The Octopus Scheme 2023

We’re delighted to announce that our scholarship program, The Octopus Scheme, is relaunching for 2023! The Octopus Scheme is The Novelry’s initiative to nurture writing talent from under-represented or disadvantaged backgrounds, including but not limited to: 

• Writers from a low-income background
• Primary carers
• Ex-offenders
• Writers with a disability
• Writers of colour
• Writers from the LGBTQIA+ community

Eight successful applicants will get a fully-funded place on our Ninety Day Novel Course, jointly sponsored by The Novelry in partnership with a guest author. 

Our sponsors

This year, the scholarship places are sponsored by bestselling authors:

• Kristin Hannah
• Samantha Shannon
• Beth O’Leary
• Patrick Gale
• Juno Dawson
• Jennifer Saint
• SJ Watson

With huge thanks to our kind sponsors!

The prize

The Ninety Day Novel Course has been carefully crafted by a Booker Prize-listed author and is designed for writers to write and complete a first draft of their novel.

The course takes them from the first line all the way to a completed first draft with daily lessons, tools and guidance to help aspiring authors turn their writing dream into a reality, as well as six personal one-to-one coaching sessions with a published author from our team of award-winning writing coaches.

How to apply

To apply for The Octopus Scheme, please email us at [email protected] by 31st May 2023 with the subject heading ‘The Octopus Scheme’. All applications are considered in total confidence by The Novelry. They do not require proof of eligibility but we would be grateful if applicants could explain their circumstances in their own words. 

To apply, please send an email to [email protected] with the subject line The Octopus Scheme 2023, including the following details:

•  A statement of 500 words that includes your personal circumstances and how you meet the eligibility criteria, why you’d benefit from a writing scholarship with The Novelry, and a brief pitch for the novel you’d like to write on The Ninety Day Novel Course
• A 500-word sample of your writing – preferably from the novel you’d like to write on the course

If you’re feeling modest about your work, and nervous about applying – do it! Often those who are the least confident about their writing are brilliant writers!

Applications are now open! The deadline to submit yours is 31st May 2023. Happy writing!

Click here to learn more about the scholarship opportunity.

Don't forget to enter writing competitions too as a way of boosting your morale.