Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller 2016

Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller 2016

March 10, 2016 // News // books/ competitions/ march 2016/ news

The Richard and Judy Book Club – the biggest book club in Britain – is widely relied upon by readers to provide an abundance of writing talent a chance to shine, from debut novelists to highly acclaimed authors. Nearly six years after they first teamed up with WHSmith to launch the book club, reading, reviewing and discovering new authors has remained something that the couple are truly passionate about.

And so this year Richard and Judy have launched a lucrative competition to find a first-time author with the potential to become a bestselling writer. ‘Search for a Bestseller’, supported by WHSmith, will be accepting manuscripts from unpublished authors from 10th March 2016 – 31st May 2016. Richard and Judy will then be leading the selection process, helped by editors and agents, to choose a winner who will receive a £50,000 publishing deal with Bonnier Zaffre and specialist advice from literary agency Furniss Lawton.

Richard Madeley commented: “Judy and I are so excited to host the “search for a bestseller” competition, it gives us a chance to keep doing what we both love- reading and discovering a fantastic title for our devoted Book Club audience. We can’t wait to read the submissions!”

To enter Search for a Bestseller, aspiring authors must submit 10,000 words of original fiction aimed at adults, as well as a synopsis of the full novel, via the entry form below. Scroll down for the full terms and conditions, FAQs and to submit your manuscript via our entry form. Good luck!

A Letter from Richard and Judy

If there’s one thing we’ve discovered in picking winning titles for our Richard and Judy Book Club, it is just how many fantastic new writers are out there. Since forming the club with WHSmith, we are proud to have launched the careers of a host of exciting debut authors. We were also delighted with the well deserved success of the first winner of our Search for a Bestseller competition Tracy Rees – author of the Sunday Times bestseller Amy Snow.

So now it could be your turn to see your book in print. Together with publisher Bonnier Zaffre, and WHSmith, we’re on the hunt for talented new writers, and when we find one of them we’re going to put them firmly on the road to a £50,000 publishing deal.

Are You our next bestseller? We want to meet you.

A Note from Bonnier Zaffre

What we’re looking for in a bestseller… Ah – the question to which everyone in the publishing business from authors and agents to publishers and booksellers wants the answer! Of course, it’s subjective, of course personal taste, timing, and whatever else is going on in the world outside comes in to it, but for us it’s all about the story. We want to read a book that immediately draws us into the author’s universe, a book that introduces us to a character or a situation that feels fresh and original, a story that convinces us from the beginning that it is being told truthfully and with integrity. And while there will always be exceptions, we think books that can be simply and compellingly described will always have the best chance of finding a large audience. We’re social animals and we love to share news of things or experiences we love, so if we can sum up exactly what it is about a novel we’ve enjoyed in a few sentences and want to tell our friends all about it, that suggests we’ve got a winner on our hands.

And if this sounds a bit abstract, here are some things we love to see in submissions – and some things we’re a bit less keen on…

We love:

  1. authors who keep their audience in mind as they write
  2. authors who have read widely in the genre they are working in
  3. authors who have a clear sense of the narrative arc of their story
  4. characters we believe in and like – whether they are good or bad!

We’re less keen on:

  1. novels that are largely autobiographical
  2. novels with large casts of characters it’s impossible to keep track of
  3. novels that open with a long description of a hangover…

But above all – like readers everywhere – we want to read novels that captivate, engage and excite us, novels that take us somewhere else, that keep us turning the pages. So if you think you have got what it takes to be the Richard & Judy Bestseller of 2016 – we can’t wait to hear from you!

How do you enter?

To enter Search for a Bestseller simply fill in your details in the form below and upload your 10,000 word extract (plus a plot synopsis and short author biography within the same document) for consideration. Your entry must be submitted by the 31st May 2016 to be considered. Please read the full terms and conditions and FAQs before entering.

The deadline for entries has now passed and the first stage is now closed. No further entries will be accepted. Shortlisted entrants will be contacted by 30th June 2016.

Fill out my online form.

FAQs

If I notice a mistake or would like to enter a different novel, am I able to resubmit?

