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Crime writers

Deviant Minds

Information

Closing date: 
27 April 2018
Entry: 
Open to unagented and unpublished crime or thriller writers who were born or are resident in the UK or Ireland No entry fee
Prize: 
Representation by A M Heath and digital publication by Corvus

Do you have what it takes to become a bestselling crime and thriller writer? Do you spend time day-dreaming about fiendishly complex ways to see off your boss or mother-in-law? Fancy yourself as the next Gillian Flynn or Lee Child? Well, now it's time to put your talent to the test.  Read more

Daily Mail/Penguin Random House New Crime Novel Competition

Information

Closing date: 
5 May 2017
Entry: 
Residents of the UK who are 16 or over No entry fee
Prize: 
£20,000 advance and publishing contract with Century, an imprint of Penguin Random House UK, and the services of literary agent Luigi Bonomi

The Daily Mail and Penguin Random House have relaunched a major competition to search for a new crime-writing talent. The winner of the First Novel competition will receive a £20,000 advance and publishing contract with Century, an imprint of Penguin Random House UKPenguin Random House have more than 50 creative and autonomous imprints, publishing the very best books for all audiences, covering fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children’s books, autobiographies and much more. Click for Random House UK Publishers References listing, and the services of literary agent Luigi Bonomi.  Read more

CWA Debut Dagger 2017

Information

Closing date: 
17 February 2017
Entry: 
Only unpublished authors are eligible Entry fee £30 + VAT
Prize: 
£500

For 15 years the Crime Writers Association has been encouraging new writing with its Debut Dagger competition for unpublished writers. The submissions are judged by a panel of top crime editors and agents, and the short listed entries are sent to publishers and agents.  Read more

Twenty7 Books open submission

Information

Closing date: 
27 September 2015
Entry: 
One-page pitch and 5,000 words from a debut novel, with the entrant having never been published in print before, or had a deal with a traditional publisher.
Prize: 
Editorial feedback and possible publication

Bonnier fiction imprint Twenty7 Books, in association with Cornerstones Literary Consultancy, is launching a 27-day period of open submissions in a bid to find new authors.  Read more

No Exit Crimewriting Competition

Information

Closing date: 
22 June 2015
Entry: 
Open to all unpublished writers Entry fee £5
Prize: 
Not stated, but presumably leading to the chance of being taken on as an author

No Exit has announced a crime short story competition for unpublished writers.  Read more

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