Blue Pencil Agency Pitch Prize 2026

I have been trying to get my novel completed for the last 5 years having started it 10 years ago. Despite re-writes and getting feedback etc I must have been over it more than 30 times. The seminar with Emma Darwin was outstanding. It’s the best event I have attended and made total sense! So many practical tips with a couple of exercises will now enable me to get the job finished. The session was highly motivating and the method of editing and revision will make the job so much easier but also enjoyable.

Thank you so much for Saturday. It was an inspiring day, especially the evening, and the timing was perfect for me as I get back into writing after my summer break. I felt very lucky to be in the company of so many talented writers, and I thought you did a fabulous job hosting the event, animating the session with Joanna, and of course the session after supper when we all pitched our ideas. Well done. I thought it was terrific.

Just a quick note to thank you so much for yesterday. It was wonderful to meet you and the workshop was fantastic! I very much enjoyed the exercises and meeting all the other attendees.

Thank you Emma, for a wonderful experience at the away day and overnight at your stunning home. It is always nice to spend time with writers, but especially like minded creatives out in the deep woods of writing their novels. Both you and your husband were exquisite hosts, taking care of every need. The quality of teaching was exceptional.

The quickest of notes to say ‘thank-you’ for a very enjoyable and very useful session last night. I should also say it was great value for money! I’ve emailed, said the same thing to Emma Darwin, but for you and BPA to initiate, organise, and host such an event is extraordinarily supportive for new writers. Thanks again

I’m really enjoying these and a great way to stay ‘connected’ with a writing community so thank you so much for keeping them coming!

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the recording of the session, which I just spent the morning working through. I found the ideas and insights valuable and Emma’s approach to narrative structure seems so simple but effective – not as prescriptive/restrictive as all those ’Save the Cat’ type templates, but a great way to stress test shifting plot ideas and first drafts. Looking forward to the next session.

When I entered the BPA Pitch Prize I was in the middle of querying another novel and had written just 10,000 words of the speculative novel which would ultimately win the prize and go on to receive an offer of representation from Millie Hoskins at United Agents. Winning the BPA pitch prize gave me such a boost and with feedback from Millie, I set to work on drafting the full novel in just under six months. The characters and storyline captured my heart straight away and Millie was the dream agent to sign with. I would say to any writer, keep going. Keep honing your craft. I’ve invested a lot in my writing journey, from courses to mentoring to entering prizes, all have led me here and hopefully beyond. As for the pitch itself, a good hook will get you far, as will a sharp sentence that gets right to the heart of the story. Undoubtedly, one of the biggest benefits of the BPA Pitch Prize is to see if your story has enough potential before you fully invest in it. As a writer with five manuscripts in a drawer I really needed that!

I remember clearly wondering whether to send my manuscript to the Blue Pencil Award, and if it was ready. I am so glad I did - seeing my name on first the longlist, and then the short list was an incredible feeling. It was encouragement and validation, however subjective we all know it is, for something undertaken in isolation and often uncertainty. Winning it was a game-changer for me. The team at BPA seemed almost as excited as I was! Hellie Ogden offered me representation and I am now working with her as my wonderful agent on what I hope will become my debut novel. It is quite literally a dream come true.

The 1-2-1 session with Hattie Grünewald as a result of winning the BPA Pitch Prize was invaluable. She offered real insight into the pitching process, as well as astute, detailed feedback on my synopsis. The whole experience gave me the confidence to submit my work to twelve other agents, eight of whom requested the full manuscript. I am delighted to say I have signed with Alexander Cochrane at C&W Agency. I honestly don't think I would have had the courage without the accolade and experience under my belt. Thank you BPA!

I submitted my entry to the BPA First Novel Award in February, thinking... why not? Never did I imagine that seven months later, I would receive a call from Emma Haynes, telling me that I was the winner. I'm thrilled that the judges enjoyed my story, and I'm super excited to be represented by Rowan Lawton at The Soho Agency. Thank you BPA for giving unpublished writers like me (who might have been querying agents unsuccessfully for years), this incredible opportunity to expose our work. Winning this contest has brought me one step closer to my dream of having my novel, White Yams published internationally. I couldn't be more grateful!

Entering the Blue Pencil Agency First Novel Award has taken my writing life to a higher level. Self-doubt had stopped me before but just submitting something I thought had potential gave me satisfaction. The excitement of reaching the long list was only tempered by the discipline of the next deadline but then surpassed by the thrill of seeing my name on the short list and finally achieving Highly Commended. I was astounded to hear that agent Nelle Andrew wanted to meet me and elated to then sign with Nelle and begin editing my debut novel. Without the fantastic opportunity the Award offered I would not be on course to achieve my dream so everyone at Blue Pencil has my gratitude.

