SEARCHING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF NOVELISTS: ESCALATOR LITERATURE OPENS
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Thursday 20th October 2011
SEARCHING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF NOVELISTS: ESCALATOR LITERATURE OPENS
Ten Places Up For Grabs For Emerging Novelists From the East of England
Writers’ Centre Norwich opens the Escalator Literature Fiction Competition today, deadline November 29th.
Escalator Literature is a programme that gives talented writers a lift up towards the professional world. Instead of a cash prize it offers a year’s worth of development and support to the ten winning writers who are chosen for their potential and talent.
Escalator Literature been running over the last seven years, and has proven successful time after time. One recent example: Guy Saville, Escalator winner 2007, had the 11th best selling debut of 2011 with the hardback version of his novel The Africa Reich, and he has just sold to America in a major two-book deal with Henry Holt, part of Macmillan.
“Four years on from winning Escalator, things couldn’t be going better,” says Guy.
Guy's is one of many success stories from a scheme which has nurtured writers Helen Ivory, Paddy Tarrant, Fraser Grace, Aliya Whiteley, Nicola Upson, Ruth Dugdall, Susan Sellers and Elizabeth Ferretti.
This year the Escalator Literature Fiction Competition is open to novelists who have not yet published a full-length piece of work. The winning writers will be judged and gain a year’s worth of mentoring from writers Tobias Hill, Joanna Hines, Bernardine Evaristo, Katharine McMahon and Michelle Spring; help with applications to Arts Council England's Grants for the Arts for cash support and networking and promotion to agents and publishers.
Writers’ Centre Norwich are keen to get as many applications as possible from writers across the whole of the East of England (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk), as this is such a unique opportunity. Chris Gribble, Chief Executive of Writers’ Centre Norwich says:
“It’s not easy to break into the world of being a published novelist, but Escalator can make the journey less challenging and a lot more fun! Escalator offers the chance for talented new writers to work with professionals, meet people in the industry and spend time focusing on their work in a supported and creative way. It’s unique in that we work with the winners over the course of a whole year and help them develop artistically as well as professionally.”
Escalator Literature is run by Writers’ Centre Norwich on behalf of Arts Council England, East. The scheme has been running since 2004, and is open to a different genre each year. To apply writers should go to
www.writerscentrenorwich.org.uk/uniquewritingprizeautumn2011.aspx to find out more and to apply online (there is a £5 admin charge). Writers will then be asked to submit 3000 words and a covering letter.
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Editor’s Notes
Photographs of all writer/ mentors and Guy Saville are available on request.
Interviews available.
CONTACTS
For further information please contact:
Katy Carr on 01603 877177 / 07919 312155 : katy.carr@writerscentrenorwich.org.uk
or Richard White on 01603 877177 richard.white@writerscentrenorwich.org.uk
ABOUT ESCALATOR: Escalator is Arts Council England, East's talent development programme for artists in the East of England. Starting with Escalator East to Edinburgh in 2003, the programme now comprises six artform-focused strands. Delivered by leading arts organisations in the region, Escalator can take artists to the next level of their careers or enable them to take time to explore new creative territories.
WRITERS' CENTRE NORWICH: seeks to lead on the exploration of the artistic and social power of creative writing through pioneering and collaborative projects with writers and other partners, regionally, nationally and internationally.
ADDRESS: Writers’ Centre Norwich, 14 Princes Street, Norwich, NR3 1AE
T: 01603 877177 F: 01603 625452 E: info@writerscentrenorwich.org.uk
W: www.writerscentrenorwich.org.uk
Gallery
Escalator Live Literature 08/09
Our Escalator 08/09 winners showcase their talents to an audience at the Norwich Arts Centre
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