PRH and Daily Mail launch £20k debut novel contest

Penguin Random House and the Daily Mail have launched a “major” competition which will offer new writing talent a publishing deal and a £20,000 advance.

Entrants are invited to submit the first 5,000 words of their novel along with a 600 word synopsis. The submissions can be from any adult genre though entrants must not have had a novel published before.

The winner will receive a £20,000 advance fee, a publishing contract with Cornerstone imprint Century, and the services of literary agent Luigi Bonomi.

The competiton will be judged by Sandra Parsons, literary editor of the Daily Mail; Selina Walker, publisher of Century & Arrow, Bonomi, managing director of Luigi Bonomi Associates, and crime writer Simon Kernick.

Walker said: “As a publisher I am always looking for talented new storytellers, and this is a real chance for aspiring authors to make a start on the novels they've always wanted to write. I'm proud that we, at Century, have joined up with Luigi Bonomi and the Daily Mail in the search for a new bestseller. It's exciting.'

Bonomi added: “There is so much talent out there waiting to be discovered. This is a life changing opportunity for someone to be published and edited by Selina Walker - one of the very best in our business. After 30 years in the industry, I am still hugely excited at the thought of discovering a fantastic new bestseller and wish everyone the very best of luck."

The deadline for entries in April 16th. Further information can be found here.