Being an Undiscovered Voices 2026 winner
Keeping a secret for three months? It’s a personal best for me.
Back in January, I received some amazing news. I am a winner of the SCBWI Undiscovered Voices competition.
*Cue happy dance*
UV is a competition that’s been running for 20 years and has launched the careers of many children’s and YA authors. Unpublished and unagented SCBWI members submit the first 2,500 words of their novel, along with a pitch and synopsis, to be judged by a panel of industry professionals. Twelve winners are chosen to be included in an anthology, which is launched at a fancy schmancy party in London, and sent out to agents and publishers.
*Cue absurdly happy dance*
The only downside? Don’t tell anyone for three months.
At this point, I’m going to mention something I’m calling Schroedinger’s phone call. I may or may not have immediately phoned my mum with the news as soon as I heard. But if a writer calls her mum and there’s no one around to hear it, did it really happen? I’m mixing my metaphors - that’s how excited I am.
The UV team really know how to look after you. I’ve been assigned a mentor, the lovely Sue Cunningham, writer of Totally Deceased and Cloud Nine, and have discussed her UV journey since being a finalist in 2022.
All the finalists recently attended a full-day workshop in London, with an online option for those of us who couldn't feasibly get there (such as living in Ayrshire, not having lots of money and getting anxious about travelling too often). Throughout the day, we learnt what to expect at the launch party, as well as talks and panels from wonderful people about working in the industry.
I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in my writing life so far, but being a UV winner has made me finally feel like I’m on the right path. It’s not a feeling I’m familiar with. Imposter syndrome, anyone? This achievement feels important, and even if I don’t get an agent or publishing deal as a result, it can’t be taken away. I’ll always be a UV 2026 winner.
