Congratulations to this year's winners of the Novel London Literary Competition 2023!
First Prize
Trophy
£500
Assessment of the first three chapters, synopsis and cover letter from Blackbird Books
The Oxford Handbook Of Murder by Radostina Adriana Christova
Radostina Adriana Christova is a writer and PR Lead who splits her time between Oxford and London. She was chosen for an HMC scholarship with her writing out of the whole of Bulgaria and completed her A levels at Sutton Valence School in Kent.
Following her studies there and subsequently an English and German Literature BA & MA at Oxford University, she has worked in publishing (Oxford University Press and Times Education Supplement), media (Getty Images) and tech (Sony and now Akamai Technologies). But her passion is and will always be to write.
Animal Nightlife by Koushik Banerjea
A former youth worker and DJ, Koushik Banerjea was, from 2013 until very recently, the primary carer for his late mother, during which time he wrote two novels. Another Kind of Concrete (2020 Jacaranda Books) and Category Unknown (2022 London Books).
He is also a recent graduate of the HarperCollins Author Academy. That’s the glass half full. The one that’s half empty can sometimes barely cope with life. Crucially though, writing has completely reinvented his existence and truly given him a fresh start. He takes seriously the philosophy of the literary great, Ishmael Reed, that ‘writing is fighting.’
Third Prize
£100
Coaching or Mentoring Session
The Narcissist by Steven Brody
Steven Brody is a native of Sheffield, born to an English father and Greek mother. He grew up largely in the United States where he studied law at Stanford University, and now practices criminal defence, travelling between the UK, the US, and Greece.
His debut novel, The Narcissist, is informed by his Greek background, his travels there, and his fluency in the language.
Novel London Literary Festival 2023
Date: Saturday 16th September 2023
Venue: The Old Diorama Arts Centre
201 Drummond Street
London, NW1 3FE
NLLF Session 1:
Writing Walk
10:30 - 12:30
Join us for a captivating writing walk, which will take place in Fitzvoria.
We will have two short writing sessions on either side of a short walk.
Spaces are free to book but you can pay what you like after the walk.
Engage with fellow wordsmiths, exchange ideas, and embrace the vibrant energy of the writing community.
Whether you're an aspiring novelist, a seasoned author, or simply a lover of words, this writing walk promises to ignite your literary passion and invigorate your creative spirit.
We encourage you to bring your favourite writing materials, an open mind, and to wear your best walking shoes.
NLLF Session 2:
Bookswap & Networking Event
12:45 - 13:45
New, aspiring and established writers are invited to attend this lunchtime networking event at The Old Diorama Arts Centre.
Tickets are free, but you must bring a book to gain entry :)
Old Diorama Arts Centre is a creation centre: a shared home for the live arts, creative industries and local community to make, explore and meet. Since the 1970s, ODAC has supported London’s creative ecology. Now housed in a purpose-built complex at the Regent's Place campus, our air-conditioned studios and offices are home to a busy schedule of rehearsals, workshops, readings, castings, film and photo shoots, and events.
ODAC is a lively hub of performing arts development, where West End rehearsals and big-name castings nestle alongside new work by emerging artists and local groups - and everything in between.
Get in touch to join their community.
NLLF Session 3:
Create Your Author Website
14:15 - 15:30
Have you wanted to create an author website but you don't know where to start?
Join us for a workshop on how to create your own author website.
Please bring::
- Your laptop
- Your biography
- The blurb for your book or copy for your product/service
- Your profile picture (this can be taken professionally for a small fee on the day)
- If you have a book cover, we will go through how to create a mockup of your book as a 3D image.
We will be using the platform Strikingly, which is a simple drag-and-drop hosting platform. If you want to buy a domain name, you can use GoDaddy or Ionos or the Strikingly platform.
Spaces are limited as each participant will receive individual help with their site.
Please note: There are paid and free options on the Strikingly website design and hosting site.
NLLF Session 4:
Readings & Awards Ceremony
16:30 - 18:00
Judged by Stephanie Zia and Diane Chandler, this year's Novel London Literary Competition was open to international entries.
The hybrid part of the festival will culminate in readings from the shortlisted writers and the award being presented to the winner.
The shortlisted writers are:
Juno Baker for A Murder of Crows
Koushik Banerjea for Anímal Nightlife
Steven Brody for The Narcissist
Radostina Christova for The Oxford Handbook of Murder
Andrew Blackman for Refugees Welcome
Cara Finegan for Don't Call me Baby
Tickets include a glass of wine or soft drink
Judges
Stephanie Zia - Publishing Director - Teacher - Editor
Stephanie Zia was a BBC TV Music and Arts production assistant for many years, eventually writing and directing her own documentary film, 10 x 10 Applause, about why people clap. She's had two commercial women's fiction novels published by Piatkus, and two non-fiction books published by Hamlyn. Her organic cleaning column, Space Solves, ran in The Guardian magazine for five years.
