Press Release: Submissions open 1st July for Fifth SCBWI Undiscovered Voices

Anthology has proven a successful path to publication for many UK writers and illustrators

UV10The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) British Isles will once again help fresh, new voices in children’s literature – both writers and illustrators – find agents, publishers and ultimately readers through its Undiscovered Voices project.

Undiscovered Voices has launched the careers of the writers and illustrators, who have gone on to publish more than 120 books. These authors have been nominated for and won an amazing array of literary prizes: including the Carnegie Medal, Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize, Branford Boase Award, Blue Peter Award, the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award, and nearly 30 regional awards.

Submissions will be accepted online at www.undiscoveredvoice.com between 1st July to 16th August 2015. There is no submissions’ fee, but only un-agented and unpublished members of SCBWI living in the UK and Europe (writing in the English language) are eligible.

3 scbwi_logo_31kb“The SCBWI British Isles region is thrilled to once again support this innovative project that brings unpublished writers and illustrators into the limelight,” said Natascha Biebow, Regional Advisor for the SCBWI British Isles. “Over the past eight years, we have helped nearly 30 authors and illustrators to get discovered by publishers. We wish all contestants the best of luck!”

The Undiscovered Voices anthology will include twelve fiction extracts – from early readers up through young adult novels – and twelve black-and-white illustrations. The anthology will be published in February 2016 and sent free of charge to editors, art directors and agents whose focus is children’s literature. The book will be produced by volunteers, with the financial support of Working Partners Ltd, a London-based company that creates series fiction.

Working Partners Logo“Working Partners is very proud to continue to support Undiscovered Voices,” said Chris Snowdon, Managing Director of Working Partners. “It is hard to believe this will be the fifth edition of this wonderful vehicle for new authors! Undiscovered Voices is now an established and high profile launch pad for new writing and we can’t wait to see what talent is discovered and published this time around.”

Sally Gardner 2015Multi-award-winning author and illustrator Sally Gardner will serve as the honorary chair for this anthology. Gardner has a long and distinguished career writing and illustrating books for young children and teens alike. Her work has been translated into more than twenty-two languages. Her novel MAGGOT MOON (Hot Key Books) won both the Costa Children’s Book Prize and the Carnegie Medal 2013. Gardner’s genre-defying novel THE DOUBLE SHADOW (Orion) received great critical acclaim and was also longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2013. Sally also won the 2005 Nestle Children’s Book Prize for her debut novel I, CORIANDER.

The following judges will select the stories and illustrations to be included in the anthology:

  • Jon Appleton, Hodder
  • Ali Ardington, Stripes Publishing
  • Ed Burns, Advocate Art Agency
  • Barry Cunningham, Chicken House
  • Sheri Gee, Folio Society
  • Jodie Hodges, United Agents
  • Rachel Mann, Simon and Schuster
  • Polly Nolan, The Greenhouse Literary Agency
  • Anna Power, Johnson & Alcock
  • Kate Shaw, The Viney Agency
  • Will Steele, Random House
  • Caroline Walsh, David Higham Associates

 

For more details or to submit your novel extract or illustrations, visit www.undiscoveredvoices.com.

 

For More Information ContactSara Grant, uv@britishscbwi.org

About SCBWI

The SCBWI is a network for the exchange of knowledge among writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers and others involved with literature for young people. SCBWI boasts more than 22,000 members worldwide in more than 70 regions, making it the largest children’s writing organization in the world. SCBWI British Isles is a dynamic and friendly chapter, which aims to support aspiring and published writers and illustrators, providing opportunities for professional development, networking, and craft development. This anthology presents a unique means of networking with the publishing industry. Join and find out more about SCBWI British Isles at www.britishisles.scbwi.org

 

About Working Partners

From young chapter books to thrilling adult novels, Working Partners’ books are published all over the globe. Since 1994, it has created some of the most recognised series in children’s fiction, including Animal Ark, Heartland and, more recently, Rainbow Magic, Warriors, Beast Quest and Magic Animal Friends. Working Partners has about 100 published projects, consisting of over 1,000 books. It has sold its books in 40 languages. Ten of its series have sold more than a million copies. Four have sold more than 10 million.

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