is women only) had hundreds, so I'll be very surprised if this had less than a thousand entrants.

Didn't see the other one Zilla!

TalentedMsRipley · 19/09/2019 16:38

I entered too but only had 6k words to offer so shan't hold my breath! Also didn't realise there'd be so many entries.

TalentedMsRipley · 20/09/2019 14:58

According to Twitter, they are in the process of longlisting! Good luck to you lot.

IndefatigableMouse · 20/09/2019 16:46

Oooh interesting!

sunshine987 · 21/09/2019 01:28

Happy to have found this thread-I entered too!
But I keep looking through what I sent, and finding more things I could/should have changed..:O

All the best to everyone here :)
x

TalentedMsRipley · 21/09/2019 07:52

Oooh..never look back at what you sent!

sunshine987 · 21/09/2019 10:12

that's so true!! :)

sunshine987 · 26/09/2019 19:25

Hi just wondered if anyone has heard anything re this yet please?

TalentedMsRipley · 26/09/2019 19:46

Not me! Anyone else?

sunshine987 · 26/09/2019 20:41

I think on twitter someone said it will come out today, but it does say September for the shortlist on their website which technically could include Monday too!

TalentedMsRipley · 26/09/2019 20:57

Ive long since given up thinking about. Even though I'm writing on this thread. 🤪

thenewname · 26/09/2019 22:50

Eugh, I just went and found the tweet, and the Thursday news sounds pretty conclusive (someone had emailed them and asked them!)

Such a long straw but I feel so cast down!

IndefatigableMouse · 26/09/2019 23:22

Same here. Bah!

TalentedMsRipley · 27/09/2019 07:01

There are lots of other competitions, if you Google. (Not always free!)

TalentedMsRipley · 27/09/2019 07:29

They could have released a long list though! To help give some people a little surge of joy. 😬

sunshine987 · 27/09/2019 07:36

Exactly guys, it would have been good just to have an email: 'thank you for your entry, but...' just for closure :)
Let's stay positive and keep writing xx remember all the rejections jk Rowling got!!

Take care everyone and all the best xx

thenewname · 27/09/2019 09:44

Are they putting the shortlist up on the website do you know?

IndefatigableMouse · 27/09/2019 11:01

The longlist is up! (I’m not on it)

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IndefatigableMouse · 27/09/2019 11:20

Over 3000 entries so you can see how competitive it was. No shame in not placing.

thenewname · 27/09/2019 11:45

Oh dear I’m not either.

I have another full ms WITH a Curtis brown agent, one who was involved in the competition. She’s had it for two months with no reply, judging by query tracker she always responds. I didn’t want to chase her while i had this new entry in the comp... should I do that now do you think?

IndefatigableMouse · 27/09/2019 12:20

Tricky, I’m not good at knowing when to nudge! I’ve got one there two but hasn’t been there that long yet

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