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We are so thrilled to finally announce the winners of the 'I Am Writing' competitions 2023! For those of you that made it to the 'I Am Writing' Festival in Bristol we were so happy to be able to share the news with you in-person.

I Am Writing Crime / Thriller Competition - As part of the I Am Writing Festival in Bristol 2023. Judged by Kate Nash Literary Agency

I Am Writing CRIME / THRILLER Competition Winners 2023!

The first 3,500 words of any type of adult, MG or YA crime / thriller novel had to be submitted. The winning entries were judged on their commercial appeal.

1st Prize: £100 plus a 30 minute online consultation with the Kate Nash Literary Agency

1st - FIVE BY FIVE by Claire Wilson

2nd Prize: £50 plus 500 words of written feedback

2nd - THE ALGORITHM OF US by Daisy Jervis

3rd Prize: £25 plus 500 words of written feedback

3rd - IN THE FIRE ANTS' NEST by Francesco Sarti

Highly Commended

THE FABULARIUM by Jennifer Harvey

Judged by: Kate Nash Literary Agency

Founded in 2009, Kate Nash Literary Agency Ltd has gone on to become one of the UK’s foremost independent literary agencies, specialising in bestselling commercial fiction and non-fiction for adults, young adults and children. They are based near Oxford and thrive at providing the best service to authors and seeing them succeed.

I Am Writing Flash Fiction Competition - I Am In Print, Judged by Fanny Blake

I Am Writing FLASH FICTION Competition Winners 2023!

Entrants had to write a story with a beginning, middle and end in only 300 words that transports the reader and leaves them wanting more? Stories had to be written for adults on any theme or subject and couldn't be a word over 300, including the title.

1st Prize: £150

1st - ACROSS THE EARTH, ACROSS THE SEA by Laura Parker

2nd Prize: £75

2nd - SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN A PALERMO PARK by Steve Partridge

3rd Prize: £25

3rd - RAW DOUGH RISING by Kathryn Aldridge-Morris

Judged by: Fanny Blake.

Fanny Blake was a publisher for many years, editing both fiction and non-fiction before becoming a freelance journalist and writer. She has written various non-fiction titles, as well as acting as ghost writer for a number of celebrities. She was Books Editor of Woman & Home magazine until recently, regularly reviews fiction in the Daily Mail and has been a judge for the Costa Novel Award, the British Book Awards, the Comedy Women in Print Award among others. She has written many novels, including AN ITALIAN SUMMER, A SUMMER REUNION, THE LONG WAY HOME and THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW.

I Am Writing Historical Fiction Competition - As part of the I Am Writing Festival in Bristol 2023. Judged by The Liverpool Literary Agency

I Am Writing HISTORICAL Competition Winners 2023!

Entrants had to submit the first 3,500 words of any type of historical novel for adults. A one-page synopsis was also required.

1st Prize: £100 plus a 30 minute online consultation with Clare Coombes from The Liverpool Literary Agency

1st - WHITE DEATH by Glenda Cooper

2nd Prize: £50 plus 500 words of written feedback

2nd - LET MY SONG BEGUILE YOU by Gail Moss

3rd Prize: £25 plus 500 words of written feedback

3rd - THE PATRIOT by Stephen Prior

Judged by: The Liverpool Literary Agency

The Liverpool Literary Agency started because the publishing industry seemed inaccessible, London-centric and intimidating. They were inspired by the report, Common People: Breaking the Class Ceiling in UK Publishing, which confirmed that many promising authors see their careers stall in the face of limiting barriers, including ‘a lack of support networks and contacts, lower levels of self-confidence and the publishing industry’s lack of social diversity’. Overall, they aim to support under-represented writers from the north of the United Kingdom, but for this competition they are open to see work from writers located globally.

I Am Writing MG / YA competition - As part of the I Am Writing Festival in Bristol 2023. Judged by literary agent, Jo Williamson.

I Am Writing MG / YA Competition Winners 2023!

