Spotlight on Kezia Yadhav part of this year's Writers' Prize Team

This week we wanted to give space to one of our Writers’ Prize team members, Kezia Yadhav. Kezia has been helping to write the blogs promoting the prize. Read on for her unique perspective:

Blog creator Kezia Yadhav

‘Originally from India, I moved to Ireland two years ago to pursue a master's degree in English. I found that there is a lack of knowledge among people about the publishing industry in general and have always wished to pursue a career within that space to be able to read, work and create books that can be enjoyed by all. I became a freelance editor for JM Agency after completing my classes, where I proofread, copyedit, and work with authors on manuscripts. It was still very early in my career, and I had much to learn.

To reach my goal of achieving a career in the publishing industry, I applied for jobs via LinkedIn, Indeed, and other job boards, but I had no luck. After assembling my written work and creating a portfolio that includes a bit about myself and my journey, I posted it on LinkedIn, hoping to attract a larger audience. Posting on the platform, marketing and advertising what I have to offer proved to be valuable lessons that helped me establish contacts.

A LinkedIn posting of my writing portfolio began my journey with the Book Edit. Through Emily, I was able to establish a contact that resulted in the opportunity to contribute to the Writers' Prize.

Creating this connection opened up a whole new area of making publishing accessible to people who may not readily have those resources and opportunities. I was not completely aware of the different organizations that worked towards this goal specifically. Thus, finding the Book Edit, the Writers’ Prize competition and the success stories of past winners and their work was very encouraging to be a part of. 

Among the most important attributes the Book Edit has brought to the publishing space is inclusiveness. My experience working with Emily to create blog posts about the current Writers' Prize competition has been extremely valuable. This experience allowed me to gain a greater understanding of what it takes to make your written piece concise, convincing, and aligned with the overall theme. In addition, I was able to look into the experiences of other aspiring authors and learn about their journeys with the Book Edit, the competition and the success they have acquired.

A competition such as this has opened up a new arena for writers who may lack opportunities, which is encouraging for someone like me who is just beginning a publishing career. While my contribution to the competition was only small, I felt urged to enhance both my professional and personal skills and am grateful for the opportunity Emily gave me.’

Thanks so much, Kezia!

The Book Edit Writers' Prize: Spotlight on last year's winners

As submissions for The Book Edit Writers’ Prize are now fully under way, we wanted to highlight how previous winners have benefited from the competition.

Clare Ramsaran

Since winning the Book Edit Writers’ Prize last year, Clare went on to be shortlisted for the Unbound Firsts Prize and longlisted for the Leeds Literary Prize.

In Clare's own words:

"Being a winner of the Book Edit Writers Prize was a huge confidence boost to me... It gave me the opportunity to share my work with a number of agents, a mentoring session with a Commissioning Editor from Legend Press and introduced me to a cohort of talented and nurturing writers (we're still in touch). The Book Edit team could not have been more supportive. If you're thinking of applying, don't hesitate!"

Winner Pavan Amara

Winner Clare Ramsaran

Pavan Amara:

“It was an honour to win last year's Book Edit Writers' Prize. It kickstarted my career as a writer. I'd recommend that any aspiring writer of colour apply."

The prize has also contributed to a sense of community among the winners.

Stephanie Torrance:

Winner Stephanie Torrance

"The Book Edit Writer's Prize was the very first writing prize I ever entered, so winning gave me so much confidence that I can actually pursue writing as a career. The community aspect of the prize, I feel, is also invaluable. I'm still in touch with the girls who also won and we keep up to date with each other's progress and successes. Since winning the prize, I received a scholarship to the Faber Academy for one of their novel writing courses so I've spent most of this year deconstructing my novel draft while doing the course with a view to begin querying agents early next year. This time last year, my draft was really rough. It's improved a lot in the last twelve months, in no small part due to the confidence and validation from winning the prize.”

After being picked as one of the original winners for 2023 Nicola Fieldsend went on to sign with a top literary agency.  In her words,

"I was delighted to discover I was one of the original eight winners of The Book Edit Writers' Prize 2023. Shortly after the news, I stepped down to sign with Hayley Steed at Janklow & Nesbit... The Book Edit Writers' Prize has been an important part of my writing journey ever since I was longlisted in 2022. Congratulations to the winners, and if you submitted in 2023, try again in 2024! You never know what might happen!"

