To win £50,000 deal with Quercus.

https://www.writers-online.co.uk/News/615/Richard_and_Judy_launch_Search_for_a_Bestseller_writing_competition_worth_50000_to_the_winner

Would you enter, Petal? or is the door closed now you're agented? Pros and cons of everything, I guess!

I've already been rejected by Quercus, i think, Jem!

Quercus, Percus, what do they know!

Thanks for posting this, Petal.

LOL, Jem!

Okay, Sharley

Mind you, unless it actually says "Must not already have been rejected by Quercus" in the rules, I'd be sorely tempted...

That's a good point, Emma!

Mslexia have got a debut novel comp running ATM as well.

Sorry, folks - I've looked at the ts and cs and agented people are out, because the winner must agree to be represented by Furniss Lawton agency.

http://richardandjudy.whsmith.co.uk/search-for-a-bestseller-form/#s4abstscs

Not only that, but it says you must:

'have not previously submitted your partial novel (the “Extract”) or any work to a publishing company or literary agency and have not been previously published in any format, or released into the public domain, including but not limited to the Internet;

AND:

'have not had any other work published in any format whether under the entrant’s name or a pseudonym;'

Blimey. Suppose they're just making sure JK doesn't sneak in under the wire...

Ah, well, that counts me out - thanks for looking that up, AStrea!

have not been previously published in any format, or released into the public domain, including but not limited to the Internet

This is very tight and might rule out peer review if taken to the extreme, which would be odd. I guess the word 'public' domain is key here.

The Book Club competition is no good for me, as I am determined to have my work back on the slushpile this year.

Not that I'm a masochist or anything

Edited by Sharley at 18:22:00 on 30 August 2013

I am determined to have my work back on the slushpile this year.

Absolutely, your new novel should have agents biting your hand off

It's really odd to exclude people who've ever submitted their novel to any agency/publisher, though. Suppose it means they're looking for completely fresh material.

Edited by Astrea at 21:04:00 on 30 August 2013

Thanks Astrea!

Saw this blog post about the strange conditions attached to the competition.

“(you) have not previously submitted your partial novel (the “Extract”) or any work to a publishing company or literary agency and have not been previously published in any format, or released into the public domain, including but not limited to the Internet”

I know Astrea posted this very same clause, but it wasn't until I read the blog post that I realised the competition states that no work should have been previously submitted to a publishing company or literary agency or released into the public domain.

No work??? Really

http://www.theleftroom.co.uk/?p=2137

Edited by Sharley at 19:10:00 on 31 August 2013

AND: 'have not had any other work published in any format whether under the entrant’s name or a pseudonym;'

Yes, posted that one because I thought it was worthy of note - so anyone who's had a short story published, or even been a short-listed runner-up in a competition would be out, if their story was reproduced in print or on a website?

That's what I meant about it being very restrictive. You have to wonder who exactly will be eligible to enter.

Edited by Astrea at 19:47:00 on 31 August 2013