Now in its tenth year, Spotlight First Novel Competition is our way of celebrating and encouraging new writers. Every year we profile the winner and offer them transitional support.
The competition has a well documented knack of highlighting the writers of the future. Success stories include Philip Bowne, Cows Can’t Jump (Neem Tree Press 2020): Kate Swindlehurst with her memoir, The Tango Effect (Unbound 2020): Zoe Gilbert, Folk (Bloomsbury 2018).
So far, seven of our shortlisted writers have gone on to mainstream success. Previous shortlisted writers now published (or about to be) include:
2020 Emma Hughes
2018 Sophie Haydock
2016 Michelle Kenney
2016 Felicia Yap
2015 Annabel Abbs
2014 Mary Paulson Eliis
2013 Jessie Kidd
Read Philip Bowne’s Spotlight experience.
Further information about the competition.
Next deadline: 14th February 2021.
