This autumn, Spread the Word is delighted to partner with the commercial fiction editors at Sphere, Little, Brown Book Group for our latest feedback opportunity, which will focus solely on the querying pitch. This is a concise piece of copy for your novel that consists of two parts:

  • A one-line summary. This should be an "X meets Y" elevator pitch – comparing your novel to two existing novels.
  • A short blurb of 150 words. 

This summary is typically included in the cover letter you send to an agent or editor.

From Tuesday 17 September, we’ll be accepting short pitches (a one-line pitch plus a 150-word blurb) for commercial fiction titles (e.g. crime, thriller, mystery, romance, comedy). In total 20 pitches will be selected for written feedback by Molly Walker-Sharp, Rosanna Forte, Ed Wood and Tilda Key of Little, Brown Book Group.

The call for submissions will open on the same day as our Commercial Publishing 101 webinar with Little, Brown Book Group – sign up for a free ticket here: https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/events/london-writers-network-commercial-publishing-101-with-little-brown-book-group/

Molly Walker-Sharp is looking for pitches for romance, romantic comedy, love stories, historical fiction and anything with lighter themes.

Rosanna Forte is looking for pitches for plot-driven general fiction, contemporary novels with an element of fantasy; crime and thrillers with a big concept, an underrepresented perspective or a fun/unusual structure.

Ed Wood is looking for pitches for an original whodunnit, a unique mystery or fresh, character-led crime fiction, as well as commercial general fiction with a big high-concept idea and special voice.

Tilda Key is looking for pitches for crime, thrillers, suspense and mysteries – any variety except cosy or gangland.

Eligibility Requirements

This opportunity is open to unagented and unpublished writers who are also from one of the following backgrounds that are underrepresented in UK publishing:

  • Black, Asian, or Global Majority
  • Disabled
  • LGBTQIA+ community: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and other self-identifications under the umbrella of sexuality and/or gender.
  • On a low income (in receipt of benefits, universal credit, income support, earn minimum wage or Zero hours contracts)
  • Working Class upbringing
  • Have experienced a lack of academic and/or vocational training opportunities - i.e. have not been able to study/train to your full potential due to low income, ill health, being a carer etc.
  • Are or have been a carer
  • Experience of homelessness
  • Experience of imprisonment
  • Are a refugee
  • Are a single parent

Feedback will be given in writing from the editors. There will be no feedback meeting on this occasion. If you have been successful in a feedback opportunity with Spread the Word in the last 12 months then you are not eligible to apply. This is to give more opportunity to writers who have not received feedback.

How to apply 

  • You can apply for this opportunity via our Submittable page. Only one entry per applicant will be accepted.
  • This opportunity will open to submissions on Tuesday 17 September and close on Wednesday 16 October.
  • To apply, you will need to complete a short form and upload your pitch document. The pitch must include a one-line summary and a blurb of no more than 150 words.
  • If you are a disabled writer, there is the option to submit visual or audio submissions. Please get in touch if you need any support with this at hello@spreadtheword.org.uk.

Please note that we are not accepting submissions of science fiction and high/epic fantasy or experimental literary fiction.

Timeline

  • Submissions will open at 7pm on Tuesday 17 September.
  • The deadline for submissions is 1pm on Wednesday 16 October.
  • Applicants will know the outcome of their submission by Friday 29 November and successful applicants will receive their feedback by Friday 20 December 2024.
  • If you have any queries about your application or this opportunity, please get in touch with noah@spreadtheword.org.uk.

Please use this form to apply to the Literary Fiction category for The London Writers Awards 2025. Everything you need to complete your application is contained in this form. If you intend to apply for Commercial Fiction, or YA/Children's Fiction, please go back to https://spreadtheword.submittable.com/submit and click on the correct form.   

The deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Thursday 31st October 2024. Applications received after this time and date will not be accepted.   

Please read the application pack for terms and conditions, eligibility criteria, information on bursaries and the access fund, and our FAQ before you apply. You can find them here: https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/projects/london-writers-awards/

If you have further questions, please email: bobby@spreadtheword.org.uk. We aim to respond to queries within three working days.

Please use this form to apply to the Commercial Fiction category for The London Writers Awards 2025. Everything you need to complete your application is contained in this form. If you intend to apply for Literary Fiction, or YA/Children's Fiction, please go back to https://spreadtheword.submittable.com/submit and click on the correct form.   

The deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Thursday 31st October 2024. Applications received after this time and date will not be accepted.   

Please read the application pack for terms and conditions, eligibility criteria, information on bursaries and the access fund, and our FAQ before you apply. You can find them here: https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/projects/london-writers-awards/

If you have further questions, please email: bobby@spreadtheword.org.uk. We aim to respond to queries within three working days.

Please use this form to apply to the YA/Children's Fiction category for The London Writers Awards 2025. Everything you need to complete your application is contained in this form. If you intend to apply for Literary Fiction or Commercial Fiction, please go back to https://spreadtheword.submittable.com/submit and click on the correct form.   

The deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Thursday 31st October 2024. Applications received after this time and date will not be accepted.   

Please read the application pack for terms and conditions, eligibility criteria, information on bursaries and the access fund, and our FAQ before you apply. You can find them here: https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/projects/london-writers-awards/

If you have further questions, please email: bobby@spreadtheword.org.uk. We aim to respond to queries within three working days.

Please use this form to apply to the Wellcome Collection Non-Fiction Awards with text only. Everything you need to complete your application is contained in this form. If you'd like to make an audio or video submission, please go to this link:

https://spreadtheword.submittable.com/submit 

The deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Monday 11 November 2024. Applications received after this time and date will not be eligible.   

Please read the entirety of the Application Pack before you apply. You can find it here: 

https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/projects/wellcome-collection-non-fiction-awards/ 

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview on Wednesday 5 February 2025 either in person in London or online. Please check that you are available on this date before applying. We will confirm the interview format and other details in January.

If you have further questions, please email: bobby@spreadtheword.org.uk. We aim to respond to queries within three working days.

Please use this form to apply to the Wellcome Collection Non-Fiction Awards with audio and video. Everything you need to complete your application is contained in this form. If you'd like to make a text only submission, please go to back to this link:

https://spreadtheword.submittable.com/submit

The deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Monday 11 November 2024. Applications received after this time and date will not be eligible. Please read the entirety of the Application Pack before you apply. You can find it here: 

https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/projects/wellcome-collection-non-fiction-awards/ 

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview on Wednesday 5 February 2025 either in person in London or online. Please check that you are available on this date before applying. We will confirm the interview format and other details in January.   

If you have further questions, please email: bobby@spreadtheword.org.uk. We aim to respond to queries within three working days.

Please use this form if you wish to apply to the London Writers Awards uploading audio or video to complete the key pieces of the application. Everything you need to complete your application is contained in this form.

The deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Thursday 31st October 2024. Applications received after this time and date will not be accepted.

Please read the application pack for terms and conditions, eligibility criteria, information on bursaries and the access fund, and our FAQ before you apply. You can find them here: https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/projects/london-writers-awards/

If you have further questions, please email: bobby@spreadtheword.org.uk. We aim to respond to queries within three working days.

Spread the Word