SLUSH PILE CHALLENGE WINNER Karin Maatman

 

Karin Maatman, winner of the January 2025 Slush Pile Challenge, tells us why she entered the competition and about her experience of having feedback from Laura Bennett, of Liverpool Literary Agency.

Karin Maatman 

Karin won this challenge set by Laura Bennett of Liverpool Literary Agency:

 

Laura’s challenge: “My challenge is for an Upper YA, (teen and older), speculative novel – so fantasy, science-fiction or horror – from traditionally underrepresented authors. I’m especially interested in settings that aren’t in or based on the UK or USA. I would like to see a blurb, brief author bio and the first 500 words – and the novel doesn’t need to be completed.”

 

 

Laura stated: 

“I have chosen Dig Two Graves by Karin Maatman as my winner. I loved the concept, and I absolutely adore a twist in the tale – especially when it’s the narrator. I think that the theme of AI is a very relevant one at the moment, and it’s great to see it explored in fiction for younger people.

 

The first sentence drew me in straight away and it was followed by a strong voice and vivid descriptions. I was immediately captivated and drawn into the story. We were told enough to make us want to keep reading, without being overwhelmed.”

 

 

Karin: “When I read Laura Bennett’s January 2025 SCBWI Slush Pile Challenge, it appeared a perfect fit for my latest manuscript. Dig Two Graves, which is upper YA speculative science fiction, set, not in the UK or USA but in Hong Kong and Newfoundland, Canada. Laura also mentioned she’d like to see work from underrepresented authors – I am autistic.

 

Still, I was stunned when I received Elaine’s email, on a Saturday at 07:49, to tell me that Laura had chosen my entry as the winner.

 

To run your manuscript by beta readers and critique groups is one thing. But to hear from an agent that the first sentence drew her in straight away, and that the first 500 words were captivating, telling readers (just) enough to want to keep reading, is something else.

 

When I’d read the email, several times, making sure the word ‘winner’ wasn’t a figment of my imagination, or didn’t magically disappear, I emailed Elaine to thank her (significantly later than 07:49). Then reality sank in, and I became a bundle of nerves.

 

For me, meeting someone new has, more often than not, one of two outcomes. I say ‘hello’ and ‘how do you do’ ... then shut down (my speech temporarily disabled by some mysterious force that scrambles and blanks my mind as well). Or my polite introduction is followed by an incoherent nonsensical relentless ramble. Neither, I have found, is conducive to a productive dialogue. And this was a literary agent I would be meeting; Laura Bennett.

 

But Laura was brilliant. She made me feel at ease straight away. I had my list of question ready, and she gave me some brilliant pointers regarding query letters and synopsis. Writer’s voice is not important in a synopsis, thank goodness, and I have a much better grasp of what makes a comparison novel.

 

So, a big thank you to Elaine for organising these Slush Pile competitions. And to Laura - thank you again for your lovely feedback and brilliant advice.

 

For anyone considering entering a SCBWI competition, go for it!”

A special thanks to Laura Bennett of Liverpool Literary Agency for setting the competition, judging it and providing such valuable feedback to Karin.

 

*Photo provided by Karin Maatman

 

 

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Elaine Cline has been a SCBWI member for over ten years and loves to write picture books, middle-grade and teen books. She lives by the sea and has one adorable dog. Elaine is a member of the Words & Pictures editorial team, managing The Slush Pile Challenge.

 

X (formerly Twitter): @elaineccline

 

Bluesky: @elaineccline.bsky.social