SLUSH PILE CHALLENGE April 2025 Results

 

 

Carolyn May McGlone of May Literary Agency set and judged the April 2025 Slush Pile Challenge.

 

 

 

Carolyn May McGlone

 

 

Carolyn’s challenge: “I would like to see a piece of fiction inspired by something real from your childhood - this could be an event, a person or even just a feeling or memory. Picture book, middle grade or YA texts all welcome, as long as they are part of a finished piece of work. I’m looking for texts that are uniquely YOU.

 

Please submit one document containing:

 

• A short description of the idea/inspiration behind the text

 

• A short bio

 

• For picture books: Full text, approx 400-700 words, in 12 spreads

 

• For MG/YA: The first chapter and a brief synopsis”

 

 

We received 48 entries from members across the British Isles and Europe for this competition. Carolyn read all of the entries.

 

 

This is what Carolyn told us when announcing the results:

 

“I was heartened by the diversity of entries to this Slushpile Challenge, which is exactly what I hoped for in setting a challenge inspired by something unique to you. I was looking for writing that was original and heartfelt. It threw up everything from a hilarious rhyming romp through a game of pooh sticks, to teenagers discovering they have been living with secret identities. And that truly is why I chose to set this particular challenge - to make you think about how your writing can stand out from the crowd.

 

In the winning entry – The Quiet Brave Astronaut by Kate Higney – I was impressed by the connection between the text itself and the author biography. They felt seamlessly connected in a way that sung to me of authenticity, of a text that needed to be written by that author. This to me works so much better than a “hook” - if you are writing from the heart, it shows.

 

Its gentle manner reminded me of some much-loved picture books, such as The Boy Who Dreamed Dragons by Caryl Lewis and Carmen Saldana and I Am Quiet by Andie Powers and Betsy Petersen. It is the kind of text I would like to see more space made for in the current market - quiet and thoughtful, allowing the child reader to pause and reflect on who they are and who they might want to be. The lyrical phrasing (e.g. “It soared skyward, spilling golden light, unfurling like a silent firework”) was comforting and beautiful to read - perfect for that magical shared reading-together time that I’m sure this book would inspire.

 

My runner up is Stick Run by Helen Hooper.”

 

 

Congratulations to Kate Higney from all of us at Words & Pictures. We hope you are well on your way towards getting your writing published.

 

Well done to Helen Hooper for being chosen as the runner up.

 

Thanks to everyone who entered. Keep writing and we hope you will be encouraged to try your hand at appropriate competitions.

 

 

As an award-winning publicist-turned-agent, Carolyn understands what makes the book trade sit up and listen, how to capture readers’ attention and how to best support authors through their publishing journey.

 

With a career that has spanned publishing, literary charities and bookselling, Carolyn has extensive knowledge and contacts within the book industry and has been lucky enough to work with some of the UK’s most renowned authors.

 

Carolyn takes great pride in nurturing author relationships, whether it’s supporting debut authors in their first forays into the public eye, or advocating for bestselling authors at the highest level.

 

A lifelong advocate of books and all they inspire, Carolyn is passionate about promoting voices that deserve to be heard. She values authenticity, honesty and loyalty above all else - being conscientious and empathetic is at the heart of everything she does and she prides herself on having a collaborative approach.

 

She holds two MAs with Distinction in both Children’s Literature and Publishing, as well as a Publishers’ Publicity Circle Award.

 

 

 

Elaine Cline has been a SCBWI member for over ten years and loves to write picture books, chapter books and middle-grade. She loves writing about food. She lives by the sea and has a dog.

 

Elaine is a member of the Words & Pictures' editorial team, managing The Slush Pile Challenge for writers.

 

Connect with Elaine on X formerly Twitter: @elaineccline

 

Connect with Elaine on Bluesky: @elaineccline.bsky.social