Unfortunately, we aren’t able to accept corrections to entries or more than one novel per entrant.

Can my novel be in any genre?

We are accepting submissions for most fiction genres including crime fiction, historical fiction, romance, thrillers and women’s fiction, but we are not looking for science fiction, fantasy, children’s and teenage fiction in this particular competition.

If I make it to the shortlist, how long does my novel have to be?

At least 80,000 words in length.

If my novel is shortlisted, when do I need to have completed the full novel?

You need to have finished the novel by 12th December 2016, although the winning entrant will have the opportunity to revise their work with Bonnier Zaffre.

If I’m not successful, will I still get editorial feedback?

We have received a large number of entries to the competition so, unfortunately, it is impossible to give editorial feedback to everyone individually.

If I submit my novel to another publisher or literary agency after the closing date, will my entry still be eligible?

Shortlisted entrants will be contacted by 30th June 2016. If you aren’t lucky enough to be shortlisted, you will, of course, be free to submit to a publisher or literary agency after this date.

If I’ve previously submitted my manuscript to another competition, but it wasn’t selected, can I submit it here?

We are very happy to accept unpublished manuscripts that have been submitted to other competitions, except for any that were submitted to the previous Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition.

If I have sent my manuscript to other agents and been rejected can I enter here?

Manuscripts that have been sent to agents cannot be entered into this competition.

If a writer has self published can they enter this competition?

Yes, writers who have self-published can enter this competition but only with an original manuscript that they have not previously self-published.

If I enter the competition and win, do I have to be published by Bonnier Zaffre and represented by Furniss Lawton?

Yes. If you write the winning novel it will be published by Bonnier Zaffre and represented by Furniss Lawton.

In what format can I submit my extract?

We can accept a single Word document, preferably, or pdf, containing your extract, synopsis and biography.

If I am shortlisted but do not win, what will happen?

We will contact all shortlisted entrants once the winner has been chosen. Clearly any shortlisted extract will have been of a high standard and, whilst under no obligation, it is possible that Bonnier Zaffre or Furniss Lawton will want to talk to you further about your novel or writing career.

Will my book be published abroad?

Yes, Bonnier Zaffre will publish the winning novel in the Commonwealth, and will also aim to secure North American and translation deals for the book.

Who will handle film and TV rights in my book?

Bonnier Zaffre will handle the TV and film rights in the winning novel on behalf of the winning author.

Is there anyone I can call with questions? What do I do if I have a question you haven’t answered on the site?

If you have a question that hasn’t been answered elsewhere on the site, please drop us a line at rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible. However, this email is for help with general questions about the competition and will not be able to answer specific editorial queries relating to your entry or extract.


Terms and Conditions

PLEASE READ THESE TERMS CAREFULLY BEFORE ENTERING THE COMPETITION

The website: richardandjudy.co.uk/rjbestseller (the “Website”) is the website run by Richard & Judy, WHSmith and Bonnier Zaffre (“us”/”we”/”our”) for Richard & Judy’s “Search for a Bestseller”.

Competition: through the Website, we propose to run a writing competition in order to find a new, unpublished or self-published author to be called “Search for a Bestseller” (the “Competition”).

Competition period: the Competition begins on 10th March 2016 and ends on 31st May 2016 (the “Competition Period”). We will continue to accept Competition entries until the end of the Competition Period but we will not consider any entries submitted after this period.

By entering the Competition you accept, without limitation or qualification, the Competition terms and conditions set out below (these “Terms”) without modification. By entering the Competition, you acknowledge that you are bound by these Terms. This is the case notwithstanding any subsequent acknowledgement by you of these Terms.

Please note, any phrase in these Terms introduced by the term “include”, “including”, “in particular” or similar expression shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words preceding that term.

