Luke Bitmead Bursary 2014

Luke Bitmead

Submissions are now being excepted for the 2014 Luke Bitmead Bursary.

This award was set up by Luke’s family shortly after his death in 2006 to support and encourage the work of fledgling novel writers and is now the UK’s biggest award for unpublished authors.

Luke Bitmead was the first novelist to be published by Legend Press. His novel White Summer was released in 2006 shortly before his death. Two novels have been published posthumously – The Body is a Temple and Heading South (co-authored by Catherine Richards).

This is the bursary’s seventh year. Previous winners include Andrew Blackman and his novel, On the Holloway Road, Ruth Dugdall and her book, The Woman Before Me, Sophie Duffy with The Generation Game, J.R. Crook and Sleeping Patterns, Joanne Graham and her novel, Lacey’s House and finally last year’s winner Jo Gatford. Her novel, White Lies was published on 1st May 2014.

The top prize is a publishing contract with Legend Press, and a £2500 bursary.

Only adult fiction is eligible for this bursary, no children’s books or non-fiction.

The judging panel this year will consist of Luke’s Mother Elaine, Legend Press, Sam Mills and Ruth Dugdall.

Entrants must be aged 16 or over. 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.

Submissions from writers will be accepted from 1st May until Friday 1st August 2014

For information about how to apply, click here.

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.