Undiscovered Voices

We told you April was going to be a busy month 😅 Congratulations and happy publication day to #UV24 alumnus Louise Austin whose hilarious debut Alex Abbott is [Un]dead is out today 👏

It's a busy month for #UV24 debuts hitting the shelves 👏 Today it's the turn of Cinders and Stars, a stunning YA fantasy by Esther Scherpenisse. Congratulations and happy publication day, Esther 🥳 bookfinity.com/book/Cinders... @scbwi.bsky.social

Happy publication day and congratulations to @thatstephendaly.bsky.social 🥳 Stephen's debut, The Last Death Poet, is the first #UV24 book to hit the shelves and we couldn't be prouder ❤️ Loads of great tips for other debut authors here too 👇

The #UV26 longlist is live at undiscoveredvoices.com/longlist 🙌 More than 250 of you entrusted us with your stories and the standard was very high - it was a thrill to read them. The longlist was chosen by our judges for their originality and quality of writing. Congratulations all 👏

The wait is almost over for the #UV26 longlist announcement 🙌 Watch this space for news very, very soon... We know UV really does help writers' dreams come true. The first crop of #UV24 books are out this spring. Congratulations Louise Austin, @thatstephendaly.bsky.social and Esther Scherpenisse 👏

Congratulations to Undiscovered Voices 2024 winner @johoward.bsky.social who has signed with @joannamoult.bsky.social at Skylark Literary Agency. Very excited to see what the future brings for you, Jo 👏

Congratulations to Louise Austin on her incredible news 👏 The hilarious Alex Abbot featured in the #UV24 anthology and Louise was snapped up by top agent Becky Bagnell. To all who entered this time - this could be you in a couple of years 🤩 We're loving reading your submissions ❤️

Entries to Undiscovered Voices 2026 close at midnight tomorrow. If you are still polishing your submission - you can do it! 💪 We can't wait to read your stories. Don't miss your chance 👇 www.undiscoveredvoices.com @scbwi.bsky.social @scbwiireland.bsky.social #UV26

"Don't be scared to put yourself out there" - the words of the amazing #UV26 Honorary Chair @louiestowell.bsky.social Take her advice before it's too late - competition closes this coming Monday. undiscoveredvoices.com @scbwi.bsky.social @scbwiireland.bsky.social

Entries for @uvcompetition.bsky.social close one week today! Winners will be published in the #UV26 anthology and introduced to agents and editors at the exclusive launch party. Don't miss this incredible chance to launch your #kidlit career🚀 undiscoveredvoices.com

Who's spending the weekend polishing their #UV26 submission? Two years ago, that was @thatstephendaly.bsky.social and now look - his stunning YA debut will be out next year. If you're an unagented, unpublished kidlit/YA writer, don't miss this opportunity! Enter at undiscoveredvoices.com

"UV was a springboard to my writing career - it gave me hope at a time when hope was in short supply." @katjakaine.bsky.social won UV22 and now has a major deal with @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social, with her book set to be a lead YA title in 2026 🙌 Read more: tinyurl.ph/JRLLM @scbwi.bsky.social

** One month to go** to get your entries into Undiscovered Voices - the best competition around for unpublished, unagented kidlit and YA writers (okay, we might be slightly biased...) We can't wait to read your manuscripts 👀 undiscoveredvoices.com

Huge congratulations to UV alumnus @thatstephendaly.bsky.social whose debut YA novel comes out next year 👏 Stephen signed with his agent after featuring in the 2024 anthology so if you haven't entered yet - what are you waiting for?? It could change your life! Closes 8 Sept undiscoveredvoices.com

Congratulations to Undiscovered Voices alumnus @emlynas.bsky.social, shortlisted for the Lollies 👏 Dozens of UV winners have gone on to huge publishing success over the years - could you be the next? Entries are open now - find out more 👇 undiscoveredvoices.com #UV26 @scbwi-bi.bsky.social

Submissions open NEXT WEEK for #UV26 - how's your manuscript looking? Our amazing co-founder, author and editing guru @authorsaragrant.bsky.social has put together this helpful checklist to help decide if you're submission ready 👇 undiscoveredvoices.com/news/checkli... @scbwi-bi.bsky.social

Pens at the ready! Tonight's the first of our #UV26 masterclasses - Pitch Your Novel with @sheilamaverbuch.bsky.social ✍️📚 There's still time to book - just £30 (£40 non-SCBWI members) for THREE masterclasses, all online and recorded. Register: tinyurl.com/4tjm6m9r @scbwi-bi.bsky.social

Check out this blog post by UV alumnus @susywrites.bsky.social on author brand or "establishing your uniqueness" to stand out with agents and publishers: tinyurl.com/2snfwerv Sign up for our online masterclass series to learn more from Sue 🤩 @scbwi-bi.bsky.social #UV26

** Sign up by midnight for a chance to win one of these two fantastic new books on perfecting your writing craft ** Three 90min masterclasses for just £30 for @scbwi.bsky.social members; £40 for non-members. @authorsaragrant.bsky.social @sheilamaverbuch.bsky.social @scbwi-bi.bsky.social #UV26