THE TERMS

1: In order to enter the Competition, entrants must comply with these Terms:

1.1: be at least 18 years old. Proof of identity and age may be required. Use of a false name or address will result in disqualification;

1.2: be a resident of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland;

1.3: only one entry is allowed per person. Each entry must be made directly by the person entering the Competition;

1.4: have not previously submitted your partial novel (the “Extract”) to a publishing company, literary agency or previous iterations of the Competition, nor self-published any work based on or containing the Extract;

1.5: have not had any other novel published in any format except for any self-published novels (that being a novel published independently by the author directly through a programme such as Kindle Direct Publishing or printed under their own name or imprimatur at their own expense, without the editorial, marketing, logistical or financial support of any publishing company, and where there was no contractual arrangement with any third-party excepting the distribution platform or book printer), whether under the entrant’s name or a pseudonym;

1.6: are not represented by a literary agent;

1.7: the Extract must be between 10,000 (ten thousand) to 12,000 (twelve thousand) words long and must be supported by your biography, of no more than 500 (five hundred) words and a synopsis of the complete novel of the Extract, of no more than 1,000 (one thousand) words, which can only be submitted on the application page of the Website;

1.8: the Extract must be a piece of original fiction, excluding science fiction, fantasy, children’s and teenage fiction;

1.9: the Extract is original to you and you are the sole author of the Extract and own all rights in the Extract, and that the Extract is in no way an infringement of any copyright, moral right, right of privacy or any other legal right of any person

1.10: have the right to enter the Competition and are not prevented from doing so by any other agreement.

1.11: any Extracts that are incomplete, illegible or indecipherable will not be valid and shall be deemed void.

1.12: agree to the following judging criteria:

(i) – we will shortlist several entries, the number of which will be at our discretion and shortlisted entries will be notified by 30th June 2016 and those entries that do not make the shortlist will not be notified; shortlisted entrants will need to submit a completed manuscript by 12th December 2016 to be considered for the Prize;

(ii) – the winner (the “Winner”) will be chosen by a panel of judges comprising representatives of Bonnier Zaffre, WHSmith PLC, James Grant Media, Furniss Lawton and Richard & Judy;

(iii) – there will only be one Winner and the decision of the judges is final. No correspondence shall be entered into about the judges’ decision;

(iv) – the Winner will be contacted in writing by us by 30th January 2017;

1.13: the Winner must respond to notification from us within 21 days to be eligible for the Prize (as defined below). If the Winner cannot be contacted or is unable to comply with these Terms, we reserve the right to offer the Prize to the runner-up selected by the same panel of judges referred to above;

1.14: the Winner must agree to:

(i) – personal appearances and other promotional activity including maintaining an active social media presence as required by Bonnier Zaffre or Furniss Lawton;

(ii) – their name and image being used for promotional activity by Bonnier Zaffre, WHSmith PLC, James Grant Media, Furniss Lawton and Richard & Judy; and

(iii) – sign a publishing agreement with Bonnier Zaffre to publish and represent the Winner and to act on his/her behalf for worldwide publishing and ancillary rights in the completed novel which must be of a minimum of 80,000 words in length, conform to the submitted synopsis unless otherwise agreed with Bonnier Zaffre and be of publishable quality;

(iv) – sign a representation agreement with Furniss Lawton to represent the Winner and to act on his/her behalf for worldwide publishing and ancillary rights in the completed novel as well as the Winner’s next work of fiction.

2: Only entries which comply with the requirements set out in these Terms and have submitted their Extract, Biography and Synopsis correctly through the application page will be valid and entered into the Competition.

3: The Prize: the Winner will receive a publishing contract worth at least £50,000 (fifty thousand pounds, comprising a non-returnable advance of £50,000 and potential additional earnings dependent on sales) and the Winner’s completed novel shall be published by Bonnier Zaffre and the worldwide publishing and ancillary rights shall be exploited by Bonnier Zaffre, subject to any editorial requirements and in a manner of Bonnier Zaffre’s choosing and the Winner shall be represented by Furniss Lawton, subject to the entry into appropriate agreements with such parties. The completed novel shall also be sold and promoted by WHSmith PLC in its stores. Bonnier Zaffre shall also endeavour to sell the completed novel through other retailers. The prize is as stated and is not transferable to another individual.

4: The entrant will retain all copyright in the Extract and the completed novel.

