Are you a secret storyteller? Now’s the time to let your talent out in the open. The Times and Chicken House are on a mission to discover another great children’s writer, whose book will be published around the world by Chicken House.
How to enter
Your full-length manuscript (no more than 80,000 words) must be received at The Chicken House by October 29, 2010. The address, submission criteria, terms and conditions and tips are below.
The shortlist
The Chicken House reading team will select a shortlist of five entries, to be announced in February 2011. The judges will choose a winner from this shortlist, to be announced at Easter 2011.
The prize
The winner will be the entrant whose story, in the opinion of the judges, demonstrates the greatest entertainment value, quality and originality suitable for the children’s age group. The prize is the offer of a worldwide publishing contract with Chicken House, with a royalty advance of £10,000.
The judges
- Barry Cunningham, publisher, Chicken House
- Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo and Running on the Cracks
- Amanda Craig, children’s book critic, The Times
- Neil Blair, partner at the Christopher Little Literary Agency
- John McLay, literary scout and director of the Bath Literary Festival
- Damian Kelleher, author, reviewer and children’s media consultant
- Rebecca Wilkie, Booktrust
- The Waterstone’s Children’s Bookselling Team
The competition will run from March 27 to October 29, 2010.
Entry is limited to one per person. Entries must be by post, email submissions will be rejected. Entries must be sent to The Chicken House, 2 Palmer Street, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1DS marked “Children’s Fiction Competition”. Entries must be clearly labelled with the entrant’s full name and contact details (including an address and telephone number) and must be received by the last post delivery on October 29, 2010.
There will be one prize winner. Subject to submission of a suitable creditworthy entry (as referred to below), the prize is the offer of a worldwide publishing contract with Chicken House (which shall be subject to negotiation and completion between Chicken House and the winner. If the negotiations between the parties fail, then the winner will receive the alternative prize set out below). The winner will be the entrant whose story, in the opinion of the judges, demonstrates the greatest entertainment value, quality and originality and suitable for a children’s (aged 9-14) story. However, in the event the judges in their sole opinion determine that none of the entries are suitably creditworthy for a worldwide publishing contract the Promoters shall none the less select the best entry in accordance with these terms and conditions and award an alternative prize namely, a full and detailed editorial consultation with Barry Cunningham and The Chicken House Editorial team, including creative and technical advice on their entry.
More information here.
