Twenty writers have been shortlisted for the inaugural annual Book Edit Writers’ Prize.

The Book Edit Writers’ Prize is a national competition open to unagented, UK-based writers from communities underrepresented in publishing. Aimed at those who might not otherwise have access to the industry, the Writers’ Prize was set up to help talented writers get their work in front of an audience of top literary agents.

Entrants were invited to submit the first 1000 words of an already completed novel, along with a synopsis and statement about their writing experience. We received a huge number of entries and were humbled by the level of talent we found. Thank you to everyone who put themselves forward for this competition.

Speaking about the prize, co-judge Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone said “Reading the entries for The Book Edit Writers' Prize was a real pleasure. There was such a diverse range of genres and voices and I was incredibly impressed by the potential and energy of so many of the entries. What a privilege to get to read so many exciting new works.”

The final winners will be announced later this week with a special online showcase for industry guests on 24th November. All the winning entries will also be published in an online anthology to accessed via The Book Edit’s website after the showcase.

THE SHORTLISTED WRITERS ARE:

All the Time it Took by Dawn Nicholson

Anna by Cheryl Baden-Powell

Faith(ful) by Erin MacDonald

Fame by Malachi McIntosh

Giveaway Bride by Ibrahim Babátundé Ibrahim

Ink, Blood, Brick, Bone by Mich Maroney

Lingam by Meera Betab

Little Blasphemies by Nish Hegde

Parahumanity by Hannah Hoare

September and Miller by Tawnya Renelle

Slanted i by Shane Lowe

The Middle Women by N W Shuker

The Nightmarket by Heather Palmer

The Secrets We Keep in the Dark by Samantha Fisher

The Shook House by Kieran J Close

The Sound of No Shore by Barsa Ray

The Street Sweeper by Bren Gosling

The Things We Don't by Mairi Sutherland

Tipping Point by Kay Inckle

Uphill Struggle by William Cairns

Congratulations to all our fabulous shortlisted writers and watch this space for announcements later in the week about our final winners!