Very Close Runner-Up in Flash 500 Novel Opening Competition

I need to point out that this is an old post, written in December 2013. Anyone wanting the results of the current Flash 500 Novel Opening Competition will have to wait until they are officially released. 

A couple of months ago, I entered the first 3,000 words and synopsis of my novel, The House at Zaronza: A Tale of Corsica, in the Flash 500 Novel Opening Competition. The competition is run by Lorraine Mace and was held for the first time in 2013. In December, the results were out. 

My novel didn’t make it to the top two (a first and a second prize were on offer) but the judge, Steph Patterson of Crooked Cat Publishing, did single it and one other out for a special mention. She said:

‘Very close runners-up were The House at Zaronza: A Tale of Corsica by Vanessa Couchman and The Land Between by Sarah-Jane Page. Both had fascinating locations, interesting characters with a personal past to unravel and intriguing plots.

The decision to find a winner and runner-up was tough. The competition was so close; I could have easily chosen several winners.’

Following the competition, the publishers asked to see my full manuscript and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to submit it. I now await their judgement with bated breath and shredded fingernails. Watch this space.

This was a great end to the writing year and a spur to get on with editing my novel (and making progress with the next one). To find out more about it, click here.