Sheffield Novel Slam 2020
Thursday 22 October
Bring a one-minute pitch and a three-minute extract from your work in progress and compete for the title of Novel Slam champion 2020.
Sheffield Novel Slam launched in 2012 as part of the Off The Shelf festival of literature. Over the years, we've seen some fantastic writers pitch and perform their work in front of an audience.
Like many other events, this year we’re going virtual. You’ll get to see and hear from some talented, emerging authors from the comfort of your own home. It costs £5 to enter or £2 to attend.
How it works
This year, we have up to 16 writers competing over three rounds to become Novel Slam champion 2020. We also have a team of five judges.
Round one
Writers have one minute to pitch their novel. They then read the opening line. Once all writers have pitched, the audience and panel of judges will vote to choose the eight writers to go through to round two.
Round two
The eight writers will take it in turns to read three minutes from their work-in-progress novel. The judges will share their thoughts and offer constructive feedback to each writer.
Once all writers have read their work, the judges will head off to a breakout room, where they will discuss and choose the winner of Novel Slam 2020.
Meet the judges
We have a super team of authors on our keen-eared and supportive judging team this year.
Berlie Doherty
Gavin Extence
Daniel Blythe
Stacey Sampson
Bryony Doran
Your hosts
As always, we have a small but excitable team of two to try and keep things ticketyboo.
Iain Broome
Beverley Ward