Literary agents seek student novelists

Oxford student Richard Mason was in his first year at the university when he was offered a reported six-figure advance for his debut novel, The Drowning People , and became one of Britain's most famous young novelists. Now a new prize being offered in association with Exeter College is hoping to find further examples of literary talent in Oxford's student community. The Christopher Little Literary Agency, which represents JK Rowling, among others, is offering an annual prize for student novelists. The prize, which will be awarded through Exeter College, is worth £1,500 in cash. It also carries with it the possibility of being represented by the agency, which works with 175 publishers in 100 countries. The prize will be given for the best synopsis and opening three chapters of a novel by an Oxford student. It is open to graduates and undergraduates on any full time course of the collegiate University, provided they are not already represented by an agent.