Criminal Lines 2015
Dust off your pens laptops murder weapons… Criminal Lines is back for 2015!
Last year AM Heath in association with The Writers’ Workshop launched Criminal Lines, a crime-writing prize open to unagented, debut authors, born or resident in the UK and Ireland. We had lots of brilliant entries – from grisly historical murders and psychological suspense to alien abductions and Alaskan thrillers – and had a great (though difficult!) time reading and choosing the shortlist.
With debut crime writers already hitting the bestseller lists this year, we know the next big thing in crime is out there. Is it you? Only one way to find out – enter your novel for Criminal Lines 2015…
The nitty gritty
To enter, send the first 15,000 words and a synopsis (max 800 words) of your novel as word documents to: criminallines@amheath.com
You can enter any kind of crime, suspense or thriller novel for the prize, although anything previously submitted to AM Heath is ineligible. Please remember that you must be unagented, debut, and born or resident in the UK and Ireland in order to enter. Your novel doesn’t have to be finished but the synopsis does need to show you have a clear vision for the book. Self-published authors are welcome to enter.
Submissions are open from 17th February 2015, and the deadline is midnight on 4th May.
A shortlist of five novels will be announced on 1st June, and a winner on 1st July.
We will offer representation if we find an author, or authors, whose writing we love. If you are offered representation by another agency while Criminal Lines is running, please tell us straight away.
You will receive confirmation that we’ve received your submission, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted subsequently to that.
The judging talent
The prize will be judged by AM Heath agents Euan Thorneycroft and Oli Munson, and crime authors Harry Bingham, David Mark and Danielle Ramsay. Go to AM Heath’s website to find out more about the judges.
The stash
First prize: entry to The Writers’ Workshop Festival of Writing 2015, and £500
Second Prize: £500
All shortlisted writers will have the chance to meet with Euan Thorneycroft and Oli Munson to discuss their work.
For updates on twitter, follow
@Criminal_Lines
@AMHeathLtd
@WWonthebrink
@OliAgent
@EuanThorneycrof
And join the discussion at #Criminal_Lines.
For any questions, email enquiries@amheath.com.