Advice from Adult Category Judge Maddalena Cavaciuti

In partnership with David Higham Associates (DHA), the WriteMentor 2025 Novel & Picture Book Award is looking for new writing talent in children’s, young adult, and adult fiction. 

Now in its seventh year, the Awards invite entries worldwide within three categories: Picture Books, Children’s (Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Young Adult), and Adult fiction. 

Winners from each category will be selected by three agents from DHA, one of the leading agencies for writers in the world, with some of the most successful literary careers of the twentieth century in its care. Each winner will receive a cash prize, a 45-minute one-to-one virtual consultation with the agent judge for that category, and a one-year free membership to the Hub, WriteMentor’s online membership platform.

Judging the Adult Category, agent Maddalena Cavaciuti studied English Literature at the University of Bristol and joined David Higham Associates in 2017 after a spell working in marketing and events. As well as building her own list, Maddalena works with Managing Director Lizzy Kremer and helps to run DHA’s Open Days for Under-Represented Writers. 

Maddalena is looking for escapism – she wants to be drawn in by hooky pitches and compelling characters then swept away by page-turning drama, relationships and adventure.

Here, Maddalena shares her advice for entering the WriteMentor Novel Award.

What are you looking for in a winning entry?

I am looking to be surprised and delighted by a winning entry – whether this is because the writer brings a whole new world to the page, offers a unique spin or perspective on an existing and well-loved trope, or pulls the rug out from under me with a killer twist. Most of all I’ll be looking for hooky ideas and compelling characters, and am excited to be swept away by page-turning drama, relationships and adventure.

Can you share your advice for writing a compelling opening?

When I think about the books which have grabbed me from the very first pages, I think either of those novels where the reader is dropped right into the action – the threat to our character is present, the goal for them clear and the promise of all the adventure to come already on the page (Fourth Wing is a good example of this) – orI think about a character introduction that immediately made me want to follow that character anywhere. Emily Henry is a perfect example of this: introducing smart, charming characters with a warmth that allies you with them straight away. Getting to see that character find love later in the book is a bonus!

Can you share your advice for writing a synopsis?

My advice when writing a synopsis is to keep the voice, style and mood of your novel at the front of your mind. It’s easy to be distracted by the need to list everything that happens in your book – and yes, a synopsis should tell us what happens, including at the end – but a synopsis should also capture how the reader will experience the book. Is it fast-paced, full of action, pulling victory right from jaws of defeat at the end? If so, show us that struggle and excitement in the way you recount that final sequence. Is it an ultimately uplifting story about how friendship pulls the main character through a series of challenges? If so, the joyful moments should be represented just as much as the challenges to match that feeling.