Contest looking for funny books for children open for entries

Last year The Greenhouse Literary Agency launched a contest which had the aim of finding a talented comedy writer who could create children's books. The Greenhouse Funny Prize 2012 was a big success, so the competition is now back and the agency is inviting people to enter its 2013 contest.

Although brand new last year, The Greenhouse Funny Prize got off to a flying start with over 700 entries. The winner, Pip Jones, has since signed a four book deal with Faber Children's Books for her series Squshy McFluff, The Invisible Cat.

Speaking to BCG, Pip says: "Winning the Greenhouse Funny Prize changed everything for me. I actually faltered when it came to entering, you never think you have a chance with these things. But I won it! And two months to the day after hearing that news, I had an offer from Faber and Faber for four books. The Greenhouse Funny Prize is an incredible opportunity for new writers to do that seemingly impossible thing - be noticed. I'm wishing all the entrants lots of luck and Greenhouse, too - I'm sure they'll find some corking writers."

Contest organiser Julia Churchill says: "At Greenhouse we love all sorts of writing. We love edgy, wincingly close-to-the-bone YA fiction, we love thrilling, commercial concepts with big surprises, and beautiful and heartfelt younger stories. In short, we love quality. And there's something that we don't see enough of: Funny. So we're waving the flag for funny books.

"We had such a great time working on the prize that we're going to do it again. And bigger. This year we're opening it up to the world, so if you're American or Canadian, or writing from anywhere on the planet (as long as your work is in the English language) then come and make us laugh.

"Our judging criteria is very simple. Funny, and we are wide open to all ages. The winner may be a picture book like Olivia or Don't Let the Pigeon Drive The Bus or a young series à la Horrid Henry, Flat Stanley, The Great Hamster Massacre or Undead Pets, or for 8-12 year olds like Lemony Snicket or M.T. Anderson's Whales On Stilts. It could even be for teen readers, like Adam Rex's Cold Cereal series, Me And Earl And The Dying Girl, or The Princess Diaries. It's going to be the person with funny in their DNA. Perhaps the winner will have a slow-burning, sly wit. Perhaps a Python-esque sense of the absurd, or zany as Tina Fey's 30 Rock. Or maybe the concept, the freshness and fun, will pull us in."

The deadline for entering The Greenhouse Funny Prize 2013 is 29th July 2013.

Entry Guidelines

The Greenhouse Funny prize is open to un-agented writers writing funny fiction for children of all ages.

To get a good sense of the voice and where the character is headed, Greenhouse would like to see the first 5,000 words PLUS a short description (a few lines) of the book AND a one page outline that shows the spine of the plot.

You should send this work as a Word document.

However, if you're submitting a picture book (or shorter fiction that comes in under 5,000 words), then send the complete text.

You should send your entries to funny@greenhouseliterary.com, with the following set as the subject line, based on your geographical location:

If you're writing from the US or Canada (ie, North America) put 'NA' in the subject line.
If you're writing from the UK or the rest of the world, put 'UK' in the subject line.

The reason for the subject line rule is that the USA and Canada and the UK will have separate judging and shortlists, and Greenhouse will choose a winner in each territory.

Entrants will receive an acknowledgement on receipt of script, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted further.

All submissions must be received by Monday 29th July 2013. The shortlist will be announced on Monday 12th August and the winner will be announced on Monday 19th August.

Winners will receive an offer of representation from Greenhouse and the UK winner will also get a full weekend ticket to the York Festival of Writing (worth £525). The runners up will each get five of Greenhouse's favourite funny books.

Good luck!

To find out more about The Greenhouse Literary Agency visit www.greenhouseliterary.com