Dear emerging authors,

I am back with news to help you emerge! Or, at least, to encourage you to poke your head out to see what’s what. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that things in the industry have looked a bit gloomy for prospective authors since the beginning of 2025, and every month that passes it seems as though the "traditional route" to becoming published no longer exists in its original form. Thankfully, the month of May comes bearing unconventional gifts, support and opportunities for authors at different stages of their careers. Basically, there’s a lot to get through in this edition – so keep your eyes on me, please.

First up, authors continue to save other authors.

Five novelists launch The Author Clinic for ‘writers at any stage of their careers’
This is exactly what it sounds like – an opportunity for one-on-one time with one of these novelists (Louise Fein, Louise Hare, Eleni Kyriacou, Charlotte Levin and Nikki Smith) to discuss anything you need to know about writing and publishing. Think of this as a chance for a sense check about character, genre, form, submissions or even word counts, if that’s your thing. And on the other side of this, maybe it can be a place to draw inspiration from? Maybe you’ve published your first novel and you’ve learned some lessons you would like to share with the newbie writers coming up behind you? Consider what you would have liked to know when you were starting out, what platforms you already have that you can use to disseminate said information and how you’d like to do it. There is no better ladder in this industry than the hands of other authors lifting you up to the next step. You could be one of those rungs in this mishap of a metaphor. 

Whichever direction you take, remember that these opportunities for finding support and mentorship in the writing community come and go often, so I encourage you to take them up if you have the small funds to do so. 

And remember: you only get one chance to make a first impression.

The month of May comes bearing unconventional gifts, support and opportunities for authors at different stages of your career

The Novelry to award £75k to an aspiring author as part of The Next Big Story writing competition
Speaking of first impressions, this is a writing competition that requires only the first three pages of your novel. Imagine that all those sharp, brilliant sentences you’ve spent months refining in the opening of your book are the very things that take you steaming towards becoming a published (and well-financed) debut author. These things arise about once in a blue moon, so stop overthinking that Oxford comma and shoot your shot. Or, even better, perhaps this is that sign you’ve been waiting for and it’s time to be done with all your planning and notes and storyboarding and actually put pen to paper to start making progress on your work in progress? Just a thought. You have until 31st July.

And now for the overachievers among you, let’s turn our attention to the New Chapter Award on offer from Simon & Schuster.

New Simon & Schuster award for unpublished authors of colour includes two-book deal with six-figure advance
It’s always exciting when a big publisher puts their money where their mouth is and kicks open the door for an underrepresented group, but it’s also important to consider which opportunities are right for you. The winner of the New Chapter award will be offered a two-book deal and a large advance to deliver the goods — so are you in that place in your writing journey yet? Do you have a fleshed out book idea or two that you believe will give your publishing career the boost it needs, or are you still on your way to getting there? 

I know how enticing such a big deal like this can seem, but it’s important to remember that it will also require something big from you too. A commitment to publish with Simon & Schuster. A commitment to two book ideas and the ability to discuss them in detail. A readiness for this next step and assuredness that this is the right partnership for you. 

I want you to take this one in with your eyes wide open, as with any opportunity. Read the fine print. Make sure you’re ready to stand up for your work when you offer it. And remember that even though a door might be being open for you, it doesn’t mean you have to walk through it immediately. Maybe see who else is on the other side first and if there are any friendly faces. 

Proceed as we all should in this industry as authors; with a bit of caution and a lot of curiosity.