Many, many entries this cycle, well beyond what we had anticipated, and the standard of the writing has made winnowing the longlist unusually difficult. Thank you to everyone who trusted us with their opening pages. The quality was so high that the commended list is longer than in previous cycles. We are releasing the names in no particular order, over the coming days, and a shortlist will be drawn from this group. Today, in no particular order, we are announcing: - Lies on Sale by Gabby Martini - The Impossibility of Eden by Harry Wilson - Beach Dog by Tom McDonough - The Breaking Point by Fiona Harriet - The Taste of Iron by Ramona Slusarczyk - Askar and the Witch by Nina van der Beek - The City of a Thousand Eyes by Angelique Talbot - The Melusine Murders by Jesse Weiner Congratulations to all of them. Many further entries, equally commended, will be announced over the coming days. If your name is not yet here, please don't read into its absence. Names are being released in the order we can write the posts, which has nothing to do with preference, and every remaining commendation carries the same weight as those above.

I use PWA for the regular, old-school stuff. Grammarly, too. But now PWA is offering a paid manuscript review service. Does anyone have any experience with or knowledge of this service? I think it’s just some AI review but if it’s legit and worthwhile, I’d be tempted to give it a try.

Morning all, I managed to get to the Writers' Summit at the London Book Fair last week, and was on a roundtable discussion with a literaty agent. I asked her how much detail to include, about the story, in a query letter. She said the main thing is that it demonstrates the main question within the story. Acccording to her, there is no definitive rule as to whether we should focus on the inciting incident and/or the climax, as long as the question being answered by the story is clear and compelling. I hope this helps.

Hi guys - hope you are all well. I've finished a middle grade mystery, Our Children in the Shadows, which im hoping to release soon. Does anybody know of any beta readers - or sites/groups who might be able to assist for some honest reviews before my launch day. Any suggestions would be most welcome :D

I had high hopes for this excellent idea to create a writers’ forum. But disappointingly your idea has provided yet another promotional platform. I guess that is what the authors’ ecosystem has become. Shame.