Jon Barton has been announced as the winner of the prestigious £3,500 Criminal Lines competition for his debut coming-of-age novel, Little Creatures. This competition is a joint initiative organized by AM Heath, Orion Publishing Group, and Crime Monthly magazine, aimed at unearthing emerging voices in the genres of crime, thriller, mystery, and suspense fiction.

Judging Panel and Recognition

Barton was selected as the winner by a panel of esteemed judges, including notable authors Trevor Wood and Nadine Mattheson. Alongside the cash prize, he receives representation from AM Heath, marking a significant milestone in his literary career.

In a statement, Barton expressed his excitement: “You always hope your writing will resonate with people, so I’m thrilled by the response to Little Creatures. It’s been a long road to reach this point, and winning Criminal Lines marks a huge leap forward, personally and professionally. Thank you to the judging panel for this incredible opportunity to focus on finding readers and start building my career.”

About ‘Little Creatures’

Barton’s winning novel tells the story of a displaced teenager embarking on a journey across California to return a kidnapped boy to his family. This adventure triggers a sequence of events that will significantly impact both their lives. Described as a “chronicle of love and exile,” the narrative is inspired by true events.

Runner-Up and Mentorship Opportunity

Jane Bower, the competition’s runner-up, will receive mentorship from Orion Fiction. Her submission, Monkwood, revolves around three women intertwined by murder in a close-knit community, where two deaths, occurring 22 years apart, send shockwaves of trauma throughout the village.

Bower conveyed her sentiments, stating: “I made a promise to someone to stop hiding my writing away, to be brave and get it out into the world. Writing is hard; it’s a lonely place and getting it in front of the right people is even harder. That’s why opportunities like the Criminal Lines competition are vital for motivating writers like me. So, coming runner-up feels like I’ve just won the lottery! I am over the moon. This is a huge affirmation for me. I can’t wait to see what happens next.”