We are excited to announce the opening of entries for the 2010 Luke Bitmead Writer’s Bursary on today, Luke’s Birthday. The award was set up shortly after Luke’s death in 2006 by his family to support and encourage the work of fledgling novel writers, with the top prize being a publishing contract with Legend Press, as well as a cheque for £2500. Luke is the author of the brilliant White Summer (the first novel to be published by Legend Press) and co-author of Heading South.
We are pleased to be continuing this brilliant bursary for a third year, and hope to follow in the success of 2008 winner Andrew Blackman, who published his debut novel On the Holloway Road in February 2009, and last years winner Ruth Dugdall who publishes her hotly anticipated novel The Woman Before Me in July 2010.
Submissions from writers will be accepted from today 13th May to 31st August 2010, with the winner announced in the week of 27th October 2010.
Only adult fiction is eligible for this bursary, no children's books or non-fiction. The judging panel will consist of Luke’s mother and sister, Legend Press and best-selling authors Zoë Jenny and Sam Mills.
Novels must be already completed before entry. Unfinished manuscripts will not be accepted. Your entry should be sent by email including: the first 3-4 chapters of your novel and a personal statement outlining why you would particularly benefit from the bursary. This will form a key part of the judging process.
Submissions should be sent to: bitmeadbursary@legendpress.co.uk
Entrants must be aged 16 or over. There is no upper age restriction for entry but all submissions must be from first-time, non-published authors – particularly those who are talented but whose personal or financial circumstances are making it especially hard for them to focus on writing as a career.
The 2009 bursary was inundated with entries and we look forward to reading your work and discovering more talented authors.
For all enquiries please email bitmeadbursary@legendpress.co.uk
Information about Luke and the memorial Fund can be found at http://www.lukebitmead.com/
Tom, Lucy and Lauren
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