Harvill Secker launch two pioneering writing competitions

Harvill Secker have launched two pioneering competitions in 2018 to discover new talent for their lists – both competitions with the aim of recruiting top-quality writers and translators from a broad and diverse range of backgrounds.

Harvill Secker and Bloody Scotland joined forces this year to launched the Harvill Secker Crime Writing Competition to find a debut crime writer from a BAME (Black Asian Minority Ethnic) background. The prize will be judged by award-winning Harvill Secker author and Bloody Scotland committee member Abir Mukherjee; creator of the bestselling Shetland and Vera series, Ann Cleeves; journalist and co-founder of BAME in Publishing, Sarah Shaffi; and Harvill Secker Editorial Director Jade Chandler. The winner will have their book published under the Harvill Secker imprint, in a publishing deal with an advance of £5,000. The winner will also receive excellent perks alongside their publishing contract, including a panel appearance at the fantastic Bloody Scotland festival in 2019 and a series of three one-to-one mentoring sessions with Abir Mukherjee. The Arvon Foundation – now celebrating their 50^th year! – is also supporting and is offering the winner the chance to attend any one of their creative writing courses or writing retreats in 2019.

Abir Mukherjee says: ‘I’m excited to be part of this new initiative being launched by Harvill Secker and Bloody Scotland. At this time of great change, it’s more important than ever that the experiences and viewpoints of writers from across the spectrum of our society are published. Different viewpoints mean different stories, which in turn lead to a wider, richer literary atmosphere, hopefully reaching out to communities who feel marginalised or who have traditionally lacked a voice.’

The Harvill Secker Young Translators’ Prize aims to recognise the achievements of young translators at the start of their careers and cultivate this talent. This annual prize focuses on a different language each year and is open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 34, with no restriction on country of residence. The chosen language for the 2018 prize is Bengali, and entrants will translate the short story ‘Half-Timer Pawre’ by Shamik Ghosh, from his collection Elvis O Amolasundari. 

This year’s prize will be judged by renowned translator Arunava Sinha, anthropologist and novelist Tahmima Anam, writer and television presenter Konnie Huq and Harvill Secker Editor Mikaela Pedlow. 

Harvill Secker is delighted to be continuing its partnership with The National Centre for Writing, and the winning translator will take part in a National Centre for Writing Emerging Translator Mentorship with translator Arunava Sinha. As well as the mentorship, the winning translator will receive £1,000 and a selection of Harvill Secker books.