Please submit the first 3,500 words of any type of MG or YA novel. A one page synopsis is also required.

1st Prize: £100 plus a 30 minute online consultation with Jo Williamson

1st - THE STORY SEEKERS by Natalia Godsmark

2nd Prize: £50 plus a 15 minute online consultation with Jo Williamson

2nd - RICH by Sue Nicholson

3rd Prize: £25 plus a 15 minute online consultation with Jo Williamson

3rd - I AM NOW by Carry De La Harpe

Judged by: Jo Williamson, Literary Agent at Antony Harwood Literary Agency

Jo Williamson has been in publishing for over 25 years. Having worked in children’s books PR for Dorling Kindersley, HarperCollins and Orion, she started as an agent with Antony Harwood in 2008. She feels very privileged being with authors at the very start of their publishing journey and enjoys close working relationships with all her clients. From editorial help, general advice on the publishing world, guiding careers long-term and general cheerleading, she feels she has the perfect job.

I Am Writing Picture Books Competition - As part of the I Am Writing Festival in Bristol 2023. Judged by Little Tiger

I Am Writing PICTURE BOOKS Competition Winners 2023!

Entrants were invited to submit up to two texts of no more than 600 words each – in prose or verse – that are perfect for sharing with children aged 3-6.

1st Prize: £200, a one-to-one Zoom editorial consultation with the Little Tiger editorial team to discuss the winning submission plus a £50 book token

1st - BOOK BOT by Libby Hartwell

2nd Prize: Written editorial feedback and £30 book token

2nd - CHEESE by Chris Douch

3rd Prize: Written editorial feedback and £20 book token

3rd - MISS MAO-MAO MARABELLA MUNCHKINS (Kit for short!) by Catherine Leung

Judged by: Little Tiger

Little Tiger publishes a huge range of formats and genres, for children and young people, striving to create a diverse range of high-quality books, with something that will appeal to every reading taste, helping children develop a passion for books and a life-long love of reading. They work with much-loved authors and illustrators and especially like humorous, touching and imaginative picture books which provide a satisfying reading experience for child and parent alike.

I Am Writing Poetry Competition - As part of the I Am Writing Festival in Bristol 2023. Judged by Jen Feroze

I Am Writing POETRY Competition Winners 2023!

Entrants could submit up to 3 poems around the theme of 'Beginnings' in up to 40 lines, excluding the title.

1st Prize: £100

1st - ICE FISHING IN SPRINGTIME by Stephanie Powell

2nd Prize: £50

2nd - BUD by Roger Hare

3rd Prize: £25

3rd - SUMMER, LOS ANGELES by Vanessa Napolitano

Highly Commended:

LOVE by Kerry Darbishire

NIGHTBIRTH OF TWIN CALVES ON THE MAHON by Glen Wilson

OUR OWN NEBULA by Paul Ings

EARLY WALKERS by Matt Gilbert

FOR THE TIME by Claire Dyer

Judged by: Poet, Jen Feroze

Jen Feroze is a former Foyle Young Poet, whose work has been widely published in journals, including Poetry Wales, Spelt, Dust, Ink Sweat & Tears and Stanchion. She has edited anthologies for Black Bough Poetry and The Mum Poem Press, and teaches poetry and writing workshops in person and online. Jen's lockdown poetry project - The Colour of Hope - was published in 2020 and is raising money for Mind UK. Her debut pamphlet will be published by Nine Pens later this year.

I Am Writing Romance Competition - As part of the I Am Writing Festival in Bristol 2023. Judged by The Liverpool Literary Agency

I Am Writing ROMANCE Competition Winners 2023!

Entrants had to submit the first 3,500 words of any type of romance novel for adults. A one-page synopsis was also required.