In 2009, she launched the #authorpower publisher Blackbird Digital Books. She taught a term of creative writing at Richmond Adult Community College; now, as well as editing and publishing, she teaches at CWWL alongside Blackbird's prize-winning novelist, Diane Chandler. Creative Writing Workshops London offers workshops for both corporate clients and individuals in small groups. She loves unlocking creativity in others and sharing the joy of writing. Her third novel, The Widow's To Do List, is published on Amazon and she is currently writing her fourth.
Diane Chandler - Writer - Teacher - Coach
Diane Chandler was a political lobbyist in Brussels and then worked at the European Commission for several years, where she managed overseas aid programmes in Ukraine just after the fall of communism. Back in London, she joined the Department for International Development (DFID) on the Ukraine and then Africa desks.
Her first novel, The Road to Donetsk, draws on her experience of managing overseas aid programmes, and won the People's Book Prize. Her second, Moondance, tackles the emotional impact of IVF fertility treatment on a loving couple. Only Human, her third novel, is about a woman struggling to find meaning in life after her husband cheats on her and her only daughter is about to fly the nest.
Diane co-runs Creative Writing Workshops London with Stephanie Zia of Blackbird Digital Books, and also coaches aspiring writers. She is the host of ChiswickBuzz Online Book Club, Words with Wine in W4
Previous winners' feedback
The winners below were all a part of the Novel London Literary Competition and part of the Novel London Literary Festival... Here is what they have to say about it!
Mikela Bond - Runner Up NLLC 2022
I first saw an advert for the Novel London Literary Competition on social media and decided to enter my novel The Hollow Hours. When the longlist was announced, I was thrilled to see my name there and to be asked to provide a photo and a short bio to be used if I was lucky enough to make the shortlist.
When Safeena announced that there would be an opportunity for all those shortlisted to read at the festival, I knew I’d love to attend. The opportunity to go to London and to meet the other shortlisted writers was really valuable and I enjoyed listening to their readings and having the opportunity to share my own work with an audience. It was especially lovely to have the readings streamed online so that family and friends could support from afar.
Being the runner up for Novel London 2022 was a real honour. The prize included lunch with literary agent Elise Dillsworth who was welcoming and supportive, encouraging me to keep going with my writing. Since winning second prize in this competition, I have won the New Anglia Manuscript Prize and am now represented by literary agent Emma Shercliff at Laxfield Literary Agency.
To anyone who is wondering whether they should take the plunge and submit their writing to competitions, my advice is just go for it! You never know where it will take you."
Bren Gosling - Winner of NLLC 2021
"Winning Novel London Literary Competition in 2021 was a huge boost to my confidence as a writer.
Part of the prize was mentoring sessions with published crime writer Nadine Matheson. The process of re writing my novel with Nadine’s support taught me so much about my own writing and about the publishing industry in general."
Ailsing Watters - Winner of NLLC 2020
"The Novel London Award was a very significant milestone in my writing journey. Through the competition, I met my agent Elise Dillsworth who was one of the judges.
A part of the prize was a manuscript assessment with Faber Academy, which was very helpful in shedding light on ways to improve my work.
I would encourage all writers to enter this competition as you never know what doors might open and how much closer you will get to achieving your dream. And whatever the results the opportunity to interact with other writers can be great fun and very encouraging."
Melissa Addey - Winner of NLLC 2019
"Winning the inaugural Novel London award was not only exciting but felt hugely validating of the stories I wanted to tell and how I had written them.
Since then, I've also attended other Novel London festivals and the readings, workshops and networking are fantastic: full of enthusiasm and love for storytelling, so it's been great to watch the award grow from strength to strength every year."
- Melissa Addey, www.MelissaAddey.com
SPECIAL THANKS TO ODAC
This year, Novel London is delighted to be supported by Old Diorama Arts Centre - a creation centre: a shared home for the live arts, creative industries and local community to make, explore and meet. Since the 1970s, ODAC has supported London’s creative ecology. Now housed in a purpose-built complex at the Regent's Place campus, our air-conditioned studios and offices are home to a busy schedule of rehearsals, workshops, readings, castings, film and photo shoots, and events.
ODAC is a lively hub of performing arts development, where West End rehearsals and big-name castings nestle alongside new work by emerging artists and local groups - and everything in between. Get in touch to join their community.
This year, Novel London is delighted to be supported by Old Diorama Arts Centre - a creation centre: a shared home for the live arts, creative industries and local community to make, explore and meet. Since the 1970s, ODAC has supported London’s creative ecology. Now housed in a purpose-built complex at the Regent's Place campus, our air-conditioned studios and offices are home to a busy schedule of rehearsals, workshops, readings, castings, film and photo shoots, and events.
ODAC is a lively hub of performing arts development, where West End rehearsals and big-name castings nestle alongside new work by emerging artists and local groups - and everything in between. Get in touch to join their community.
First Prize
Trophy
£500
Assessment of the first three chapters, synopsis and cover letter from Blackbird Books
Second Prize
£350
Lunch with Literary Agent, Elise Dillsworth, at The Ivy, London
Third Prize
£100
Coaching or Mentoring Session (TBC)
