Competition calls on aspiring UAE authors

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Competition calls on aspiring UAE authors Putting pen to paper is easier for some than others, though you don’t have to quite write an entire book to enter the Montegrappa Writing competition this month. The contest is a writing competition in conjunction with the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, and will enable UAE residents to submit their work to be judged by literature agent Luigi Bonomi. Now in its fourth year, the winner will receive a trip to the London Book Fair, and professional development with Bonomi. (The competition closes on January 10 – so there is still time.) Bonomi explains that judges are looking for fresh ideas, presented in a concise manner. He explains: “We’re looking for the same things readers would: a good story line, captivating characters, satisfying endings, and the kind of writing style that grabs your attention from the very first page and draws you in like a magnet.” For the competition, entrants are required to submit a 400-word synopsis, and the first 2,000 words of the book. Bonomi explains: “They’re both important. The first chapter has to set the scene, introduce the characters and the premise of the conflict. From a logistics point of view alone, this is a lot to pack in 2,000 words. What’s more this chapter needs to make an impression and pull us in. On the other hand, the synopsis needs to cover the story, the evolution of the main characters, the conflict, the climax and how it all ends. It needs to convince us your novel is fully formed, with a sound plot and flowing structure.” If you’re struggling with where to begin, he recommends a bit of creative flow, and some structure. “The secret is to start with that blank page and keep going. A little planning helps too: draw the outline of the plot, sketch the main characters, and, most importantly, set time aside for writing, every day,” says Bonomi. The previous winners have since been signed to book deals, with 2013 winner Annabel Kantaria securing a three-book deal with Harlequin publishing, while 2014 winner Michele Martin as well as runners-up for 2014 Lucinda Martin and Dima Lababidi all in discussions regarding book deals with publishing houses. Now-published author Rachel Hamilton was runner-up in the inaugural 2013 competition, and received a two-book deal with Simon & Schuster, based on her entry ‘The Case of the Exploding Loo’. Her inspiration came from telling bed-time stories with her children. “I always made up stories to tell them. So I was telling them this story about an exploding toilet – and they started laughing more than normal – so I thought there’s something more to this,” says Rachel, addin her biggest challenge was writing the synopsis – to summarise the story. She explains: “I’d far rather write a million-page novel, rather than sum up the whole story. That was hard for me. Also, I think for anyone who writes, it’s quite personal – so another part of it is having the courage to send something off and know people will be judging it.” Her advice to aspiring novelists? “Have confi­dence that what you have written is worthwhile. If you struggle with the synopsis, get help – there are websites out there designed for this kind of thing.” See emirateslitfest.com for more caitlyn@7days.ae Read the original story at: Competition calls on aspiring UAE authors