Are you brave enough to read out your work?
It takes confidence and nerve to write a book, more to send it out to be considered by agents and publishers but reading part of it out to an audience? - That takes real guts.
In the past I have read little bits of Dr Midas out at a writer's group - OWLS in Ormskirk, but last year I somehow convinced myself to take part in Pulp Idol - part of Liverpool's WOW (Writing on the wall) festival.
I can tell you taking part in Pulp Idol was absolutely nerve-wracking and I felt like a rabbit caught in the headlights reading an extract from Dr Midas and the Pirates and then answering questions about it. You have three minutes (they time you) and I did my best to not race through mine - not easy. I thought I'd be tongue-tied when it came to the interview - but it's only talking about your work not an exam, still I must confess to trying to bolt from the stage when I incorrectly thought they'd finished. Oh dear!
The experience was very worthwhile and I would recommend it - and you get very good feedback on your work. They asked if I thought my prologue was the best way to start my book - and I have since dropped it. Also it's really useful to actually hear your words - you notice clumsy phrasing and repetitions a lot more easily.
This year's competition is still open for those brave enough to stand up in front of strangers and read an extract followed by questions from a panel of three judges - think X Factor without the singing - actually they were really nice and the audience are very supportive.
Last year's judges included 'Stars are Stars' author Kevin Sampson and Pulp Idol '06 winner Rachel Bowman (pictured).
There are only a few places left so you must enter as soon as possible. Closing date for submissions is April 30th.
There will be four heats and a final throughout May (see dates below) and entry is free (you must fill in an application form.)
Your work must be part of a novel, that you are either working on or have completed, with at least 3 chapters written.
You must send 3 hard copies of the chapter you will be reading and a short synopsis of the novel (no more than 40 words) to WoW, Mission Hall, 36 Windsor Street, Toxteth, Liverpool, L8 1XE by Wednesday 30th April. Alternatively, you can hand deliver them. You have not had a novel published before.
Details online at http://www.writingonthewall.org.uk/index.php?id=145 or call WoW on 0151 703 0020
All welcome to watch the heats and final! No door charge.
Tuesday 6th May - Heats
Borders Bookstore, Speke Road, L24 8QB 6.30 - 8.30 p.m.
Tuesday 13th May - Heats
Kuumba Imani Millenium Centre, 34 Princes Road, L8 1TH 6.30 - 8.30 p.m.
Wednesday 14th May - Heats
Coffee Union, 89 Bold Street, L1 4HF 6.30 - 8.30 p.m.
Tuesday 20th May - Heats
The Building on Platform 3 & 4, Edge Hill Station, Tunnel Road, L7 6ND 6.30 - 8.30 p.m.
Tuesday 27th May - The Final
Coffee Union, 89 Bold Street, L1 4HF 6.30 - 8.30 pm
The two winners from my heat, Jane Kitovitz and Atar Hadari, went on to be joint winners of this year's PULP IDOL competition and one is now with a New York based agent - so you never know it could be you this time.
Don't forget you can find out more about my books at www.drmidas.co.uk
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »