On Monday 6th October, Luigi Bonomi, of Bloomsbury Literary Agency LBA, presented writers both from the Girls’ and Boys’ Schools with certificates to mark their successes in this year’s Novel-Writing Competition. The competition requires each entrant to submit a 10-page section of writing which could form the opening of a full-length novel. A literary evening in the Aske Hall saw entrants reading shortened excerpts from their writing to assembled parents, teachers, friends and supporters.

Boys

FIRST PRIZE: Event Horizon by Emre Aygin
SECOND PRIZE: House of God by Michael Nio
THIRD PRIZE: Yingzi Luyou by Yohaan Gokhale

Girls

FIRST PRIZE: Hunger by Sam Nead
SECOND PRIZE: The Block by Maria-Emilia Dmitriev
THIRD PRIZE: Dreams Come True by Karina Shah

Prizes will take the form of books which the prize-winners will choose and be presented with in end-of-term assemblies. Further to this, Mr. Bonomi has offered the two First Prize winners a special opportunity to receive further guidance and advice as they continue their novels. Will these talented writers be looking to communicate with Literary Agents themselves in due course as they look to score their first publishing success?

In his presentation speech, which was full fascinating and valuable advice for all the young writers, Mr. Bonomi reminded the audience of the vital importance of pace when writing fiction. In addition to this, the winning entries stood out by their distinctiveness, the credibility of the dialogue and the ease with which they fitted into their chosen genre. He reminded the writers that if a literary agent is not struck by the first page of a submission, he or she will not read the second or the third; a huge amount rides on the very opening sentences.

The assembled crowd on the night had a chance to vote for one final award: the AUDIENCE PRIZE. This was awarded to Joshua Baumring-Gledhill for his witty and engaging reading of a portion of his novel Three Words.

There were 7 winners overall, but all the writers should feel enormously proud of themselves for their superb achievements in completing submissions to such a very high level. Our sincere thanks go to Mr. Bonomi for so generously supporting this event, which is now in its very successful 6th Year.