Greene Door mentoring scheme returns for crime and thriller writers

Greene & Heaton is bringing back its Greene Door mentoring scheme for writers from underrepresented backgrounds, and this year has opened submissions specifically for crime and thriller writers. 

The literacy agency launched the initiative as part of the Greene Door Project in November 2021. The project aims to discover writers and help increase diversity of representation in the publishing industry. This time, the opportunity is open to unagented crime and thriller writers who are underrepresented in terms of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or socio-economic background.

Ten writers will be offered a Zoom session with an agent for feedback on their work, with the opportunity to ask questions about the publishing process. Crime and thriller subgenres can include anything from police procedural to cosy murder mysteries, psychological thrillers, high-concept suspense, historical detective stories and literary crime.

Applicants should submit a covering letter, synopsis of their work and up to 5,000 words of the opening of their novel to greenedoor@greeneheaton.co.uk. It is not a requirement to have a completed manuscript at the time of applying. All submissions should be at least 1.5 line spaced with page numbers, clearly marked with the applicant’s name and contact details on the title page. The Greene Door Project should be entered in the subject line. The closing date for entries is 28th March 2022.

Successful writers will be contacted by an agent by 20th April 2022, to schedule a 15 minute feedback Zoom session in May, depending on the writer’s and agent’s availability. Feedback may consist of editorial advice, and general guidance for how an author may progress towards publication.

Opportunities for other specific genres will be announced later in the year, as well as another mentoring scheme for all genres in the autumn.