Case Closed competition opens as survey results are revealed

The Case Closed First Chapter competition has opened for entries as a survey reveals what crime writers from underrepresented backgrounds would find helpful in succeeding.

The Spread the Word agency has launched, in partnership with the C&W Literary Agency, the competition to find new writers of crime, thriller and mystery fiction.

The competition opens on Wednesday (5th July) for UK-based unagented and unpublished writers aged 18 and above from the following communities: Black, Asian and global majority, deaf and/or disabled, LGBT+ and working class. The scheme was first announced in April.

The scheme launches follows the results of a survey sent out to writers last month to better understand what support and development they need to write crime, thriller and mystery fiction.

The key findings from the 106 respondents are that 53% want more information to understand what publishers want, 45% want more support on the market for these genres and 45% want to be part of a crime, thriller and mystery fiction community. Meanwhile pacing, building tension and plot are the top three areas writers need help with.

The survey also revealed that the publishing industry itself needs a better understanding of their responsibilities to make reasonable adjustments under the Equalities Act, Spread the Word said.

One respondent wrote: “I’ve come across barriers due to being registered disabled. I was informed by an agent I approached that publishers wouldn’t invest in me as I couldn’t ’show up’ to live events. I’m hoping this isn’t true, as there are more ’hybrid’ events being offered now. I was also told if I was represented I’d be offered a lesser financial package due to this. Again, I’m hoping this ableist attitude is the minority.”

Bobby Nayyar, programme manager at Spread the Word, says: “We’re proud to be working with C&W on Case Closed: a free and accessible programme to demystify crime, thriller and mystery fiction.

"From the survey findings it is clear that more support, advice and understanding is needed from the publishing industry to help writers, particularly those from marginalised communities, to develop their work and breakthrough in these competitive genres.”

The competition is free to enter via Spread the Word’s Submittable and will close on 26th September. One winner will receive a one-to-one meeting with the crime author Tracey Lien plus developmental support from Spread the Word and C&W. Four highly commended placed writers will receive one-to-one meetings with the two agencies.