One week until the first #UV26 online masterclass 🥳 Just £30 for @scbwi.bsky.social members for three fab workshops = top tips for competition success Register at tinyurl.com/4tjm6m9r by 31/05 for chance to win a writing craft book by @authorsaragrant.bsky.social or @sheilamaverbuch.bsky.social 📚

Huge thanks to everyone who joined the @scbwi-bi.bsky.social #UV26 launch last night. There was so much incredible insight from our judges as to what they're looking for. For more top tips to get your submission ready, don't forget to sign up for our online masterclasses: tinyurl.com/4tjm6m9r

Almost time... 🚀

Tonight's the night 🤩 Who's coming to the launch of #UV26? Our amazing judges, that's who! Come and hear from them what makes a winning submission 📚 If you haven't booked a place yet, do it now! 👇tinyurl.com/3sbw5tzp Online TONIGHT at 7.30pm (BST) See you there 😀 @scbwi-bi.bsky.social #KidLit

Not long now! Have you booked your place for the LIVE #UV26 online launch event this Thursday? It's FREE but you need to book a place👇 tinyurl.com/3sbw5tzp Don't miss the chance to hear what our judges are looking for 👀 @lindsaylit.bsky.social @saskialeach.bsky.social @scbwi-bi.bsky.social

Have you signed up for the #UV26 masterclasses yet? Sign up by 31 May for chance to win The Ultimate Guide to Editing Your Novel by @authorsaragrant.bsky.social or Pitch Your Book by @sheilamaverbuch.bsky.social Find out more and book your spot: tinyurl.com/4tjm6m9r @scbwi-bi.bsky.social #UV26

Editing Your Entry masterclass with UV co-founder @authorsaragrant.bsky.social 💡 Practical tips to help you improve your novel opening Thu 12 June, 7.30pm Sign up: tinyurl.com/4tjm6m9r ** Sign up by 31 May for a chance to win Sara's new book on editing ** #UV26 @scbwi-bi.bsky.social

'Pitch Your Novel' Masterclass with @sheilamaverbuch.bsky.social 👀 What? Learn how to craft your 250-word synopsis and a compelling 35-word pitch. Who? Author/ coach Sheila M. Averbuch When? Thu 5 June, 7.30pm How? Sign up at tinyurl.com/4tjm6m9r #UV26 @scbwi-bi.bsky.social Pic: Rob McDougall

Thinking of entering #UV26? Join our three live Zoom webinars in June to help perfect your entry. Tickets giving access to all three are £30 for @scbwi.bsky.social members; £40 for non-members. Keep following for more info, or book your place 👇 tinyurl.com/4tjm6m9r @scbwi-bi.bsky.social

Undiscovered Voices 2026 launches with a live online event on 22 May -check out our pinned post 👀 The competition is open to unagented and unpublished members of @scbwi-bi.bsky.social and Europe. Some free memberships will be available for underrepresented writers 👇 tinyurl.com/46peka7h #UV26

Booking is LIVE for the #UV26 online launch event on 22 May! It's FREE but you need to book a place👇 tinyurl.com/3sbw5tzp Don't miss the chance to hear what our judges are looking for 👀 @lindsaylit.bsky.social @saskialeach.bsky.social @scbwi-bi.bsky.social @louiestowell.bsky.social #KidLit

Excellent update on all things @uvcompetition.bsky.social from committee deputy chair @maggiewomersley.bsky.social in the latest issue of @scbwi-bi.bsky.social Words and Pictures including: 👉 Meet the judges 👉 Masterclass details 👉 Info on limited FREE places tinyurl.com/nhcj48y4 #UV26

"Don’t be scared to put yourself out there." Wise words indeed from #UV26 Honorary Chair and author of the award-winning Loki series @louiestowell.bsky.social Read our interview with Louie, which includes top tips for entering @scbwi-bi.bsky.social @uvcompetition.bsky.social tinyurl.com/22j7h67r

This sounds like a fantastic chance to chat #kidlit with the @scbwi-bi.bsky.social #UV26 Honorary Chair @louiestowell.bsky.social 👇

We are thrilled to present the Honorary Chair for @uvcompetition.bsky.social 2026 🥁🥁🥁 The absolute #kidlit legend that is... @louiestowell.bsky.social 👏👏👏 Thank you so much Louie - we're delighted to have you on board #UV26 @scbwi-bi.bsky.social

We are delighted to announce an absolutely STELLAR line-up of judges for @scbwi-bi.bsky.social @uvcompetition.bsky.social 2026... 🥁🥁🥁 @lindsaylit.bsky.social @saskialeach.bsky.social Charlie Castelletti Julia Churchill Tierney Holm Frances Taffinder Read more: undiscoveredvoices.com/judges

If you aren't sure what @uvcompetition.bsky.social is all about, this piece by #UV24 finalist and #UV26 committee Deputy Chair @maggiewomersley.bsky.social is the perfect introduction 👀 #kidlit @scbwi-bi.bsky.social

Undiscovered Voices is BACK 🙌🥳🤩 We can't wait to kick off #UV26 and our hunt for fresh new voices in children's literature. Watch this space for news of our live online launch, judges, workshops and more 👀 #kidlit #writingcommunity #amwriting #writingforchildren