This is such a great Terry Pratchett cover.
I’ve always thought if I ever became really rich and famous from my writing, I’d like to set up a competition for new writers to help them break in. And this is what Terry Pratchett has done.
The Terry Pratchett Prize!
Sir Terry Pratchett and Transworld Publishers are proud to launch a new award for aspiring debut novelists, The Terry Pratchett Anywhere But Here, Anywhen But Now Prize. Transworld will offer the winning author a publishing contract with a £20,000 advance.
The award will be judged by Sir Terry Pratchett, Tony Robinson, Michael Rowley from Waterstone’s and two senior members of the editorial team at Transworld Publishers.
The deadline for submissions is 31 December 2010. For further details about the award, and full terms and conditions, please click on the link below
See the Terry Pratchett web site for full details.
I had the good fortune to share breakfast with Terry back in 1999 at the Melbourne World Con. I’m a big fan of his books. My favourite character is Vimes, although I am very fond of Susan and Granny Weatherwax.
Whenever I run a writing fantasy workshop for teenagers, there will be some boy sitting up the back, making wisecracks. I’ll say to him, ‘I bet you read Terry Pratchett. He’s brilliant.’ And the kid’s eyes will light up – a grown-up who gets Terry Pratchett!
So I have a soft spot for Terry. How can you not like a guy who says:
‘I’ll be more enthusiastic about encouraging thinking outside the box when there’s evidence of any thinking going on inside it.’
For more Terry Pratchett quotes visit this site.
So here’s raising a cyber glass of bubbly to you, Terry. I sold my first book after entering a writing competition. (I didn’t win or place, or get an honourable mention). What I did get was annoyed enough to send the book off to a publisher. LOL.
Have you ever entered a writing competition?
Ooo… No, no, I must stick to the project I have in hand. Plus, I’m not sure any of the other ideas buzzing through my head will meet what Sir Terry and co. are after. Still…
On the subject of writing competitions, I have only ever entered one, and didn’t get picked to go beyond the first stage (short story contest, and this was right at the start of my time when I decided writing wasn’t just going to be a hobby). I ought to keep my eyes peeled for competitions like this, since it could open up a whole raft of possibilities. Or it could hugely distract me from my current book – lord knows enough other stuff does!
And I indeed raise my cyber-glass to Sir Terry Pratchett – a true master of the written word.
Competitions are great for getting noticed, Jonathan.
Terry Pratchett is brilliant. Every time I read one of his books I wonder why I bother to write when he does it so much better!