Are you a crime writer looking for your big break? Want to join an elite list of bestselling crime fiction writers? Look no further!
Joffe Books, with judges bestselling crime writer Dorothy Koomson and literary agent Susan Yearwood, is seeking to discover a new crime fiction writer to join our bestselling list. We are launching a new writing prize for unagented crime fiction writers of colour to turn their fantastic manuscripts into bestsellers. The winner will receive a two-book publishing contract with Joffe Books.
The competition aims to champion authors from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds writing in one of our favourite crime fiction genres: electrifying psychological thrillers, cosy mysteries, gritty police procedurals, twisty chillers, unputdownable suspense mysteries, shocking domestic noirs . . .
Whether you are writing your crime fiction debut, previously published or self-published, if you are an unagented crime fiction writer of colour, we want to hear from you!
DOROTHY KOOMSON, BESTSELLING CRIME WRITER, says: “I think crime fiction in all its glory could really benefit from more stories by traditionally underrepresented writers out there. This competition is one way of doing that. I’m so excited to be a judge on this and can’t wait to read the submissions.”
SUSAN YEARWOOD, SUSAN YEARWOOD AGENCY says: “Joffe Books is one of the most innovative and inclusive-thinking digital publishers in publishing today and I am pleased to be asked to judge Joffe’s inaugural competition to find a great crime writer. I have long been a fan of Black, Asian and minority ethnic writers in this genre and I look forward to meeting big talent in crime writing.”
EMMA GRUNDY HAIGH, JOFFE BOOKS says: “We are very excited to launch this competition. If we are to create meaningful, long-lasting change within our industry, it is not enough to claim to have an open-door policy. It is our responsibility to actively seek out writers from communities that are underrepresented in our genre and support them in building sustainable careers. I can’t wait to discover the fantastic writers that enter this competition and get their work to the hands of readers.”
THE PRIZE
The winner will receive a two-book publishing contract with Joffe Books.
HOW TO ENTER
Entrants are invited to submit their full-length manuscript, written in English, along with a synopsis of the book and author biography, to prize@joffebooks.com.
The opening date for entries is 1 May 2021. The closing date for entries is 30 September 2021 23.59 p.m. GMT. No entries received after this date will be accepted. See terms and conditions below.
THE JUDGES
All submissions will be read and judged by the Joffe Books team, Dorothy Koomson and Susan Yearwood from Susan Yearwood Agency. The winner of the competition will be selected by these judges based on their work’s quality and commercial potential.
ABOUT JOFFE BOOKS
Joffe Books is one of the UK’s leading independent publishers of excellent commercial fiction, especially crime and mystery fiction. We are renowned for working closely with authors from across the world to create fantastic books and turning them into bestsellers. Since 2014, we have published more than 500 books by over 70 authors, sold over 10 million books and been shortlisted for Independent Publisher of the Year twice (including in 2021!). Our roster of award-winning authors and New York Times, USA Today and Amazon bestsellers includes Joy Ellis (currently up for Crime & Thriller Book of the Year), Faith Martin, Robert Goddard, Rick Mofina and Stella Cameron.
While Joffe Books maintains open submissions for all authors, this competition is designed to offer an exclusive opportunity to Black, Asian and minority ethnic writers, who are particularly underrepresented in crime fiction publishing.
ABOUT DOROTHY KOOMSON
Dorothy Koomson is an award-winning, global bestselling author of 16 Sunday Times bestsellers. She was featured on the 2021 Powerlist as one of the most influential Black people in Britain and appeared in GQ Style as a Black British trailblazer. Dorothy uses her platform to support new writers and recently launched The Happy Author podcast. Her latest paperback, All My Lies Are True, the follow-up to the ITV-adapted, The Ice Cream Girls, is out now. Her next book I Know What You’ve Done, is published in July (Headline) and available to pre-order now.
Image credit: Niall McDiarmid (used above)
ABOUT SUSAN YEARWOOD
Susan Yearwood began her career in publishing in the early 1990s, gaining valuable experience at Virago, now part of Little, Brown Book Group and Penguin Books Ltd (Penguin Random House). Susan Yearwood Agency was founded in 2007, starting the successful careers of debut writers Kerry Young, shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and Prajwal Parajuly, shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize. Susan now represents a wide range of clients who write everything from book club fiction, crime/thriller, YA novels, well-being and cookery.
