Spreading the World

Imagine. You walk into a bookshop and there it is, in glimmering piles. Your novel.

This dream may come one step closer for 6 unpublished authors at ‘Novel Pitch Live Final', an event being hosted by Spread the Word in April.

A panel of experts from the publishing world will judge from a shortlist of novel synopses in a unique event - the literary equivalent to the X-factor.

Prospective authors were invited to submit 2000 word extracts from their works in progress. The short listed entries will be performed live on the day in front of an expert panel: Juliette Mitchell - Penguin; Peter Straus - Rogers, Coleridge & White Literary Agency; Caroline McCarthy - The Literary Consultancy, Ellah Allfrey - Random House; Nii Parkes - Flipped Eye.

This is an opportunity for writers across all genres to gain an insight into getting their work published, to hear top tips from the experts and also put their own key questions to the panel. What's more, audience members can also try their luck at the open-mic slot and pitch their writing for quickfire advice.

Rosemary Harris, the winner of the 2006 competition can recommend the event to new writers: "My whole experience of the event gave my book back to me, made me feel that it was something I could do, something worth doing. For this first-time novelist, there is nothing of more value, or greater use."

Spread the Word is London's leading writer development agency. Based in the heart of London, the agency acts as a catalyst for the development of individual writers to producing work that is accessible, inclusive, bold, exploratory and playful.

With a focus on the writer, Spread the Word's programme of workshops, one-to-one advice surgeries, mentoring schemes and other activities use established professional writers to develop writers' skills and support them in building a career in writing. The agency encourage new and original voices in poetry, fiction, scriptwriting and other genres and through public performances provides opportunities for up-and-coming and established writers to showcase their writing to live audiences.

Spread the Word's Novel Pitch Live Final takes place on Saturday 25 April, at Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, London E15 1BX. 11am - 4pm. Adm: £7, conc £5. Book online at www.spreadtheword.org.uk or call 0207 735 3111.