International Debut Novel Competition

“It’s changed my life and catapulted me into the literary world in a way that would have taken some time on my own. That’s if I would’ve broken in at all.”

“The Novel Fair really did change my life. I had a novel I’d been working on in various forms for twenty years, which I was all but ready to give up on. Just weeks after the Fair, Brian Langan contacted me with an offer of representation. My novel was picked up by Atlantic Books several months later, and I’ll soon be able to call myself a 2024 debut author. Because of Novel Fair, I’m getting to live out a dream that had seemed practically impossible just hours before signing on to my first agent/editor meeting. But as a writer, I’m also more confident and informed because of the Novel Fair experience. I feel immensely fortunate to have been a part of it.”

“The Novel Fair final is an incredible, intense, experience. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime as an emerging writer to pitch directly to so many agents and publishers. The months afterwards are an emotional rollercoaster. Be prepared for ‘Your work is great but…’ On the other hand, when you get an email that says ‘Yes! Can I represent you?’ it’s pure gold. I was thrilled to pick up representation from Laura Williams in the Greene & Heaton Agency. That then led to a two book YA deal with Macmillan. My début, Guard Your Heart, was Carnegie shortlisted, is being taught in schools in Switzerland and Germany and is beginning to be translated. Truth Be Told shortlisted in the UK Literacy Awards, the Irish Book Awards and the KPMG Children’s Book Awards Ireland. What I love most is hearing feedback from readers – some who feel ‘represented’ in literature for the first time and others who are understanding N.Ireland and peace building through empathy. None of this would have been possible without that breakthrough from the Novel Fair.”

“Taking part in the Novel Fair was a privilege and a treat: not only an opportunity to find a home for my novel, but also an invigorating two days among like-minded people for whom novels are everything. I take heart in knowing that, in the near and distant future, other novels will be published thanks to this wonderful initiative.”

“The Novel Fair was the first time I called myself a writer. Even though the novel I entered was never published, the fact that it was good enough to pitch to publishers gave me the confidence to share my work. People were interested and curious about my writing after the Novel Fair. It definitely opened doors that I would’ve been too self-conscious to knock on before.”

The 2019 group of Novel Fair winners were an exceptional bunch and lots went on to sign with publishers and agents shortly after the Fair. Even though I didn’t sign with anyone immediately, it was really heartening to see the good news stories coming in by email in the weeks and months after the Fair – it kept hope firmly alive. At the same time as the Fair, I was shortlisted for two UK novel competitions (Caledonia Novel Award and BPA First Novel Award) and the three together sparked interest from Legend Press. Having been at the Fair, I had more confidence in my work and when Legend asked to see one manuscript, I sent them two, and explained why they should also read the second. I signed a two-book deal with them in autumn 2019, and also signed with an agent a couple of months later. When I had the offer, the first person I contacted was Marianne Lee, another 2019 Novel Fair winner, who had signed with New Island directly, to ask for her advice. That remains my takeaway from the Novel Fair experience – it’s all about the people, on both sides of the table, and everyone is there because they love books, hopefully yours included!

Novel Fair will forever stand out as one of the highlights of my life. It’s only since Novel Fair that I’ve dared to call myself a writer. And even now, that word sticks in my throat a little.