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Sapere Books has announced the winners of its second writing competition. The publishers pitched six briefs that writers could choose from for their entries, ranging from naval thrillers to Gothic mysteries. The winners have now been chosen – one for each of the six categories – and each one has been offered a five-book contract to turn their pitches into a series.
Editorial director, Amy Durant, said: "We had an unbelievable response to this year’s competition with a very high standard of entrants. It was not an easy task, but we picked our winners due to their clear knowledge of the periods they were writing in with brilliant storytelling that left us all wanting to read more. We are very excited to be adding so many talented writers to our Sapere family."
The first brief, the Bletchley Park Codebreaker series, was won by debut author Jennifer Bruton. The pitch revolved around the codebreakers, who were key to the war effort.
Bruton said: "To be able to share their story in collaboration with a publisher like Sapere Books is a dream come true."
Assistant editor Matilda Richards said: "Jen’s brilliantly authentic entry not only provided a detailed description of what Bletchley Park was like for the codebreakers who worked there during the Second World War, but also captures the horrors of war for the soldiers fighting on the frontline."
The brief for a naval series set during the Second World War was won by indie author David Clensy.
Editorial Assistant Claire Smith said: "David’s sea battle writing was immediately striking for its energy and authenticity; it leapt off the page. His inspired use of twin main characters joining up to the Royal and Merchant Navy’s is a fantastic way to explore the action and perils faced by both services during the war."
A series chronicling the lives of England’s Medieval Queens has been won by debut author Lucy Smith, while non-fiction writer Jonathan Eyers has been chosen to write the fictional Age of Sail naval series.
Fantasy author Julian Barr is the winner of the King Arthur Origins brief.
Barr explained: "The series situates the legend in 6th-century Britain, following Arthur as he rises from beer-swilling mercenary to true nobility."
Historical novelist Clare Hawkins was the winner of the Gothic Houses brief.
Natalie Linh Bolderston said: "Reading Clare’s submission, I was struck by the strength of her voice and how deftly she planted the seeds of the central mystery. With Clare’s shrewd sense of pacing and her close attention to her story’s setting, it is clear that she has a real gift for creating a sinister atmosphere."
Runner-up spots have also been offered to the following authors with the prize being three-book contracts to work on a new series: Lynn Dawson, Melanie Golding, Philippa Elliott, Claire Dunn, Christopher Cevasco, Megan Clarke, Samantha Wilcoxson, Jules Larimore, Lucy Karim and Carlo Gibbs.