The London Book Fair (LBF), the UK’s biggest gathering of international publishers and agents, has announced that entries are NOW OPEN for its ever-popular writing competition, The Write Stuff, which will take place on Thursday 12th March in LBF’s Author HQ – the area of the Fair dedicated to writers and aspiring writers, which is sponsored by IngramSpark and Kindle Direct Publishing.

Last year’s winner Lulu Allison who pitched her novel Salt Lick says of her experience “I really enjoyed taking part in The Write Stuff event at London Book Fair. It was incredibly useful, even though soon after winning I decided to re-write the book I had entered! I learnt so much – about the industry, about talking to agents, and crucially, about understanding my own work. Honing a presentation helped me to realise what was critical in the book and it gave me a tool I have used regularly since. Meeting the agents was brilliant, even though it didn’t result in representation. They were helpful, thoughtful, supportive, and some of them remain so. A really valuable and enjoyable experience.”

The competition takes the form of a “Dragon’s Den” style panel event with six shortlisted authors pitching their books to a panel of literary agents, and an Author HQ audience, for the chance to win a follow-up meeting with a literary agent and a free year’s membership to LBF’s Author Club. Previous judges have heralded from Curtis Brown, CW Agency, Eve White and United Agents.

At the Fair, authors will have three minutes each to pitch themselves and their work, with the judging panel providing on-the-spot feedback. After a short deliberation the winner of the 2020 competition will be announced and be asked to chose the judge with whom they’d like to have an agent consultation.

The Write Stuff is an incredible opportunity for writers at all stages of their career, whether it’s their debut novel, or looking to move into a different genre!

Deadlines for this year’s The Write Stuff are:

• With immediate effect: Entries are now open, and authors are invited to send in their submissions to LBFAuthorHQ@midaspr.co.uk in accordance with the published guidelines and application process
• 17:00 GMT – Friday 31^st January: Deadline for entries
• Friday 7^th February: Longlist notified and asked to send in the first three chapters of their work
• Friday 14^th February 17.00: Deadline for longlisted authors to submit their work
• Friday 28^th February: Shortlist (six) will be notified and invited to pitch on the day
• Thursday 12^th March 2020, 14:30-16:30: The Write Stuff competition takes place

All Author HQ events are free-to-attend with the purchase of a three-day pass which also includes access to LBF’s extensive Insights Seminar programme of 200+ events covering all aspects of the publishing industry.  Seminar places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Information on how to enter The Write Stuff competition is below and can also be found at: http://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/The-Write-Stuff.  For further information about The London Book Fair and ticket information, please visit www.londonbookfair.co.uk.