Owned Voices launches novel competition

Creative writing workshop organisation Owned Voices is launching a novel competition for writers living in the UK from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds in publishing.

Open to writers who identify as LGBTQ+, ethnic minorities, and writers with disabilities, the competition offers 10 shortlisted writers the opportunity to attend a virtual panel where industry experts will discuss how to give a manuscript the best chance of getting picked up and give writers tips on submissions

From the shortlisted writers, two will be selected as the novel award winners. One will be paired up with editor Leodora Darlington, founder of Owned Voices and commissioning editor at Canelo, and the other will be paired with Katie Fulford, agent at Bell Lomax Moreton. Also on the judging panel is Radhika Sonagra, publishing executive at Bookouture.

Winners will receive written feedback from their industry expert, followed by a one-to-one virtual mentoring meeting, which will cover editorial advice and specialised guidance on the next steps for the author in terms of seeking a publishing deal.

Darlington, who set up Owned Voices in 2018 to help underrepresented writers, said: “After a year of cancelled workshops due to the ongoing pandemic, it’s so exciting to have another Owned Voices initiative in action. To this day, I still receive messages from previous workshop participants to say that they have found involvement with Owned Voices life-changing. Writers have gone on to secure book deals, win grants, secure coveted placements in mentorship schemes and successfully enrol in postgraduate writing programmes.

“I’m very excited, therefore, to be launching this new initiative, through which I hope to help create more success stories. Something I have really wanted for Owned Voices is for it to become more regionally diverse and so I hope that hosting this award virtually will encourage writers from outside of London to apply. I can’t wait for submissions to start coming in.”

Entrants must submit a pitch of two to three lines and a short synopsis in addition to their manuscript. The shortlist ill be drawn up based on this material and the first 2,000 words of the submitted manuscripts. The deadline for submissions is 11:59pm on Friday 28th February 2021. Successful applicants will be notified by 24th March 2021 with winners announced on the 14th April 2021. Full details are available online.