Richard and Judy's @Search for A Bestseller' Shortlist Announced

Bonnier Zaffre is excited to announce that eight authors have been shortlisted for the Richard & Judy ‘Search for a Bestseller’ competition, which is supported by WHSmith. The authors, who are all first-time unpublished writers, submitted 10,000 words plus a synopsis of their novel to a selection panel including Richard and Judy themselves, agents at Furniss Lawton and staff from across Bonnier Publishing. The shortlisted authors now have until 12 December to send their completed novels in to the panel. The winner, who will be announced in January, will receive a £50,000 world rights publishing deal from Bonnier Zaffre and specialist advice from literary agency Furniss Lawton. The winning novel will be published by Bonnier Zaffre in summer 2017. Richard and Judy commented: ‘We’re hugely excited to now have our eight-strong shortlist – and what a shortlist it is! We can’t wait to read the finished debut novels, select our ‘search for a bestseller’ competition winner and introduce readers to a fantastic new writer.’ Kate Parkin, Executive Director for Adult Fiction at Bonnier Zaffre said: ‘We’ve had an overwhelming number of entries and are truly delighted by the talent we’ve found. It’s been an exciting process of discovery and we’re looking forward to reading our shortlisted authors’ finished books.  Good luck, everyone!’ The Richard & Judy ‘Search for a Bestseller’ shortlist: A Lesser Sin by Caz Frear A crime novel about a detective who suspects her father may be involved in the murder she is investigating. Acting Mysterious by Laura Stewart A romantic mystery about a woman who inherits a house in Scotland and uncovers an old legend. Deep Water by Gail Egan A psychological thriller about a woman whose ex-husband is murdered and she becomes a suspect along with his new wife. Eighteen Exhibits by Laura Foakes A quirky tale about a man who tries to unearth the truth about his early life and parentage by following a series of letters and objects found at the family manor house. First Person Singular by Heather Ranby A crime novel about the investigation of a bomb detonated at a Knightsbridge restaurant. Hard Play by Asia Mackay Women’s fiction about a female assassin returning to work after maternity leave. Rip Her To Shreds by Alison Percival A psychological thriller about a woman who becomes obsessed with her ex-husband’s new lover. September by Honoria Beirne A reading-group novel set in rural Ireland during the early years of the new free state