Sally Jenkins

Beak Books is a new, independent publishing company looking for talented writers. An agent isn’t necessary but original ideas plus a willingness to promote your work is essential.

Submissions can be made via Beak Books Novel Writing Competition. The judges are looking for fiction that has a twist to it which is also original, humorous, surprising, action-packed, quirky, romantic, moving or thought-provoking. They do not want horror, crime, children’s fiction, non-fiction or science-fiction. Only unpublished novelists may enter.

Novels must be between 60,000 and 100,000 words in length but only the first three chapters are required in the first instance and submission is on-line. First prize is £80, second £60 and third £40. The winner may also be offered publication. Closing date is 30th September 2011 and the entry fee is £8. 

At the other end of the word count spectrum Helen Yendall is running a mini-saga competition via her blog. Helen is celebrating her 100th blog post (congratulations, Helen!) and wants 100 word stories on any theme in any genre.

First prize is the ‘Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook 2012′  and second prize is ‘Write to be Published’ by Nicola Morgan. Email entry only and the closing date is 26th July 2011.