We are busily reading all the entries for our First Drafts Competition 2016: ‘First Crimes’. It is the seventh year of our competition, which recognises promising work-in-progress by previously unpublished writers, and this year we are focusing exclusively on crime and thrillers in celebration of the genre.

The prize for the First Drafts Competition 2016: ‘First Crimes’, is a week-long writing retreat at West Dean College near Chichester, as well as detailed feedback from industry experts and six months’ mentoring by a Myriad author. We are delighted to announce an all-star judging panel of bestselling crime authors for 2016: Peter James, Elly Griffiths, Elizabeth Haynes, Lesley Thomson and Lisa Cutts.

Myriad’s First Drafts Competition has previously uncovered and launched writers who have gone on to enjoy creative and commercial success, including Lisa Cutts (Never Forget, Remember, Remember), Nina de la Mer (4 a.m., Layla), Hannah Vincent (Alarm Girl), Sara Marshall-Ball (Hush) and S.E. Craythorne (How You See Me), all now published by Myriad.

We will announce the shortlist in May.