20 September 2024
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Make the most of insider agent judge advice as you prepare your submission for the compeititon for unrepresented fiction authors
This year, for the first time, BPA are introducing a Readers’ Choice Award whereby the public will vote via social media or the website for their favourite story. The winner will receive a short report and a half hour zoom session with a BPA editor in addition to their one on one session with Katie.
There’s an opportunity to sign up for a live Q & A on zoom with Katie on October 8 from 6 – 7.30 pm and for those needing help with their entry, the chance to purchase a recording of a two hour tutorial with writing tutor Emma Darwin on Hooks, Openings and Pitches. All information and prices are on the BPA website. There are a number of free entries and places at events for disadvantaged writers.
Tips from Pitch Prize 2023 agent judge Millie Hoskins who recently signed Claire Williams, one of the winners: “The opening of a book is key for captivating a reader, be it an agent you’re submitting to, an editor they’re sharing with or a reader in a bookshop. As an agent, we’re inundated with submissions so I’m always looking for something bold and engaging from the get-go, something that will make the book stand out amongst the tens (or hundreds) of others; this can be an attention-grabbing first scene, a specific tone or just an impressive quality of writing, although of course all three is the ideal! You have to learn to trust your gut in this industry so, whilst a clear synopsis is useful, I will always start reading the manuscript first to get a proper sense of the writing before deciding how to proceed.”
What Katie Greenstreet 2024 agent judge has to say: “I'm currently looking for literary suspense, upmarket commercial crime and thriller with big hooks, unique settings, and unforgettable voices, and historical fiction that transcends the genre and shines a light on contemporary themes. While I don't represent genre romance, I am desperate to find a sweeping literary love story - the more tragic, the better, in my eyes. Themes that tends to unite my list are feminist perspectives, touches of darkness, and an element of escapism and/or glamour.”
Find out more, and details of how to submit, here: https://bluepencilagency.com/bpa-pitch-prize-2024/
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