Emerging Authors

A chance to have your work considered by industry experts.

Is it time to be brave and pitch your work to those in publishing. Each year Brighton Book Festival creates a shortlist from all of the entries that come in and create a showcase like no other.
Featuring industry experts  this event allows would-be authors to pitch their work, gain valuable feedback – and be in with a chance of winning a 121 mentoring session.  To enter  as a writer, please apply here by 11:59pm on Friday June 6, 2025.

Shortlisted authors will then be invited to pitch their writing on stage at the Emerging Authors Showcase on Thursday June 19th, at Brighthelm Centre, North Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1YD. The overall winner will win the opportunity to a have a 10,000 submission read by an agent at the prestigious Kate Nash literary agency, a mentoring session with the bestselling author Dorothy Koomson, a voucher for a masterclass with The Creative Writing Programme, and other goodies.

There are no application fees for authors to enter the showcase. 

Everyone is welcome to come and listen to the authors read an excerpt from their work in front of judges and the audience.

To attend as an audience member, simply book a ticket.

Thursday June 19th| 4-6pm| Brighthelm Centre, North Rd, BN1