The inaugural Irish Writers’ Centre Novel Fair will take place on March 10th 2012. The Novel Fair aims to introduce up-and-coming writers to top Irish publishers and literary agents, giving novelists the opportunity to bypass the slush pile, pitch their ideas and place their synopsis and sample chapters directly into the hands of publishers and agents.
A judging panel of experienced industry professionals will select a shortlist of successful entries, presented to them anonymously. There is no limitation on style, genre, or target market, the only requirement being that the writer has not published a novel before.
Publishers and agents will come along on the day to the Irish Writers’ Centre and meet these writers in person. Each writer in attendance will have a stand at the Fair with copies of the synopsis of their novel, the finished novel itself and biographical material.
Representatives from Penguin Ireland, Transworld, O’Brien Press, Lilliput Press, Hachette Books, Liberties Press, Little Island and Arlen House will be present on the day. Literary agents such as Marianne Gunn O’Connor, Yvonne Kinsella, Emma Walsh, Ger Nichol and Paul Feldstein will also be present.
For details and how to enter see the website -
For more information or queries e-mail: novelfair@writerscentre.ie
Deadline for submissions: November 11th 2011
4 comments:
It sounds like a money making exercise to me, relieving the gullible of their hard earned money. Once the 'industry professionals' are paid off for the day, the IWC should, depending on how many first time novelists attend, will have a few more quid in the bank to offset the funding that got cut.
Fair play to whoever thought up this literary Dragon's Den rip-off.
I actually think it's a good idea and good value, Coirí. The ones picked will know they have a decent novel written and with any luck they will find a publisher. It took me 5 years to find a publisher for 'YOU'. I would gladly have entered a comp like this one if I thought it would have saved the heartache and long, long wait. I am dying to see who the chosen ones are :)
i am exited about the opportunity to get some feedback and the deadline gives me an incentive to keep writing etc. however, it would be valuable to know how many writers will be chosen. is it 5 or 25? susanne
Hi Susanne, if you ring the IWC they have all the details, I really don't know how many the shortlist will have on it.
Their number is a Dublin one:
01 8721302.
Good luck!
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