Winning the Award marked a real breakthrough in my writing life. The slightly overwhelming news that I had won first prize (I found myself shaking uncontrollably!) was followed by an exciting week involving a London photo-shoot with the judges, and the sight of my face in The Bookseller. The lovely Blue Pencil Agency team gave me the chance to meet the judges and to talk about my novel in some depth with agent Eve White. This was a fantastic opportunity and one that is rare in the writing prize world. Winning the Blue Pencil Agency competition gave me confidence that my novel is a good one and this, I would say, is the most valuable reward an aspiring writer can get.

Entering the Pitch Prize has proven to be a wonderful experience. Not only did winning it give me a much-needed morale boost, but Blue Pencil Agency’s continued support and an introduction by Emma Haynes eventually led to me signing with my wonderful agent, Charlotte Seymour of Johnson & Alcock. To anyone unsure of entering: bet on yourself and your writing, and know that you will be in a safe pair of hands with the Blue Pencil Agency team.

Oliver cut through to things that will clearly make a significant difference. There’s technique, there’s choices around plot and characters, and he’s helped me look at the potential of what my novel could achieve. In my experience of working with thousands of people in the technical publishing industry, it’s rare to find people who can work competently with strategy, tactics and operations. The quantity of his ideas has helped me cross-check to see if I’ve correctly identified the underlying problems.

I just wanted to let you know that as of this morning I've signed with Cara Lee Simpson at PFD and to thank you once again for your help with the book and for reaching out to agents on my behalf. The current version of the novel wouldn't be what it is without the work of BPA and Fiona and Frances' excellent notes.

Katya has reviewed a number of manuscripts now and the service received is always consistently first rate. The critique from Katya is very constructive. Katya obviously has a wonderful knowledge of what works and what doesn’t and is able to suggest things that ultimately improve the story and for me that is the goal – getting the story to be the best it can be. I highly recommend the services of Katya but also that of BPA – a professional team and agency.

Iain's mark up and report are incredibly helpful and have given me a very clear idea of the changes I need to make to get my manuscript ready for submission. It is exactly what I hoped for. As someone who always wanted to take a creative writing course but never had the time or money to do so, Iain’s report has in many ways felt like a crash course in writing and has given me specific tools and insights not only to fix this manuscript but to make me a better writer for when I start the next one.

Frances's comments are so galvanising. I really feel like I know how to tackle this next draft, thanks to her close read and clarity – a good feeling!

I'm delighted to announce that I’m now represented by Katie Fulford of Bell Lomax. She is my dream agent. Also thank you so much for the manuscript review from BPA editor Frances Merivale. It was amazing – detailed and well thought out. Thank you so much for the kickstart and for the support from Emma and the BPA team.

I couldn't have asked for a better editor than Oliver, even if his profile photo is utterly terrifying. Whatever happens, the poor man and BPA are stuck with me for life now!

Having re-drafted various aspects of my first novel, I realised that it still needed more work. However, I was unsure what the priorities should be, and worse, I was beginning to lose faith in what I was doing. On a recommendation, I contacted Bluepencilagency for editorial help. Iain Maloney's detailed report came through on time, with sections on various key topics such as Plot and Pacing, and was written in a highly supportive style without losing incisiveness. The summary at the end pulled together his main recommendations. I have read the material numerous times: it provided carefully-reasoned insights. Iain emphasised that the nature of editorial guidance is to identify weaknesses and give examples, but he also pointed to certain strengths in my work. As a result of his report, I feel not only more confident in tackling the re-draft, but re-energised and keen to begin the task.

Lesley MacDowell reviewed several drafts of my work in progress. Her observations and criticisms were deft, intelligent, clear and entirely apt. They were (almost) a pleasure to receive. But above all, they enabled me to make the book significantly better, something I would not have achieved without her help.

I’d like to say a big thank to you and your colleagues for a really engaging and informative evening last night, and for taking the time to run this event, which helps get authors on the map.

I just wanted to share that I thought last night was great. Two very knowledgeable guests and I thought the mix of Q&A and then interactive part at the end really worked. Lovely venue too.

Thanks again for the event – I thought it was brilliant. Very helpful and informative and what a great atmosphere at Bàrd Books!

Thank you for organising this wonderful event. We loved it! The venue is a gem and everyone seemed to be able to hear and see. The content was perfectly pitched – stimulating & informative.

Emma [Curtis]’s editorial report was MAGNIFICENT! She has provided invaluable technical insight into the complex craft of writing, and also clear guidance as to what needs to be addressed to achieve submission standard. FANTASTIC!

Very clear and lucid, lots of useful directional thoughts, and above all, very encouraging about getting this book published. All in all, a thoroughly worthwhile exercise.

I found Emma [Grundy Haigh]’s report extremely beneficial and motivational. I can see that she is a very proficient, experienced editor.