This autumn, Spread the Word is thrilled to partner with LBA Literary Agency for our latest 1-2-1 feedback opportunity – offering the chance to have an extract from your novel read and given feedback by a literary agent.
From Tuesday 19 September, we’ll be accepting submissions of romance novels (including but not limited to fantasy romance, romantic comedies, and upmarket love stories – anything where love is a driving force of the story!) for a maximum of 5 short feedback sessions from Hannah Schofield, an agent at LBA Literary Agency.
Hannah is offering to provide short feedback sessions by phone or video call on up to 5 submissions from writers from underrepresented backgrounds based in the UK.
She is looking for high-stakes, high-swoon novels whether contemporary, historical, or fantasy. She’s not the best fit for romantic suspense, but would look at YA, new adult, rom-com, or general fiction with a strong romantic core. Apart from her clients (of course!), some of her favourite authors writing romantic fiction include Bolu Babalola, Rachel Lynn Solomon, Rebecca Serle, Emily Henry, and Lauren Ho.
We define writers from backgrounds under-represented in publishing as those who:
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From a lower socio-economic background as defined by the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion guidance
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Have experienced a lack of academic and/or vocational training opportunities – i.e. have not been able to study/train to their full potential due to low income, ill health, being a carer etc.
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Are or have been a carer
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Have experienced homelessness
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Are a single parent
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Have a disability
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Are a writer of colour*
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Are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community
The purpose of the feedback session is to receive advice and support on the documents you have submitted. At the discretion of the agents participating, it may lead to further discussion of your work or requests as per standard agenting processes.
How to apply
Please note this opportunity is only open to unpublished and un-agented writers based in the UK. Apply via Submittable. Only one entry per applicant will be accepted.
The link to apply is here. We will be open to submissions at midday on Tuesday 19 September 2023.
To apply, you will need to upload 3 documents:
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A covering letter of 1-2 pages that includes: A little information about yourself and your motivations for your project, how you meet the criteria for this opportunity and a summary of your writing endeavours to date (e.g. Have you taken part in writing development opportunities? Have you mainly been writing on your own at home?)
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A one-page synopsis
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An extract from your project (3,000 words maximum)
If you are a disabled writer, there is the option to submit visual or audio submissions. Please get in touch (email address below) if you need any support with this.
Elise will be giving feedback on the documents that you submit.
Timeline
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Submissions will open at midday on Tuesday 19 September
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The deadline for submissions is midday on Tuesday 17 October
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Applicants will know the outcome of their submission by 8 December and successful applicants will receive their feedback by 29 February 2024.
Contact us
If you have any queries about your application or this opportunity, please get in touch with [email protected]
About Hannah Schofield
Hannah Schofield is a literary agent at LBA agency in London, representing a wide-ranging list that can be summed up as ‘things she likes’ – which includes mostly commercial and book-club fiction, with select non-fiction and YA. And especially love stories! She won the Romantic Novelists’ Association Agent of the Year in 2022, less than three years after brokering her first book deal, and was selected as one of the winners of the Trailblazer Award 2023 at the London Book Fair. Hannah also believes she is the only Luxembourgish literary agent – but probably wouldn’t swear to it!
You can find out more about her wishlist here: https://lbabooks.com/agents/hannah-schofield
Twitter: @hannschofield
Published: Tuesday 19 September 2023