There's no doubt that the contest has given the winners not only an introduction to the publishing world, but also increased confidence in their writing and a sense of community.

Thinking of applying this year?

We’re thrilled that our 2024 prize judge will be acclaimed author Lara Haworth. Lara will choose eight winners from a writing competition for British and/ or UK-based unpublished novelists from backgrounds and communities currently underrepresented in UK publishing.

Legend Press’s Commissioning Editor, Lauren Wolff-Jones, will read the winners’ first chapters and provide individual advice and feedback via Zoom.

The deadline for the submissions is the 15th October 2024 and you can see the full details and rules here. It’s a competition no one can lose that’s completely free to enter! For full competition details, dates and submission guidelines follow this link or click the button below to enter straight away. 

The Book Edit Writers' Prize 2024 Launches Today

We are thrilled to announce the launch today of the Book Edit Writers' Prize 2024, an initiative dedicated to discovering and promoting talented, unpublished novelists.

A Platform for Emerging Talent

The eight winners of the competition will get to present their work at an online Zoom showcase in front of invited industry guests, with an anthology of their work and a recording of the showcase featured on The Book Edit’s official website. They also will have the opportunity to train and rehearse for the showcase event, and all participants will receive guidance on other options including mentoring, editing and courses.

As an added benefit this year, we will also record and spotlight the shortlisted entries to create exposure for more writers.

“It was an honour to win last year’s Book Edit Writers’ Prize. It kickstarted my career as a writer. I’d recommend that any aspiring writer of colour apply.”
— Pavan Amara, 2023 Winner

Writers’ Prize Judge 2024 Lara Haworth

Meet our Judge, Lara Haworth

We’re delighted to welcome Lara Haworth as the judge for this year’s prize. Lara is an artist and novelist, and author of the acclaimed Monumenta.

“I am honoured to judge this year’s Book Edit Writer’s Prize. The talent of the shortlisted writers over the last four years demonstrates both the strength of the competition and the continued need to carve out a space for writers from marginalised groups to thrive on their own terms. As a queer writer, the obstacles to success have been many. It is a real privilege to be part of a prize that works to remove some of those barriers, and I can’t wait to read the submissions”
— Lara Haworth, Writers' Prize Judge

What the Prize Offers

The Book Edit Writers' Prize is more than just a competition. It's a launchpad for emerging talent, offering:

  1. Industry Exposure: Eight winners will have the opportunity to showcase their work to top industry professionals.

  2. Publication Opportunity: A chance to be featured in our anthology, putting your work in front of a wider audience.

  3. Expert Feedback: Personalised feedback from Lauren Wolff-Jones, Commissioning Editor at Legend Press.

  4. Networking: Connect with fellow writers and industry insiders.

“Winning the Writers’ Prize was a real boost to my self-belief as a writer...With the renewed confidence that I gained after winning the prize, I applied for other competitions and was long listed, shortlisted and selected as a winner in some of them. Just go for it. You never know what might happen.”
— Rosalind Yarde, 2023 Winner

Key Dates

  • Submissions Open: September 1, 2024

  • Submission Deadline: October 15, 2024

  • Rehearsal for winning writers: 13th November 2024

  • Online showcase event: 20th November 2024

  • Anthology of winners’ readings published on The Book Edit website:

    27th November 2024

How to Apply

For full details on submission guidelines and to apply, please visit our website.

“Winning the Book Edit Writers’ Prize winner was a real affirmation that Tapha (now At the Pine House) was interesting to others and might be able to make it as a book and not just my own project...the Prize opens something that continues; it isn’t just a one-off event. It’s easy with writing (for me at least) to sit on a project for years on end and not propel it out into the world, and the Book Edit Writers’ Prize has been important in invigorating me to believe in the possible wider resonance of my work. So I’m very thankful and will definitely be following this year’s Prize.”
— Emily Abdeni-Holman, 2023 Winner