How to Win at a Writing Competition without Claiming First Prize

You don’t have much time to enter The Cheshire Novel Prize, but there are a lot of good reasons why you should make the effort and send your submission.

First the nuts and bolts

Who Can Enter: writers who aren’t represented by a literary agent, of any nationality, living anywhere in the world, writing in English.

Deadline: Very soon! Midnight GMT on 1st May 2024

Entry fee: £29.00 per novel (subsidised entries were available but the deadline has now passed). It includes a page of feedback for everyone who wasn’t long listed.

What you have to do:

• submit the first 5,000 words of your novel and a 500 word synopsis.
• Long-listed novels will be announced on 14th June 2024. All long-listed writers need to send an additional 15,000 words (including the original 5,000 words to make 20,000 words) by 21st June 2024.
• If you’re shortlisted novelist (announced on 15th August 2024) you will have to drain the bottle of prosecco and climb down off the wall because the full manuscript has to be in by 21st August 2024. (Nice problem to have.)

And here’s why you should bother
The prize is three years old. Over the last two years, 12 of the shortlisted writers have received offers of representation as a direct result of entering the prize. Get that – entering not winning.

Many other listed writers have received interest in their work—and representation in some cases— as a direct result of the Cheshire Novel’s agent showcase.
Lots more to find out here. And what applies to the Cheshire also applies to other competitions. Agents take notice of the results and competition organisers often have strong links with agents.

My Tips
Enter
Follow ALL the rules. They matter, including the one about founts, and they differ from competition to competition so don’t presume you know what to do.
ENTER!

Photo Credits:
Greg Rosenke on Unsplash
Andy Beales on Unsplash