Anyone entering any of the comps?

[Hobbiestwriter]

I've submitted for Bridport, now umming and ahhing at the Blue pencil agency one. Never submit to bath as the bombared me with emails every year about it, and the same sort of things seem to win every year there. Anyone else?

Im feeling disheartened though! :/

I hadn't realised they did a top 100. I'd be very happy with that. All I'm aiming for is longlisted.

It's a concern if people are saying no to reading on! Which is how I think they assess in Bath? Makes you question what you're doing with your time!

Did they how many people applied?

well done cutted!
Eve - have you applied fir the cheshire prize? They give you a bit of feedback about why they were't feeling it

2901 entered!

Yes to Cheshire too. Just feel like I'm stuck in an editing loop. Been editing for 18 months.

Don't be! Top 100 sounds great. Out of 2901 entries, that's like being in the top 3.4%. Congratulations!

Thank you, that has made me feel a lot better guys! ❤️

Bath aren't announcing their longlist publicly, wonder why?

Do they normally?

I thought they did but now I'm doubting myself...

I entered Bridport, Myslexia, and the Novelry, cost a fortune!! I'm right in the query trenches with agents for my new novel so I thought it's worth a punt but I don't know, the competition is really high and my novel is really niche!

@larkstar Thank you! I have just entered that one!

I'm going to enter Mslexia and another New Writers poetry one. I want to start querying in Sept but am now debating a manuscript assessment.

I think I'm going to get a manuscript assessment too. I think the comps are useful for motivation, but when you don't win you are left stuck. Who are you thinking of going to?

I found an editor on Jericho Writers that fits, so maybe there. You?

Trying to decide between Jericho, TLC or Cornerstones but they all look good!

Just seen the blue pencil agency Re offering a submission package assessment to entrants for £140 and might do that as a first step

I see they've delayed the Cheshire novel prize.

Yes... what do you make of it?

Just asked copilot...
"the Cheshire Novel Prize 2025 has experienced a delay in its longlist announcement. Originally scheduled for 30th July, it's now been pushed back to 1st September due to the sheer workload involved in reviewing the top 100 entries.
The founder, Sara Naidine Cox, explained that rushing the process would compromise the integrity of the prize and be unfair to entrants who’ve invested so much time and effort. She’s prioritising giving each manuscript the attention it deserves.
Here’s the revised timeline:

• 🗓️ Snippets: Last week of August
• 📣 Longlist: 1st September
• 📧 Top 100 notifications: 2nd September
• 🏆 Shortlist: 1st October
• 🥇 Winner & Highly Commended: 5th November
• 📝 Feedback: Sent out until 1st January 2026

If you’ve entered or are just following along, it might be worth signing up for their newsletter for updates. "

Originally it was going to be 1 July for the longlist – this is from the email I got when I submitted my entry:

Long-listed novels will be announced on 1st July 2025 at 2pm. We ask all long-listed writers to send us an additional 15,000 words including the original 5,000 words to make 20,000 words, plus your 500 word synopsis, by 3rd July 2025.

😃

Well, at least I have longer to perfect the next 15k words, ready for when they ask me for them...

Well, I didn't make it onto the longlist for the Bridport Prize novel award. So much rejection, so hard. Working on my new project now but feeling very despondent.

Me neither. Have no idea whether I've created a pile of crap over the last 4 odd years. Thinking maybe I have.

Just had a look. It was my longer submission, too, with what I believe is a really great scene. That's 4 nos this year. Have Cheshire to go but not holding out any hope.

I know, I accidentally sent the whole MS but I guess they don't read past the word limits. Argh. Am querying loads of agents and crossing fingers but looks like I'll self pub this one as well and the marketing is just so hard!