5: Eligibility: in addition to any eligibility restrictions set out in the above, the Competition is only open to a person who is not and whose immediate family members or those living in the same household are not employed by Bonnier Zaffre, WHSmith PLC, Furniss Lawton, Richard & Judy or any of their parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, or advertising or promotion agencies (the “Competition Coordinators”).

6: The Competition Coordinators will use, store or otherwise process any personal information that relates to and identifies you, including but not limited to your name, postal address, e-mail address, telephone number and any other information collected on entry to the Competition, to the extent reasonably necessary to run this Competition, contact you regarding its outcome and provide you with information about them or any of their services or products. The Competition Coordinators will only process your personal information for the purposes described in these Terms and will not give your personal information to any third parties.

6.1: Your information may, for the purposes set out in these Terms, be disclosed for processing to:

(i) – the Competition Coordinators’ employees, affiliates, group companies and their employees and successors in title to their businesses;

(ii) – third party consultants, contractors or other service providers who may access your personal information when providing services (including but not limited to IT support services) to the Competition Coordinators;

(iii) – government bodies and law enforcement agencies and in response to other legal and regulatory requests; and

(iv) – auditors or contractors or other advisers auditing, assisting with or advising on any of our business purposes, in any jurisdiction where we operate.

6.2: By submitting any personal information to us you consent to the use of the information as set out in these Terms.

7: These Terms and Conditions may be modified or cancelled at any time without warning. Bonnier Zaffre, WH Smith PLC, James Grant Media, Furniss Lawton and Richard & Judy assume no liability for loss or damage to submitted entries due to negligence when the works are in their possession. Bonnier Zaffre, WHSmith PLC, James Grant Media, Furniss Lawton and Richard & Judy may withdraw from this Competition due to unforeseen circumstances or unsatisfactory submissions.

8: These Terms and any disputes or claims arising out of or in connection with them or their subject matter or formation (including non-contract disputes or claims) shall be governed by and construed in all respects in accordance with English Law.

108 thoughts on “Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller 2016”

  1. Just reviewed my entry from 2 years ago. Theoretically, same novel with the same name, but virtually unrecognisable! My writing has progressed such a lot since then. Shame I can’t re-enter! I’m sure loads of other people are in the same position.

        1. Thank you. I feel there will be very many writers with exactly the same problem. Will it be possible to cover this, by including in your rules & info? I’m sure you’re expecting a deluge of submissions for this competition, just as before.

      1. Hi EJ,

        Thanks for your comment. It is correct that writers who have self published a novel would be unable to take part in the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition. If you have any further queries or questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

        Thanks

        WHS Blog

    2. Hi Maggie,

      Thanks very much for your comment and interest in the competition. Unfortunately extracts from self-published authors will not be accepted. If you have any further queries or questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

  3. Would an unfinished novel which hasn’t been submitted to a literary agent or a publisher, but has been submitted to another competition but not shortlisted, be eligible? does having been submitted to a different competition, count as having been “released into the public domain?”

    1. Hi Dorothy,

      Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately extracts which have been entered into another competition are not eligible for Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller. If you have any further queries or questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

  4. If I have submitted just 2000 words to an agent previously but they have not accepted (as we know JK Rowling submitted many times before success) does this exclude the same work even if it’s been changed a little?

    1. Hi mrsM,

      Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately extracts that have been sent to an agent will not be eligible for Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller. If you would like to discuss this further or have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

  6. it’s not clear to me whether you mean that someone who has self-published anything at all, EXCLUDING the proposed entry, is ineligible, or if it’s just when their proposed entry has previously been self-published.

    1. Hi Annabel,

      Apologies for the confusion. A writer who has self-published anything at all, including or excluding the proposed entry, is ineligible for Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller. If you would like to discuss this further or have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

  7. I filled out for the book story thing and when I got to the end it said thank you for your I forgot the word when I was filling it out I never said anything or write anything I don’t know what to do I’m confused

    1. Hi Jenna,

      Thanks for your comment. If you are unsure whether you have submitted your extract correctly then we would advise you fill in the form above again from the beginning, ensuring that all the fields are complete and that you have uploaded your extract, author biography and synopsis.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

  8. I’ve self published a couple of short stories, but have a novel I’ve just written which I’d like to enter but seems I can’t. My feeling is the same as @jofenton:disqus . It’s sad I can’t enter.

