Got a novel in you? Here's your chance to get published

[KateMumsnet]

First novel competition: If you think you've got a novel in you, but despair of ever being published, stand by: in partnership with renowned literary agency Janklow & Nesbit, we're launching a fantastic competition for unpublished novelists.

Submit the first 8,000 words of your novel - Janklow & Nesbit guarantee to read every single entry. One enormous stumbling block to getting published is simply being noticed - so this really is an amazing opportunity.

The fantastic prize on offer is representation by J&N - setting you firmly on the path to publication: get details of how to enter here.

If you'd like to enter, but could use a bit of bespoke advice, we've organised a one-day Get Published course on Saturday 29 November 2014, where you'll have the chance to pick the brains of the Janklow agents and leading editors - and pick up tips from authors who've already broken through.

What are you waiting for?

@joanofarchitrave

Can't help feeling worried about the numbers - hope Janklow and Nesbit are prepared for a lot of entries. Do you have to be a member of Mumsnet from when the competition was announced? Imagining a huge tsunami of new members for this otherwise.

Hi joanofarchitrave, thanks very much for the message. You have to be a member of Mumsnet at the time of entering the competition, not before. Best wishes, PatrickMumsnet

@Guilianna

Hang on, isn't this basically a standard sub? or are they saying they don't normally read their subs? Am I missing something?

Hi Guilianna, thanks for your message. To clarify: Janklow & Nesbit are agreeing to take on and represent the winner of the competition with a view to securing that lucky person a publishing deal. Best wishes, PatrickMumsnet

@olivespickledonions

Question (sorry if it's a silly one): does the rest of the novel have to be completed?

Hi olivespickledonions, no – the rest of your novel does not have to be completed. However, experience tells us that, should you end up winning the competition, the agent is likely to want you to have completed your novel before sending it out to publishers. Best wishes, PatrickMumsnet

@LineRunner

Is this adult fiction only?

Hi LineRunner, yes adult fiction please / possibly cross-over; not children's fiction. Best, PatrickMumsnet

@ChampagneTastes

Fabulous - now I have the beginnings of about three different novels. Can I enter them all? And do they have to be complete or can they simply be planned after the first 8,000 words?

Hi ChampagneTastes, in theory, you could submit all of your novels. However, we would recommend you stick to sending in just one. Best wishes, PatrickMumsnet

Wow, a great incentive to get on with it.

I have a few questions:

1. Sorry if I've missed something- but what format should it be in? An attachment (Word/PDF?) or within the body of the email?

1. I also wanted to check: presumably if you've submitted your entry to this competition, you can still submit the same text to other agents, before the results are announced and/or in the future (if unsuccessful)? Just a bit wary of competitions involving intellectual property- but can't see anything about exclusivity in the Ts & Cs.

1. Should you include the following:

• Novel title?
• Short description (blurb)?
• Author bio?

Thanks!

Oh no no no no no nooooooo. No children's fiction, but the rules don't say that! So gutted.

Dobble, don't be gutted.

I know people are saying this comp is a great opportunity, and don't get me wrong, it's really nice that MNHQ/Janklow and Nesbit are doing this, but the reality is that you can submit to an agent at any time.

Once your book is finished and as good as you can make it (which probably means several rewrites), look at agent websites to find some who are open to submissions (most of them are, most of the time) and represent authors in your subject area. Then take careful note of what they say about how to submit your work (how much to send, what format they like) and send it out to them with a covering letter.

If they love your work enough and think it's commercially viable they will offer representation, just as described. It's what they do. Entering a competition is not the only way to find an agent.

Thank you Tunip. Guess you're right. I've been writing furiously and was delighted when I saw this. But I will keep going of course.

We've checked in with the agents and they are very happy to accept children's fiction - just no picture book stories. Sorry for the confusion and best of luck to all.

I've sent mine off, but, having read Whevs post, I just headed it up Mumsnet Competition and put my real name on the email as the 'how to enter' page didn't say anything different - how will they know it's from a registered mumsnetter? Do I need to send it again with my username? (which is in my email address, but that's not immediately obvious)

As I've had no acknowledgement of receipt (I should imagine they're snowed under), how do I know if I've done it right?

Thank you Justine!

My laptop has crashed. I have 2 novels on there. Only a quarter was saved onto Dropbox (because someone who shall remain nameless deleted them!). I can't enter . Unless...I swap study time for writing time....mmmmm.....

Purple you only need 8000 words to enter! And if the agents take an interest you can pay a computer genius to salvage the rest ...

What happens if they decide they like more than one novel? Have they left themselves with the option of taking on more than one novel if they think the others are good enough?

There's nothing to stop them, Yackity. It's up to them who they offer rep to.

Lovecat, I've done the same thing. I put my real name on it, and nothing about my mumsnet name... and I've had no confirmation email either. I'm wibbling too! Mumsnet, should we have had confirmation? I'm just wondering whether my 8,000 words are floating around in the ether somewhere?

Ooooooo, marking place :)

Lurking with intent

Does the submission need to be directed to one specific agent, as one would do for "normal" submissions?

Ah, I got an agent over the summer and I never ever thought I would. Good luck all! The hard work is soooo worth it when somebody says yes

Wow. Amazing opportunity. I've dealt with J&N professionally and they are top dogs in publishing world.