A novel idea

Posted on March 8, 2016 in Uncategorized

Last weekend SYP Éire was able to attend the Greenbean Novel Fair run by the Irish Writers Centre. The Irish Writers Centre is the national resource centre for Irish literature and 2016 marks the Centre’s 25^th anniversary year. It supports and promotes writers at all stages of their development, and also welcomes all those interested in literature.

The fair is in its fifth year and provides twelve shortlisted novelists with the opportunity to meet face to face and pitch their books to a variety of publishers and agents.

Submissions for the fair open in April each year to debut novelists and they are required to submit 10,000 words and a synopsis in the initial stages. If selected for the shortlist they must have a completed novel ready to present to the participating publishers and agents by January in the year of the fair. Each novelist is given fifteen minutes to pitch to a publisher or agent in a similar format to a speed-dating event. The fair remains popular with each year receiving over 200 submissions but why has it been so successful?

Literary agent Jonathan Williams has attended each fair since its inception and believes that the opportunity to meet new, interesting, people from diverse backgrounds is invaluable. Initially sceptical of how it would work “I had to eat my words, it’s a terrific opportunity for writers, and it’s a credit to the fair that there are more publishers than writers.”

Tramp Press founder Sarah Davis-Goff attends because of the high standard of submissions, “the judges make great editorial decisions, the variety is valuable and I come just in case there is something exceptional”.

“You’re not just another envelope in the letter box,” states Amy Herron from the Irish Writers Centre, and this very sentiment is echoed throughout the day. The personal interaction is invaluable, not only for authors, but for the publishers and agents. “It’s great for the authors to meet us and get to see that we’re not just gatekeepers,” reminds Stuart Cross of Liberties Press.

The value of the fair continues beyond the day it is hosted, “you’re reminded of the level of talent and you return to look at the slush pile a lot more closely” explains Hannah Shorten, New Island Books. It also teaches authors how publishing houses work and about the industry they are seeking entry to.

It was a fantastic day, providing a perspective not often seen in the publishing industry and SYP Éire thanks the Irish Writers Centre for allowing them to attend.