Just found out my novel in progress is a winner in a major novel writing competition run by The Writers and Artists Yearbook and Bloomsbury! I sent a sample chapter and synopsis to them back in January, and they've just published their list of 100 winners: http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/default.asp?id=8 Fingers crossed for July when they announce the top three entries who get recommendations to literary agents. This could be a big first step on the way to getting published.
hoorah shout tiny bear voices hmmm a fancy writer wont be going backpacking would he says henry bear hmmm