Shorelines Black New Novel Competition 2006

Budding UK Black* novelists can win £1000 and have their work published.
The search is on to find the best new novel from a UK black writer in Shorelines' latest fiction competition. Shorelines welcomes submissions in any genre except children's fiction from all UK Black* writers. It is very difficult for new black writers to get their first novel published - this competition provides a rare break for talented writers that will win them national profile and acclaim.

Shorelines Director, Peter Kalu explains, "The novel competition is a natural progression for us. And now, with Arts Council of England backing, and in collaboration with Commonword/ Cultureword black writing agency, we are able to publish. We were astonished by the quality of the material submitted for the two First Chapter competitions and hope that black writers out there continue astonishing us with their novels.'

Shorelines have already assisted the careers of numerous writers, including the last two winners of the Shorelines Black First Chapter Competition, Valerie Mason John, whose novel, Borrowed Body was published in 2005 to glowing reviews; and Biram Mboob whose success in the competition in 2004 has spurred him on to focus on completing his novel. Biram is featured in the UK's leading black writing magazine, Sable LitMag Autumn 2005 edition.

*Black includes Asian, African, Caribbean, Chinese.

How the Competition Works

Stage One Entrants should send a two page synopsis (including a plot outline and brief details of main characters and themes: so we can tell you have a novel in mind and not just a short story) plus the first three chapters or fifty pages (whichever is the shorter) of their novel. Novels can be on any theme and in any genre except children's fiction. You should not enter Stage One unless you are close to completing the full novel.
Stage One Closing Date: 31st May 2006

Stage Two Up to five shortlisted authors will be invited to submit completed novels (of between fifty to ninety five thousand words in length) for the judges' consideration. These five will have to submit their completed novel by 31st September 2006.

Judging Process: Judging will be done by: Peter Kalu and Tariq Mehmood. See below for details of Judges.

Prize: The winner will receive £1,000 (one thousand pounds) upon publication of their novel under Shorelines' suitcase imprint in 2007.

For an entry form and rules please email cultureword@commonword.org.uk or send an sae to Commonword, 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS.