Novel Competition ? Judging Criteria

?

THE JUDGES of the Rethink Press New Novels 2012 Competition had their first meeting (physical as opposed to online) yesterday to finalise the criteria on which they will be judging the Novel Competition entries. Amanda Addison (author of Laura?s Handmade Life and Creative Writing Tutor), Keiron Pim (Books Editor of the Eastern Daily Press) and Sam Ruddock (Programme Manager at the Writers Centre Norwich and literary blogger) met with me at Cinema City, Norwich (great bar/restaurant/meeting place). Cate Sweeney (author of Selfish Jean and Writers? Mentor) wasn?t, sadly,?able to attend, but has added her input.?

WE LOOKED AT a range of possible criteria -?and agreed that what made us love a piece of fiction was ultimately?intuitive and?sometimes beyond analysis.?What stopped us enjoying fiction were ?interruptions? like difficult to read sentences or paragraphs which took us out of the story, inconsistencies in the internal world of the story, cliches, unnecessary wordage, grammar or punctuation which detracted from sense or readability?

THIS, THOUGH, was too vague to use as criteria for judging a novel competition and we needed some specific areas which we all agreed were important in good fiction, and so we could also?let entrants know what we would be looking out for. So, here are our criteria:

1. VOICE

Whoever narrates your novel ? one or more characters, known or unknown third person(s), you yourself?- their voice should be distinctive and striking; their narrative should have flow and rhythm; and every word should be considered and necessary. This doesn?t mean that all sentences must be short, pithy and devoid of adjectives, but that in even a long, descriptive passage, every word should count, be telling and add to the story, characterisation or context.

2. AUDIENCE

When reading your entry, we would like it to be clear from the writing itself (though you may also have told us in your synopsis), what audience you are primarily writing for. This might be to do with gender or genre; age or attitude; interest or inclination; or?a mix of these?-?and we will be wanting to feel that your writing style?is appropriate to connect with your audience. This is something that many writers don?t give enough consideration (or, alternatively,?are determined?their novel is for ?everyone?),?which is fine if you?re just writing for your own pleasure, but agents, publishers and booksellers need to know who you?are?writing for?in order to play their part in reaching them.

?3. PLOT

Good plotting is a skill that takes most writers some time to perfect. If you?re?sending us?your first novel, it might be worth giving your plot a final check before submitting your entry. We will be looking for entries (which include your synopsis and first 10,000 (max) words) which have?well designed and structured plots, with good pacing, coherent development and?compelling resolution. This isn?t to say we?re only interested in complex, plot-driven novels, but no piece of fiction can get away without one, so we?ll be looking for dynamic and engrossing plots which start convincingly, have ups, downs, twists and turns,?and draw the reader through to a satisfying conclusion.

4. CHARACTER & DIALOGUE

The judges will be looking for entries which are peopled by believable, rounded and original characters. Their actions, interactions?and motivations will bring them to life so the reader feels they know them.?Whether your novel is full of conversation or uses direct speech between characters sparingly, we look forward to reading dialogue that is distinctive ? ie, each character has their own voice and style of speech ? and authentic, so we can hear your characters? voices in our heads as we read and believe that they are real people who would really say these words. Bland dialogue where all characters seem to speak in the same style and tone, and where you have to keep checking who is speaking from the preceding narrative is less likely to score highly, and may cause an ?interruption? ? as above.

5. SETTING & LOCATION

One of our three prizes is for a novel set in, or about East Anglia, but the use of setting and location will play an equally important part in our assessment of all the entries. The judges will be looking for novels in which the general locale and specific settings where the action takes place are used as part of the story, rather than just?as the backdrop to a plot which could take place anywhere. We love great atmosphere and evocative description, especially when it all ties in with plot, character. Even if your setting, or indeed the whole world of your book, is imaginary, we will be drawn in by its internal consistency and enough ? but not excessive ? detail, through both the eyes of the characters and the narrative.

So, now you have the judges? criteria for the Rethink Press New Novels 2012 Competition, please submit your entry and I hope you will be the winner of one of our three publication contracts. The final entry date is 10th September 2012, but if your novel is complete, give it a final polish and send it in asap. Here are the Rules and How To Enter.

Lucy McCarraher

?

Source: http://rethinkpress.com/blog/novel-competition-judging-criteria/

saint louis university leprechaun night at the museum pope shenouda bolton muamba sxsw crystal cathedral