    1. Hi Dan,

      Thanks very much for your comment and interest in the competition. After receiving multiple queries from self-published authors, we have now made the decision to allow self-published authors to submit an extract for Search for a Bestseller. However the extract that you submit must not have been self-published and/or submitted to an agent. If you have any further queries or questions regarding this matter, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

    1. Hi Sarah, thanks for your comment. Unfortunately writers that have had any of their work published are ineligible for Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller. If you would like to discuss this further or have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

    1. Can you confirm whether short story publications (i.e. individual short stories published in literary magazines) would disqualify an entrant?

      1. Hi Philippa, thanks for your comment. Unfortunately writers that have had any of their work published are ineligible for Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller. If you would like to discuss this further or have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

        Thanks

        WHS Blog

          1. Hi Philippa,

            Please accept our apologies for the confusion. James Grant are correct and having a short story published in a magazine would not prevent you from entering Search for a Bestseller. If you would like to discuss this further or have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

            Thanks

            WHS Blog

    1. Hi Jenna,

      Thanks for your comment. In order to enter Search for a Bestseller you will need to fill in the form above and upload a separate document containing your 10,000 word extract. Click the ‘Choose File’ button to upload it. If you have any further questions or would like to discuss this further then please don’t hesitate to get in touch at rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

    1. Hi Jo,

      Thanks for your comment. Yes, the extract must be 10,000-12,000 words long for this year’s competition. A 500 word (max) biography and a 1,000 word (max) synopsis are also required. If you have any further questions or would like to discuss this further then please don’t hesitate to get in touch at rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

  14. I submitted three chapters of a novel to agents a while ago but was rejected and have since rewritten and renamed it, I’m hoping it will be eligible to enter the competition, be grateful for your advice.

  15. Just a point of clarification for people who have been asking the question about being eligible if they have had short stories published. WHSmithblogadmin says you would be ineligible… but the terms and conditions are clear. ONLY if you have had novels published will you be ineligible. That is all the stipulation is. They say nothing about short stories. Indeed, if that disqualified you, hardly anyone would be able to enter.

    2. Hi Debbi,

      Please accept our apologies for the confusion. James Grant are correct and having a short story published in a magazine would not prevent you from entering Search for a Bestseller. If you would like to discuss this further or have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

  16. i came runner up in a poetry competition a couple of years ago and I believe my poem featured on their website…..would this rule me out from entering the competition please?

    1. Hi John,

      Thanks for your comment. After receiving multiple queries from authors in your position, we have now made the decision to allow manuscripts that have been entered into other competitions (but not selected as a winner) to be entered into Search for a Bestseller. However, we cannot accept manuscripts that have been entered into any previous Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition. If you have any further queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

  18. Part 1.14(iv) gives Zaffre rights to your next book as well, if you win this competition? Is that… unusual? Also, what kind of genre are people writing? I’d love to get an idea of what qualifies as “women’s fiction”, etc….

    1. I’m not part of the event team or anything but I think Part 1.14(iv) is what they call a “2 book publishing deal”, like what the main character in Marianne Keyes’ The Woman Who Stole My Life had.

        1. If I read it properly, it gives away your rights to find a new agent after the first book. So your agent for your first book is also the agent for the second, but not necessarily still published? So I suppose a second advance would be negotiated for the second book. I am definitely putting the cart before the horse here… 😛 I still haven’t written the extract.

  19. Just to be sure. All rules apply to a novel? I’ve written a few fringe plays before and a very low-budget film but not a novel so is it ok for me to enter the competition?

    1. Hi Alex,

      Thanks for your comment. The terms and conditions specify that you must ‘have not had any other novel published in any format’. We would recommend contacting rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk to confirm whether this would include a self help novel.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

  21. Regarding the synopsis – just to clarify – are we to include the entire plot? Do we need to reveal all twists, turns, conclusions and ending?