PRESS AND PUBLICITY ENQUIRIES
Any and all press or publicity enquiries, please contact office@joffebooks.com.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. This competition is promoted by Joffe Books, Finsgate, 5-7 Cranwood Street, London, EC1V 9EE.
2. This promotion is open to all UK residents and British Citizens (including those residing abroad) without a literary agent, except employees of Joffe Books or Susan Yearwood Agency (or any affiliated companies) and their immediate families, who are not allowed to enter the competition.
3. You must be aged 18 or over and identify as being from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background to enter this competition, and will need to provide this information in your submission.
4. The winner will be offered a two-book publishing contract with Joffe Books, on its standard author agreement terms. The winner will also receive a two-year membership to the Society of Authors.
5. All submissions must be sent BY EMAIL with the entrant’s title and (pen) name in the subject heading to the designated email address: prize@joffebooks.com.
6. Submissions may be sent any time before the closing date of 30 September 2021 23:59 GMT. No entries received after this date will be accepted. No purchase necessary.
7. Each submission should contain the following attachments, each marked in the file name with the author’s name and the title of the novel:
a) The full-length completed manuscript attached to the email as a Word document (full length is defined as 65,000 words or more), with the first page being the title page;
b) Synopsis of whole book*, including the complete plot and the story’s end (maximum 500 words); a one paragraph summary of the book; a short description of the main characters
c) A covering letter that includes an author biography and information about their writing career thus far (including writing courses attended, publications, prizes won, etc.) and any blogs and/or social media information (maximum 1 page), as well as their full name, address and phone number.
* The synopsis of the whole book should outline the book’s themes and full plot, including spoilers.
8. Submissions that do not meet requirements of these Terms and Conditions shall not be read:
a) Submissions that have been sent by post or means other than email to the correct email address will not be accepted.
b) Any submission containing incorrect, false or unreadable information will be rejected.
c) Any submission made on behalf of or for another person, or multiple submissions, will not be read.
9. No correspondence between Joffe Books or the hopeful authors can be entered into, unless at Joffe Books’s request, and we will not respond to unsolicited communications.
10. If more than one entrant is deemed a suitable winner, both or all will receive the same prize.
11. In addition to the winner(s), some finalists may have the opportunity to discuss their work with Joffe Books or the Susan Yearwood Agency, who may choose to offer a contract to them but are not obliged to, and by entering this contest you agree to be contacted by both companies.
12. The winner of the open submissions period will be notified by 16 November 2021, and an announcement will be made after this time.
13. The prize is non-refundable, non-transferable and subject to availability.
14. No cash or prize alternatives are available.
15. As part of the contract the winning author must be:
a. prepared to undertake editorial work on their novel
b. prepared to undertake publicity and promotional responsibilities
16. Joffe Books reserves the right to extend the deadline.
17. Joffe Books’s decision is final; successful entrants will be notified but no feedback will be provided on unsuccessful entries.
18. You will retain all copyright in your submission and by submitting your novel you grant Joffe Books and the Susan Yearwood Agency a licence to copy your submission and share it with its affiliates solely for the purpose of reviewing it.
19. Any personal information you give us will be used solely for reviewing your submission and will not be passed on to any other parties without your agreement. Joffe Books’s privacy policy can be found at: joffebooks.com/prize
20. Under no circumstances will Joffe Books be responsible for any loss, damages, costs or expenses arising from or in any way connected with any errors, defects, interruptions, malfunctions or delays in the promotion of the competition or prize.
21. Joffe Books will not be responsible unless required by law, for any loss, changes, costs or expenses, which may arise in connection with this competition and Joffe Books can cancel or alter the competition at any stage.
22. Joffe Books can cancel or alter the prize submissions period at any stage.
23. The entry instructions are part of the Terms and Conditions for this competition.
24. By entering the competition you are agreeing to accept these Terms and Conditions. Any breach of these Terms and Conditions by you will mean that your entry will not be valid, and you will not be allowed to enter this competition.
25. By entering this competition, you are agreeing that if you win your name and image may be used for the purpose of announcing the winner in any related publicity with Joffe Books, without additional payment or permission.
26. All entrants are expected to act fairly and in the good spirit of the competition. Joffe Books reserves the right to investigate any irregularities and disqualify entrants at its absolute discretion.
27. Any dispute relating to the competition shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales and will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.