Hardie Grant Egmont has announced a magnificent opportunity for first time writers – the launch of their new collection Ampersand: short novels by debut fiction writers.
“To kick this collection off, the editors of Ampersand are looking for fabulous manuscripts about the secret lives of teenagers. We want a voice that leaps off the page, a hint of a literary vibe, and teenage characters facing conflict in the course of their everyday lives. Manuscripts that are by turns funny, dramatic, gritty, romantic, heartbreaking or challenging. Each manuscript is free to stand along and we envision that successful submissions will give each debut novelist the launch they need to build their profiles in a competitive YA market.
We want Ampersand books to feel real to our teenage readers. We want to push the boundaries, but we’re not interested in moral-panic-inducing, usually urban-legendary topics (no sexting or rainbow parties here please). The idea is to write about real life, as it happens to today’s teenagers.”
So what’s the skinny?
- You must never have published a novel before.
- You must be open to collaboration and manuscript development.
- You must be willing to work to turn your manuscript into a finished piece.
- The finished novel should be about 40-50,000 words
- Protagonists should be between 16-18 years of age
- It goes without saying, but stories should be real-life and have a contemporary feel – no magical realism or angels, please.
- HGE is open to the exploration or depiction of issues like sexual activity, alcohol consumption, drug use, bullying, mental health issues and death. However, the editors reserve the right to object to anything that feels gratuitous or irresponsible (there is a duty of care from the publishers to the readers)
- HGE reserves the right not to contract without a full manuscript. However, if a writer shows promise, HGE might be willing to provide editorial assistance and development prior to contracting, at the expense of their own time.
- Due to the number of submissions, HGE may be unable to give personalised feedback as to why a manuscript isn’t suitable for this collection.
Submussions
- If you’re interested in submitting send the first five chapters plus a synopsis of the story to the managing editor – Marisa Pintado at marisapintado@hardiegrant.com.au
- The synopsis must give a clear indication of the plot and characters and be no more than one page long.
- The first titles in the collection will be published early 2013 so the cut of date for submissions for the launch is 5pm Monday 27th February 2012.
- Successful writers will need to have a completed manuscript by mid-April 2012.
Australia’s National Year of Reading 2012
