[Eileen G]

I entered last year, and plan to enter again this year.

The thing is, the novel I entered last time has had so much work it is much better, and hardly recognisable as the previous entry. As far as I can see, there is nothing about re-entering a book.

I do have another novel almost ready to go. I personally think it is the better of the two, with more depth and more action. But it is a follow-on to the previous one, and may suffer from that.

What do you think?

[Wondergirl]

I'm confused. Which book do you want to enter?

[Eileen G]

Both of them! But the rules only allow one entry.

[Wondergirl]

I'd make sure the first book is in good shape and (re-)enter it. The first one in a series is always the best one.

[Eileen G]

You're probably right. I'm just conscious of the learning curve, and how many great writers never manage to publish their first novel.

[Wondergirl]

So great writers publish their second novel (a sequel) instead?

Now that you've traveled the learning curve, polish up the first book.

[Eileen G]

Well, usually a different novel. Having a sequel which is better than the original is a bit of a nuisance.

John Boyne never published his first novel, it was never good enough.

My first novel has been polished so much it feels like a different book.

[Wondergirl]

Well, usually a different novel. Having a sequel which is better than the original is a bit of a nuisance.

John Boyne never published his first novel, it was never good enough.

My first novel has been polished so much it feels like a different book.

Can you tweak your sequel to sound like a first book, especially now that the first one has changed so much?

You're convincing me that you should submit your "sequel."

[Eileen G]

The one I'm thinking about is actually the third in the series, but I've tried to write it so it can stand alone. In some ways, I think it is the better novel, it has more emotional depth, as well as more action, but because there are a lot of plot strands and more characters, it takes longer to build up, and one round of the ABNA is judged on the first three chapters.

And the first three chapters of my first one are really good!

[Wondergirl]

And the first three chapters of my first one are really good!

Has anyone else read any or all of these and ventured an opinion?

[Eileen G]

Yes, I torture anyone I can find to read them and comment. Most of my readers recommend the first one, one other recommends the sequel.

I've just heard that the judges are different this year, so I don't have to worry about someone reading the same story and getting déjà vu.