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MNHQ

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

366 replies

KateMumsnet · 16/10/2014 20:19

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stand by: in partnership with renowned literary agency Janklow & Nesbit, we're launching a fantastic competition for unpublished novelists.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

Got a novel in you? Here's your chance to get published
OP posts:
emilywrites · 26/01/2015 21:43

Is anybody typing their cover letter into their email, and then attaching synopsis and chapters? Or are you (also? instead?) putting the cover letter into an attachment?

LeavingLA · 27/01/2015 05:07

Hi Emily, I'll write 'please find attached, etc etc' in the email, but I thought we didn't need a covering letter. On page 4 or 5 of this thread, someone asked about that, and Patrick just answered 'we ask you to accompany your 8000 words with a 500-word synopsis'.

Alphonso · 27/01/2015 05:54

I just attached my submission and synopsis to an email saying here's my entry for the competition. I don't think you need a covering letter. One of the attractive things about this competition (in theory at least!) is that it cuts out all that selling yourself via cover letters and pitching and lets your work speak for itself. The guarantee they've given "to read every single entry" should mean that they don't just catapult anyone's writing into the bin without a second glance due to a poor covering letter/failure to sell the idea. Though I'm not certain how we would know if they failed to follow through on reading every single entry! Maybe we should prepare a giant quiz on our great works and test the reading panel to ensure that they were paying attention?

OneFootIn1999 · 27/01/2015 10:44

Good to read what others are doing in terms of formatting.

I'm going to send one attachment with cover page, synopsis, submission, in that order. In the email I will just put my contact details and 'please find attached' etc.

I am going to put my real name on the actual document- I think they asked for this further down the thread, didn't they? They seem to have stepped back from the 'anonymous' part of the competition now. Also, I figure if they are planning to print it out to read (as I would do), it would help to have details on the submission itself.

kerrymumbles · 27/01/2015 12:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MegCleary · 27/01/2015 12:43

I am going with title page and MN name 8000 words (of shite) and then the synopsis of the remaining chapters (400 words of where i think it might go).
It was fun doing it. My grammer and punctuation and editing terrible though.

bluecoconutglittercat · 27/01/2015 13:47

Leaving LA, Onefoot in1999, Alphonso and others.

I am doing a variation of the above. No cover letter, just an attachment. I will probably put the synopsis second (Which I would not normally do), because it is a follow on to the 8000 words and not a standalone document.

I will use Times New Roman, 12pt and double spaced. I will probably send mine later today. Maybe I should read through this thread again though!

bluecoconutglittercat · 27/01/2015 13:56

Looking at point 5 of the terms and conditions, it says to provide your username with your submission email, so may leave it off my actual submission and provide my real name with the attachment.

MsRabbit · 27/01/2015 13:58

I am on a Mac and don't have Word. Do Janklow and Nesbit accept microsoft Pages docs and / or a PDF?

bluecoconutglittercat · 27/01/2015 14:11

MsRabbit - I was going to send mine PDF. We could always send another version if we were lucky enough to get 'picked'?

MsRabbit · 27/01/2015 21:38

Don't risk it Blue - I reckon send it in Word. I've spent the whole evening fannying about converting mine into Word. PDF might corrupt or they might have an old version of Adobe - not worth having your hard work scuppered if it prevents them reading it.

MsRabbit · 27/01/2015 21:58

Phew! Mine's gone over. Good luck everybody. It's a feat to get it out at all, so pats on the back to everyone that did.

Leeloo01 · 27/01/2015 22:36

Mine's just gone too! MsRabbit you are so right - it is a feat to get it out. Wine all round...

OneCabbageTree · 28/01/2015 00:09

I sent mine a couple of weeks ago Smile

I must say it's been nice entering a competition when I've been able to discuss things online!

kerrymumbles · 28/01/2015 13:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bluecoconutglittercat · 28/01/2015 14:01

I sent mine last night. I got DH to help me with the attachments in the end, as he is more technically minded than I am. So I sent two versions of the same thing, but it is clear.
I sent it as a Word doc and a PDF attachment. I did get a response to say it had been received.
I ended up scraping my original synopsis and starting again! Now I can get back to editing the rest of my novel and not keep going over the same 500 words over and over again! Yippee! However annoying it was jolly good practice and someone has to win, so good luck everyone.

DonkeysYears · 28/01/2015 14:13

Yes, good luck everyone!

I've just sent mine and now feel like I need a lie down!

VatLak · 28/01/2015 17:35

Oh this is really cool! Imagine finding this link now, a day before the deadline!

Dobble · 28/01/2015 22:27

Is everyone putting their name on the manuscript? It's not clear in Patrick's message whether it should only be on the email or the attachment is ok too. If it's not on the attachment it could get very confusing for them. I'm just worried I'll get disqualified for showing that I am the scion of a celebrated literary dynasty. ha ha ha ha

Claireindc · 28/01/2015 22:52

Agents don't usually read 8,000 words.

Waitingforsherlock · 29/01/2015 10:47

Been lurking on the thread since the start, just editing my piece now; haven't written the synopsis yet. I do like a deadline. Smile

kerrymumbles · 29/01/2015 11:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dobble · 29/01/2015 11:53

Thank you duplodancer for the info on the synopsis. I wrote mine in 15 minutes while waiting for DD at one of her clubs.

bluecoconutglittercat · 29/01/2015 15:44

I did what OneFootIn1999 did. I put my username in the email (please find attached etc) and my actual name on the Word Doc. I also numbered my pages, only because I thought it easier to read that way. I actually put my real name and novel title in the header of each page. But then I am a nobody, I can't even be found on facebook!
It is just the way I have entered a previous manuscript (first novel also not published).
Dobble - 15 min really? Mine took more like 15 hours!

lavenderhoney · 29/01/2015 16:07

I wonder if I'm being a bit dim, but does by the 30/1 mean by midnight 30/1?

Whistles nervously:)