1st Prize: £100 plus a 30 minute online consultation with Clare Coombes from The Liverpool Literary Agency

1st - THE SEMI-DETACHED WOMAN by Alex Quaid

2nd Prize: £50 plus 500 words of written feedback

2nd - THE LOVE DEVELOPMENT by Nicola Bell

3rd Prize: £25 plus 500 words of written feedback

3rd - ENTANGLEMENT by Ash Kowalska

Judged by: The Liverpool Literary Agency

The Liverpool Literary Agency started because the publishing industry seemed inaccessible, London-centric and intimidating. They were inspired by the report, Common People: Breaking the Class Ceiling in UK Publishing, which confirmed that many promising authors see their careers stall in the face of limiting barriers, including ‘a lack of support networks and contacts, lower levels of self-confidence and the publishing industry’s lack of social diversity’. Overall, they aim to support under-represented writers from the north of the United Kingdom, but for this competition they are open to see work from writers located globally.

I Am Writing Sci-Fi / Fantasy Competition - As part of the I Am Writing Festival in Bristol 2023. Judged by Maddy Belton

I Am Writing SCI-FI / FANTASY Competition Winners 2023!

Entrants had to submit the first 3,500 words of any type of MG, YA or adult Sci-Fi / Fantasy novel.

1st Prize: £100 plus a 30 minute online consultation with Maddy Belton, Associate Agent at Madeleine Milburn

1st - THE RESURRECTIONISTS' GUILD by Anna Rivers

2nd Prize: £50 plus 500 words of written feedback

2nd - PRINCE WROUGHT OF OAK AND INK by Eliz Morgan

3rd Prize: £25 plus 500 words of written feedback

3rd - RISING TIDES by Rachel Cole

Highly Commended:

CAT AND CROWN by Erin Paterson

MASK OF NETTLE by Rebecca Manser

CHAINS OF STARS AND TEARS by Venetia Constantine

FOVEA: THE LAST TOUCH by Samantha Wilhelm

Judged by: Maddy Belton, Associate Agent at Madeleine Milburn

After graduating from St Andrews University with a degree in English Literature and Art History, Maddy followed her love of literature to an internship at non-fiction literary agency Graham Maw Christie. At GMC, Maddy worked her way up to Agent and built a list of authors who wrote for both adults and children, spanning history, tarot, and nature writing. An avid reader of anything magical, Maddy joined Madeline Milburn in 2022 to build a list specialising in SFF. Maddy would like to see SFF across all genres for all ages, including: grim dark, thriller, historical, romance, cosy fantasy, sci-fi, epic, YA fantasy, dark academia, contemporary fantasy, fantasy middle-grade, mythology, fairy tale and queer fantasy. She loves worlds to get lost in, adventures that transform what it means to be a hero, and unique magic that offers as many problems as solutions. She likes books that make her cry and books that change her mind. Above all, when she finishes a story about another world, she wants it to have taught her a lesson which helps her live in this one.

FAQS

Most frequent questions and answers:

Please email us at: competitions@iaminprint.co.uk if you cannot find the answer to your question.

The closing date to enter is 11:59pm BST on Friday 21 April 2023.

You may enter the Flash Fiction, Poetry and Picture Book competitions as these are not judged by agents. All other competitions are judged by agents, so in the interest of fairness, only unagented writers can enter.

Yes. All entries must be in English, but are accepted from international writers.

No. Do not include your name on your entry. The judging will be completed annonymously. 

Each competition entry costs £11. See each individual competition for the rules on how many entries can be submitted per fee.

The winners will be announced on Saturday 20 May 2023 at the I Am Writing Festival and then be uploaded to www.iaminprint.co.uk by Friday 2nd June 2023. You do not need to attend the festival to enter. 

No there will not be a long-list or a short-list. We will announce 1st, 2nd and 3rd place only.

No. We will only publish the winners names and entry title, not the actual document.

The one page synopsis can be single spaced. Your 3,500 words should be double lined spaced.

No. Your manuscript does not need to be complete to enter, but you do need a one page synopsis for some of the competitions. Please see the individual guidelines on each competition for more information.

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