2023 Novel-in-Development Award – RESULTS
Our shortlist this year was judged by Becky Bagnall, top literary agent.
The Lindsay Literary Agency was founded in 2008 by Becky Bagnell, who has been in publishing for over 25 years. She worked as a commissioning editor at Macmillan before becoming a literary agent in 2008. Becky’s clients have been published in over 30 languages across the world and include multi-award winning authors such as, Pamela Butchart, Sue Wallman, Sam Gayton, Josh Silver, Larry Hayes and Louise Finch.
Here’s what Becky had to say:
“I have found choosing a winner tough as the standard of entry was very high. There were some wonderful ideas in the selection and lots of strong voices. However, I’ve been looking at these again today and I think I have finally been able to come to a decision.”
Winner
The one I’d like to put forward as the winner is: The Nighthawk Detectives. From the very first sentence The Nighthawk Detectives captured my interest making me want to champion Penelope and her mission to find her father. The world building felt very strong and the narrative voice warm and inviting. All in all I would love to read more!
Congratulations to Melanie Whitmarsh, author of The Nighthawk Detectives.
Runner-up
For the runner-up I’ve chosen Ellie Anderson Is Dead. The concept behind this YA script is completely compelling and I just loved the opening chapter. The author had total command of her characters and already an intriguing world was opening up. Again this was a script I would love to keep reading.
Congratulations to Sophie Clarke, author of Ellie Anderson Is Dead.
Honorary Mention
As a near miss I wondered if I could also mention, The Sidewinders. This has a lot of potential and the writing in the opening chapter felt very accomplished and definitely peaked my interest.
Congratulations to Gavin Crippin, author of The Sidewinders.
Full shortlist with names
| Title of Manuscript | Name |
| Ellie Anderson is Dead | Sophie Clarke |
| Kickerella | Becky Stretton |
| LIFECYCLE | Steve Blackman |
| Monty McPurr and the Genie of the Blobfish | Becky Stretton |
| On Fire | Amy Reitz |
| The Curse of the Cyborg Shifters | Claire Thomas |
| The Ghosts of Père Lachaise | Faye Holt |
| The Mermaid Skeleton | Claire Thomas |
| The Moongardener’s Daughter | Bruna De Luca |
| The Nighthawk Detectives | Melanie Whitmarsh |
| THE SIDEWINDERS | Gavin Crippin |
Full longlist with names
| Title of Manuscript | Name |
| Behind the green sky | Kayla Herbert |
| Brassica Galactica and the Black-eyed Pea | Natasha Beloff |
| DREAMDOGS | A E. Daly |
| Ellie Anderson is Dead | Sophie Clarke |
| Jack of All | Georgia Garfield-White |
| Kickerella | Becky Stretton |
| LIFECYCLE | Steve Blackman |
| Little Washerwoman of Wilaghmore | Carey Camburn |
| Living the Game | Gavin Tangen |
| Lost | Lindsay McKrell |
| Monty McPurr and the Genie of the Blobfish | Becky Stretton |
| On Fire | Amy Reitz |
| Revenants | Sara Lilley |
| SEAJET JO | Claire Dopson |
| Skarlet and the Impossible Tomorrows | MacAllan Dale |
| The Curse of the Cyborg Shifters | Claire Thomas |
| The Ghosts of Père Lachaise | Faye Holt |
| The girl who talks to ghosts | Sarah Davis |
| The In-Spectres | Marjorie (Marnie) Forbes Eldridge |
| The Mermaid Skeleton | Claire Thomas |
| The Moongardener’s Daughter | Bruna De Luca |
| The Nighthawk Detectives | Melanie Whitmarsh |
| THE SIDEWINDERS | Gavin Crippin |
| Things They Don’t Tell You | Alka Handa |
| UNCOMMON CORA | Regan Nuqui |
| Wonder Library – The Missing Villain Mystery | Donna Shah |
Responses