I just saw this flagged on twitter: http://www.killerreads.com/news/alibis-search-for-a-new-crime-writer/

Thanks, Roger. I heard about this via authonomy. Alibi are very active in the 'viral marketing' department and targeted me directly a while ago to persuade me to blog about their TV series.

I do wish they hadn't dictated that first line for the story contest! That tends to put me off because it suggests they already have a very clear idea of the style they're after.

Sarah

Some of the conditions you have to agree to look interesting:

"Where you submit your entry to this site (including without limitation any text, graphics, photos, video or audio) by such submission you grant UKTV and HarperCollins Publishers Limited each a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, non-exclusive, worldwide, sub-licensable right and license to use, reproduce and publish, distribute and make available to the public your entry in any media, now known or later developed, for the full term of any rights that may exist in such content."

"By entering this competition, you are agreeing that if you win your name and image may be used for the purpose of announcing the winner in any related publicity by HarperCollins and UKTV, without additional payment or permission."

"Entries containing unacceptable (in UKTV and/or HarperCollins opinions), indecent, defamatory, or discriminatory (based on race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability, physical or mental) language or other unlawful content shall not be considered."

On that last one, I'm not sure how we're supposed to know what constitutes the opinions of UKTV and/or HarperCollins about what's unacceptable. Could be tricky in a crime story. And why 'and/or'? Are they different, then?

Having said all that, could be a wheeze.

Terry

I love that first line. I think I'll give this a go. Could be fun, even if the terms fall only marginally short of them taking your house and first born child.

Colin M