    1. Hi A. Stevenson,

      Thanks for your comment. You will need to include the complete plot within your synopsis. We’d recommend around 400 words. If you have any further queries or would like to discuss this further then please don’t hesitate to contact rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

  22. Hello. I have written a 460 word autobiographical summary of my life to go with my novel extract and summary. However are you expecting a much shorter biographical snippet, like one you would find in the cover of a published book? Thanks Sarah

    1. Hi Sarah,

      Thanks for your comment. We’d recommend around 200 words for your biography. If you are unsure about the level of detail required then we would recommend contacting rjbestseller@jamesgrant for further clarity.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

    2. Hi Donald,

      Just to let you know, we have received confirmation that the extract should be from the beginning of the book.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog.

  25. How much publicity is the winner expected to do? I am very shy and would really struggle with the idea of being interviewed on TV for example. Thanks!

  26. I have had an cookbook (e-book) published and a local fiction about Essex published: will I be eligible to enter this competition

    1. Hi Susan,

      Thanks for your comment. The terms and conditions specify that entrants must ‘have not had any other novel published in any format except for any self-published novels’. If you are unsure if this applies to your published work then please don’t hesitate to contact rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk with further details.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

  27. Hello,
    I just wanted to confirm whether the book overview should take the form of a general synopsis (like what a reader could find on the back cover), or whether you want actual details of how the novel will end and a chapter by chapter layout? If you could clarify, I’d appreciate it.
    Thanks.

    1. Hi Kelly,

      Thanks for your comment. You will need to include the complete plot within your synopsis, we’d recommend around 400 words. If you have any further queries or would like to discuss this further then please don’t hesitate to contact rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

  28. Is there any restriction when it comes to the characters and location? Ie do they need to be British or can the the novel be set somewhere other than UK? Thanks.

    1. Hi Sarmed,

      Thanks for your comment. While there are restrictions on genre (we are not looking for science fiction, fantasy, children’s and teenage fiction for this year’s competition) we have not specified any restrictions on the characters or locations. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

  29. Hi – the rules say up to 12,000 but I’ve read a few pieces about the competition and it’s always the first 10,000 words that is quoted. Can you confirm that the judges are happy to receive up to 12,000 – thanks!

    1. Hi Caroline,

      Thanks for your comment. We advise between 10,000 – 12,000 words for your extract, so we’re sure the judges will be happy to receive up to 12,000 words. If you have any further queries then please don’t hesitate to contact rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

  31. I’m working on something I’d love to submit but I would prefer to publish under a pen name rather than my own. Would that be allowed under the rules of the competition?

  32. When I submit my 10,000 words can you tell me if this has to be the beginning of the book or can it be any 10,000 words within the book? Thanks

      1. Hello,

        The requirement for the 10,000 words to be from the beginning of the book is not stated in the Terms and Conditions. I like others in this discussion forum, have therefore submitted an extract that does not comply with this. Can you please confirm that given the requirements were not specifically stated you will still consider such entries?

        Many Thanks,

        Marie

        1.7: the Extract must be between 10,000 (ten thousand) to 12,000 (twelve thousand) words long and must be supported by your biography, of no more than 500 (five hundred) words and a synopsis of the complete novel of the Extract, of no more than 1,000 (one thousand) words, which can only be submitted on the application page of the Website;

        1.8: the Extract must be a piece of original fiction, excluding science fiction, fantasy, children’s and teenage fiction;

        1.9: the Extract is original to you and you are the sole author of the Extract and own all rights in the Extract, and that the Extract is in no way an infringement of any copyright, moral right, right of privacy or any other legal right of any person

  33. Hi, in a bit of a panic because despite trying to attach my manuscript on various gadgets, nothing is loading. Is there a problem on the page at the moment?

    1. Hi Jacqueline,

      No need to panic, we’ll make sure you can submit your manuscript.

      Could you please let us know which browser/device you are using and also the size of the files you’re trying to upload so that we can look into this further?

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

      1. I have exactly the same problem; it is proving impossible to upload my Word manuscript, Can you help please! I am certainly beginning to panic. Anne Leighton, Saturday, 28th May.

  34. I submitted my work on Monday and have, so far, not received any confirmation email? Is this normal or should I chase this up? Thanks, Lewis.

