1. The Harry Bowling Prize is intended to encourage new, unpublished fiction, and is open to anyone who has not had an adult novel published in any genre, including under a pseudonym. But the entrant may have published the following: short stories, scripts for TV and radio, non-fiction and children's fiction and non-fiction.
2. Each entry must be set in any urban area but may be in any genre and set in any period. There must be a romantic element to the story.
3. Entrants should submit the synopsis of novel (of not more than 500 words) and the first chapter of the novel (of at least 3,000 but not more than 5,000 words).
4. The closing date for entries is 30th November 2009. If you would like confirmation your entry has been received, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard.
5. Each submission must be accompanied by the completed official submission form (photocopies are acceptable). If more than one entry is sent a fee must be paid for each one.
6. Entrants should make sure that their name, address, email address, phone number and book title are on the official submission form. However, in order for the judges to make an unbiased decision on the submissions, ONLY the book title should be printed on the submission itself. The pages of the submission should be securely stapled together. Submissions should be clearly typed or printed, on one side of A4 paper only and double spaced. They should be posted to the address below, not sent by fax or email.
7. An entry fee of £10.00 for each entry, which will go towards covering administration and judging costs, should be sent with each submission and entry form.
The fee should be in the form of a sterling cheque or Postal Order or an International Money Order. Cheques should be made out to MBA Literary Agents Ltd.
8. Submissions will not be returned, so make sure that you retain a copy.
9. Professional publisher's readers will select a shortlist which will be forwarded to the judging panel, which will include Jane Morpeth (Harry Bowling's editor at Headline), Laura Longrigg (his agent at MBA) and Katie Fforde (author and Chair of the RNA). Entrants who are included in this shortlist will be informed by January 2010 and invited to the award ceremony. The list will be published on the Harry Bowling Prize website www.harrybowlingprize.net but if you want a separate list please send a stamped addressed envelope with your entry.
10. The winner and runners-up will be announced at a ceremony held at a venue in London in February 2010. The winner will receive £1,000 and runners up will receive £100, kindly donated by Headline Publishers. The names of the winner and runners-up will be published on the Harry Bowling Prize website www.harrybowlingprize.net but if you want a separate list please send a second stamped addressed envelope with your entry.
11. There is no commitment to publish the winning or shortlisted entries. The judges' decision is final. No correspondence can be entered into.
12. Entries should be sent to: Harry Bowling Prize, Storytracks, 16 St Briac Way, Bystock, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 5RN, UK .
