Novel Competition 2008
It was a pretty intense moment when all the story readers sat down together to deliberate and debate the merits of all the novel extracts submitted. Each reader had their own favourites: stories that had gripped and moved them; that delivered strong beginnings and structured form; that were dynamic and intriguing. Each genre was represented and proved a challenging task to select those that we felt the judge, Lorella Belli, would not only enjoy but grasp their underlying potential - whether commercial or literary.
Heated discussions ensured as the long list was drawn with each reader having to not only defend but also promote the reasons for putting an extract forward. In the end, the strongest candidates were those that grabbed our attention from the onslaught and held us riveted to the page. One story stood out offering words that delivered a viable world and one spoken with original voices.
The winner of the 2008 Novel Competition is Joanna Williams with her manuscript entitled, 'Different'.
Joanna will have the opportunity of working alongside the Editor to complete her novel within the two year time frame. Once it has been worked on up to a publishable standard we will re-present it to Lorella for her consideration.
Lorella has offered her comments and insights on judging this year's Novel Competition.
Review the long list and glean an inkling into the story reader's impressions.
Due to the popularity of the Novel Competition our next one will have a deadline set at midnight on Sunday 28 February 2010. Look out for the new rules and entry details on the website nearer the time. Submissions will be accepted from Thursday 1st January 2009.
To get in contact please e-mail us, or write to us at Chapter One Promotions, Canterbury Court, 1-3 Brixton Road, London, SW9 6DE, England. You can also call us direct on 0845 456 5364.