Calling all unpublished authors — entries now open for Dubai Litfest writing competition

Entries are now open for the festival’s Montegrappa Writing Prize, a competition open to all unpublished, UAE-based authors over the age of 21. iStockphoto.com

Aspiring writers are being invited to put their work to the test at next year’s Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.

Entries are now open for the festival’s Montegrappa Writing Prize, a competition open to all unpublished, UAE-based authors over the age of 21.

Writers should submit the first 2,000 words of their manuscript, plus a 400-word synopsis, before the deadline of January 10. The competition is open to fiction and non-fiction entries.

Entries will be judged by the eponymous founder of London literary agents Luigi Bonomi Associates, which represents writers including 2016 festival guests Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley.

Top prize is a trip to the London Book Fair 2016. The winner will be revealed live at the Liftest which takes place in a new extended form over March 1-12.

Submit your entires now at the festival website here.

Potential entrants are invited to attend a workshop with international editor Flora Rees, to be held at the festival’s sister venue, the Dubai International Writers’ Centre, on October 24.

Rees has 15 years publishing experience and will offer advice on what makes a good pitch, synopsis and first chapter. To register for the workshop email [e-mail].

The competition is now in its fourth year. Isobel Abulhoul, CEO and trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation and festival director of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, said: “The success rate of the winners is unparalleled and inviting them back as internationally published authors has been a genuine thrill for the festival, as well as great motivation for all participants.”