Posted By: Richard White, 18 October 2011
Yes, that’s right, Escalator Literature is back. A year of delicious literary development could be yours and this time we’re looking at you, fiction writers!
If you’re resident in the East region, write high quality long-form fiction and think that a period of structured support would enable you to develop artistically then read on – we look forward to hearing from you.
Enter the Escalator Literature Fiction Competition
"Thank you for all the wonderful events and opportunities to learn along the way. These were terrific days, greatly appreciated, always inspirational, and insightfully chosen.”
Martin Ungless, Winner 2009/10
Are You A Novelist Ready To Get Professional?
Deadline: Tuesday 29th November
The Escalator Literature is a unique writing competition which offers you much more than the usual cash prize.
About the Competition
Open now, the Escalator Literature Competition 2011 is for you if you are a novelist from the East of England who wants to get professional. Enter now if you think you would benefit from:
• One-To-One Mentoring
A year’s worth of support from professional writers (Tobias Hill, Joanna Hines, Bernardine Evaristo, Katharine McMahon and Michelle Spring) – invaluable. Read their biogs here.
• Supported Applications For Grant
You will be coached through an application for an Arts Council England Grant for the Arts award.
• Professional Development Workshops
A tailored range of workshops designed to give you the information you need to get ahead in the writing world.
• Introductions To Agents and Publishers
Your work will be introduced to agents, publishers and other industry professionals and you will take part in a special London reception at the end of the year promoting you and your work.
• Peer Support
Across 2012, ten winning fiction writers will be supported through Escalator Literature. Many of our Escalator graduates are still in touch with their group and find it of invaluable benefit to go through the year talking to each other.
When?
The Escalator Literature Fiction Competition is open now. Submissions must reach us by Tuesday 29th November.
It Works
Escalator Literature is an Arts Council funded initiative and has been running for six years. Many Escalator Literature prize winners have gone on to find agents and get published: Guy Saville, Helen Ivory, Susan Sellers and Nicola Upson are all graduates of the scheme.
Case Study: Guy Saville
“So, four years on from winning Escalator, things couldn’t be going better. Now all I need to do is finish book two...”
“Afrika Reich did really well in hardback, selling more than 10,000 copies which makes me the 11th best selling debut of 2011. It also reached number three in Spain’s charts (no doubt helped by a week long publicity tour of Madrid and Barcelona) and the paperback has also got off to a flying start. All in all, not bad for a book which the majority of publishers in this country said had no commercial appeal!...I’ve also just had some more good news... The book has now sold to America in a major two-book deal with Henry Holt, part of Macmillan. It will be published next year in the US.”
October 2011
Who Can Apply?
We welcome applications from writers of ambitious, high quality long-form fiction, which may include genre or teen novels but not children’s or non-fiction. Escalator Literature is open to writers currently resident in the East of England, who think that a period of structured support would enable them to develop artistically. Successful applicants will demonstrate considerable creative talent and potential for development and will commit to the Escalator Literature scheme and the work they undertake as part of it.
Eligibility Guidelines:
Applicants must
• Be over the age of 18 years old
• Be resident in the East of England (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk)
• Application must be in written in English
• Submit single authored works only
• Demonstrate creative talent and potential for development
• Be available to attend a mentoring session on 21 January 2012
Applicants must not
• Be studying for a full time academic qualification in creative writing at the time of applying for the GFTA (January 2012)
• Applicants must not have previously published or self published a full length work of fiction.
• Applicants must not have received an Arts Council Grant for the Arts in the previous three years
• Applicants must not be employees of Writers’ Centre Norwich
Want to Apply? Here’s How:
Apply and Pay Online:
Please pay online here, filling in the questionnaire and then printing out your e-receipt. You will need to pay a processing fee of £5 online, and we accept credit and debit cards.
Applicants may not apply more than once.
If you have not already registered with Writers’ Centre Norwich you will be asked to register.
If you are unable to pay online please contact us on 01603 877177.
Then Send Us Your Application:
Once you have paid online please submit the following by post:
• A Sample Of Your Work (3 x copies)*
Up to 3000 words typed (hand-written submissions will not be accepted), single-spaced 12pt on A4. Note – this sample of work should be a sample of work that demonstrates the quality of your writing and should be an extract from a piece of longer writing.
• An Application Letter (3 x copies)*
Please send a type-written covering letter no longer than one side of A4 paper including:
• The context and scope of your writing submission
• A short biography of your writing history
• An explanation of where you are in your writing life and how you would benefit from Escalator Literature
•
The Receipt From Your Online Payment
*Please include your online booking reference number on all copies of your documentation. You can include your name on your application letter, but please do not include it on your writing submission.
Please send the receipt for your online payment along with three copies of your writing sample and three copies of your covering letter to:
Escalator 2011/12
Writers’ Centre Norwich
14 Princes Street
Norwich
NR3 1AE
DEADLINE: Tuesday 29th November 2011
Your application must reach our office by this date
If you need further information about the Escalator Fiction Competition then we are very happy to talk to you informally and answer any questions:
Please contact: Laura Stimson on 01603 877177. Email: Laura.stimson@writerscentrenorwich.org.uk
Last year’s Escalator was for poets and it was open nationally. Visit the 2010/11 project page or alternatively, find out how they got on in this short film:
What Happens Next?
The ten Escalator winners and commended applicants will be notified by Friday 13th January 2012. Good luck!!
