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stand by: in partnership with renowned literary agency Janklow & Nesbit, we're launching a fantastic competition for unpublished novelists.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?

Hanky, are you actually serious?

I would be amazed if the agents would take a handwritten manuscript seriously. The very least a potential author sending in a submission can do is to make it easy for the reader to actually read it. Sending in a handwritten manuscript would send the message that you are not going to have a professional attitude. If you want the chance to actually win this, then you'd better get typing.

JK Rowling may well have written her books in longhand, but I very muc doubt she would have submitted them like that.

Not sure why I am trying to help a fellow competitor

Good luck!

Still no acknowledgement of receipt from J&N. Should I resubmit my entry?

JadedAngel, I would imagine there's a strong correlation between writing a decent first 8000 words and having finished and polished the whole thing, so though in theory they could pick a winner who hasn't completed a manuscript but has written a brilliant 8000 words and synopsis pretty much by accident, in practice it's more likely that the openings that stand out will be part of a more polished piece of work. If they did decide to rep someone who hadn't completed their manuscript, there would be nothing to stop them saying 'We can't give you any useful advice until you've finished it,' which could well be true in any case.

maybe they want 8k words so they can steer the rest of the novel themselves - I would appreciate that! Mine has a good 8k start but has now lost steam rather...

TBH I think an agent would always prefer you to have written more rather than less - if they didn't like the way it went after the first 8k they could always get you to rewrite the rest, but if you don't have the rest done they don't even know if you're capable of doing it.

I am so excited about this! I just need to decide which novel to focus on.

I wrote a novel while on maternity leave with DD and this could be the perfect motivation to polish it and make DH read it

OTOH I wrote another novel during my mat leave with DS that I got professionally assessed afterward but the comments were that aspects of the plot were fundamentally flawed so would have to get moving quick smart to fix it if I want to enter it.

Hmmm. I can't decide. I suspect that my recent one has a better plot, but having had the other one assessed it's closer to being finished. Maybe I should flip a coin

I wish I could attend the get published event and pitch BOTH ideas, but sadly am aware that would be a bit cheeky, and I will be out of the country then anyway.

it's on til January I thought?

Hi

Interested in attending, does anyone have a spare ticket?

Anyone else pondering synopsis vs outline? Are they essentially the same thing?

And (total noob question alert) is the idea to literally say what will happen entirely, rather than a appetite teasing blurb sort of thing?

TIA for helping fellow competitor!

an appetite teasing blurb. FFS. Clearly not a great threat here

Yes, it's not a blurb. Look on it as your opportunity to show that you have constructed an entire story with a plot that hangs together and has a beginning, middle and end.
You don't have to give away all the secrets, but you have to be specific about how the story develops.

I found this book by Nicola Morgan very helpful.

Oh you don't give it all away. Hmm, that is going to be super tricky.

Thanks so much for that Countess, and for recommending that book - it looks great.

Oh, you can give it all away. It's just that it's sometimes possible to hang onto one or two surprises too, given that you can't mention everything in a synopsis anyway.

Aw, man, have been on mumsnet for a while and seen this now after I have self published!

OFF Mumsnet even!

Elf, it says the self-published can enter ...

Had a look at the terms and conditions but question not answered. If you send them words, can they then publish without your knowledge or permission?

Anyone can have their work published....my first book came out today! with no fees up front.

Hello

(Great to meet you on Saturday, Patrick, was a fab day!)

I've a couple of questions:

1)Should we include a covering letter with our submission?
2)Because of anonymity, Do we include our contact details on the cover sheet of the manuscript, or just put the title on there?

Many thanks

Fantastic day with Janklow and Nesbit and mumsnet last Saturday some invaluable tips from staff about getting published. Will definitely be entering the competition.

Yes, Saturday was indeed fantastic! Thank you, Patrick, and thanks to the agents who were kind enough to meet with us and offer their advice...

Had a great day at Janklow & Nesbit get published day on Saturday 29th November, got some great tips!