Want to win a publishing contract?

[CariGransnet]

If you're an aspiring children's book writer, now's your chance to see your work in print. Over on Gransnet we're running a competition where first prize is a contract with independent publisher Bobaloo Books. Runners up will get signed books and feedback on their entries, with guidance on how to progress in their writing career. All the details are right here

And SpaceUnicorn's suggestion of SCWBI is excellent.

And honestly, things don't just languish on the slush pile. Everything submitted to an agent gets read. It might not be by them, but anything remotely interesting will be flagged to them and then they will look at it. It takes time, but it's not a pointless process.

So anyone thinking that this competition is a way to bypass the queue and actually get your work read - no! Send to agents. An assistant might read it, but they're the people in training to be agents and it's a highly coveted role. They know their stuff. You won't be palmed off or forgotten.

Thanks everyone. I'm at work, and will post further tonight. I'm grateful for the advice

Hi all
Thank you again for highlighting this. We've been talking this over with the publisher so thanks for your patience while we sorted it all out. The terms mentioned in the original Ts and Cs were harsh, you are right - and although these were amended earlier, we didn't give you enough detail to make that clear. So now, we've amended the Ts and Cs again and you'll see more detail on the author's moral rights. You can read the full ts and cs here. We really hope that clears things up and we're not going to tell you again what a good opportunity it is because it looks like you may have heard that enough now

...and it's not.

This publisher can do nothing for you. They've published nothing. They've no track record, no sales figures, no esybakished market to tap.

Submit to an agent.

Lara, thank you for trying here. I heartily recommend the society of authors. You could get advice from them on fairness of this contract, the prize, and the company offering it. Or at the very least, please consider advising whoever wins to take the contract to the society of authors before signing.

I also wonder how this situation came about. It appears that Bobaloo were pretty much allowed to define their own t&c, which were highly exploitative of whichever Gransnet member goes on to 'win'. At MNHQ there must be some staff who are experienced in the field (is PatrickMumsnet still there?) who could surely have had a look.

Also, Shakey, get a copy of The Children's Writers' and Artists' Yearbook. It will help you identify the best agents/publishers for your work, submission guidance, etc. It's a fantastic resource. Your library probably has a copy

www.amazon.co.uk/Childrens-Writers-Artists-Yearbook-2015/dp/1472912489

Totally agree that this reflects very badly on Bobaloo, and by association, Mumsnet/Gransnet. I'd be interested in hearing how this came to be promoted here, although I won't hold my breath!

'Hi: we accidentally wrote a really exploitative and one-sided set of terms and conditions, for a contest aimed at new writers unfamiliar with the industry. We then fobbed off concerns and suggested these conditions were standard. Finally, after repeated criticism, we fixed that."

I'd love to work with that publisher! They sound awesome.

The Absolute Write forum has an excellent section (called Bewares, Recommendations and Background Checks) for checking out the credentials of publishers, agents and writing competitions. Just because someone isn't asking you for money, doesn't mean you're getting a good deal. A free contest where you risk losing your work to an unprofessional organisation, or being drawn into a contract you don't understand with an organisation that doesn't give a shit about you, can cost an awful lot.

Here's where I'm at

I work FT in a not very stimulating job. Last year, while recovering from major surgery and very bored I decided to write the proverbial book that was in my head. I knew it would be aimed at around 5-8 year olds (having a now 8yr old DS myself). It was quite short (but would have illustrations which I haven't got as the best I could manage was a stick person) but with a moral/tricky situation which is resolved fairly type theme. Then I thought, well, if I can cover that aspect of life, I can cover this aspect in a further book with the same characters etc. So now I've written three.

I sent it to two agents that deal with children's books last year and got two rejections but no feedback. I'm not precious about it, that's life etc. And since then, it's been on the back burner as life has got it in the way with further issues I won't bore you with.

I think I could be a "writer" but had kind of earmarked that for retirement indulgence. And yet, I think it could be a good series and a TV series
So this competition grabbed me, though not for long.

I don't have an awful lot of free time though or at least, not to invest in my possible whim. And I know that indicates a lack of "seriousness" which is perhaps true being as it isn't my vocation.

So, here I am. I guess I was kind of hoping that it would be as easy as getting accepted by an agent who saw what I saw, got accepted and I could retire to my beloved Greece

All advice welcome but, from reading, I think I have to exhaust all agents? Can't afford to self publish though that may change in a couple of years. Which, again, is a long story! Perhaps it would make a good book....

Hi shakey,
I would start by putting a call out for readers - maybe on here? - to give you feedback. (Sorry if you've already done that) take on board what people say- and then re- submit- minimum of eight?
Why not you?

Glad to read this thread. As a new writer I would have accepted the terms were fair without giving it much of a thought. Will read more carefully in future.