JULIA CHURCHILL, The Greenhouse Literary Agency

LINDSEY HEAVEN, Puffin Books

SARAH MANSON, Literary Agent

JO UNWIN, Conville and Walsh

EMMA YOUNG, Macmillan Children’s Books

ZOE DUNCAN, Scholastic Children’s Books

We are grateful for their support!

Lindsey was disappointed to miss her chance to speak on the panel at the kick off event, and so she's provided answers to some of the questions we asked here:

What makes a manuscript stand out?
For me, it's those basic but incredibly key elements - a distinctive and engaging voice, well drawn characters, a cracking pace and original plot or concept. And if just one or two of those are exceptional, then as an editor, you can always see the potential in bringing the others out through the editorial process with the author.

What are common author pitfalls?
Easily done but these are some that we regularly see:

Trying to educate - this is what educational and text books are for. By all means include interesting, colourful or dramatic background but only if it adds to the actual story and the journey you're taking your readers on. They're not here to learn a lesson, they picked up your booked to be swept away and entertained.

Swamped by detail - this relates somewhat to the point above but always bear in mind the pace of your narrative, don't let it become laden down and sluggish with detail that if you're really really honest with yourself doesn't enrich and excite the reader.

Talking down to the reader - your readers maybe children but there's no reason to speak through your narrative or character in any other tone than you would if you had an older reader in mind. The key thing here to remember is never to under estimate the reader's intelligence (they're young not ignorant) but don't overestimate their experience - sex, drugs, the adult working life are neither of interest to the younger readers nor part of the world they inhabit.

What was your favourite children's book when you were a child and why?
I was a voracious reader from such a young age (weren't we all in this business!) that I'm not sure I had one single book that I could hold up as my absolute favourite. Roald Dahl holds a very special place in my heart though and I read every single one that he'd written, the prospect of each being like a present waiting to be unwrapped - including his adult books. His books really are an example of completely individual, magical, wicked, hysterically funny and inventive writing at its very best.

As a teenager though, Jane Eyre really had everything I was looking for - passion, darkness, struggle, tension, unattainable loves and a brooding atmosphere. Sigh. Everything that teens today find in Twilight probably!

Name a recent book you've acquired and what set it apart from other submissions?
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, a book I acquired from the States.

It's the story of Clay Jensen who returns home from school one day to find a mysterious box, with his name on it, lying on the porch. Inside he discovers 13 cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker - his classmate - who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she did it - and Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list - and it'll change his life forever.

It put me instantly in mind of a teenage Jodi Picoult title – and indeed we won this book in a hotly contested auction with an adult publisher, who I’m sure recognized the very same qualities. It's a brave account and incredibly original approach to an emotive and challenging subject matter. Also, whilst it's a book that will undoubtedly have people talking, beyond the controversy lays an unquestionable strength of writing and page-turning quality to the narrative.

Penguin US have a mini site for it and the enormous number of heartfelt messages that teenagers have left on it is incredible - it's a book that speaks very directly and very personally to the teen readers themselves.

Any words of advice for writers submitting novel extracts?
Make your opening line a stunner - and the rest of the extract as polished and tight as it possibly can be. Grab my attention entirely; shock me, make me laugh, make me cry, make me want to be sick even! Really just make me want to read on.

I have to do a LOT of reading, and in this small extract, make yours be the one I sit up and devour.