Novel Fair
2022 marks the 10 year anniversary of Novel Fair. Described by The Irish Times as a 'Dragon's Den for writers', the Novel Fair is an Irish Writers Centre initiative which aims to introduce up-and-coming writers to top publishers and literary agents.
Novel Fair 2022
Aspiring writers should have their pens at the ready as the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair returns for another year. Submissions for Novel Fair 2022 are open from Wednesday 1 September until Thursday 30 September 2021 at 5pm.
This year, our online submissions system will allow aspiring novelists from all over the world can submit to us for the opportunity to be fast-tracked into the Irish & UK Publishing world.
Finding Success through the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair
Former winners Michelle Gallen and Caitriona Lally discuss their journeys to publishing through Novel Fair
Application Process
How can I enter Novel Fair 2022?
- The submission period run from Wednesday 1 September until Thursday 30 September 2021.
- Entry fee for applications is €55. Members of the Irish Writers Centre can enter for a discounted fee of €45 by following the instructions at this link.
- There is no limitation on genre, or target market, the only requirement being that the writer has not published a novel before i.e. has not previously published a novel with an ISBN (see T&C’s for more detailed information).
- Memoirs, short stories and works of non-fiction will not be considered.
- Applicants are required to send a synopsis of a max. of 300 words and up to five chapters of their novel, which should be 10,000 words (+/- 10%).
- You will be asked to submit your manuscript online.
- There is a limit of one entry per applicant.
Entries are welcome from anywhere in the world, however, in order to be eligible, applicants must be available to attend the Fair on the 11 and 12 February 2022.
Before entering the competition, please ensure that you have read the Novel Fair Terms & Conditions 2022 very carefully as the Fair is open to previously unpublished aspiring novelists only.
Please see a PDF list of FAQs here.
Submission Form
View Next
Launch of Novel Fair 2022
The Irish Writers Centre would like to invite you to the online launch of Novel Fair 2022 with Laura McKenna, Aoife K. Walsh and Rick O’Shea. During this panel discussion, chaired by IWC’s Communications Officer Laura McCormack, you will be taken on a journey from self to shelf, from where the idea for a book begins, right through to the commissioning process and publication, and beyond.
Read MoreSuccess Stories
Over the past few years a range of publishers and agents have attended the Fair including Penguin Random House Ireland, Hachette Ireland, Transworld Ireland, Curtis Brown, New Island Books, O’Brien Press/Brandon, Lilliput Press, Tramp Press, The Book Bureau, John Murray, Tinder Press, Marianne Gunn O’Connor Literary Agency, Jonathan Williams Literary Agency, Lisa Richards Agency, Feldstein Agency and Author Rights Agency as well as New York based agent Regal Hoffmann & Associates.
There have been a huge number of success stories since the Novel Fair has been established, including:
- Guard Your Heart by Sue Divin (MacMillan Children’s Books)
- Words to Shape my Name by Laura McKenna (New Island)
- Big Girl, Small Town by Michelle Gallen (John Murray)
- Janet E. Cameron’s novel Cinnamon Toast (Hachette)
- Niamh Boyce’s novel The Herbalist (Penguin Ireland) which was longlisted for IMPAC 2015
- Beatsploitation by Kevin Curran (Liberties Press)
- Here In No Place by Alan Timmons’ (New Island)
- The Reluctant Cannibal by Ian Flitcroft (Legend Press)
- Daniel Seery’s novel A Model Partner (Liberties Press)
- Susan Lanigan’s White Feathers (Brandon Press)
- Eggshells by Caitriona Lally (Liberties Press) which won the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature 2018
Andrea Carter’s novel Death at Whitewater Church (Constable & Robinson) - Swimming on Dry Land by Helen Blackhurst (Seren)
- Eat the Moon by Breda Joy (Poolbeg Press)
- The Middle Place by Kealan Ryan (Mercier Press)
- OONA by Alice Lyons (Lilliput Press)