  35. Hi
    I would like some clarification on the submission deadline please. Do submissions have to be made 31st May or are they accepted on 31st? And if so, by what time should they be submitted?
    Many thanks

  36. does anyone know if there is a time deadline on 31st May – for example can you enter it up until midnight? Not that I’m planning to do that but the way things are going just now it may well be the afternoon of the 31st before I’m ready. Just want to check it doesn’t have to be in by midday.

  38. I am about to upload my entry. It is a word document but a .doc – when I hover over ‘upload file’ it says you accept .docx files or pdf. Does that mean you don’t accept .doc files and I should convert my file to a pdf?

  39. I have submitted my extract but although the following message popped up “Thank You For Your Submission” I have not received any separate email (address as provided) acknowledging my entry? Is this to be expected or should I be concerned that my entry has gone awry!?

  40. Help! I cannot upload my Word document containing my Bio, Synopsis, Prologue and chapters one and two!! And I am running out of time to submit. I am most certainly panicking!!

    1. Hi Anne,

      Thanks for your comment. Could you please let us know which device and browser you are using and the size of the file you’re trying to upload so that we can look into this further?

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

      1. Google is my browser, the size of my file is 10MB and I am using Windows 10. The problem is that one cannot see the documents one has downloaded in the normal way on the entry form, and at the end of the download; it only shows that one has downloaded one document, and not as in my case seven. The documents I wish to download are: – My bio, Synopsis, Title page, Frontispiece, Prologue, Chapter 1 and Chapter 2.

        1. Hi Anne,

          The form is designed to accept one document so we’d recommend that you put all your work into one document and try uploading that. Please let us know how you get on so that we can continue to help you if you need it.

          Thanks

          WHS Blog

          1. Well, unfortunately, I do not recall reading that anywhere and I downloaded what I thought were all seven of my documents, yesterday afternoon. Though it only showed I had downloaded one I thought the system had accepted the other six documents somewhere. Can I submit my work again in one document or am now disqualified?

          2. Hi Anne,

            You’re certainly not disqualified. We’d recommend submitting your work again in one document just to be sure that it has all gone through.

            Thanks

            WHS Blog

  41. I have just submitted an extract only to read on here to my dismay that the ‘extract’ must be the first 10,000 words of the book. Is that the case? I cannot see this in the rules or conditions.

    1. Hi Alex,

      Thanks for your comment. We apologise for the confusion here. If you do have the first 10,000 words of your story then we would recommend that you submit this. But if you do not then we are happy to accept an extract from later in your story in this instance.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

    1. Hi Eli,

      Thanks for your comment. The form is not set up to send a separate confirmation email, but you should have received a ‘Thank You for your Submission’ message as soon you submitted the extract as confirmation. If you have any further concerns please don’t hesitate to contact rjbestseller@jamesgrant.co.uk.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

  44. Hi I am trying to upload my competition entry at the moment. When I browse to the correct file on my desktop, the form next to the “Browse” button shows a file path address. If I submit now will the file be sent or should I be able to see a file actually attached somewhere? Can you advise please as i’m worried I might send a blank entry! Many thanks.

    1. Hi Ian,

      Thanks for you comment. It sounds as though you have attached your file correctly. It should display the name of your file next to the ‘Choose File’ button. If it hasn’t been uploaded correctly then it will say ‘No file chosen’ instead.

      Thanks

      WHS Blog

      1. What we’re looking for in a bestseller… Ah – the question to which everyone in the publishing business from authors and agents to publishers and booksellers wants the answer! Of course, it’s subjective, of course personal taste, timing, and whatever else is going on in the world outside comes in to it, but for us it’s all about the story. We want to read a book that immediately draws us into the author’s universe, a book that introduces us to a character or a situation that feels fresh and original, a story that convinces us from the beginning that it is being told truthfully and with integrity. And while there will always be exceptions, we think books that can be simply and compellingly described will always have the best chance of finding a large audience. We’re social animals and we love to share news of things or experiences we love, so if we can sum up exactly what it is about a novel we’ve enjoyed in a few sentences and want to tell our friends all about it, that suggests we’ve got a winner on our hands.

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