We want to hear from you!
HarperFiction is proud to launch Killing It: The Killer Reads Competition for undiscovered writers. All you need is a good idea, a passion for the dark side and a dollop of determination!
Launching at the start of 2021 on January 7th, this is a competition to help push open doors to crime writers who need a way into the publishing industry. All you need to do to enter is send us the first 10,000 words of your crime, thriller or suspense novel, a short synopsis, and a short paragraph about yourself, too. We want to get to know you!
We encourage submissions from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic writers in particular.
If you are looking for a place to start, here’s a sentence to start you off: ‘The body was lying in the snow, covered in a smattering of dead leaves.’ You do not have to use this prompt but it’s there if you need it!
Three winners will be chosen to receive:
Editorial reports from HarperFiction crime editors on their full manuscripts, covering pace, characterisation, pitch, and more.
Editorial mentoring (up to three one-hour sessions) with a HarperFiction crime editor.
The competition will be judged by HarperFiction Editorial Director Phoebe Morgan, Commissioning Editor Kathryn Cheshire, Assistant Editor Sophie Churcher, and Ayo Onatade, a crime critic and the former chair of the Crime Writers Association Short Story Dagger.
To enter please send the following to: crimesubmissions@harpercollins.co.uk
The first 10,000 words of your crime, thriller or suspense novel (your book needs to be complete or near-complete to enter)
A short synopsis (max. 500 words)
A short paragraph about yourself
Please read our full terms and conditions before sending your entry, here.
NB: Winning the competition does not guarantee publication by HarperCollins UK.
